McMaster University, MA in Political Science program. Competitive or not?

[YoungR3b3l]

Hey guys

If any had any knowledge already regarding the MA program of Political science at McMaster University (Canadian). Is it very competitve and carefully selective? Or is it considered a normal program and the chances of qualified* applicants can be admitted?

Id like to notify that Im an international prospective with a governmental scholarship student that funds all the expenses.

*qualified is meant to have fulfilled the grad school & program requirements, with strong SOP & LORs.

Looking forward some answers.

Edited August 8, 2014 by YoungR3b3l

[YoungR3b3l]

Are you from Kuwait?

 

Honestly, for a masters I would do it in the country that you plan on residing in. I have had faculty who had Ph.D's from countries of their interest but terminal masters should be in residence.

 

I have heard of McMaster but that is about it.

Yes I am from Kuwait. And I am actually a MA student already, however I want to obtain a governmental scholarship from Kuwaits government, which can be obtained by earning an acceptance from a list of acreddited universities (90% of the schools listed are in the US and highly selective, while there are only 4 Canadian uni's and McMaster seemed the most flexible one in terms of requirements hence I am asking here) In addition, obtaining an acceptance (from McMaster for example) will grant me a governmental scholarship to pursue MA & PhD and when done with that, It'll end by becoming a faculty member (TA) in the dept. Of political science at kuwait university.

Thats why Im simply asking.

[jeetlebuice]

Hey YoungR3b3l,

 

The McMaster Political Science MA is very selective (I believe a maximum of fifteen people are offered admission a year). However, there are also several degree specializations. I don't know if they accept fifteen people all together or for each specialization. Moreover, McMaster isn't very popular for social sciences. It is known for its medical sciences and engineering. So, although it is selective, I would still refer to it is a 'normal' program.

 

Canadian universities are very open to accepting international students. I wouldn't let the selectiveness of a program discourage you. You have international experience that a lot of Canadian students won't have. In Political Science, that is considered an asset.

 

I have done a lot of work for the admissions department at my university and I can tell you first hand that they are not as selective as they want you to think. There are a lot of factors that they take into consideration. You should apply.

 

Out of curiosity, what are the three other Canadian schools you are able to apply to? Have you considered them?

[YoungR3b3l]

Hey YoungR3b3l,

The McMaster Political Science MA is very selective (I believe a maximum of fifteen people are offered admission a year). However, there are also several degree specializations. I don't know if they accept fifteen people all together or for each specialization. Moreover, McMaster isn't very popular for social sciences. It is known for its medical sciences and engineering. So, although it is selective, I would still refer to it is a 'normal' program.

Canadian universities are very open to accepting international students. I wouldn't let the selectiveness of a program discourage you. You have international experience that a lot of Canadian students won't have. In Political Science, that is considered an asset.

I have done a lot of work for the admissions department at my university and I can tell you first hand that they are not as selective as they want you to think. There are a lot of factors that they take into consideration. You should apply.

Out of curiosity, what are the three other Canadian schools you are able to apply to? Have you considered them?

Thank you for such an informative reply while the term selectivity is a bit spooky for us as int'l students, however the way you emphasized on it in the case of McMaster is very relaxing. I think I will consider applying soon. And yes you're right, as I remember McMaster has a terminal major of International Relations, and a also there is poli sci.

If I may ask, fifteen admissions out of how many?

The acreddited Canadian universities from my department to obtain an acceptance are:

1- McGill uni

2- uni of Alberta

3- McMaster uni

4- Uni of British Columbia

Ive reviewed all of the above listed requirements, McMaster seemed less strict. Hope this helps, and any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

Edited August 10, 2014 by YoungR3b3l

[jeetlebuice]

Thank you for such an informative reply while the term selectivity is a bit spooky for us as int'l students, however the way you emphasized on it in the case of McMaster is very relaxing. I think I will consider applying soon. And yes you're right, as I remember McMaster has a terminal major of International Relations, and a also there is poli sci.

If I may ask, fifteen admissions out of how many?

The acreddited Canadian universities from my department to obtain an acceptance are:

1- McGill uni

2- uni of Alberta

3- McMaster uni

4- Uni of British Columbia

Ive reviewed all of the above listed requirements, McMaster seemed less strict. Hope this helps, and any additional thoughts would be appreciated.

 

Unfortunately, I do not know how many people apply to McMaster. The information I provided was from their website. They didn't give details about how many applications they receive.

 

McGill will probably be the hardest to get into. It is very popular among Canadian and American students, so there will be more competition. UBC is also a difficult school to get into. However, UBC has put forth a variety of initiatives to broaden their acceptance process. They don't just look at your GPA. They look at your contributions to society, your personal life (to see if they can put your GPA into context), and work experience. Also, UBC is known for its diverse international population. They are very open to accepting international students. I think that coming from Kuwait will give you a good chance of admittance. UBC has a lot of Chinese, American, and European international students. They are always looking to expand the diversity of their students, so your background will be very appealing. Note that you will not be admitted based on background alone (that would be silly). You need to have a strong application, as well. 

 

I have never looked into uAlberta. I am assuming that it is similar to McMaster in terms of admission. I'm sure it has a great program, just like McMaster, but it is not as highly regarded to as UBC and McGill.

