What rank range of schools should I target?

[jsong2013]

Hey all, 

 

Looking for a bit of advice. I plan on applying in the next cycle (winter 2015) for Fall 2016 year for PhD programs for Poli Sci, either theory or IR. 

 

Currently working full time as a Marketing Analyst and User Experience consultant/designer 

 

GREq: 161

GREv: 159 

Writing: 5.0 

 

 

UC Berkeley 2013 Double Poli Sci, Asian Diaspora Studies, Minored in Public Policy. 3.4GPA

 

What are schools I can realistically get into? I feel like my GRE is really low and I should retake it. Also does the sub-field/ specialization affect your chances of admission? 

 

Thanks! 

Edited November 14, 2014 by jsong2013

[cooperstreet]

either theory or IR

 

 

 

Depending on where you go, there's a pretty big gap between these two fields.

[gibbom]

Hey all, 

 

Looking for a bit of advice. I plan on applying in the next cycle (winter 2015) for Fall 2016 year for PhD programs for Poli Sci, either theory or IR. 

 

Currently working full time as a Marketing Analyst and User Experience consultant/designer 

 

GREq: 161

GREv: 159 

Writing: 5.0 

 

 

UC Berkeley 2013 Double Poli Sci, Asian Diaspora Studies, Minored in Public Policy. 3.4GPA

 

What are schools I can realistically get into? I feel like my GRE is really low and I should retake it. Also does the sub-field/ specialization affect your chances of admission? 

 

Thanks! 

I'm far from on expert, so take this with a pinch of salt. You're applying in 12 months time, so you have ample time to boost your GRE scores. The Q score isn't even that bad (depending on the type of research you'd like to do), although you definitely want to work on your verbal. Still plenty of time, mind. You're also best served clarifying whether you'd like to study IR or theory, too, as ad comms (from what I gather) expect you to have a reasonable handle on what you'd like to study within a given subfield. It could be problematic if you're not even sure which subfield you're interested in. Still, as I said, plenty of time to narrow down your research interests. 

[jsong2013]

I'm far from on expert, so take this with a pinch of salt. You're applying in 12 months time, so you have ample time to boost your GRE scores. The Q score isn't even that bad (depending on the type of research you'd like to do), although you definitely want to work on your verbal. Still plenty of time, mind. You're also best served clarifying whether you'd like to study IR or theory, too, as ad comms (from what I gather) expect you to have a reasonable handle on what you'd like to study within a given subfield. It could be problematic if you're not even sure which subfield you're interested in. Still, as I said, plenty of time to narrow down your research interests. 

Thanks for the help. 

 

My concern with retaking the GRE is that admissions boards take the average of your scores correct? And I know with writing that it's a bit of a crap shoot. I know that I want to work with international security specifically within IR and focus on the East Asian region. However given my Asian Diaspora studies background, I have a good grasp on constructivist ideologies about race, ethnicity, identity and their roles in civil conflict as well as international aid. 

 

Basically I want to go into US and Korean (North and South) relations research, for economic development/policy, and/or security. I was researching faculty and saw a few professors that were doing similar things within Political Theory subfields and IR so I wasn't too sure. 

 

That being said I think I would like to stay within IR if I could.  So if I increase my verbal to get up to 165 and my quant stays the same could I get into rank 10-20 schools?

[cooperstreet]

My concern with retaking the GRE is that admissions boards take the average of your scores correct?

 

incorrect

 

yes it doesn't seem like youre a theorist.

 

however having a regional focus in IR is problematic for admissions. don't get pigeonholed.

[jsong2013]

incorrect

 

yes it doesn't seem like youre a theorist.

 

however having a regional focus in IR is problematic for admissions. don't get pigeonholed.

 

 

Ok then, if they don't average that puts a LOT less pressure on me. I dont mind working in other regions, I just thought given my ethnic background along with my undergraduate courses I would be a better fit for professors that specialize in those regions. So then how would I avoid pigeonholing myself during my statement of purpose? Should I stay more broad and cover general topics faculty cover (e.g. trade policy vs security) over geographically specifications? 

Again thanks for the help, really appreciate it 

[cooperstreet]

Well ask yourself this: what IR people have a regional specialty?

[phd_prospie]

Don't listen to most of the advice you get here. Regional focus is less common that it used to be, but China and Middle East Studies people get lots of attention, there are lots of Africanists who major/minor in IR, and depending on where you apply, many in the old guard have a soft spot for Russia. Korea definitely works. You can always frame your interest as something more general ("nuclear") but say that something about country x makes it unique case meriting further study. If your interest is really narrow, you might think about Comparative (Foreign Policy).

Edited November 19, 2014 by officesupplies