French student applying for political theory

[LittleOrangeMonkey]

French student from Sciences Po (top political science university)

700V

620Q

BA/MA Sciences Po (5 year undergradute/graduate degree. 3 years undergrad and 2 graduate)

Master Recherche in history and political theory

currently completing research thesis on postwar german political thought

Also doing a Master Recherche this year at Pantheon Sorbonne in political philosophy

three excellent recommendations

solid writing sample (condensed version of my thesis)

strong personal statement

applying for phd to 8 or so top 20 schools. At every school I have at least one professor that is a very good fit and have been in contact with several quite closely and many have expressed strong interest in my research and were quite enthusiastic about my application.

My concerns are: quantitative score. I am interested in political theory (with side interests in constitutional politics) and thus don't work on mathematical topics. will my score hurt me. I am a native german/french speaker so hopefully I'll have some leeway on the gre scores (do you have any idea how much I had to work to get a 700 on verbal!!!)

also some concern about grades: during undergrad years had to withdraw from some classes etc and underperformed some due to serious illnesses in the family and the need to often interrupt my studies for this reason.

will my verbal score, strong recs, sample, personal statement, and perfect fit with professors be possibly enough to overcome some bad grades/withdrawals and the quant score?

Edited November 20, 2009 by LittleOrangeMonkey

[catchermiscount]

It's difficult to speak to your specific circumstances, but it is entirely possible to get into a good program with some "colorful" features on your transcripts. With a well-written statement (and perhaps some tastefully-written addendum letter explaining how far you've come from the withdrawal days, etc.), good letters, and a degree from such a well-respected place, anything is possible.

The quant score will hurt, and admissions committees typically include members from many subfields. So, while you are a theorist, it is possible that a person with strong formal or quantitative leanings will read and evaluate your file. People with worse scores have gotten into top programs, but it is something of a flag. So, your job in crafting a file is to highlight your strengths and have some unifying theme that helps to put a bow on those strengths. You have a lot of assets to counteract your liabilities -- so use them!

French student from Sciences Po (top political science university)

700V

620Q

BA/MA Sciences Po (5 year undergradute/graduate degree. 3 years undergrad and 2 graduate)

Master Recherche in history and political theory

currently completing research thesis on postwar german political thought

Also doing a Master Recherche this year at Pantheon Sorbonne in political philosophy

three excellent recommendations

solid writing sample (condensed version of my thesis)

strong personal statement

applying for phd to 8 or so top 20 schools. At every school I have at least one professor that is a very good fit and have been in contact with several quite closely and many have expressed strong interest in my research and were quite enthusiastic about my application.

My concerns are: quantitative score. I am interested in political theory (with side interests in constitutional politics) and thus don't work on mathematical topics. will my score hurt me. I am a native german/french speaker so hopefully I'll have some leeway on the gre scores (do you have any idea how much I had to work to get a 700 on verbal!!!)

also some concern about grades: during undergrad years had to withdraw from some classes etc and underperformed some due to serious illnesses in the family and the need to often interrupt my studies for this reason.

will my verbal score, strong recs, sample, personal statement, and perfect fit with professors be possibly enough to overcome some bad grades/withdrawals and the quant score?