Welcome to the 2012-2013 cycle

[kaykaykay]

Well, you have plenty of time to retake the GRE if you really think that was the problem with your first round of applications. Now, I think you will even be able to chose scores. I think you should ask your letter writers why do they think you did not make it last year. they may have a better understanding what went wrong as it seems they really think you have a shot next time.

Edited June 11, 2012 by kaykaykay

[AuldReekie]

Quiet isn't it? Looking at the GRE scores I guess there is no harm in taking them again, though it is probably unlikely to have a great effect?

Just spent the last three days at the BISA-ISA conference in Edinburgh and it was great . I wasn't presenting, but there were so many intelligent and helpful people at every turn

Most entertaining session had to be the panel involving Vasquez, Jackson and Sterling-Folker (to name a few), bit of a ding-dong over pluralism in IR Theory. It was more interesting than it sounds!

Suffice to say I did enjoy the 'unemployed wannabe grad student' discount you can wangle from publishers..

[PDCU]

Hey everyone,

I've been hearing stuff about "emailing POI" during the summer from various places (just grad applicants in general). It was something like asking a specific POI to take them on as students, etc. Is this a good idea for Political Science applicant? Or does PS PhD program work this way? I tried doing that last year to a few, but I was ignored across the board.

[3221]

Hey everyone,

I've been hearing stuff about "emailing POI" during the summer from various places (just grad applicants in general). It was something like asking a specific POI to take them on as students, etc. Is this a good idea for Political Science applicant? Or does PS PhD program work this way? I tried doing that last year to a few, but I was ignored across the board.

I have heard pretty much across the board that this is not a good idea for Political Science.

[jazzrap]

Hello Everyone,

I am an international student studying as an undergrad in US. I am POLS major and deeply interested in CP. I look to apply everywhere

Here's my strategy: if a 1st tier program has a terminal MA in Political Science or Method, I will go for that. If not, I will go for Ph. D.

What do you guys think?

Also, I have two weaknesses. I have a GPA lower than 3.7, though my major GPA is almost 3.9. I do not have a fancy quanti profile.

Anyone with similar background?

[BornAndRaised]

Is there any way to find out GRE scores schools would like for Pol Sci?

I take the GRE in 3 weeks and I'm so darn nervous. I'd just like to know what I should aim for.

Also, I'm interested in IR but I don't mind doing some CP too (I'm a development studies major in my final year of an integrated MA program). Do you think I should mention this in my SOP or would saying so make me seem confused?

Edited July 4, 2012 by BornAndRaised

[BornAndRaised]

Another query. How important is work experience? I'm applying straight out of school but I've done 2 internships - one at a think tank and one at a public policy school.

[jazzrap]

Is there any way to find out GRE scores schools would like for Pol Sci?

I take the GRE in 3 weeks and I'm so darn nervous. I'd just like to know what I should aim for.

Also, I'm interested in IR but I don't mind doing some CP too (I'm a development studies major in my final year of an integrated MA program). Do you think I should mention this in my SOP or would saying so make me seem confused?

I feel that if you want to go quanti, you have to demonstrate your math skills with a few courses on the transcript. If you have not taken many high level quanti classes, then you should really go for more than 7550 in GRE for math.

[jazzrap]

I feel that if you want to go quanti, you have to demonstrate your math skills with a few courses on the transcript. If you have not taken many high level quanti classes, then you should really go for more than 7550 in GRE for math.

750

[midwest513]

Another query. How important is work experience? I'm applying straight out of school but I've done 2 internships - one at a think tank and one at a public policy school.

Not really all taht much...only if it really contributes to your research area of developed your quantitative skills, etc...

[PDCU]

Hey everyone,

I am currently in the process of researching schools, and it's been difficult for me. I am interested in more qual-heavy programs, but I can't really seem to find very much. So far, I think I have Chicago, USC, Cornell, and Berkeley. None of the schools are perfect, but all of them come very close. Chicago has Cumings and Mearsheimer, Berkeley has whole bunch of PS scholars on Korea, Cornell has Katzenstein, and USC has Kang, but considering how this process is a crapshoot, I want to apply to more schools than just 4. I heard that current trend of PoliSci is towards quant-heavy so (relatively) qual-heavy schools are rare. I want to do my research in IR and theory/comparative in Korean studies. (I gave up on my game theory dreams ) Can someone point me towards the right direction? I know it's my job to do the research, but if I can at least get the names of the schools to look into, then I can probably check out their websites and faculty and read their papers for my perfect IR/Korea guy. For example, I got mixed information on MIT where one professor called it very qual-heavy, but some others call it still very quant-heavy. Thanks in advance!

