doctoral programs

ok kids. so it's that time. the fall before i graduate is when i have to start applying to the next step on the ladder of torture.i am in the process of contacting a couple of potential mentors from the american political science association's mentoring program. but i thought i'd prod the general community, too.i'm interested in an area that's walkable whether small town or big city.
i want to be around experimental thinkers and i'd really prefer abroad or pacific northwest or new england. (yes i am looking blue state. got a problem with that?) i'm interested in ir, possibly comparitive, and a little government theory or political philosophy for fun. i am interested in human rights research and a variety of theoretical pursuits that might contribute to this including but not limited to new government forms, and international cooperation through governmental and nongovernmental organizations. i want a variety of programs and some safety schools, but i would like to see if i could get into the top tier. i'm very optimistic. i'm thinking about oxford and american u and maybe chicago (*creams*) by name but i haven't much else picked out.i am going to be trying to pin down my french this summer at an intensive program and i intend to work on japanese and polish next. i am interested in both academic and non-academic careers and am also very interested in getting my hands dirty in active human assistance programs such as usaid or certain un projects.if anyone has any insight into political science doctoral programs and has any suggestions, i'd more than appreciate your input. likewise, any general info on doctoral applications and fear management are more than appreciated.

I don't know much about political science. But I can tell you that there is no need for fear, so no need for fear management. Just apply to a handful of schools, covering somewhat of a range. Then sit back and wait. If you choose the range of schools wisely, then you should be admitted to some of them. Then you can think about which of the accepting schools you prefer to attend.And best wishes for your future studies.

From someone who (occasionally) supervises doctoral students.You need to research potential doctoral supervisors and programs.
Forget about which school looks the best.
At that level, WHO you work under is going to make a lot bigger difference to your experience than what school it happens to be.I know a lot of students are submitting as many as 15-20 applications to grad schools. That's fine for undergrad work, but you are better off with fewer applications that are carefully prepared and targetted, provided you have the qualifications to be competitive.
Look for potential supervisors based on the programs they have and how they match your interests.
The important next step is to personally contact prospective supervisors and find one to support your application to Graduate Studies. You need an inside line - support from a faculty member who lobbys on your behalf and agrees to take you under their wing.You can be accepted at any number of grad schools, but what then? You need to find a professor with enough funding to support you for 5 odd years. And these days, that's at least 20k a year or more. Fear management is what the supervisor needs when he gambles on taking responsibility for a grad student these days Edited by EZscience, : No reason given.

As a faculty spouse (tea and roses, anyone?) and former grad student, I heartily endorse EZ's advice.In my own case, the mentoring connection in grad school was made via an undergraduate prof who personally contacted prospective grad school mentors on my behalf in conjuction with my applications. Letters of recommendation are cheap; personal contacts are golden.Brenna, you might chat up some supportive profs at your current U for the same purpose. Be prepared to be pragmatic and clear-eyed about your plans--the idealistic paean to scholarship is pretty worn, while realistic expectations and practical plans are rare and stand out from the crowd.

I liked your other avatar. Ok back to your topic.

i know that
but thanks. i'm just really unfamiliar with any schools right now and some pointed suggestions are good. i really think the profs at chicago look good. i am going to speak to that mentor though and see what she has to say. most of the work i have been reading is in sociology for the genocide stuff. ah well.

chi!

i really do want to have them on my side, but they all seem so busy and uninterested in me. i'm very disappointed cause this one i am HUGELY infatuated with and he is very standoffish. blah. but he's exactly the help i need. he's ir and peace studies and everything. i wants. *pouts*

...and when you actually interview and/or hire someone, you quickly discover how 'selectively representative' so many of those letters of recommendation are. They NEVER speak to shortcomings or limitations. It sours you on believing any of them, there is so much obvious 'overendorsement' of students by their mentors. Letters of reference are important, but the interview is MUCH more important.BK: I hope this helps you see things from 'the other side' as a prospective grad student seeking a professor.PS. Good luck with the glandular issue - by your description I am optimistic it will prove nothing more than a 'worry wart' from your active imagination.

Welcome to undergraduate anonymity.
Trust me, we all go through the same thing.My assigned UG advisor at McGill Univerity in 1975 (who shall remain nameless for his own benefit) spent most of MY time with him telling me how 'biology isn't for everyone' and 'research is a calling for the few' etc. etc. ad infinitum. I guess I didn't inspire him, or at least that's all I remmember. Except for the final exam in Animal Behavior. That's when he accused me (in front of the entire class!) of copying answers frorm another student's paper. He said he would compare the papers and decide whether or not to report me to the honor society. Two weeks went by. I registered an 'A+ in the course and never spoke with the man again.Edited by EZscience, : No reason given.

it's worse. i'm a master's student.

If you're thinking of going abroad, two suggestions:London (UK) - either the LSE (London School of Economics) or University College. Both have excellent reputations, and London is a great place to live if you can find somewhere right in the centre of town.Perth (Western Australia) - I've never been myself, but I'm told the city is beautiful and the climate is gorgeous (like California or the Mediterranean). Oh, and the University does graduate courses in International Relations.

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The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible

Something to bear in mind if you undertake a PhD in the UK - the process is very different from the States.While there have been moves to make Phd programmes more structured in general it is still the case that for the social sciences that you are pretty much on your own for 3 years. By that I mean there is no requirement to take classes or earn credit, you are just expected to produce the thesis (which in the area you will be discussing will generally be about 80,000 words).The level of support you get off your supervisor can vary greatly from university to university - in some you might have a very close relationship with your supervisor, in others you might see them only a handful of times a year.In addition, depending on your funding situations, it's uncommon for PhD students in the UK to do the level of work for their supervisors that seems to be expected in the states. Most will in fact do nothing at all for their supervisors but might become involved in writing a paper or the like. This seems to differ greatly from the american system where it appears that PhD students operate as an employee of their supervisor.(PhDs in the physical sciences are different again but that information does not seem applicable to you).EDIT: Doh! Meant to reply to B not Javaman!Edited by CK, : No reason given.Edited by CK, : No reason given.

that's okay, i got it.yeah, i had read as much, which might serve as a deterrent, since i know a great deal about my topic, but i still know so little about other things. but it could also be very rewarding to be able to spend so much unfettered time doing what i want most.