cantabrigian

It's fine to have Yale as a "reach" but I would thrown in a few more "reaches" between Yale and Virginia. Hopkins is a good idea. Remember that even if you get in everywhere, funding is scarce, so it's a good idea to hedge by applying to a lot of schools. (I got funding only from the highest-ranked place I got in. Go figure.)

ditto on skip more analysis and just have fun. you didn't mention the GRE, though. Have you taken it yet? if not, priority #1 at this point is probably study and take it.

I was in somewhat of the same situation as you -- took university courses during high school and studied abroad (in an irrelevant field) after graduation. Adcoms could probably care less what you got in US History. But they probably do want to see how you did in DiffEq when you were 17. I think you should just apply common sense on what you do and don't send. If something is not going to strengthen your file, don't send it. I didn't send my study abroad transcript (irrelevant) but send transcripts from university classes I took in high school. I definitely could not have gotten any admits without submitting the latter.

hahaha. I had to google to write that.

Attractive prospective economist seeks LTR. Fit, green eyes and warm smile. Seeking partner who enjoys chamber music, IO, intertemporal decision-making, and long walks on the beach. nairu@yahoo.com Hmm,...what? Oh, sorry. I thought this was the thread where we post our personal ads. ;) p.s. congrats, econandon!

To say the least... Those schools are the best US programs for a heck of a lot of things. Won't any top 10 program have amazing metrics people?

Also, don't forget Jed Bartlet gave up economics (a Nobel Prize-winning career, nonetheless) to enter politics. :D

Trivia of the day: Rep. Tom Lantos has a PhD in econ from Berkeley ('53). Took him a whole three years to complete it. :grad: http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/l000090/

The American Political Science Association has all sorts of facts and figures on the job market, salaries, etc.: http://apsanet.org/section_416.cfm

I'll take a crack at this, since I applied for MPP programs. (For those curious, I got into Chicago with $, turned down at Kennedy School). Public policy and political economy are very, very different! With either you could teach or do research, but policy programs are more practical-oriented, while political economy would be more "academic," with more theory and research. What are the programs like? It really depends on the program. Some, like George Washington University for example, are part-time and very practical. Many of their students enroll part-time while working in DC. Others, such as the University of Chicago's Harris School, place an emphasis on quantitative skills and research. Could do anything. People I know with MPA/MPP/policy PhD degrees work for non-profits, in business, in the government, and in journalism. PhD opens the door to more serious research and teaching, but a master's is also valuable. Please think about taking some time off, and not going straight into the program. Make sure this is what you want to do. Most people in policy programs will have practical experience, and adcoms also look for people with real-world experience. I think the program will also be more valuable to you if you can see how what is learned in the classroom applies to the real world. Everyone has their own path, and schools will respect that not everyone can afford to work for free every summer in Congress. However, of course something that is related to politics or policy/research would certainly help, or anything that demonstrates your commitment to public service. Everything.... Though essays and LORs probably matter much more than in, say, hard sciences or economics. Take time off! Get some experience outside the Ivory Tower. Talk to people with those degrees. And also talk to people whose jobs you might someday want to have, and ask them how they got where they are.

those are good grades. ditto to the above post. you'll get funding somewhere. you're profile will be especially strong if you have some research experience and good LORs.

As a former political scientist, I'll post the link for the forum for those who are curious but too lazy to go find it: http://www.www.urch.com/forums/phd-political-science/

Current students who gave me advice also said thinking of class (and later on, dissertation) is a good way to keep yourself disciplined.... and sane. They said there are some students who nothing but study 24/7, but such people probably weren't studying very efficiently and weren't necessarily smarter or better prepared. I don't think "don't get married" is an absolute. I know many people who have gotten PhDs at the most rigorous programs. It's a matter of discipline.

I really wouldn't sweat this grade issue. I'm sure adcoms understand that outside the U.S. the grading scales are so much different (and perhaps less inflated than in the U.S....) I'd guess that more important than your GPA is the LORs: "this student was top in my class," "one of my best students in 10 years of teaching," etc.

On the contrary, I think many might be intimidated by the others' credentials. :hmm: