Now that we're in...WHERE DO WE GO?

[moreyearsinschool]

Now that we are a bit more certain of where we've been accepted, why not discuss WHERE we should go?

If you want advice for choosing among your options, post your information. Good things to include would be your program options, subfield, research interests, funding package, and anything else you deem relevant.

[moreyearsinschool]

While I'm still waiting on Harvard and Georgetown, I'm currently deciding between UCLA and UCSD. IR is my subfield and I'm mostly interested in global governance, European integration and international law/norms governing the use of force. I got equivalent funding packages from each so the decision will be based purely on the merits of departments, not funding.

Thanks for any advice and feel free to post your own questions!

[mangopenguin]

I have NO idea where to go.

I am choosing between WashU, Minnesota, and Ohio.

I'm an Americanist focusing on behavior and minoring in methods.

Research interests- Modeling election behavior, women and politics, and political psychology.

But... PLEASE HELP!

All input is GREATLY appreciated!

[moreyearsinschool]

While I don't pretend to know a lot about American politics programs, WashU sounds most promising because it is the best methods program out of the three you're choosing among. Also, WashU has a strong program in gender studies, political science, and psychology.

[Wesson]

Actually, all three of those programs are excellent in both methods and political psychology. If Minnesota isn't funding you, that probably should rule them out. But all are top programs, especially in American political behavior. Have you visited them? This might be a "go with your gut" decision. It's not like you're going to make a bad pick when choosing among those three.

[moreyearsinschool]

Wesson said:

Actually, all three of those programs are excellent in both methods and political psychology. If Minnesota isn't funding you, that probably should rule them out. But all are top programs, especially in American political behavior. Have you visited them? This might be a "go with your gut" decision. It's not like you're going to make a bad pick when choosing among those three.

You're absolutely right that all three programs offer top training--I merely wanted to suggest that within methods in particular, WashU has an extremely strong program (top ten in fact).

[mangopenguin]

I'm an Americanist focusing on behavior and minoring in methods.

[rlayla]

chelsjaeb said:

I talked to someone from OSU on Friday and we find out official offers this week. However, the individual I spoke to was pretty confident that this was the package I would receive. She said if I didn't, it would be negotiable.

Please keep in mind that most packages are negotiable- Iowa, AZ, and UIUC all offered me more than originally offered.

I grew up in Columbus and 24K is HUGE there. You can definitely live uber comfortably. Put it this way: I haven't received my funding offer from OSU yet, but if I got 24K from OSU and 24k from Berkeley, I'd be eating filet mignon in c-bus and noodles and lentils in berkeley.

[babaababo]

Currently live in Columbus (and have lived here on a student budget). 24K is plenty. You could probably live ok on 18K here. It is an extremely affordable city.

[gradster]

While I'm still waiting on Harvard and Georgetown, I'm currently deciding between UCLA and UCSD. IR is my subfield and I'm mostly interested in global governance, European integration and international law/norms governing the use of force. I got equivalent funding packages from each so the decision will be based purely on the merits of departments, not funding.

Thanks for any advice and feel free to post your own questions!

If you get into Harvard go there. Georgetown would be my last choice (it's not even a top 25 department). But assuming that Harvard is a no, then I would take UCSD over UCLA. It's not only better ranked and has better placement, but it is also much better in IR, but it is more quantitative than UCLA so that is something you should take into account. If they have recruitment visits go and pay close attention to relations between faculty and grads.

[convex]

Wesson said:

Actually, all three of those programs are excellent in both methods and political psychology. If Minnesota isn't funding you, that probably should rule them out. But all are top programs, especially in American political behavior. Have you visited them? This might be a "go with your gut" decision. It's not like you're going to make a bad pick when choosing among those three.

I do not think it's the case that Minnesota offers top methods training. Certainly not compared to either of the other two schools this person is considering. John Freeman (who is admittedly very good) is the only legitimate quantitative methodology faculty member (and maybe Shawn Treier, but junior faculty probably shouldn't count). The rest of the people they list under "methodology" on their website are simply scholars who do some quantitative work, not people doing original research in methods. This is an important distinction, even if it is not your intention to do such work.

At OSU and WashU, on the other hand, you can learn methods from people who are doing methods research. Of those two, WashU edges out UIUC in terms of placement, although either place is going to be decent place for studying behavior. WUSTL appears to have placed American Politics people this year at Yale, UTD, Colorado, George Washington, and Georgia State, a very good placement record for one year, and this was a particularly bad market. University of Illinois does not have a comparable record, even in a year with a good market.

[sunny27]

[mangopenguin]

Was confused--

Actually waitlisted entirely and not just for funding.

This was totally my mistake. Sorry to be misleading!

[catchermiscount]

I vote that we go to Denny's.

[Hannah9]

Keep in mind OSU is a HUGE department. That's a double-edged sword...lots of options but lots of competition. You'd be in a cohort of 40+ students and have ~10 other Americanists just in your cohort. 

Let me know if you have UIUC questions!

[adaptations]

I can't say for sure, but I think the estimate of OSU having a cohort of 40 students is exagerated. If this is a concern for you, call the DGS.

[polisci09]

adaptations said:

I can't say for sure, but I think the estimate of OSU having a cohort of 40 students is exagerated. If this is a concern for you, call the DGS.

You're right, it is exaggerated. I spoke with the DGS at OSU last Friday. They are aiming for a cohort of 20 students. Two years ago (students in their third year now) the department was too successful--34 students accepted the offer of admission.