Switching to Political Science from another discipline

[AcademicX]

Hi everyone, 

 

I am a PhD Student in philosophy who is seriously thinking about switching to political science. I am still in the MA part of my degree, so I haven't spent that much time in graduate philosophy. I was a political science/philosophy major in undergrad but I eventually set for philosophy and dropped my political science major. Although I really like philosophy, I constantly find myself asking whether I should be studying political science. I enjoy political theory and philosophical discussions about race, but I sometimes wish my research was more directly applicable to real-world issues. When I studied political science, I was mainly interested in Latin American politics; specifically, democratization, weak political parties, and indigenous politics.

 

I am aware that I would need to refine my research interests and read much more if I were to apply to political science programs. But my main question is whether it would be feasible for me to switch fields. I am mostly worried about my not having a political science undergraduate degree. I could potentially ask two undergraduate professors for letters of recommendation, but i don't know if they would be good given that I haven't worked with them for over 2 years. 

 

One possibility, and I would love it if people could tell me if they find problems with it, would be to sit in political science classes at my university and try to develop an academic relationship with the professors. I study at an Ivy League that just happens to have very good professors in my political science interests and if I could impress them I may be able to get strong letters from them. 

 

Do you know of any cases similar to mine? I would be grateful if you could tell me your opinion about this and whether my background in another discipline might harm my admissions prospects. I am worried that, if I were to apply to political science programs, I may not land in a program as good as my philosophy program and will end up hurting my job prospects. 

 

Thank you!

Edited October 28, 2014 by AcademicX

[cooperstreet]

yes you can 'switch'

 

do you want to do theory?

[cooperstreet]

short answer: yes you can switch fields. I took ONE political science course before I got into a CHYMPS. 

 

2 questions:

 

what's your math background?

what's your language background?

 

the best way to signal your committment and knowledge is to be commited and knowelable--read tons of shit in poltiical science journals on the area you want to study. you need to know the debates methods issues in the field, that way when you write your SOP you show that you know what you are talking about.

[AcademicX]

In college I took two semesters of calculus and linear algebra, as well as applied statistics (my college didn't have a polisci methods class). As for language, I am a native Spanish speaker and almost fluent in French (although it's getting rusty). You're right, I need to do a lot of reading. I'm certainly not up to date or even entirely familiar with all the literature in the field. Is there anything else I should consider before applying?

[cooperstreet]

you're fine. kill the GREs and read journals. try and get one good rec letter from a political scientist.