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chin_music

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  1. PROFILE: Type of Undergrad: Top 10 Public, top 15 Econ. B.A. Math & Economics, B.A. Political Science. Undergrad GPA: 3.78 Type of Grad: None Grad GPA: N/A GRE: 760Q, 600V, 5.5AWA Math Courses: Calc, Linear Algebra (A), Differential Equations (A), Mathematical Reasoning (B), Ordinary Differential Equations (B), Advanced Linear Algebra (A), Game Theory (A), Cryptography (A+), Analysis I (B-), Linear Programming (A+) Econ Courses: Intermediate Micro (A,A,A-), Intermediate Macro (A,A), Econometrics (A+,A+,A+), Non-linear Optimization (Pass), Economics of Immigration (A) Other Courses: Political Science Coursework (All A's and a few A-'s) Letters of Recommendation: 1 Caltech (political science), 1 UCLA (political science), 1 UW (econ) Research Experience: Won departmental and college award for economics thesis. Won departmental award for political science thesis. 1 year in economic consulting. Teaching Experience: None Research Interests: Political Economy, Development, Public Policy SOP: Standard Other: I wasn't sure how my admissions would turn out. I had 2 letters of rec from political science faculty, a B- in real analysis, no stats in a math department and 760 GRE quant. It appears that my two theses and presumably excellent recommendations as a result, were very beneficial. I am quite pleased with my results. RESULTS: Acceptances: UCSD ($), UCLA($), UVA(?), UCI($), UCSB($), BU(no $), Princeton WWS-political economy ($$), RAND Pardee ($), UCSD Political Science ($$), NYU Political Science ($$), Rochester Political Science ($$) Waitlists: Johns Hopkins Rejections: Stanford GSB (political economics), Berkeley Hass BPP, MIT political science, Harvard KSG, Chicago Harris What would you have done differently? I would apply to Harvard PEG instead of Harvard KSG and Stanford Political Science instead of Stanford Political-Economics as I believe that both are better fits for me.
  2. Hi ChunZhu, I think that rustytrix is spot on with his advise about a quantitative political science program. I have a strong interest in political economy and applied to a mix of econ phds, political science phds, and political economy programs. My sense is that if you want to be a political science professor than political economy and political science degrees are looked at similarly, but that it is difficult to get a poli sci job with an econ phd. As far as poli sci phds go, Berkeley and UCSD are both good choices as the posters below alluded too. UCSD has a strong policy school (IR/PS) that focuses specifically on the pacific rim. There is also a lot of interdisciplinary cooperation between the econ and political science departments at UCSD Some of the more mathy poli sci PhD's include Rochester, NYU and WUSTL. You will get strong training in game theory and quantitative methods at any of those places. NYU has a partcicuarly strong faculty in international relations and political economy. Political economy programs include Stanford GSB, Princeton (through either poli sci or Woodrow Wilson) and Harvard PEG. While training at each of these is superb, they only admit a few students a year. Finally, any top 10 poli sci department provides opportunities to combine quantitative training with substantive issues.
  3. Thanks for the thoughts everyone! My girlfriend and I have been together for a while now and are in a serious relationship and plan to be together in 5 years regardless of where I go. Does anyone have any experience with long distance relationships in graduate school? Does one have a lot of flexibility to be off campus after they finish their coursework?
  4. I have a number of great choices but am really torn on what to do! My main interest is in political economy (especially development and International Relations) and I have been accepted into the political economy program at Princeton Woodrow Wilson, the Pardee RAND Graduate School. as well as both the political science and economics departments at UCSD. Funding is excellent at UCSD political Science and Princeton, pretty good at RAND, and not as great at UCSD economics. My first choice is to pursue an academic career (probably in political science or a policy school since I am more interested in political science questions) but I am also very interested in policy work. I would like to do mainly applied work (but still want to be well grounded in theory) as either an academic or in a policy job. Princeton Woodrow Wilson seems like a perfect fit for me as it would allow me to teach in a political science department and work in policy. BUT my significant other is currently a 2nd year medical student at UCSD. I think it will be incredibly difficult to be across the country from her! She will be at UCSD for at least 2 more years and then go to residency. While she can't choose her residency the modal result for UCSD students is a San Diego residency (Los Angeles is the 2nd most common). UCSD's political science department is a top 10 department and would give me all the necessary opportunities for an academic career. I would also have an opportunity to gain a masters in economics along the way while not prolonging my studies. But my non-academic opportunities would not be as great as at Princeton. If I went to RAND I would only be an hour or two away from San Diego and would certainly be able to find a good policy job in CA but would probably have a hard time getting an academic placement. I would probably also finish my degree faster. UCSD economics would also give me excellent opportunities but I don't think that I would be as passionate about it and my academic chances might be tougher that at Princeton or UCSD Political Science. I am really struggling with this choice and opinions are much appreciated!!!
  5. I also received the same funding package as everyone else.
  6. Location is an important factor for me. Although I have lived in So Cal for my whole life and am spoiled by the nice weather, my girlfriend and family play a larger role. My girlfriend is a medical student at UCSD so that is a major draw.
  7. I agree with both good_tea and walt here (and will post my profile at the end of the admission cycle). I would bet that a weaker GRE quant score would be much more likely to keep you out of the top 10 than the top 20. It also seems that policy schools and political economy programs such as Princeton Woodrow Wilson may not be as rigid with there GRE-quant requirements, but may consider other factors and appreciate an interdisciplinary background more than an economics program.
  8. While I have been reading this forum for a while and never posted, I thought my application could be useful for future applicants. I got a 760Q and was admitted at UCLA, UCSD and Princeton Woodrow Wilson (Political Economy). This is evidence that a 760Q will not prevent you from getting into a top 15 program.
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