Teaching Experience

[Porthos]

Dear all,

I am a prospective application to a variety of PhD programs in Political Science (Virginia, Minnesota, WashU, Denver, and others). My undergrad and grad GPAs were ok (3.49 and 3.54, respectively). My GRE scores are fine (690, 690, 6.0). 

What I hope will distinguish me from the other average students is that over the last three years I've taught ten Poli Sci undergrad courses at a large state university on the east coast. I've taught 6 separate courses and the classes had an average of 40 students per class.... . 

My question is - will PhD programs actually give a damn? I know that published research is pretty important, but I haven't really heard much about teaching experience.

Thanks for your replies!

[cooperstreet]

It'll help, and it means you are familiar with the discipline. But it won't help much. Your biggest obstacle is that you have a 3.54 graduate GPA. What was your grad degree in and from where?

[Porthos]

Thanks for the reply Cooper!

I've been surprised to learn that my grad GPA is that low.... What I found in doing my degree was that a B was easy to get but an A was just as hard as undergrad.

I went to GW - Elliott school. Degree in International Relations.

[cooperstreet]

Porthos-

If GW doesn't offer A- than that may be in your favor, at least that is my guess. Reputation of school matters too, and GW's is of course good.

[Penelope Higgins]

Teaching experience will help you if you use it to make the case that you have figured out how your research interests fit into the discipline of political science. In particular, if your letter writers make that argument it will strengthen your application.

[Porthos]

Thanks for the advice Penelope and Cooperstreet! 

 

I will let you know how things go.

 

best,

 

Porthos