<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I have been considering applying for Political Science PhD programs for 2011 or 2012, but I don't have a lot of research experience, and I have not participated on any publications. </p>
<p>My Stats:
-BA Poli Sci from large (but not really well known) state school in PA. (GPA: 3.51, last 2 years: 3.8) - 2007
-MPA from large research university in PA (GPA: 3.91). MPA program is in top 25.
-I have not taken the GRE. The MPA program that I did said they were recommended, but not required. They are required now. - 2009
-Most of the classes I took for the MPA were hands-on and practical. I did have research papers in many courses, but nothing that I feel would be impressive or make a really good writing sample.<br>
-Solid letters of rec shoud not be a problem.
-I currently (for about a month) have worked for a federal government office that does a lot of research, analysis, and writing. I should have the opportunity to have my name on published government reports. </p>
<p>My questions are:
1. How can I further my research experience to make me stand out more?
2. Will the published government reports I write or participate in help me?
3. What kind of GRE scores will I need to be accepted into a decent program?
4. What constitutes a good writing sample?</p>
<p>Thanks, and please let me know if there is any other information you need of me.</p>
<p>I’ve heard from both profs and current applicants that research experience is less important than solid stats and an SOP that demonstrates a narrow research interest and a grasp of a proper methodology. </p>
<p>In other words, understanding how political scientists research is the important thing and doing actual research is only one way to achieve that. Research experience is less common for us than, say, engineers or psychologists.</p>
<p>My two cents, at least.</p>
<p>Oh, and regarding GRE scores, I think it depends upon your focus (and your def. of a decent program). If your research interest is straight theory, your quant score is little more than window dressing, for example.</p>
<p>The programs themselves offer little guidance, but common wisdom in the foxhole seems to be that dual 700s are impressive everywhere, but that much under 600 on either side starts to look bad. I’d take all the opinions of our fellow aspirants with a grain of salt, though.</p>
<p>Thanks, GopherGrad.</p>
<p>I’m mostly interested in American. I’m also leaning towards the universities that offer concentrations in political behavior, but that’s not set in stone.</p>
<p>My idea of a decent program would be top 30 or so.</p>
<p>I think behavior stuff requires some understanding of stats and modeling, no? I think quant might get looked at in your case. For top 30s, I think my advice is the same you’ll get anywhere. You have nothing to worry about if you put up two 600s and you’ll get something of a boost if you beat 1400 total. I’ve heard one or two people opine that really, really beating the test can make up for some GPA deficiency, but I’m not sure I believe it.</p>
<p>To address your second issue, I think you can make the argument that government research work helps establish your ability to produce new knowledge, which is what these programs want. I don’t think that’s as central as GPA or good LoRs, but it certainly won’t hurt.</p>
<p>If you figure out what makes a great writing sample, let me know.</p>