Rochester, Penn State, Wisconsin-Madison and other Quantitative focused Sociology and Political Science Phd Programs

[quant_social science]

 Profile

PLEASE GIVE ME HONEST TAKES

 

• Undergrad: BA Econ, Turkey :GPA 3.2/4.0 — tough grading; top local school.

• Math/Quant: Calculus (multivariable and single), linear algebra, probability, stats, and econometrics (no time series though), plus a machine-learning elective. Advanced Macroeconomics (growth theory; endogenous growth models, and building upon that, focusing mostly on Ramsey-Cass-Koopman. We used Barro's textbook ) and Differential Equations, a proof-based discrete math course (introductory stuff).  

• GRE: 164 Q / 135 V / NS (will retake; hoping for 166-167 Q, and gonna do the writing and verbal this time).

• Next stop: got admitted to MSc Econ at a Russell-Group uni in the UK (starts Sept). Coursework: time-series, microeconometrics, data analysis ( half the coursework is on econometrics and data analysis), etc. Planning a thesis on political economy/ industrial policy using econometric methods, heavily empirical.

 

Target Programs (quant/pol-methods heavy):

Michigan, UCSD, Rochester, WashU-StL, Penn State, plus a few “safer” bets like UNC, Ohio State, Iowa, Rice. Maybe LSE Methodology (or Manchester, Sheffield) if I stay in the UK.

 

Questions

 

1. Realistic shot at the Rochester or LSE?

2. With a Distinction in the MSc + 166 Q GRE, what do you folks think my chances look like at Wisconsin-Madison / WashU / Penn State?

3. Any other quant-friendly poli-sci or social-stats PhDs I should add that won’t murder me on acceptance rates?

Edited July 26 by quant_social science
forgot to add some courses i took

[A Dalek]

I can't really give you odds since it depends on what the rest of the applicant pools looks like.

I'd swap out Iowa for Texas A&M, UT Austin, Notre Dame or another similar program. Iowa has some good people, but they're on somewhat of a decline due to budget issues. They've hired some new junior folks but it'll be a bit before they're at the advising stage.