[jazzrap]

Hey everyone,

I am currently in the process of researching schools, and it's been difficult for me. I am interested in more qual-heavy programs, but I can't really seem to find very much. So far, I think I have Chicago, USC, Cornell, and Berkeley. None of the schools are perfect, but all of them come very close. Chicago has Cumings and Mearsheimer, Berkeley has whole bunch of PS scholars on Korea, Cornell has Katzenstein, and USC has Kang, but considering how this process is a crapshoot, I want to apply to more schools than just 4. I heard that current trend of PoliSci is towards quant-heavy so (relatively) qual-heavy schools are rare. I want to do my research in IR and theory/comparative in Korean studies. (I gave up on my game theory dreams ) Can someone point me towards the right direction? I know it's my job to do the research, but if I can at least get the names of the schools to look into, then I can probably check out their websites and faculty and read their papers for my perfect IR/Korea guy. For example, I got mixed information on MIT where one professor called it very qual-heavy, but some others call it still very quant-heavy. Thanks in advance!

For Qualitative methods, you might consider Brandeis. If you really want to do IR with qualitative methods, then go for Notre Dame, too.

[Bdeniso]

Hey everyone,

I am currently in the process of researching schools, and it's been difficult for me. I am interested in more qual-heavy programs, but I can't really seem to find very much. So far, I think I have Chicago, USC, Cornell, and Berkeley. None of the schools are perfect, but all of them come very close. Chicago has Cumings and Mearsheimer, Berkeley has whole bunch of PS scholars on Korea, Cornell has Katzenstein, and USC has Kang, but considering how this process is a crapshoot, I want to apply to more schools than just 4. I heard that current trend of PoliSci is towards quant-heavy so (relatively) qual-heavy schools are rare. I want to do my research in IR and theory/comparative in Korean studies. (I gave up on my game theory dreams ) Can someone point me towards the right direction? I know it's my job to do the research, but if I can at least get the names of the schools to look into, then I can probably check out their websites and faculty and read their papers for my perfect IR/Korea guy. For example, I got mixed information on MIT where one professor called it very qual-heavy, but some others call it still very quant-heavy. Thanks in advance!

I am attending Notre Dame this fall, and as someone who has a qual interest as well, I can tell you it is in fact one of the programs you should be looking at. However, you are going to have to be very quant literate even if you want to do qual work because you will have to speak to and understand the quant work that has come before and others will respond to your work with. I am not sure exactly what you are interested in, but the subfield of IR also leads to different liklihoods of qual work being accepted. Security Studies seems to have more qual whereas IPE has more quant. If you have any questions about where to look and my impressions can just pm me.

[PDCU]

However, you are going to have to be very quant literate even if you want to do qual work because you will have to speak to and understand the quant work that has come before and others will respond to your work with.

Thanks Bdeniso! I haven't had any math/stats since high school AP Calc. I'm going to fit in basic stats and calc courses during my 1-year IR masters at Chicago. But is that enough to count as "quant-literate"? How much quant training must I have before I am seriously considered for admission if I want to do qual work? Also, English isn't my first language so my GRE V is quite lacking (159/87%). Would high TOEFL compensate (116 iBT)? Would low V affect my interest in qual negatively?

[jazzrap]

Thanks Bdeniso! I haven't had any math/stats since high school AP Calc. I'm going to fit in basic stats and calc courses during my 1-year IR masters at Chicago. But is that enough to count as "quant-literate"? How much quant training must I have before I am seriously considered for admission if I want to do qual work? Also, English isn't my first language so my GRE V is quite lacking (159/87%). Would high TOEFL compensate (116 iBT)? Would low V affect my interest in qual negatively?

To be frank, if a master program can't make a guy quanti-literate, then there is no point even going to the program. The one at Chicago is certainly not a pointless program. It actually is one of the best terminal masters in US as stepping stone for IR specialists. So there you go

[BornAndRaised]

Hey guys.

I took my GRE today and my raw scores are about the 94th percentile in Verbal and the 74th in Math. Honestly, I thought I did much better in math. =/

Is this score okay? Or should I take the GRE again? I want to study IR with a qualitative bend so I'm looking at schools like USC, Berkeley and Cornell.

