Chances

[michal]

Graduated with honors from top 10 research university

GPA: 3.7 (3.8 in major - history)

GRE: 640 V/720 Q/6 writing

Current Fulbright scholar in the Middle East (language study and independent research - related to poli sci/sociology/human rights)

Former recipient of research grant in Southeast Asia (also did independent poli sci research - one of five Americans selected for the grant)

Research assistant in accounting department at graduate business school during college - lots of quantitative work/data analysis

Math background - multivariable calc, linear algebra, differential equations (straight As in these courses)

Excellent recs

Field I'm interested in: comparative politics

Language skills: fluent in English and French, advanced Hebrew, intermediate Arabic/Thai, beginning Khmer

Schools I'm looking at:

Stanford

UCSD

Berkeley

Harvard

Texas

Princeton

Yale

Michigan

Columbia

NYU

Any others??

Thanks in advance!

[Penelope Higgins]

You've got a list of most of the top 10 schools in comparative (missing UCLA, for one) but since you don't describe your interests within comparative in any more detail, it is hard to give any more advice.

With that experience, GPA, and GRE scores, I'd guess your file would get a good read at many of the schools you list, but a lot will depend on the letters and the research proposal...

Graduated with honors from top 10 research university

GPA: 3.7 (3.8 in major - history)

GRE: 640 V/720 Q/6 writing

Current Fulbright scholar in the Middle East (language study and independent research - related to poli sci/sociology/human rights)

Former recipient of research grant in Southeast Asia (also did independent poli sci research - one of five Americans selected for the grant)

Research assistant in accounting department at graduate business school during college - lots of quantitative work/data analysis

Math background - multivariable calc, linear algebra, differential equations (straight As in these courses)

Excellent recs

Field I'm interested in: comparative politics

Language skills: fluent in English and French, advanced Hebrew, intermediate Arabic/Thai, beginning Khmer

Schools I'm looking at:

Stanford

UCSD

Berkeley

Harvard

Texas

Princeton

Yale

Michigan

Columbia

NYU

Any others??

Thanks in advance!

[ipsqq]

I agree, that's a pretty broad list without knowing exactly what you want to do. Quant, qual, modeling / conflict, institutions, democracy, etc.

I would, however, be wary of the California publics as they are facing a long-term state budget crisis that is affecting their faculty and students. Ask hard questions about funding guarantees and watch closely for placement of recent grads and movement of faculty.

[michal]

Thanks for the responses! I'm interested in immigration/migration, ethnicity, and human rights issues. My current Fulbright research is related to international migration. I'd like schools that are strong in Middle East Studies, but that also have at least some offerings in Southeast Asian Studies.

Several of the California public schools have excellent SE Asian Studies programs - would you guys avoid them because of the budget problems or apply anyway?

Also, how many schools do most people apply to? I'd like to not spend a fortune on application fees.

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Also, how many schools do most people apply to? I'd like to not spend a fortune on application fees.

It's been awhile, but I think I applied to 10-12. I think you can expect to shell out some cash applying to graduate schools. Even with a good record, you're going to want to have as many options as possible at this stage (it'll be a similar situation when you apply for jobs).

[rc47]

You should definitely apply to the California publics if you are interested in Asia. Be very careful when looking at the financial situations facings different programs. First, many of the top private schools were hit hard by the recession and still have a long road to recovery. Second, schools often do not treat all their departments the same, so you should look at how the political science departments specifically have been affected at the universities that you are interested in. As ipsqq suggested, ask tough questions. But I think that it would be a serious mistake to avoid any school based on something that you read on this board.