Help...suggestions needed

[tonyy]

So this is the second year I applied to US graduate school (in political science). Sadly, I receive no offer again this year. I have been working very hard but now I must admit that I have some serious weakness that can bar me from getting any offer (or even being in the waiting list). I loss confidence in myself and am not sure if I should continue my academic pursuit. It would be great if you guys could give me some suggestions.

I first applied to the states when I was an undergrad. By that time I was not too suprised that I was being rejected as I had a very low GRE score. My teacher in the States suggested me to do an one year Master in the UK and that could improve my chance of success. During last year, I have been spending a lot of time in preparing for retaking the GRE, getting my work published, applying for scholarships and awards that can demonstrate my ability, and at the same time dealing with my course work in the graduate programme. With a clearer research interest, I applied to six programmes by the end of last year (I simply cannot afford applying to many schools). I have considered both good and average schools, hoping that I could at least get something at the end. Unfortunately, I still received rejections from ALL programmes that I have applied to.

Right now I really don't know what I could do. I am planning to get a job to substain my living. However, I am not sure if I should apply again next year. And if so, what should I do to improve my chance? Should I retake GRE (as a Chinese student, memorizing the vocab has taken away my life for nearly two years already)?

Thank you.......

[jackassjim]

Send me a sample statement of purpose by PM and maybe I can comment on it. Also, what schools did you apply to, and did you read the thread about area specialists/generalists?

[andrewc2005]

Have you thought about applying to a program at a Chinese-language school? China has a couple of good schools, like the Beijing School of Foreign Affairs. I think the fact that English is not your first language may be hurting you, your post has several systematic grammatical errors, and if your statement of purpose did as well that would raise a red flag for admissions committee members.

[celinamumu]

So this is the second year I applied to US graduate school (in political science). Sadly, I receive no offer again this year. I have been working very hard but now I must admit that I have some serious weakness that can bar me from getting any offer (or even being in the waiting list). I loss confidence in myself and am not sure if I should continue my academic pursuit. It would be great if you guys could give me some suggestions.

I first applied to the states when I was an undergrad. By that time I was not too suprised that I was being rejected as I had a very low GRE score. My teacher in the States suggested me to do an one year Master in the UK and that could improve my chance of success. During last year, I have been spending a lot of time in preparing for retaking the GRE, getting my work published, applying for scholarships and awards that can demonstrate my ability, and at the same time dealing with my course work in the graduate programme. With a clearer research interest, I applied to six programmes by the end of last year (I simply cannot afford applying to many schools). I have considered both good and average schools, hoping that I could at least get something at the end. Unfortunately, I still received rejections from ALL programmes that I have applied to.

Right now I really don't know what I could do. I am planning to get a job to substain my living. However, I am not sure if I should apply again next year. And if so, what should I do to improve my chance? Should I retake GRE (as a Chinese student, memorizing the vocab has taken away my life for nearly two years already)?

Thank you.......

What's your specific research interest? I guess this is much more important than GRE and other statistic things. Try to match your interest and the field of professors you want to work with.

Good luck!