Profile Evaluation: PHD Political Science, Fall 2016

[gradphil]

Apologies for cross posting. I have posted this somewhere on forum and thought to post it here as well for early response. I appreciate any candid comments from fellow applicants, seniors and faculty.

Hi all! I am from Asia and nuclear security intrigues me the most. I have studied law and International relations--both at master's level and written two dissertations which focus on nuclear security--particularly the latest wave of nuclear proliferation and nuclear disarmament. In addition, I have spoken at three international conferences (Two at U.K universities and one at a top security think-tank in the U.S.). My MS. study was funded by the British government (tuition fees-stipend etc.) at a top-ranking university in the UK and I was also able to secure a bunch of travel grants from other organisations including the United Nations to participate in a couple of short courses on nuclear and cyber security.

I know the theory, academics whose work inspire me and more importantly what I want to do. However, I am at a serious disadvantage when it comes to GRE scores (V-157; Q-161; AW-Awaiting) and less than appreciable grades in the MS. dissertation. These are the only Achilles heels which I feel will militate against my odds of acceptance at top and second tier programs in IR. 

GRE is very much a learn-able exam, at least this is what I have learnt from people and out of my own experience. But the only dilemma I had I did not have time beyond two weeks to prepare and take the exam given the little time I was left with after the submission of MS. Dissertation.  Had I had invested a reasonable time— say a month or so — I believe, I would have fared far better in verbal than I currently have. Now the applications deadlines at my favorite programs are only one-two weeks away, and I am afraid retake is simply not possible or helpful in the current application cycle.

A similar predicament goes with the dissertation. Though I started it much earlier, at least three months before the deadline but given the scope of the project--involving a set of histories and tedious fact checking-- and somewhat delay in feedback on research proposal, I almost ran out of time and had to submit the unedited and un-proofread draft which I later found out, and was rightly identified in the official feedback, had structural flaws—implicit and sometimes wanting argument. This inevitably led my otherwise distinction level score to much lower than what I had expected. I am wondering, against the backdrop of two inauspicious events, do I stand a chance to get admits from any of these programs — Columbia, Stanford, MIT, Georgetown, GW, Duke, Cornell, OSU and SAIS, John Hopkins — or should I go further down the ranking to consider lesser known programs to be on the safe side?

For a more nuanced and deep insight a snapshot of my profile is listed below:

Undergrad Institution: A lesser known institute in Asia but nonetheless reputable.

Major: Law

GPA: (3.4/4 as per WES)

Grad Institution: Same as undergrad.

Degree: LLM

GPA: (4.00/4.00 as calculated by WES)

Grad Institution: Top-10 in U.K and top-100 in the world.

Major: International Relations

GPA: (3.4/4.00 as per WES equivalence)

GRE: V-157, Q-161, AW- Awaiting but I guess somewhere between 3.5 to 5.5

Quant Prep. Linear Algebra (A); Calculus up to multivariable (A), Statistics (A+) Macroeconomics (B+).

Letter of Recommendation: All from Grad school. Hopefully positive J

Research/related experience: LLM Thesis, 73% (70% is a 4.0 by conversion) and MS. Thesis Less than 60%.

Teaching Experience: Teaching law at my grad institution to undergrad students. 

Research Interests: IR theory, democratization, civil-military relations and nuclear (in)security with regional focus on South Asia and Middle East. 

Publication: Co-authored one paper at an international publishing house. Master’s thesis along with couple of term papers are in line for publication.

[kaykaykay]

it seems that you have a serious issue with managing time and finishing things. this is a real concern if you want to do a PhD.

In any case you seem to be only aiming for top schools. Given that admission is a crapshoot even with a perfect profile the recommendation is to apply to lower level schools as well . So yes, in your place I would research and apply to places with good programs which ranked lower for sure .

Edited November 26, 2015 by kaykaykay

[cooperstreet]

On 11/23/2015, 7:43:57, gradphil said:

against the backdrop of two inauspicious events,
 

These were things of your own making, not exogenous shocks. Wait a year and re-take the GREs if you want a shot.

Also, what does this mean?

On 11/23/2015, 7:43:57, gradphil said:

Master’s thesis along with couple of term papers are in line for publication.

 

[gradphil]

12 hours ago, kaykaykay said:

it seems that you have a serious issue with managing time and finishing things. this is a real concern if you want to do a PhD.

In any case you seem to be only aiming for top schools. Given that admission is a crapshoot even with a perfect profile the recommendation is to apply to lower level schools as well . So yes, in your place I would research and apply to places with good programs which ranked lower for sure .

Agreed to the extent that I had a problem with managing time--though I always met the deadlines. That said, it can be predicted that one will likely follow the pattern. I don't agree to that line of reasoning however. At my graduate school where I did LLM, I submitted all my coursework and research well before the deadlines and earned a decent score. However, things work differently across countries and cultures and it's possible one falters in a new environment but learns to adjust one's sails accordingly. I don't want to hide myself behind the excuses as other students with similar backgrounds and under similar circumstances have performed quite well but I want to emphasize future is not bound to follow the past--though in many circumstances it inevitably does.

Can you suggest which other (lower ranking) schools should I aim for which are strong in nuclear security and democratization? Currently, I am considering Southern California, Virginia, Vanderbilt and may be Brown along with top-2-3 schools.

 

12 hours ago, cooperstreet said:

These were things of your own making, not exogenous shocks. Wait a year and re-take the GREs if you want a shot.

Agreed. They are endogenous and of my own making. This year, I just want to send 6-7 applications to a range of programs (top and lower tier) where I feel have a strong fit and will certainly improve GREs to avail next session if got dinged from all.

12 hours ago, cooperstreet said:

Also, what does this mean?

I am editing them for publication in line with the tutors' feedback but have not submitted for publication anywhere. If I apply again next year, I hope to have two journal articles along with 2-3 publications at different outlets on my CV.

[cooperstreet]

2 hours ago, gradphil said:

I am editing them for publication in line with the tutors' feedback but have not submitted for publication anywhere. If I apply again next year, I hope to have two journal articles along with 2-3 publications at different outlets on my CV.

Please do not mention this on a SOP.

[kaykaykay]

7 hours ago, gradphil said:

Agreed to the extent that I had a problem with managing time--though I always met the deadlines. That said, it can be predicted that one will likely follow the pattern. I don't agree to that line of reasoning however. At my graduate school where I did LLM, I submitted all my coursework and research well before the deadlines and earned a decent score. However, things work differently across countries and cultures and it's possible one falters in a new environment but learns to adjust one's sails accordingly. I don't want to hide myself behind the excuses as other students with similar backgrounds and under similar circumstances have performed quite well but I want to emphasize future is not bound to follow the past--though in many circumstances it inevitably does.

Can you suggest which other (lower ranking) schools should I aim for which are strong in nuclear security and democratization? Currently, I am considering Southern California, Virginia, Vanderbilt and may be Brown along with top-2-3 schools.

Sorry not my fields so I do not know, try to talk to your professors. I am not sure what your long story and now another long story has to with anything. Noone will care about this explanation but  if they do it will be a red flag so I would leave it out. Try to spread your applications and make sure you get the SOP right.

Edited November 27, 2015 by kaykaykay