Best combination for graduate political science?

[alaink]

So right now I'm stuck between Statistics/Economics and Statistics/Philosophy. I would really love to go to graduate school for political science, with one of my fields of concentration being political methodology. I'm pretty dead set on statistics, but what about the other majors? I likely won't have enough time to take classes outside my major(s) at this point. I really want to get into a program at a school like Stanford or Duke. I'm also very open to doing a joint JD/PhD.

[IRToni]

Hi,

 

do you have the option of taking Stats/Political Science?

 

Otherwise, I'd say it depends on what you're interested in. If you're into methodology, you likely won't be doing much political theory, so Stats/Economics might make more sense, I think. Do you know where your substantive interests lie? Are you interested in econ as a discipline?

 

To be honest, with the stats major, there likely won't be much difference between economics and philosophy in terms of prereqs for graduate school, so I would suggest you choose whichever is more interesting to you.

 

I will also say that some of the best/most useful/interesting classes I took were outside of my actual major ( and I had a triple major), so limiting yourself in that way might make you miss out on enriching experiences. Graduating time isn't nearly as important as  it used to be, IMO.

 

Also, do you know where you want to end up?

[alaink]

I actually am interested in economics as a discipline, and the classes outside the regular theory classes look very interesting. I just feel that many undergraduate political science programs aren't too strong. However, I am also somewhat interested in theory—I'm both quantitatively and qualitatively inclined, I suppose. I would love to work for a think tank or in any type of policy setting. I also wouldn't mind doing research and being a professor, but I am more inclined to do something else. 

[hesadork]

I may well be in the minority here, but I'm not at all sold on the virtues of a double major.  In my professional experience it's been exceedingly rare that a 2x gives someone a significant leg-up in graduate admissions, whatever the field.

 

And that said, not having a PS major or minor will require explanation in your SOP.  It's not an insurmountable hurdle, to be sure, but why put yourself in that position?  A Stats major/PS minor would be a very powerful combination in my opinion.

[peternewman89]

Just my view, but methodology and political theory (which I study) are basically diametrically opposed to one another, and could for all intents and purposes be parts of completely different disciplines. Theory isn't really even qualitative, it's a leap into logic, rationality, and postulating. It is concerned with the ought rather than the is. It also, unfortunately, has very little utility outside of academia (unless you want to bungle a Canadian election). It's much more akin to Philosophy really, at least as I practice it, but it must consume you, not just be a part of interests.

[ThisGuyRiteHere]

Stat major

Econ minor

You will be good. i dont think a whole major is needed in economics. Unless you are thinking about becoming an economist also

[HK2004]

Stats/Econ is the way to go. Philosophy will only really help you if you want to do Political Theory. 

 

A lot of the theoretical frameworks used in modern PoliSci (at least in the quant world, think rational choice and bargaining, etc.) are founded in Economics. There's a running joke that Political Scientists are just Economists minus 15 years. Also, don't underestimate how much the calc in Econ will help when taking the quant courses: again, especially if you're interested in more quanty stuff, Poli Sci is going to require some game theory--and a Methods major/minor means you'll be developing methods, not just using them. That's going to require comfort with econometrics beyond the 101 level.

 

Stats is stats. Should be self explanatory.

 

(Edit: wording)

Edited May 31, 2013 by HK2004