Chances/Thoughts on Polisci Grad School

Graduate School
1

<p>Hey guys!</p>

<p>I have just over a year left to get my bachelor's degree at UCLA, and I've started to think towards graduate school. I would like to go straight from undergraduate, and was originally planning on applying to law school, but now I'm thinking that I'd rather continue my studies in Political Science, as I've really enjoyed my Polisci classes at UCLA and am thinking I wouldn't like the life of a lawyer. While I'm not totally sure of my career goal, I'm thinking of maybe going into academia. However, I'm not too keen on getting a Ph.D, at least at the moment, so I wanted to proceed forward but keep my options open. </p>

<p>Here are my stats:
Political Science and Communication Studies double major (American Gov./Mass Comm. concentrations)
3.76 overall GPA/4.0 in Political Science
A couple small quarter-long research projects, mostly in the Comm department. Doing an independent research project this summer through the Polisci department.
Assistant editor at daily school newspaper. Writing tutor. Vice President of major campus organization.
No GRE scores yet, so obviously that will be a big determining factor. But assume they will be decent/good.</p>

<p>Just from browsing department websites, this is the list of programs I'm thinking of applying to:</p>

<p>London School of Economics (MSc, Politics and Communication)
University of Chicago (M.A., Political Science)
New York University (M.A., Politics)
Georgetown (M.A., American Government)
Columbia (M.A., Political Science)</p>

<p>So here are my questions:</p>

<p>1) How does my list of schools sound? Would I have a chance at any of them? What other schools/programs should I consider?
2) Given my situation, do you think it's a good idea that I apply to these terminal master's programs? Some people have suggested it's best to apply to Ph.D programs, since they are funded, but do you think I'd have a chance at getting into those, and would it be wise considering I'm not sure how far I want to proceed?
3) How crucial is a senior thesis to getting into a good grad program? I would have to stay two extra quarters to complete this, so I want to make sure it's worth the time/money.</p>

<p>Anyway, I realize I still have time, but I wanted to pick all your brains and do more exploring.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>MA programs in political science - on your list I know this is true for Georgetown and to a lesser extent for Columbia - are not too competitive. You would have a chance at least at those two and probably at all of these. MA programs are the way universities like these make money to support PhD students, so they are far less selective (and much more expensive).</p>

<p>I know several people who sold themselves as committed to PhD programs, got the MA and left - and didn't have to pay for it. Obviously the bar is much higher for admission and the GRE scores will matter a lot. If, though, you can get good letters from prominent people at UCLA (Zaller?) that will help a lot.</p>

<p>I can't answer the thesis question except to say that I got into several top PhD programs in Political Science from an MA program where a thesis was optional without writing one...</p>

3

<p>I can tell you right now that, with your GPA, you will get into the LSE but you, like everyone else, won't get any internal funding at all.</p>

4

<p>You'll probably have a good chance at getting into all of the schools you listed. Good luck.</p>

5

<p>The issue right now for you isn't if you will be admitted, which you probably will, but how you will pay for your degree. MA's in Poli Sci come with limited funding and a whopping price tag.</p>

6

<p>Thanks for the replies. I'm definitely hoping that I can get some kind of funding and realize that it will be an uphill battle with these programs. Right now I'm mostly concerned about getting in and finding the right program. I guess I'll cross the $$$ bridge when it comes.</p>

<p>Also, I have a sister a year younger than me who goes to a really expensive private university that gives her grants, not loans, to account for my family's EFC. If I'm not going to school, they will eliminate her grants and expect my parents to pay full price, since they won't be paying for me. But as long my parents are paying for my college (in undergrad, and hopefully that would apply for grad too? not too sure about that) she'll get grants. So basically my parents have said as long as they're paying the same price for us to go to school it doesn't matter to them what kind of program I'm in.</p>

<p>Anyone have any thoughts about other programs I should look into? I just discovered UChicago actually doesnt have just a master's program in polisci... oops.</p>

7

<p>You might want to check on the EFC thing. I was under the impression that once you earned your bachelors, it doesn't matter if your parents choose to pay or not, it doesn't count. I could be wrong, but don't bet on it.</p>

8

<p>Unfortunately you're right :( Guess I'm gonna have to think more about how I'm gonna pay for it...</p>

9

<p>nobleguy,</p>

<p>There is nothing wrong with goingt to a relatively expensive grad school if you can justify the expense vis a vis future earnings. I really think it is an error when kids say "Well, Harvard accepted me in their MA of Contemporary Japanese Hairdressing program, so i cam going to go there, because it will make me happy." However, if you can safely say that an MA in Poli Sci will be both personally rewarding and financially viable, I don,t think it is the worse idea to take out a rather large loan. Just be sure you cna pay it back comfortably and that the amount is not so great that it keeps you from doing something you want to upon graduation (i.e. NGO or non-profit work.)</p>