<p>I'm an international student (India) and I want to apply to Political Science PhD programs in the US, concentrating on Political Theory or Political Philosophy. Even better would be a place which allows me to do interdisciplinary work - a mix of political theory, philosophy, IR, economics, history, etc.</p>
<p>I know a bit about such programs in the UK, but I don't have much of a clue about US institutions. I've seen the rankings (USNews, et al) but I don't trust them too much. I'm hoping that some of the regulars here may be well placed in giving me a few pointers.</p>
<p>I plan to apply for the fall of 2009. Following are my stats/activities:</p>
<p>Education:
BA - Political Science - GPA 4.0 (major), 3.96 (overall), top of the class.
MA - International Relations - GPA 3.9, top of the class.</p>
<p>Research:
i) Three collaborative research projects with my professors.
ii) Two published articles, a couple more accepted/forthcoming.
iii) Delivered papers at around 10-12 conferences/seminars, inclusing two international conferences.</p>
<p>Work:
i) Research Assistant to a Reader (Associate Professor) in my current department (2006-present).
ii) Fellow at a national think-tank, managing a couple of projects (2007-present).</p>
<p>Tests:
GRE - 800V/800Q/6.0AW
TOEFL iBT - 30R/30L/30S/30W</p>
<p>Given my stats, can you guys tell me the appropriate universities/programs I should consider?</p>
<p>If I were you, I would look for professors that I'd like to work with rather than specific schools. You have the potential to be admitted at a top school, but it may be wise to "spread" a bit and apply across the range. Political science programs are notoriously competitive, and even with your great background you can never tell what's going to happen.</p>
<p>You make an excellent point about choosing people, instead of places. I think that might resolve quite a few issues I have.</p>
<p>When you say "...potential to be admitted at a top school," which ones do you have in mind? According to the USNews rankings, Michigan-Ann Arbor is in the top 3 political science programs; but when I look at their website, their political theory concentration doesn't look stellar (I know it's not one of the top 3 in theory). It would help set a few benchmarks if I knew which places/programs are good in my field of interest.</p>
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<p>Homestar: I've published in Economic & Political Weekly (2005) and South Asian Journal (2006). Articles in South Asian Survey and India Review are forthcoming. There are a couple of book chapters that I've co-authored with my professors that have been accepted, but I've no idea about the publishers.</p>
<p>I'm Canadian, and I'm in engineering. So I'm probably less qualified than you to make a judgment on the quality of the programs. Have you thought about asking some of the professors you worked with for your Bachelor's and Master's -- they might know better, and they may even have some connections!</p>
<p>It's tough to give advice based on very broad statements of interest - if you narrow down your research interests a bit, perhaps it would be easier to say which schools would fit you best. I think you have great credentials and an excellent shot at all the top schools, but it wouldn't really make much sense to say "oh, apply to all the Ivies" or "oh, apply to the top 10 from the rankings".</p>
<p>sirD: most of my professors (at least the ones I'm close to) went to England; this has left me well-informed about the UK process. While I'm sure my teachers know a fair deal about the US programs, their advice generally ranges on "Apply to Harvard!" Most of their contacts are in the UK and Australia, too.</p>
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<p>kigali: I've diverse interests, but some of these are (i) state theories, (ii) political obligation, (iii) multiculturality and (iv) anti-imperialism in the history of political thought.</p>
<p>I think there is a consensus that unless you want to do post-modern work, the top two political theory programs are Princeton and Harvard, and there is a big step down from those to #3. For work on obligation and the state, Princeton is probably the best department.</p>
<p>see politicaltheoryrumormill.blogspot.com for a discussion of grad programs which is moderately helpful - you would get some good advice by posting there.</p>
<p>Thanks, porkypig - both for the suggestions and the link.</p>
<p>I'm intrigued about the "consensus" you speak of; how did that develop? Also, looking at UChicago, I wouldn't think of it as that big a drop from Harvard or Princeton.</p>
<p>I'm not a political theorist, but that is my sense from the discussions at the link to which I referred, and from my colleagues when they talk to their students about where to apply. You are right to point out that Chicago has made some very strong hires in recent years as well.</p>