Fall 2015 PHD (IR Concentration) Advice, Suggestions, Programs

[ivanleterrible]

Hello all,

I am an undergraduate student(Junior) looking to apply to graduate school for the Fall of 2015. I am currently looking into Political Science PHD programs.
 

I am really looking for advice on how to strengthen my prospective application for Top graduate programs. As well as suggestions of schools based on my credentials thus far. Hoping to ultimately work as a Foreign Service Officer, Think Tanker, or at an NGO.

 

Planning on taking my GRE in the fall.

College Stats:

Undergraduate Junior at TOP 20 Public University
Major: Political Science % Human Rights Minor: English
3.8 GPA(80 credits), University Honors program & Honors Credits
Deans list all 5 semesters so far.
Humanities Research Grant($2000)

Human Rights Internship Grant($2500)
University Academic Scholarship(1/2 tuition for all four years)
University Scholar Award(2013)- Having above a 3.7 for two consecutive semesters
Alpha Lambda Delta(Freshmen Honors Society)
Golden Key Society
Honors Senior Thesis(will be working on it next year) - Middle Eastern Refugee Camp Education programs
International Relations Pro-Seminar(Graduate Course within Department) 

URM(If that counts for anything in grad school admissions)
ECs:
Honors Research Assistant(Fall 2013- Present)
Research Intern and Project Lead for a Top U.S. Think Tank(Summer 2013)
UNESCO Human Rights Student Intern/Ambassador(Spring 2014)

Jordan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intern(Summer 2014)
Vice President of Residential Hall Council
University Newspaper Staff Writer
Political Website Foreign Affairs Writer
University Medical Center Volunteer(2 years)
Model United Nations Committee Director(2 years)
Youth Ministry Leader(2 years)
Law Society(Secretary)
International Relations Association(member)
Red Cross Club
Alternative Spring Break Trip Coordinator(Tampa 2013, New Orleans 2014)
Symphonic Band(Saxophone for 7 years, performed at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall)
University Leadership Cohort(Top 15 Undergraduate Leaders on Campus)
University Student Government Senator

Town Council Board Member
Captain Intramural Soccer Team(Fall 2013)

Additional Information:
Language Skills: Fluent in English, French. Conversational: Arabic Elementary: Mandarin Chinese, Spanish
Computer Skills:: Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Minitab, R, and research skills
International Studies Association-Northeast Conference Attendee(Nov 2013)
National Student Leadership Conference(NSLC) Attendee

Also may take a gap after Undergraduate to do Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, or teach English Abroad.

Thank You all in advance, hope you are having a great weekend.

Edited March 25, 2014 by ivanleterrible

[AuldReekie]

First and foremost what do you want to do?

 

If it's working for the Foreign Service, think-tank or an NGO then a PhD is not normally considered necessary. A professional 1-2 year Masters degree will be just as good/better preparation for the careers you've mentioned as opposed to spending 5+ years in a PhD program training to be an academic.

 

I see you also posted this in the Gov. Affairs forum, that's probably the place where you'll get the best feedback for your intended career

[cooperstreet]

" I am currently looking into Political Science PHD programs."

 

"Hoping to ultimately work as a Foreign Service Officer, Think Tanker, or at an NGO."

 

These don't jibe. Don't get a PhD if that is what you want to do for a living. Why do you want to get a PhD?

 

But since you asked...

 

Looking at your information, I would honestly get the impression that you are an overachiever. Which is fine, but a PhD adcom is going to want to see a bit of individuality and personality in your statement, so make sure YOU don't hide yourself from your SOP.

 

You say you are conversational in Arabic. How many classes have you taken and have you studied abroad and for how long? Honestly when I see a lot of elementary languages listed, what comes to my mind is someone who took a semester or two, knows the alphabet and some words/grammar, and puts it on their resume. You don't want to look like that.

[polisci12345]

If you want to work in a think tank or NGO, work in a think tank or NGO. You don't need a PhD to do that and 5+ years in a PhD program is probably not worth the opportunity cost given your ambitions.

 

My general grad school advice is: grad school is not the time to find yourself. Figure out what you want to do. Its way better to take an extra year or two off and figure it out than to go to finish graduate school and realize you went to the wrong one which is a really expensive mistake to make. If what you want to do requires a graduate degree to do it, then pick the best type of program (this may not be a choice. If you want to be a lawyer, only a JD will do, an M.Arch would be worthless. If you want to work in other fields, you may have a choice between some types of programs). 

[ivanleterrible]

Hey guys,

 

Thanks for all of the advice. I am definitely learning towards a MA in International Relations because I really want to work in the Foreign Service or abroad at an NGO. The department at my school has been trying to shift me towards getting a PHD for a variety of reasons and I just wanted to see what my chances were. However, I think these responses and my interests would best be aligned with pursuing a Masters program.

 

Thanks again.