Michigan State (MSU) Political Science

[Zed1234]

Hey guys, 

 

So I'm a newbie at Grad Cafe, this is my first post. I'm trying to get some initial reactions about MSU's program and what your thoughts are on it (especially when it comes to how it stands reputation-wise, which is something it seems like y'all are pretty good at talking about). I'm specifically wanting to focus on IR/Conflict Processes sort of area. 

NRC puts MSU at 18-34, Hix puts it around 12, and US News puts it around 28. Schmidt & Chingos puts it at 17 in terms of placement. Also, while I realize nothing will stop you all from jumping down my throat about "rankings," I do realize that all of these are flawed in some way. But they're the most readily available data out there, so that's gotta be worth something.

 

Having said all that, the research fit is great for me, and that was something I struggled with when I was applying. Seemingly higher ranked programs (A good example is Berkeley, which US News puts up at #6) were actually terrible fits for me in terms of research. Given the competition for admissions, especially nowadays, I figured that fit should be a major concern as I applied. 

 

In terms of my career goals--despite what seems to be the norm on Grad Cafe--I'm actually not particularly keen on being the next James Fearon or some big shot hired at a top 10 university  If my research is good enough, and if people like my work, then I'm not opposed to it, it's just not my focus right now. But it would be nice to know if it's at least an option, given the school's standing in the community (I say this as if Grad Cafe is a representative sample of this 'community'). Basically I'm kind of banking on getting the cynical version of my education choices, since this is the Internet and it's Grad Cafe...I don't expect a support group.

 

If you'd like to know my approach to my phD, I see it as less of a schooling program and more of a 5-year visiting fellow program, with possibility of extension if my work is deemed worthy enough to continue. I always joked that if I could get into Columbia on fellowship I'd still go, even if they didn't want to give me the degree at the end. Call me a hopeless romantic, but my ultimate goal is to do rewarding work. Put me in a research setting, a teaching setting, or a think tank/consulting setting: I'll be fine. Right now, I'm mostly focused on the quality of education/research/opportunity, so it'd be nice to get the general opinions of people in the academic world about the school I'm considering attending. 

 

I'm not going to post my stats or anything too specific about my research interests because I don't think it'd be professional, especially since I'm sure faculty and staff also look through these forums. I'm more just trying to get a feel for the school, people's general reactions to it, and the unfiltered opinions of it (which I know Grad Cafe is notorious for giving). 

 

That's all I got. Hopefully someone responds. 

Edited February 28, 2013 by Zed1234

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