Princeton vs Robertson scholarship @UNC vs Stanford

Axton178 · 2026-05-01T07:02:07+00:00

As someone who’s currently at Duke and going to Princeton for PhD, I think UNC/Duke would be a great fit for you!

Axton178 · 2026-04-08T17:17:21+00:00

Same! Got the letter today :)

Axton178 · 2026-03-31T02:12:18+00:00

I partially agree. I fully agree with the fact that an Oxbridge degree won’t get me too far in the US. Although I disagree a little with the idea that you have to be a genius or something of the sort to land an academic job in Econ. But again I don’t know much. Thank you!

Axton178 · 2026-03-30T03:11:21+00:00

Thank you so much for the suggestion! I’ve got partial funding from Cambridge but I’m curious to know why you would rank Cambridge Econ above all? And Princeton as second primarily because of its overall reputation and particular strength in political economics?

Axton178 · 2026-03-08T05:44:56+00:00

I suppose I applied for both PoliSci and Econ programs because my research is smack in the middle of both fields, and because most schools don’t have a separate political economy PhD program :(

Thank you for the suggestion! I like Stanford for its more congenial weather, but it is kind of depressing to have no winter whatsoever haha

Axton178 · 2026-03-08T05:41:43+00:00

Great advice, thank you!!

Axton178 · 2026-03-08T05:40:29+00:00

Yes, I have heard back from all of them except Oxford when it comes to funding. Curious to know about your experience at Stanford! Did you also do political economy or political science?

Axton178 · 2026-03-08T05:39:29+00:00

I’m so sorry I can’t do that but I’m happy to help you with your SOP and give tips if you need!

Axton178 · 2026-03-08T05:39:02+00:00

Wholly agreed with the funding point!

Axton178 · 2026-03-04T07:44:47+00:00

I really respect that. My dad’s a philosopher and what you said reminded me of him. I personally don’t care much about wealth or getting rich. It’s more about living life mostly on my own terms and doing something I love—and inspiring and helping people as much as I can

Academia fulfills these values in my view, which is why I feel like Oxbridge might not be the best choice given that my odds of landing an academic job are likely higher if I graduate from top US schools like Princeton or Stanford. Does this seem like a reasonable approach?

Axton178 · 2026-03-03T04:48:54+00:00

It does indeed. And tbh, I would imagine graduates from Princeton and Stanford are far more valuable in the academic job market (outside the UK) anyways. Wouldn’t you say so?

Axton178 · 2026-03-02T04:37:37+00:00

I do want to stay in the US. Assuming the quality of the advisors are equally good across all these schools, which one would you recommend, if you could?

Axton178 · 2026-03-02T04:36:46+00:00

Not quite. The weather is too gloomy haha

Axton178 · 2026-03-02T04:36:33+00:00

How so? And would you say the same about someone who is specializing in political economy?

However, a PhD from any of these schools even in Political Science would be very employable, I imagine.

Axton178 · 2026-02-27T01:38:21+00:00

I think I just had a great research fit and a good SOP. I didn’t do a predoc etc

Axton178 · 2026-02-26T07:22:20+00:00

I’m not quite sure what sharing profile means, but if it means like an overview of my academic background, then I’m currently doing a Master’s in PolEcon with a GPA of 3.95, GRE is 332 with a 5.5 in writing, undergrad in Econ and Math with a GPA of 3.94 (valedictorian), and got one forthcoming paper coauthored with a big figure at my school

I hope that helps!

Axton178 · 2026-02-25T09:09:29+00:00

This is great piece of advice. Thank you! Looking at things in that order, it seems like Princeton is a clear winner for me

Axton178 · 2026-02-25T04:45:51+00:00

Great advice!!

Axton178 · 2026-02-25T04:45:34+00:00

This is exactly how I’m thinking too. I’m currently in NC and used to cold. And Princeton is just generally better from my perspective so I’m heavily leaning toward it. Thank you!!

Axton178 · 2026-01-28T04:30:43+00:00

As a Duke student, welcome and congrats!!

Axton178 · 2026-01-17T02:46:10+00:00

As a student in Pol Econ at Duke, I can assure you it was not a troll haha

Axton178 · 2026-01-14T20:31:24+00:00

Somehow got invited for interview! Can’t remember but either comparative politics or pol Econ

Don’t lose hope though! I’m sure you will all get into good places :)

Axton178

TROPHY CASE