Transitioning from theory to comparative

[NatSpit]

Hey all - 

I graduated from an interdisciplinary honor's program in undergrad that focused largely on political theory and legal studies. This was a mistake because my interests have always been comparative politics and I'm applying this cycle as a comparative specialist. Undergrad was fun—I really enjoyed it—but I fear it's left me at a disadvantage for doctorate applications. Here are a few sticking points it would be nice to get some insight into:

• My undergrad thesis straddled comparative and theory, but is too long for some schools' applications to use as a writing sample
• None of my other potential writing samples both a) fall within comparative; and b) showcase original research or deep quantitative analysis. Should I choose what I feel is my best academic work regardless of subject, stick with a less impressive comparative paper, or simply write something between now and submitting apps that fills the void? 
• For the GRE, my V score is high 160s and my Q score is 161...so I'm not doing much to help myself there in terms of showing quantitative research capacity. Worth submitting at the schools that aren't requiring GRE scores because of the pandemic?
• Are there any high-ranking programs known for not being super quant-heavy? Don't get me wrong, I actually love statistics, but I don't think a reader will look at my application and think "really high quant potential!"

Thanks for the help!

[PoliSciGuy00]

15 hours ago, NatSpit said:

Hey all - 

I graduated from an interdisciplinary honor's program in undergrad that focused largely on political theory and legal studies. This was a mistake because my interests have always been comparative politics and I'm applying this cycle as a comparative specialist. Undergrad was fun—I really enjoyed it—but I fear it's left me at a disadvantage for doctorate applications. Here are a few sticking points it would be nice to get some insight into:

• My undergrad thesis straddled comparative and theory, but is too long for some schools' applications to use as a writing sample
• None of my other potential writing samples both a) fall within comparative; and b) showcase original research or deep quantitative analysis. Should I choose what I feel is my best academic work regardless of subject, stick with a less impressive comparative paper, or simply write something between now and submitting apps that fills the void? 
• For the GRE, my V score is high 160s and my Q score is 161...so I'm not doing much to help myself there in terms of showing quantitative research capacity. Worth submitting at the schools that aren't requiring GRE scores because of the pandemic?
• Are there any high-ranking programs known for not being super quant-heavy? Don't get me wrong, I actually love statistics, but I don't think a reader will look at my application and think "really high quant potential!"

Thanks for the help!

Hmmm....

I wouldn't stress out too much in your position.  A lot of people do not have a clean, straight continuity from undergrad to grad.  And while you're right that not having a stats background isn't ideal, I think your GRE quant score is strong enough that you should submit it.

For your writing sample, choose whatever is your strongest academic work, hands down.  Don't worry that it's not in comparative.  Be clear in your personal statement that you want to study comparative but don't play down or berate your writing sample.  If it's too long for some schools, submit the strongest chapter or section, with maybe a one or two page summary of the rest of the thesis.  Then polish, polish, polish.  Ask a trusted professor and, if you can, friend in grad school to look at it for you.     

As for high-ranking programs known for not being super quant-heavy, I wouldn't look at it in that way.  Look for schools that have professors that you'd want to work with, first and foremost. Look at what those professors do and what grad students from the program have written on.

Others may have different thoughts, but that's my two cents.       

Edited September 25, 2020 by Mr_Spock2018
Clarity

[sloth_girl]

1 minute ago, Mr_Spock2018 said:

Hmmm....

I wouldn't stress out too much in your position.  A lot of people do not have a clean, straight continuity from undergrad to grad.  And while you're right that not having a stats background isn't ideal, I think your GRE quant score is strong enough that you should submit it.

For your writing sample, choose whatever is your strongest academic work, hands down.  Don't worry that it's not in comparative.  Be clear in your personal statement that you want to study comparative but don't play down or berate your writing sample.  If it's too long for some schools, submit the strongest chapter or section, with maybe a one or two page summary of the rest of the thesis.  Then polish, polish, polish.  Ask a trusted professor and, if you can, friend in grad school to look at it for you.     

As for high-ranking programs known for not being super quant-heavy, I wouldn't look at it in that way.  Look for schools that have professors that you'd want to work with, first and foremost. Look at what those professors do and what grad students from the program have written on.

Others may have different thoughts, but that's my two cents.       

I really agree with Mr_Spock2018 here. Continuity isn't an issue if you show interest and can talk clearly in your SOP about your research interests and demonstrate good fit with the department. Submit your best work; a lot of people send in writing samples that aren't related to their area of study, though it's a bit of a plus if you do. 

 

As for quant-heavy, I wouldn't worry too much, though I will mention that Rochester and NYU tend to care more about that their than peer institutions. Again, I'd focus on fit first and foremost. 

[Theory007]

3 hours ago, sloth_girl said:

As for quant-heavy, I wouldn't worry too much, though I will mention that Rochester and NYU tend to care more about that their than peer institutions. Again, I'd focus on fit first and foremost. 

I'd add UCSD to that list, and agree with everything else said above.