Weighing Econ vs PoliSci PhD, profile eval

[clintsal]

Profile:
Bachelors from XXX State University
HR Management, Minor in Econ, Cert. Int'l Business
3.2 GPA
Graduated 2006


MA Int'l Econ from YYY State University
Anticipate 3.6ish GPA
Econometrics I & II (B's)
Math Methods (A)
Monetary Policy/Problems (A)
Int'l Investment, Finance (A's)
Macro III (B)
Managerial Econ (A)
Latin American Development in Long Run (Taken from prestigious school in S. America during summer, Profs from Harvard [4.18/5])
Political Economy (Next semester)
Graduating May 2010

GRE: Studying HARD and taking over Xmas break, anticipate Q: 700+, V: 650+, AWA 5+(?)

Teaching Exp: Tutored econ and stats classes during undergrad
Taught English at a well-known int'l language school for a summer

Research Interests: Political Economy, Comparative Politics, Institutionalism, PoliSci-applied Game Theory

Research Exp: Currently working on evaluation of effectiveness of various law enforcement agencies in US
Approved thesis topic will investigate trade trends between W. European colonial powers and their former colonies

LORs:
Math Prof: Because I don't have a lot of formal math classes and an A in this class would signal ability to study rigorous courses. She also offered to write letter of reference for an Analyst job. Probably decent.

Monetary Prof: Because we discussed and critiqued a lot of traditional theories AND did lots of research. This professor told me I should pursue a PhD following his class. Probably strong - very strong

Macro Prof / Thesis Supervisor: Because he is familiar with my research interests and ability to construct a research project. I got a B in his class, but in talks he supports my getting a PhD. Probably strong + very relevant as to why I'm applying to said programs.

Might replace Math Prof with Econometrics II / Int'l Investment II Prof:
Because I worked very closely with him on two big projects, did very well in his classes, and am pretty chummy with him in general. He is very active in research, several publications, attends conferences etc many times a year. Decent - Strong, probably very warm

statement of purpose: Will demonstrate that I had a great opportunity to build quant research skills while doing Econ MA and want to expand those to PoliSci, specifically PoliEcon.

Other: Speak German well, Spanish decent
Int'l Studies in Vienna, Austria and Bogota, Colombia
2 Years living/working in NYC between degrees (unrelated to econ or polisci)

Dream Accepts: Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Chicago, UCLA, MIT, LSE, NYU,
Midlevel: FSU, UMich, ColoU, American U, Cornell, Urbana-Champaigne, Northwestern, Maryland, Toronto, Rice,
Safeties(?): Syracuse, Kent, Florida, UConn, ASU, New Mex, Iowa, Minn, UPenn, Cal Tech

How are my chances looking for these schools? Any additional programs I should add to my list, or ones I should drop? Any comments on Econ vs PoliSci?

[mookrit]

How many universities do people apply for usually? I'm planning on applying for six, because it's too expensive to apply to like 30 due to the admin fees.

[oldprogrammer]

I'm not sure if your last question was regarding applying to Economics PhD programs, but if so...
You didn't mention taking Calc I-III, Linear Algebra, calculus-based, or probability/statistics which are considered the minimum for Top 50 Economics PhD programs. Top 30 programs will also want to see higher math like Analysis or Topology. And your GRE quant will need to be at or above 750/760 for Top 50, and closer to 780/800 for Top 30.

And that is an incredibly long list of schools. Are you really applying to all of those, or are you planning to prune it down a bit? I'm amazed you can get your letter of reference writers to do that many, and I hope you plan to do something really nice for each one of them, if that's the case. I consider the general rule of thumb as: apply to 2-3 schools above your level, 3-4 at your level, and maybe 2-3 below your level, for somewhere in the range of 7 to 10 applications. Some people even advise not applying to safeties if you honestly wouldn't consider going there. I think the line of thinking is why apply to a program ranked 100th if you won't be able to get a placement once you have the degree. Sure, you could do it because you love it, but in the end you still need to eat.

[clintsal]

Yes, my list was way too long, I'm paring it down with each passing day. My goal is a program that involves political econ, whether its an econ program, or a poli sci program with political econ as a field. As you said, I dont think i'll be competitive with most econ programs, since i lack the general math requirements, however, since i've completed a MA econ, I think I would be competitive at poli sci programs. so far, the smaller list includes:

Dreams: Stanford, Harvard, Princeton - Political Economy. Duke Political Science, poli econ field

More Realistic: ColoState Econ PhD (mostly poli econ, talked to director already who said I'd be admit-worthy, pending GRE), Claremont Political Science-Economics PhD, UTDallas PhD Public Policy & Political Economy, UCIrvine PhD PoliSci w PoliEcon field,

I won't make deadlines for the dream schools this admissions season, of the realistics, what do you think of any of them?

[oldprogrammer]

I would be concerned with the placement opportunities from UTDallas. I think it's a good program, and the school in general is pushing really hard to climb the rankings, but for the time being it might be hard to find that first placement. UC-Irvine probably has the best placements. I guess the most important consideration will be which programs have 2-3 potential advisors for you. A good advisor will be the most important consideration in finishing your dissertation as quickly as possible.