What improvements to make on my current progress (PoliSci PhD)

[Arren]

Hi everyone!

I am planning on applying for Phd programs in PoliSci next or next next year. I am aiming at Top 10 PhD programs in the fields of political science, especially in party and voting behavior studies (universities like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.). I have several questions about what improvement I can make on my current academic backgrounds to increase the chance of getting in a top program, or are they simply good enough? I understand this is not a question that can be clearly answered and I do not expect anyone to accurately predict the outcome of my applications. However, I would still want to get some opinions/suggestions on my current progress to know on which part I can make better.

Undergraduate university: National Taiwan University (rank 66 in QS)

Overall GPA: 3.9/4.0

Standardized tests:
GRE: 337/340 (V167 Q170 AW4.0)
Toefl: 112/120 (R30 L30 S26 W26)

Research experience:

1. research assistant for a professor at my uni: 1y3m (ongoing)

2. research assistant for a professor at a Top academic institution of Taiwan (Academia Sinica): 1y3m (ongoing)

3. a research program funded by Ministry of Science and Technology, ROC Taiwan

Publications: none

Awards: many, including one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC Taiwan

All kinds of suggestions are welcome. I'd really appreciate them!

[Dr-H]

6 hours ago, Arren said:

Hi everyone!

I am planning on applying for Phd programs in PoliSci next or next next year. I am aiming at Top 10 PhD programs in the fields of political science, especially in party and voting behavior studies (universities like Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, etc.). I have several questions about what improvement I can make on my current academic backgrounds to increase the chance of getting in a top program, or are they simply good enough? I understand this is not a question that can be clearly answered and I do not expect anyone to accurately predict the outcome of my applications. However, I would still want to get some opinions/suggestions on my current progress to know on which part I can make better.

Undergraduate university: National Taiwan University (rank 66 in QS)

Overall GPA: 3.9/4.0

Standardized tests:
GRE: 337/340 (V167 Q170 AW4.0)
Toefl: 112/120 (R30 L30 S26 W26)

Research experience:

1. research assistant for a professor at my uni: 1y3m (ongoing)

2. research assistant for a professor at a Top academic institution of Taiwan (Academia Sinica): 1y3m (ongoing)

3. a research program funded by Ministry of Science and Technology, ROC Taiwan

Publications: none

Awards: many, including one from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC Taiwan

All kinds of suggestions are welcome. I'd really appreciate them!

This looks good in terms of profile, but the admissions committee`s decision will heavily rely on school "fit" and the quality of your applications. At the PhD level, the ranking of the school of program where you got your PhD doesn`t carry as much weight as people think. I suggest making sure that your target school are in alignment with your professional and research goals. Hope this helps!

[Arren]

6 minutes ago, Dr-H said:

This looks good in terms of profile, but the admissions committee`s decision will heavily rely on school "fit" and the quality of your applications. At the PhD level, the ranking of the school of program where you got your PhD doesn`t carry as much weight as people think. I suggest making sure that your target school are in alignment with your professional and research goals. Hope this helps!

Hi, Dr-H:

Thank you for the advice. It's very helpful. I will put more focus on the program alignment rather than school ranking when looking for my PhD program.