evaluation of my profile

[berna]

Hello everyone,

 

I am applying to PhD in Political Science in the States for fall 2014. I am a female, Turkish citizen.

 

B.A. in Political science in Istanbul GPA: 3.19 But ranking: 2nd out of 100

Master's Degree at EHESS Paris in History and Jewish Civilizations GPA 14/20 with cum laude

one year Erasmus student at Sciences-Po de Paris

Gre: V: 155,Q: 156 AWA: 3.5

TOEFL: 101/120 (iBT)

 

Aside my native language Turkish, Fluent in French and English, upper-intermediate in Hebrew,

Research Experience:

a year visiting researcher in Moshe Dayan Center for Middle-Eastern Studies at Tel-Avıv Unıversity

a year junior researcher in a Think-tank based in Istanbul

6 months researcher in OECD in San Diego

 

I did my master's degree with Full scholarship from the French Government.

2 publications on the current Turkey and Israeli relationship

My primary interest is in US foreign policy in the Middle East through Turkey and Israel in a strategic approach.

 

I have already applied to University of Minnesota, George Mason University, U of Virginia, Purdue University, U of connecticut for fall 2014

 

intend to apply: U of Washington in Seattle (Near and Middle Eastern Studies), U of Florida, Suny at Albany, U of Buffalo, UIC, U of Delaware, U of Missisipi 

 

 Do I have the usual credentials of the people that apply, or am I much lower than the average? The universities that I apply or intend to apply are higher than my credentials? If you have any suggestions, please share

[TakeMyCoffeeBlack]

For the schools you're applying to, you're in fine condition. Your GPA isn't an issue given your ranking, your GREs could be higher, but you're applying appropriately given the scores, and you have great credentials otherwise. Good luck!

[berna]

Hello Take my coffee black=),

 

Thanks for your reply.

 

Good luck and Happy new year 

[Censorry]

Hi Berna, I am also a Turkish citizen applying to PhD programs in the U.S.

 

I think your profile is perfect outside of the GRE, and don't worry about the GRE at all because it only serves as a cut off point. That is to say, as a preliminary elimination. Those cut-off points are considerably lower for non-native speakers, I learned this directly from the admissions committees themselves. My GRE is high but it probably won't bring me anything. 

 

If you have a good SoP and writing sample, I think you are in.

 

Best of Luck to you.

[wisescience]

Strong letters of recommendation attesting to your academic and research abilities will be quite beneficial as well. If any of your application deadlines are in February, you may want to consider retaking that GRE. You can binge-study quantitative and potentially improve your score if you dedicate a few weeks to it.

[berna]

Thank you guys for your insights.

 

Censoryy which schools are you applying? Could you please tell me about your credentials?

 

Happy new year to All.

[doctoralgrad23]

Hi Berna,

 

I am also Turkish. Your profile seems fine with your targets. Publications will help you so much in my opinion.

 

I applied 4 programs and not sure for one another(Boston College).

 

Best luck,

[TheGnome]

My two cents:

 

Your profile is fine overall. The undergrad GPA is low but it can be mitigated by the grad GPA - though I am not sure how the French grades will be evaluated here. I am sure adcoms will be familiar with that system though. Your GRE scores are low. The cut-off point remark is correct, though I am not entirely sure if GRE scores are worthless after that. However, as TMCB said earlier, you seem to be applying appropriately given your numbers. 

 

To me, your scores seem somewhat low for University of Minnesota and UVA, and sort of borderline for George Mason (given their location Mason gets a lot of applicants). I would guess they should not be a problem for the rest of the schools to which you are applying.

 

Obviously we are all applicants. Only admission committee members in those specific schools you list above can talk about such things with absolute confidence. Even then, it may not be the case since admissions is partly a negotiation game among the committee members. So take everything said here with a barrel of salt.

 

Best of luck to you, and happy new year!