Realistic Expecations?

[ddongari]

What do you think the prospects are like for an international student getting into a top-tier polisci program these days?

Recently heard it's getting next to impossible especially with an undergraduate degree from a lesser-known international institution.

My friend flung this in my face yesterday, trying to persuade me to get a job rather than apply.

I would appreciate if you could give your input. Thanks in advance.

Edited October 1, 2010 by gariddong

[mrmirv]

What do you think the prospects are like for an international student getting into a top-tier polisci program these days?

Recently heard it's getting next to impossible especially with an undergraduate degree from a lesser-known international institution.

My friend flung this in my face yesterday, trying to persuade me to get a job rather than apply.

I would appreciate if you could give your input. Thanks in advance.

Well,

Depends on the following...Grades....GRE Score...LOR...SOP....where you went is important but not the sole factor. Give us more info.

[ddongari]

Ok, will give you more info.

Field of interest: Political Economy of Development

1. Undergrad B.A. in economics w/ minor in public admin., GPA 3.81/4.0 Overall, 3.93/4.0 Upper

Graduate Masters candidate in public admin. GPA so far 4.0/4.0

--> both at the same top-tier school in Korea

2. GRE V 750 Q 790 AW 4.5 / TOEFL - 120

3. Very good LORs from 3 professors, Ph.Ds from Chicago, Stanford, Indiana Bloomington or Carnegie Mellon although not big names in polisci

4. Some work experience in public sector, including 2 years in the army (United States Army)

5. Fellowship covering full tuition + living expenses + stipend until completion of Ph.D. degree in the U.S.

Is this enough info?

[mrmirv]

You should apply to anywhere you want. Not like I am an authority in anything but you have much better specs than me and I am applying to top 50 schools. Where do you want to apply? What do you want to study?

[unclejoecannon]

Ok, will give you more info.

5. Fellowship covering full tuition + living expenses + stipend until completion of Ph.D. degree in the U.S.

I think the fellowship will be the key for you. You have a great profile, but more importantly you have your "own money" so to speak. That is to say, a program can admit you and it will not cost them anything since you have outside funding. While I doubt anyone would let you in solely because of this, I really do believe that this can work to your advantage if a program is trying to decide between yourself a similarly qualified applicant.

What area do you want to study?

[ddongari]

What area do you want to study?

I want to study political economy of development.

Some interest in advancing my formal background.

My background is quantitative, but I am open to qualitative or new methodologies.

Edited October 2, 2010 by gariddong

[The Realist]

International students are still very competitive at top programs. This has not changed one bit in the past decade and it is unlikely to change any time soon.

Regarding your own situation, if what you say is true (1. you are applying to a top school, 2. you are applying to do IPE, and 3. you went to a top tier school in Korea, which means one of the SKY schools) then you need not worry about people not knowing your undergrad institution or its quality.

[Tufnel]

OP hasn't specified but he may be doing CPE, in which case he would be no less competitive.