<p>I'm coming from an undergrad in Economics at a state college with a 4.0 in the major, and a 3.7 overall. However, besides statistics I don't have much of a math background, so I want to make the transition to Political Philosophy for a Phd. I have significant foreign language skills and international experience. And I have won research contests.</p>
<p>What kind of school should I shoot for? What are my chances without a BA in poly sci?</p>
<p>I doubt they would take me at the best schools. Are there better second rung schools for this major?</p>
<p>Is the major generally listed under political theory or would it ever show up in the philosophy department?</p>
<p>Thanks to anyone who can advise me.</p>
<p>You can definitely do a PhD in Political Science/Government or Philosophy. Really, it depends what you want to learn towards. What type of RELATED research experience /publications do you have for this type of program? What sort of academic background (classes, minors, etc.) do you have in the field? These are all very important. </p>
<p>Also, you’ll need to take the GRE. It is next to impossible to predict “chances” without it.</p>
<p>Also, if you liked your undergrad curriculum, look into the political economy major. Many colleges offer it for a PhD course of study, and it is one that I know I am interested in.</p>
<p>Thanks for your answer! I have 3 lower division philosophy and 1 upper division. I took a number of political economy classes, but only 1 upper division in the poli sci department. I have a minor in East Asian studies, which included some political content in a multidisciplinary format. I am planning on doing a one year graduate certificate at a top IR school. So I will have significantly more political coursework. </p>
<p>I took the GRE: 600V 720Q 5A. Although, I hardly studied. Through my foreign language studies, I have the ability to learn thousands of vocab in a short period of time. Perhaps I could boost the verbal, if I studied and retook it. I did the majority of my undergrad abroad in other languages. So I haven’t exactly been increasing my English vocabulary.</p>
<p>I might lean towards philosophy of government. Although I never imagined I could ever get into a philosophy department without a stellar master’s first. But I definately want to concentrate on modern applications. I thought political theory would be a good balance. Economics is its own political theory anyway. </p>
<p>The problem with Political Economy is that I never studied math. Although I was a star in grade school, my math education stops at beginning Calculus and 3 courses in statistics and a couple in physics.</p>