Another Am I Competitive?

[crock1255]

Am I competitive?

UG: Well known research university

GPA: 3.56

MGPA: 3.76 - Poli-sci

MGPA: 3.81- Sociology

GRE: 680V, 620Q

Recs: Solid from 1 poli-sci theory professor, 1 soc, 1 soc/employer (in networks)

Good writing sample for networks, good writing sample for poli-sci

Goal program is probably UCIrvine IR, Georgetown, or Princeton

Thoughts?

[balderdash]

Am I competitive?

UG: Well known research university

GPA: 3.56

MGPA: 3.76 - Poli-sci

MGPA: 3.81- Sociology

GRE: 680V, 620Q

Recs: Solid from 1 poli-sci theory professor, 1 soc, 1 soc/employer (in networks)

Good writing sample for networks, good writing sample for poli-sci

Goal program is probably UCIrvine IR, Georgetown, or Princeton

Thoughts?

If you have publications, then you've got a good shot at all of them.

If you don't have publications but you have good work experience, then Princeton is unlikely but the other two are solid options.

If you have neither publications nor good work experience, all three are unlikely with funding (unless your PS/SOP is truly outstanding).

[polisciphd]

In my experience, work experience has little to no impact on whether you are or will be accepted to poli sci ph.d. programs. Also, the lack of publications won't condemn you either, it is more a question of whether your research interests and your potential capability for carrying out said research fits well with the school in question (as was my case).

[balderdash]

In my experience, work experience has little to no impact on whether you are or will be accepted to poli sci ph.d. programs.

Work experience to me means research in the field, ie for a think tank or government agency, which I would argue does help.

Also, the lack of publications won't condemn you either, it is more a question of whether your research interests and your potential capability for carrying out said research fits well with the school in question (as was my case).

Never said it would condemn - just that if OP has them, it helps a lot because it demonstrates clearly that (s)he has not just the "potential capability" but rather the concrete ability to do research.