Chances for a Political Science Security Studies focused based PhD?

[SecurityStudiesguy]

Hi All,

I am the odd ball person with a weird background so here it goes.

Started college many years ago, in 1997. Quit in 2000. Basically, I started work in the telecom industry which was very high paying at the time. Quickly discovered it was not for me, I did not leave because the money was amazing. I have now left and am in school full time.

Then the economic recession hit in 2008 and the money disappeared. Luckily, my wife has a good job. I never stopped loving political science and my dream before I quit was to teach security studies in some capacity. I kept up on the literature, all I read is security studies books and peer-reviewed journals.

In 2008, I went back part time and finished full time from a large state university in the Northeast. I finished with a 3.56 GPA and BA's in history and political science. While that is ok, I started and stopped about three times. I am unsure if this will hurt my chances of a PhD.

I am full-time enrolled in a Master's program where I have a 3.9 GPA, 1360 GRE's and good letters of recommendation from some of the top security experts in the world. I have done 4 internships, some very prestigious, and have been published in several peer-reviewed journals (with co-authors, one is a prestigious professor), as well as having a position at an international relations website. I have also edited a volume for this same publication with some very prestigious names in the volume. I have dedicated myself to this craft and intend to make it my career. When you love what you do it comes quite easily.

I will be applying to some of the top schools with intent to either work in a think tank that is security studies focused (China mostly) or teach in an institution that wants a good diet of writing in peer reviewed journals.

Schools I am looking at: MIT, Harvard, BC, BU, Northeastern, UCONN, Tufts (my intent is to focus on China security issues)

Sadly, I can't leave the Northeast as my wife has a great job and can support me through the PhD without financial ruin. The Boston, Conn, and RI area is where I need to look.

I guess my questions for the group are: 1. Do I have a chance at admission at some of the school I mentioned? 2. Are there any other schools in the Northeast I should also look at? 3. Will being in and of school in my undergrad hurt me?

[Penelope Higgins]

2 quick thoughts:

1. MA GPA and performance trumps any 'issues' with undergrad records. Your MA shows you can do graduate work, and that you have a clear sense of your research interests.

2. Brown has a MAJOR China initiative in the works: they are re-organizing the Watson Institute in ways that will make it more social science and policy-friendly over the next few years, and trying to hire two senior-level China scholars. In addition, they McDermott has serious policy/think tank connections in the security world. I would put them on your list.

Harvard may be a long shot for you, as it is for everyone applying (even those who get admitted can't count on it) but your file should be competitive at many of the other schools you list.

[SecurityStudiesguy]

Thanks Penelope,

I have read many of your postings and consider it wise counsel. I have two other questions:

I am in my early thirties...do committees look at age in considering candidates? I know it would be highly illegal but I am sure it does happen. Just curious your take on it.

Also, does Brown have a lot of focus on Chinese security studies issues? I am not interested so much in Quantitative measures or theory. I am very much interested in the military aspects of US China relations, the South China Sea and various regional tensions.

[Penelope Higgins]

I can speak to your first question only: age has never come up in discussing a candidate on any admissions committee on which I have served.

In terms of the second, I am far from an expert either on Chinese security or on Brown. I would poke around both the poli sci department and Watson and see what you think. I will say, though, that the department in general is not a very quant place, that Watson has a lot of policy-relevant people, and that the Brown name will help you get think tank jobs a lot more than some of the other departments you listed.

[SecurityStudiesguy]

Thanks Again!

I was scared there could have been some age based discrimination. Your advice makes me feel much better!

I would also like to quickly address schools that are better for think tank work. Are there certain school that are good at preparing a young scholar for think tank work and if that person wanted to teach one day as well? I am just concerned with the job market when I am done, as are most people I am sure. Are there any schools that would give me the option for a think tank career and the ability to teach?