Please evaluate my profile

[plisar]

The above is good advice, but for those of us who got rejected from top programs this year, don't necessarily take it as a knock on your record, it could also be a sign of the times. I have been told by all my advisors that this has been the toughest year in memory for graduate admissions, period. Many of the top programs have cut their cohorts (Michigan by as much as 60%). Folks who would normally be competitive are simply not this year.

And while one can do do a lot o shore up their record, there was no way for normally top condidates to anticipate a systemic collapse in higher education finances.

[eve2008]

it *is* really bad this year. all the more reason to apply again next cycle.

[Lex]

I kind of think it's going to be worse next year.

The other thing about the non-randomness is that schools like to compete with each other, and having an acceptance from one top program makes you more likely to get into another one. The professors at different institutions talk to each other (I found out from a professor at an institution I don't attend that a professor at a different institution I don't attend was unsuccessfully pushing for me to be admitted at his school).

More generally, my impression is that GREs and GPAs are used as a first screen, and that any one problem (low GPA, low single GRE, one not-stellar LoR) can be made up for by a different good number, other good LoRs, and a really good personal statement. And by networking. Like eve2008 says, you want them to think you're a known quantity. They're about to invest $300,000, give or take, in your education. The GRE is a way for them to corroborate the GPA/other measures of talent with a faux-objective number.

[AllFiredUp]

it *is* really bad this year.

Now, this is a fine observation. Do you think search committees will remember this in 5-7 years? An extra "boost" for a job in the offing. There will be jobs...right?

[eve2008]

i'm hoping in 5-7 years there will be a hiring bonanza after years of hiring freezes...

[AllFiredUp]

i'm hoping in 5-7 years there will be a hiring bonanza after years of hiring freezes...

From your fingers to the deans' budgets! Perhaps you and I have hit upon a "sweet spot" after all.

[rob.smith255]

ok i need some more advice from you guys ...i have interests in both political philosophy and international relations and i plan on doing both of them (in grad school and beyond) but i also plan to do a lot of my reseach using quantitaive methods, econometrics and so on .... since i donot know much about how poli sci works (econ undergrad) i was just wondering if i could apply for concentration in all three, ie. poli theory (philosophy), IR and quantitative methods? or will they think im just crazy? and considering my profile, which subfield do you guys think im most likely to get into .... and one more question, since i have one year before i apply and no school what would you guys recommend i do to boost my application?

lol u guys seems to have forgotten my question altogether (which is totally cool haha)...so here it goes again (in the above quote)