Poli Sci PhD: I'm slowly going insane waiting...what are my chances?

[Hopeful57]

Hi there, 

I wanted to get a second opinion on my application package. I have a relatively odd package, my professors are optimistic but I don't want to get my hopes up. What are my chances for a top 10 school for American Politics.

-GPA: 3.95; Major GPAs: 3.91 and 4.0; two grad classes with a 4.0 in both

- Letters of recommendation: Two from research mentors that I've known for two years that I've taken quite a few classes with who wrote really really good letters, another who was my grad class instructor with an endowed chairmanship who probably wrote a solid letter

- GRE: V:165 Q:155 AW: 4.5 (I know my quant could be higher)

- Prior Research: I've done a lot of research as an undergrad. I've had four different research internships: a research fellowship at a small think-tank, an undergraduate assistantship at my college, a year-long IR research program, and other assorted research involving data. I've also presented at two small conferences at my school.

- Publications: Once in an equivalent to Politico and co-authorship of a book chapter for undergrads. 

- Other stuff: I do a lot of service stuff, I also loaded up on extracurriculars which probably won't do much but it's worth mentioning. 

Thanks for your time

[Determinedandnervous]

Excellent GPA, amazing research, but your GRE's are likely to drag you down at top programs. However, you are overall virtually a shoe-in for other programs.

[IRTheoryNerd]

I think your credentials read really well. The GRE quant might affect you slightly, but if the rest of your application is on point, I wouldn't think it terribly likely that those scores would be the sole disqualifier. I will say this: what matters more than any of the stats listed above is the coherence of your SOP and the strength of your letters of recommendation. Stats can disqualify, but it's the SOP and letters that make you really stand out. Fit matters. Coherence matters. Showing that you live for researching in your area of interest matters. The most important thing to keep in mind is this: the whole process is political, capricious, and meritocratic only up until a point. If you're in the top 1/3 of the pile, it becomes less about merit and more about luck. So keep your head held high. I know how frustrating and maddening it can be to wait around for answers (I went through the process twice myself!). I wish you all the luck (and peace of mind)! :-)

Edited December 30, 2015 by IRTheoryNerd