Fall 2012 Ph.D Admission Chances

[grantman]

Good Evening Everyone,

Since I have seen a number of topics that address this area, I was interested in gauging thoughts on my chances in gaining entry into the schools I have applied to for admittance for Fall 2012.

While I feel me G.P.A. is relatively strong 3.7 undergrad, with a 3.9 in my major, and a 4.0 at the graduate level, my GRE's well to put it bluntly are low, really low. This stems from an anxiety disorder I have had since I was little for from then one I have tended to do very poorly on standardized tests. With that in mind, I have not applied to any Ivy, or elite schools for the most part and have tended to pursue entrance into mid-to-high level programs.

The schools I have applied to are as follows in no particular order:

-Maryland

-Vanderbilt

-Penn State

-Pittsburgh

-Ohio State

-Michigan State

-Illinois

-Texas

-Washington, Seattle

-Denver, program is Ph.D. in International Studies

As it pertains to my research interests, they tend to focus on two areas. The first is state-building, particularly state-building as it relates to building the government bureaucracy, and yes I know I probably have pick the most boring aspect of state-building, but nonetheless important research area. I am applying my interest in my graduate thesis which examine Afghanistan's central government’s role in state-building. The other area of interest to me is the examination of non-state actors, specifically how they administer any territory that they might control and how it differs from the state, also how they used and adapt to new technologies and how it may further their operations.

I would appreciate any feedback you may be willing to give.

Finally, I would like to wish good luck to all those who are in the process of hearing back from schools they have applied to and wish to congratulate those who have gained entry into any Ph.D. program thus far.

Anyways I must get back to writing my thesis.

[orst11]

A lot of us will have a difficult time in saying whether you have a good chance or not, because the admissions game is not an exact science. Even people that have done the process before will say you can be accepted to places like Ohio State and be denied by programs like Vanderbilt or vice versa. With that said, it looks like you are using a tactic that is quite common, personally speaking I am using a similar strategy, where you apply to a number of programs in the top 40 and hope you will have the opportunity to compare offers. As long as references and you SOP are good enough you have a chance to get into a few. Again, just look at admission statistics and you will see some of the programs you are applying to are very competitive at acceptance rates around 10% while others are less competitive at around 30 percent. That should give you an idea of your chances at various programs.

Secondly, you did mention you have a low GRE, are we talking about thegradcafe low or actually low? While it really isn't a huge factor in the process, I know just by talking to a few of the programs you mention they do use cutoffs occasionally. Sorry, I couldn't be that helpful but really I think many others would mimc some of the things I mentioned.

[grantman]

Dear Orst11,

Thank you for your response. I appreciate the feedback that you have given me, and I would say that my strategy is similar to yours and my hope is that I can gain entry into a nice range of programs. To be honest however, I do believe I should have applied to more lower ranked programs rather than applying to such schools as Ohio State and Texas, since I believe I do not have a good chance of getting in. I know I will probably try to Arizona State if I do not get in to any programs I have listed above, but I just wont have the oppurtunity to get any funding for the first semester/year.

The answer your second question, my GRE scores are probably low by most peoples standards.

But again, thank you for your feedback I greatly appreciate it.

[orst11]

First off, if you are feeling uneasy about your prospects you could always apply to a program with a Feb 1st or 15th deadline. Some of the programs you mention will announce decisions by then hopefully, so you may be able to throw another app in if you really wanted to. I do think you have a fairly good range of programs though.

Secondly, the GRE is typically one of the least important factors, but I will note that with applying to state schools this is often how they weed some of the apps out and how they decide funding.

Lastly, I wanted to note that while your research interests do align well with faculty from each program they typically aren't the most well-known professors from each department which does help in a way. I know with OSU and Pittsburgh this is the case, because I am also applying to those programs. I do want to note something you did seem to do and all of us should consider, (I think Penelope Higgins said something similar awhile back if I recall) don't let the research method limit your search let it be more about the questions you want to answer. For instance, some of the programs you listed do seem to use more quant. methods than others.

Best of luck to you.

[grantman]

Orst11,

While I do not necessarily feel the upmost confident about my prospects, that is my pessimistic nature so I am always cautious. Furthermore, while you do make a valid point that I can apply to some schools with later times, I unfortunately do not have a great deal of time available to complete another application just because I am just engrossed with my thesis at the moment.

Secondly, if I do not get into any programs I feel I will be okay overall. I will be graduating with my MPA which will allow me to pursue a career in the public or non-profit sector. Combine that with both my gpa as well as the projects I have done, I hope I could obtain a job, granted it might take some time.

Finally, while the questions I am pursuing are more quantitative in nature, I am not letting that limit my search. I know a number of academics who prefer the qualitative method approach, and since I minored in History as an undergraduate I understand that it can be just as rewarding.