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Median · 05-07-2007, 12:55 AM

To get this forum started and follow the good tradition of the econ PhD forum, let's post some profiles and results to give future applicants some indication what to expect.

Profile
GRE: V670, Q770, A5.5
Undergrad/Grad: Decent university, German Diplom (Master) in PoliSci
GPA: 3.8-4.0
Classes: a ton of PoliSci classes, grad level core classes, some undergrad econ and statistics, Master level game theory, linear algebra, multivariable calc
Research Experience: worked as RA for one year
Teaching Experience: nada
LORs: Three well-known profs from top ten US research university
SOP: talked mostly about research interests and fit with faculty
Interests: Comparative and International Political Economy
Other: international student, some scholarships in the past (Fulbright, ...), exchange student in Duke grad program for one year, Internships in Int. Org. and Investment Banking

Results:
Stanford - rejected
Princeton - rejected
Yale - rejected
MIT - rejected

Duke - accepted, with full funding
Columbia - accepted, with full funding
NYU - accepted, with full funding
Harvard PEG - accepted, with full funding

What I learned / what I would do differently:
Well, my applications turned out really well - I think it is harder to give uniform advise to students compared to Econ PhD admission. PoliSci lacks a common understanding which background a good applicant should have - I know people being admitted with very unorthodox backgrounds. In my case LORs were a major factor - without them, coming from a foreign not well respected institution, I barely would have stood a chance.

05-07-2007, 12:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
Median Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21	Profiles and Results 2007 To get this forum started and follow the good tradition of the econ PhD forum, let's post some profiles and results to give future applicants some indication what to expect. Profile GRE: V670, Q770, A5.5 Undergrad/Grad: Decent university, German Diplom (Master) in PoliSci GPA: 3.8-4.0 Classes: a ton of PoliSci classes, grad level core classes, some undergrad econ and statistics, Master level game theory, linear algebra, multivariable calc Research Experience: worked as RA for one year Teaching Experience: nada LORs: Three well-known profs from top ten US research university SOP: talked mostly about research interests and fit with faculty Interests: Comparative and International Political Economy Other: international student, some scholarships in the past (Fulbright, ...), exchange student in Duke grad program for one year, Internships in Int. Org. and Investment Banking Results: Stanford - rejected Princeton - rejected Yale - rejected MIT - rejected Duke - accepted, with full funding Columbia - accepted, with full funding NYU - accepted, with full funding Harvard PEG - accepted, with full funding What I learned / what I would do differently: Well, my applications turned out really well - I think it is harder to give uniform advise to students compared to Econ PhD admission. PoliSci lacks a common understanding which background a good applicant should have - I know people being admitted with very unorthodox backgrounds. In my case LORs were a major factor - without them, coming from a foreign not well respected institution, I barely would have stood a chance.