Profile evaluation: PhD Poli Sci

[Sbrail2]

Hey all, I'm a current graduating senior and I'm looking to apply straight to PhD programs and I'm wondering what you guys think. I'm looking to apply to Ohio State, Penn State, University of South Carolina, University of North Texas, American University, LSU, and University of Georgia.

PROFILE:
Type of Undergrad Institution: LSU
Major(s): Political Science - American Government concentration
Undergrad GPA: 3.9 cumulative, 4.0 in major
GRE: 
Verbal: 157
Quant: 148
Writing: 4.5
(not the best scores, I know)

Letters of Recommendation: I have three very strong LORs, one from the department chair of the Political Science department here who does have many connections.

Research Experience:  Only what I've done via my classes

Subfield/Research Interests: American Government, Political Theory
Other: 4 years of military experience, strong work resume, great academic performance.

Edited December 1, 2015 by Sbrail2

[cooperstreet]

I think that's an odd mix of schools. 1 top 20, a top 30, and then some that aren't even ranked? If you go to a school like, say, the University of North Texas or LSU, are you ok with most likely not getting a tenure-track job when you graduate? That's the reality of the situation and what you need to ask yourself.

[Sbrail2]

I don't believe it to be all that odd of a mix. I chose schools primarily that I felt I could actually get into that also have good programs that churn out a lot of solid research and have strong faculty. Also, some of the schools such as UNT or LSU have very good placement history that are indeed tenure-track positions, which I verified with my grad advisor.

[cgfren08]

20 hours ago, cooperstreet said:

I think that's an odd mix of schools. 1 top 20, a top 30, and then some that aren't even ranked? If you go to a school like, say, the University of North Texas or LSU, are you ok with most likely not getting a tenure-track job when you graduate? That's the reality of the situation and what you need to ask yourself.

Why is getting a tenure track professorship such a priority for so many people? Those positions are more and more rare and I know plenty of lecturers, CC professors and private high school teachers who love their careers. 

[cooperstreet]

48 minutes ago, cgfren08 said:

Why is getting a tenure track professorship such a priority for so many people?

Because thats what PhD programs are designed to do: train people to be professors.

 

49 minutes ago, cgfren08 said:

Those positions are more and more rare and I know plenty of lecturers, CC professors and private high school teachers who love their careers. 

Yes and someone attending a lower ranked program needs to know that those positions are the most likely outcome. Its not a value judgment, its about information.

 

Keep in mind I never said anything normative.

[Sbrail2]

And I've yet to get an actual evaluation of my profile

[cooperstreet]

Your GREs are too low for Ohio State and Penn State, especially the quant portion. I don't know about the other schools. If you get get your GREs up, that will help a lot, considering your GPA is great.