Most competitive subfields

[Thepianohasbeendrinking]

What subfield(s) get the most applications?

 

Is it generally a good strategy to manipulate your application based on the perceived competition (i.e. applying for methods rather than IR, or something)?

 

Do most schools even admit based on subfield, or just rank applicants and see how they shake out?

[AuldReekie]

What subfield(s) get the most applications?

 

Is it generally a good strategy to manipulate your application based on the perceived competition (i.e. applying for methods rather than IR, or something)?

 

Do most schools even admit based on subfield, or just rank applicants and see how they shake out?

 

You don't really need us to tell you that it depends? Sure if a department has a speciality or focus that might be more competitive, but there are just too many factors at play here. My instinct is that switching your field of interest is a bad idea.. there's no point trying to game the system based on 'perceived competition' any field in a decent PhD program will have a high bar for admission. If IR is your strength and what you want to study don't try and fudge together a statement aimed at another subfield. 

Edited July 13, 2014 by RLemkin

[Thepianohasbeendrinking]

Well thanks for the response Lemkin.  I'll just say that with as difficult as the admission process is, having gone through it before, it makes sense to be a bit mercenary about this kind of thing.  I do agree with you that it probably depends, but what I was trying to get to was whether anyone had any insider knowledge about particular programs and the way they distribute offers.

[AuldReekie]

Well thanks for the response Lemkin.  I'll just say that with as difficult as the admission process is, having gone through it before, it makes sense to be a bit mercenary about this kind of thing.  I do agree with you that it probably depends, but what I was trying to get to was whether anyone had any insider knowledge about particular programs and the way they distribute offers.

 

Actually someone asked essentially your question of the former Texas A&M DGS last week. What he said was that all fields are similarly competitive with no hard quotas as there's an acceptance that many people will flip their stated Major/Minor at some point.  That's just A&M, but there are a few forum members who were/are on admission committees, so you never know.. 

[cooperstreet]

I've heard, from at least one school, that theory is the hardest subfield. But then again its theory.

 

Also, top programs are full of top people. But if you're applying to a mid-tier program that has a couple of heavy hitters in IR, IR is most likely going to be a difficult subfield for that school.

[CarefreeWritingsontheWall]

When I spoke to my current institution about how many graduate students they admit, I was told that the number of spots could also depend on the number of advisors capable of taking on more students. That is to say, they won't accept a ton of people in IR if they know they only have three faculty members capable of taking on 6ish students on top of existing students and their workload. This isn't a make or break it type issue though nor is it the first way they decide to accept students. It becomes more of an issue after the fact most times if more students accept their offers than anticipated. Moreover, this becomes more of an issue in universities will smaller political science departments (like my own).

 

But I do agree with Lemkin - don't manipulate your field of interest. Your strengths will naturally come through in your application regardless.