Pol. Sc. Phd Aspirant

[aaron4d]

Hi guys.
I'm currently halfway through my degree; a double major in economics and political science at a top New Zealand university. Recently I have become obssesively interested in the idea of pursuing a Political Science Phd as I cannot see myself doing anything other than that upon graduation. I realise that the best place to get a Pol Sc Phd or virtually any other Phd for that matter, is in the US. I have done a fair bit of research on the TOP 25 schools (that's what u guyz call them rite?). I have singled out:
Chicago, Stanford, Columbia, Yale and UMich,
as possible places to apply to based on my interests plus:
Minnesota, Ohio State and Indiana-Bloomington,
as safeties just in case.
My field of interest lies somewhere in IR and Comparative, including IPE. I would like to know which of the above programmes are largely quantitative in their approach. I'm not a quant person myself and although i do fancy doing some empirical research, i prefer a balanced approach with plenty of room for qualitative stuff. Are the above programs ok for my interests or are there any other better suggestions?
Hope u guyz can give me some input

[leguan]

For what you describe, most places in the top 10 should be quite solid choices. When it comes to quantitative stuff, Rochester might be one of the best, together with Michigan. The latter have, in addition, quite a reputation for interdisciplinarity and a variety of approaches. Being a public school, they fund less well than other places, though (but still sufficient).

In general, you will rather not get around quantitative methods at any school, and should get a decent qualitative training at almost all departments. Bottom line: As long as you aim for the programs you mentioned, you won't make a mistake with any of them, and should go the program with the broadest research/largest faculty and highest ranking.

[aaron4d]

Thanks Leguan. What I meant was that I would like to find out which programs were more quantitative to steer clear of them! what did u mean that i will rather not get around quant methods. I thought quant programs are the rage now in the US. Im just wondering, how does the math in pol sc phds compare to an econs phd? I prefer a mix of quant and qualitative, with more qualitative thrown into it and less quant, probably empirical.. since all of my choices are ok, then i guess it should not be a problem. Cheers mate!