[biisis]

Haha, let me guess- you're trying to get into McMasters because they don't require the GRE? You are becoming somewhat notorious on these boards for your horrendous attitude, lack of ethics, and enormous victim complex. I suspect there are more fundamental issues at play in your application than just your test scores.

[cooperstreet]

Even if they dont' require the GRE, they will require the TOEFL right?

[YoungR3b3l]

Even if they dont' require the GRE, they will require the TOEFL right?

Yes, their TOEFL minimum i 80, I scored 100.

[YoungR3b3l]

Haha, let me guess- you're trying to get into McMasters because they don't require the GRE? You are becoming somewhat notorious on these boards for your horrendous attitude, lack of ethics, and enormous victim complex. I suspect there are more fundamental issues at play in your application than just your test scores.

This response is worthless and adds 0 information for me and for any guest/member.

As for the GRE, Not just McMaster solely doesnt require GRE, but UK Top Uni's like Oxford, Cambridge & LSE doesnt require it, and they are equal in terms of selectivity & prestige to Harvard, Stanford & MIT. Does that make "Drake University (US school)" that requires a GRE better than Oxford Uni that does not?

& who you're to judge that I suffer from lack of ethics? Nothing but an anonymous, which totally makes 0 weight & credibility to your replies. Save your time by doing better useful stuff.

[YoungR3b3l]

Unfortunately, I do not know how many people apply to McMaster. The information I provided was from their website. They didn't give details about how many applications they receive.

 

McGill will probably be the hardest to get into. It is very popular among Canadian and American students, so there will be more competition. UBC is also a difficult school to get into. However, UBC has put forth a variety of initiatives to broaden their acceptance process. They don't just look at your GPA. They look at your contributions to society, your personal life (to see if they can put your GPA into context), and work experience. Also, UBC is known for its diverse international population. They are very open to accepting international students. I think that coming from Kuwait will give you a good chance of admittance. UBC has a lot of Chinese, American, and European international students. They are always looking to expand the diversity of their students, so your background will be very appealing. Note that you will not be admitted based on background alone (that would be silly). You need to have a strong application, as well. 

 

I have never looked into uAlberta. I am assuming that it is similar to McMaster in terms of admission. I'm sure it has a great program, just like McMaster, but it is not as highly regarded to as UBC and McGill.

Thank you, im grateful for the useful stated information.

While i do think such schools nomatter how flexible their requirements may be, however they still need an effort to put into in order to be competitive and be admitted. What mostly I admire in some schools is their urge for int'l students to create a more enriching spectacular student sphere.

[cooperstreet]

FWIW I am having trouble parsing what you are saying. So be sure to have a lot of native English speakers read your SOP.

[biisis]

This response is worthless and adds 0 information for me and for any guest/member.

As for the GRE, Not just McMaster solely doesnt require GRE, but UK Top Uni's like Oxford, Cambridge & LSE doesnt require it, and they are equal in terms of selectivity & prestige to Harvard, Stanford & MIT. Does that make "Drake University (US school)" that requires a GRE better than Oxford Uni that does not?

& who you're to judge that I suffer from lack of ethics? Nothing but an anonymous, which totally makes 0 weight & credibility to your replies. Save your time by doing better useful stuff.

 

Says the user who changed their location/gender/program after a big rant about how he'd absolutely cheat on the GRE "for justice". Says the user who's wasting everyone's time asking forum members information that can be found on program's websites or posting multiple threads complaining about your lack of admissions. This sort of behavior denigrates the community here. You have 0 credibility and 0 value, sir.

[spunky]

 

McGill will probably be the hardest to get into. It is very popular among Canadian and American students, so there will be more competition. 

 

i know this has nothing to do with the present topic but that post above kinda reminded me of this one XD

 

Edited August 17, 2014 by spunky

[davet73]

That video is funny!!!

 

Actually, I will be starting my MA at McGill in 10 days and can't wait. I also got the differential fee waiver, which makes going to McGill way, way, way more affordable. I was going to pay $18k for my McGill tuition, but now I will be only paying $5k. So if you get accepted into McGill, find out about that.

 

I think a lot of people go to universities in Canada just so that they can go to Canada, which should not be the criteria for applying to a school. If that is the case, people might not get into the programs that fits them best. Therefore, I think your goal and area of focus is extremely important. For me, I specifically said that my research was going to focus on the 2011 Canadian federal election, especially the Orange Wave in Quebec. I think that being an American with a strong interest in Canadian politics did help. But in my case, McGill provided the absolute perfect fit for my specific research goals. Also, the faculty at McGill for voting behavior (Gidengil, Soroka, Belanger, etc.) as well as working with other faculty through the CSDC will give me the connections I need regarding voting behavior. Therefore, for what I am specifically studying, McGill is not just the best school for me in Canada, but one of the best in the world regarding my field of study.

 

What is the focus of your study? McGill is good with voting behavior and methodology, as well as IR. I hear U of T is really known for its Political Theory. I already have a MA from Eastern Illinois University with a focus on Arctic politics, and UBC (with Michael Byers) and Calgary (with Rob Huebert) are best for that specific area. Therefore, before you decide McMaster because you think it might be easier to get into, size up what you want to do with your research, the direction that you want to take your research, and find the school that best fits that research. Even though U of T is "ranked the highest" in Canada, I think it would have been an uneasy fit for me. I think this is an extremely important factor when selecting a university, anywhere.