Political Science at UC-Davis?

[spartan]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have any experience with applying to or studying at UC Davis? I've heard mixed things, but I'm interested in any and all firsthand insight.

Thanks-

[expfcwintergreen]

Hi there. I applied and was accepted to Davis in the last cycle, and I'll be starting there this fall. Obviously I can't say anything about studying there yet, but I'm happy to answer any questions you have about applying.

What mixed things have you heard?

Edited June 25, 2012 by expfcwintergreen

[spartan]

Hi there,

Congrats on getting accepted! UC-Davis actually one of my top choices, and I'd be interested to hear more about....well, everything. I've heard that a number of professors have left/are leaving the department, but I've also heard that there's some great research happening in the American/quant fields. I'm primarily interested in theory, but there will likely be some hybridity in my plans for future research.

I have a solid undergraduate record from a top school and a few years of good (sort of relevant) work experience. I'm not asking for "chances" per se, but I'm wondering what sort of background Davis looks for when considering an applicant in political science.

Thanks so much for the reply!

[midwest513]

Definitely a department on the rise.

[expfcwintergreen]

Hi there,

Congrats on getting accepted! UC-Davis actually one of my top choices, and I'd be interested to hear more about....well, everything. I've heard that a number of professors have left/are leaving the department,

I don't know whether or to what extent that's true for the other subfields, but comparative (where I will be) is growing. There's currently five people in the comparative faculty, and they're in the process of hiring two more. Midwest513 is right: the program has an overall reputation as something of a rising star.

but I've also heard that there's some great research happening in the American/quant fields.

Almost certainly true. Davis's American is generally ranked somewhat higher than their comparative, and the program in general has a reputation for producing high-caliber quantitative research.

I'm primarily interested in theory, but there will likely be some hybridity in my plans for future research.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about theory at Davis, but it seems to be a good place for "hybridity." I myself have a core set of thematic interests (I'm primarily an institutions guy) that I'm interested in exploring from both a comparative as well as an American perspective, and when I visited in March pretty much everyone I talked to gave the impression that they encourage that kind of interdisciplinary (or at least inter-subfield) work.

I have a solid undergraduate record from a top school and a few years of good (sort of relevant) work experience. I'm not asking for "chances" per se, but I'm wondering what sort of background Davis looks for when considering an applicant in political science.

One thing I can say from my own experience is that they won't get hung up on any black marks you might have on your profile as long as you make up for them elsewhere. I applied straight out of undergrad; I had a low cumulative GPA (~3.1 at the time I applied) due to a miserable first two years, but I had a good major GPA (~3.9), good GRE scores, and a bit of quality research experience, and once I was accepted they seemed pretty eager to get me on board (though they did not court me quite as hard as a few of the somewhat lower-ranked programs that accepted me).

Work experience might help; in any case it certainly won't hurt. My cohort is 14 people including me, and if I recall from my visitation, only me and a few others were coming straight out of undergrad; the rest were coming from masters' programs or the working world.

As with many or most programs, fit is probably the single most important thing. If there are people there that are doing stuff that excites you, I strongly encourage you to get in touch with them now - Davis's faculty and departmental staff were by far the most helpful and approachable that I dealt with during my application cycle. It was a stark contrast to certain other programs I applied to.

Edited June 26, 2012 by expfcwintergreen

[foosh]

I don't know whether or to what extent that's true for the other subfields, but comparative (where I will be) is growing. There's currently five people in the comparative faculty, and they're in the process of hiring two more. Midwest513 is right: the program has an overall reputation as something of a rising star.

UC Davis is not hiring two more faculty. They hired one senior faculty, Matthew Shugart, from UCSD.

Almost certainly true. Davis's American is generally ranked somewhat higher than their comparative, and the program in general has a reputation for producing high-caliber quantitative research.

The keyword here is quantitative. UCD has a very rigorous methods sequence that everyone (including theorists) must take during the first year. It is tough, and students have dropped out in the past because they couldn't handle it.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about theory at Davis, but it seems to be a good place for "hybridity." I myself have a core set of thematic interests (I'm primarily an institutions guy) that I'm interested in exploring from both a comparative as well as an American perspective, and when I visited in March pretty much everyone I talked to gave the impression that they encourage that kind of interdisciplinary (or at least inter-subfield) work.

You are encouraged to cut across the traditional subfields in your research. American politics is very strong (nationally ranked in the top 20) and comparative politics will be comparable in the next few years (if it isn't already). Generally the subfield pairings are american/methods, comparative/methods, or comparative/IR, although you are welcome to choose your own combination.

Edited July 18, 2012 by foosh

[splinter111]

Hi foosh,

It seems that you know a lot about the UCD. Do you also have any insights about funding ? Do all new students get funding?

I have searched the department web, but i could only find an ambiguous commitment, without any details...

[foosh]

It seems that you know a lot about the UCD. Do you also have any insights about funding ? Do all new students get funding?

I have searched the department web, but i could only find an ambiguous commitment, without any details...

All admitted students are guaranteed 5 years of funding through fellowships and teaching/research assistantships. This includes fee remission (i.e. tuition is paid for you) and a stipend (~1800/mo for the average student). This differs from other programs, where a few students will receive funded slots, and the remaining will need to pay for themselves unless a funded slot opens up.

Edited July 19, 2012 by foosh