Syracuse Maxwell vs. Temple

[sianover4o]

Hey all,

 

At the end of my application cycle, I am quite distressed how to make the right decision for PhD in Political Science (Comparative/IR), and I hope some of you could give me advice. 

 

I have been offered admission to Syracuse with TA+ 2 summers funding, and to Temple with Fellowship + TA. The financial packages are quite similar.

I have no idea which university gives more opportunities in terms of research activity, conferences, summer schools; Syracuse seems to be ranked a bit higher than Temple (#50 versus #70), but the placement histories also quite identical.

 

If anyone has some experience with the PhD program at both schools or have heard about them, please let me know! 

Instead of being happy about the offers, I am quite confused and nervous 

[anna_M]

You should not focus so much on schools or rankings, but on professors. What is a better fit? What kind of research are you planning to do?

[anna_M]

I applied to both schools as well. I think Syracuse is better if you are focussing on security, and Temple is better if you do economic stuff. Also if you are an Europeanist Temple may be better because at Syracuse one is about to retire and the other is quiet inexperienced.

[sianover4o]

I'm quite interested in the Middle East and authoritarian regimes. Both schools are a good fit for my interests and they have at least one professor dealing with the Middle East.

[anna_M]

Well, firts of all congratulations. I would try to have a chat with both professors (if you are in Germany, perhaps over the phone or Skype) and see who you like best.  I think Sarah Bush is a great person to work with, I attended a conference where she went, I was quiet impressed (but Middle East is not really my field).

[prof_IR]

Congratulations!!!  Come to Temple! I think the schools are comparable but the location is a lot better.

[Syracuse_453]

I think Temple may be better if you are interested in the Middle East, we have only one professor who deals with that stuff. 

[anna_gaga]

Temple has a lot of funding opportunities for gradstudents.. I don't know about Syracuse though. 

[anna_gaga]

Fellowship is better than TA. It means you can concentrate more on your own work

[sianover4o]

Thanks a lot! I will try to make my decision very soon because I get quite anxious.

[sianover4o]

I think Temple may be better if you are interested in the Middle East, we have only one professor who deals with that stuff. 

I thought Maxwell had Pr. Mehrzad Boroujerdi and Pr. Miriam Elman as specialists in MENA. 

[anna_gaga]

Both schools are great.. just go to the one you like best! 

Edited March 5, 2014 by anna_gaga