[BornAndRaised]

Also what parts of the application are most important - GPA, GRE, writing sample, SOP?

[Bdeniso]

If you want Qual IR, I am not sure those are the only/best schools to be looking at. Also with the GRE, your math may in fact be higher than your verbal, but almost everyones is so that would make the percentiles different. For example, you could have a 750 math and 700 verbal, but that 700 verbal would probably be in a higher percentile. Just an FYI,

[AuldReekie]

Also what parts of the application are most important - GPA, GRE, writing sample, SOP?

2011-12 cycle thread. (Especially Balderdash's introduction)

Profiles and Results, SOPs, and Advice (Fall 2012)

Advice from an actual PhD (redux 2) & Admission Committee Notes

Nuno Monteiro 'Grad School Admissions' http://www.nunomonte...grad-admissions

I don't think anyone can give a definitive answer, but I have found looking through these helpful.

[Penelope Higgins]

This post by a Cornell poli sci professor is also worth reading; the advice there applies far beyond Southeast Asian politics.

[BornAndRaised]

If you want Qual IR, I am not sure those are the only/best schools to be looking at. Also with the GRE, your math may in fact be higher than your verbal, but almost everyones is so that would make the percentiles different. For example, you could have a 750 math and 700 verbal, but that 700 verbal would probably be in a higher percentile. Just an FYI,

What other schools should I be looking at then?

[balledematch]

Hey All,

I'm back from a self-imposed GradCafe hiatus. Who else is excited to get this cycle rolling? I've been working on my SOP, completely rebuilding my research questions, and interests, as well as tailoring it to fit each school. In addition, I'm retaking the GRE next week in order to improve my quant score. It's been a busy summer, but after revisiting last year's results thread, I find myself perpetually inspired to improve on my horrendous last cycle, and hopefully walk away with a couple offers this time. Applying really does seem to be an exercise in experience, as well as drawing on the mistakes and advice of others. Last cycle's veterans have truly been a source of inspiration, in that they have proven that really smart people can get skunked, and come back and have a great next go-around. I'm looking forward to spending the 8 months or so hanging out virtually with you brilliant people!

[shavasana]

Just some helpful tips from the Duck of Minerva: http://duckofminerva.blogspot.com/p/academia-and-graduate-school.html

[integritywallpanel]

I applied to History Phd programs last year. I got it, but without funding. For various reasons I can only apply to a few schools that are close to me, and the nearby schools have poli sci departments that match my interestes more than the history departments. I'm taking a graduate seminar in poli sci this fall, and have a BS in Economics and a MA in History. I also am advanced in Arabic. Hopefully my diverse background (quant, qual, language) will help me succeed this time around.

[grantman]

hello all!

I, like everyone else, am applying for this round! I've made my list which now comprises some 20 schools (top 10, also 10-30 ranked schools, and a few even below for safety), but am trying to narrow it down because I don't have enough money or time to apply to so many. How many is reasonable, and what proportion of safety schools would be recommended? Say for 10 applications, 3 safety schools?

Anyone else applying in CP, btw, because it looks like its all IR out there....?

I'm also trying to determine my chances at a top 10 program. I had 750v 780q 5.0a on the GRE (summer 2010), 3.9 GPA from a state school, some undergraduate research experience (thesis), and am currently abroad gaining research experience and advanced regional language skills. But I have no stellar quantitative qualifications to speak of (beyond basic stats, calc, and econ) and I'm most interested in issues of economic/political development.

Another main cause for worry is that I too have received the "you'll get in" from my undergrad professors, but it seems like that many others have had similar assurances met with disappointment! I feel like numbers can only take you so far in grad school admissions, especially since I came from a run-of-the-mill undergrad institution.

Thoughts? Would especially appreciate any advice from people who have already gone through this!

Based on your credentials as they stand, I would say you will be able to gain admittance into a decent school, possibly a Top Ten institution. However, it is hard to narrow down your list without some more detailed information about your research interests as they relate to comparative politics. While you do not have a great deal of training in heavy quantitative research your apparent professional development, i.e. your language training and research abroad could help your application where there might be weaknesses.

One piece of advice would be to start crafting your statement of purpose. RWBG just brought up a topic which would be, I believe, a valuable resource as your start writing them.

I wish you the best of luck from one CP person to another.