Aidan Milliff
Florida State University
Assistant Professor of Political Science
Meetings
Here are some tips for a useful, efficient meeting with me:
Have a plan. Even a very simple agenda helps keep things on track and lets both of us arrive prepared. If we’re meeting for more than ten minutes, please send me an agenda or very short write-up in advance.
Come with specific questions/ideas. It’s easier for me to help if you’ve identified something concrete to discuss. For example: rather than meeting to talk through the general principles for picking a dissertation topic, it’s better to discuss the pros and cons of the particular dissertation topic that most interests you.
Plan ahead. If you want me to read something longer than 1-2 pages before we meet, I need advanced notice and time to read. If you share a draft ≥ 5 weekdays ahead, I will read it closely before we meet. If I don’t receive materials in advance, I will probably ask you to reschedule. Urgent requests are almost always avoidable; there are very few genuine emergencies in political science departments.
You can book time using the link below. Please read the event description before scheduling.
Book a Meeting →
Letters of Recommendation
I am happy to write letters for students I know well. Please make requests via email at least four weeks before the first deadline and include the following:
- A brief description of what you are applying for and why
- Your CV or resume
- Unofficial transcripts and relevant standardized test scores
- A reminder about how you did in my course(s), especially if it’s been a year or more
- Any relevant writing samples, statements, or materials you are submitting
- A list of all deadlines, in order, with submission instructions for each
I will let you know promptly if I cannot write you a strong letter. For guidance on who to ask, see the late Nuno Monteiro’s tips on letters of recommendation.
Note to Prospective Graduate Students
Like almost all U.S. political science PhD programs, Florida State has a department-wide committee that reads student applications and makes offers of admission based on a wide range of factors. Faculty do not recruit students directly, and I personally am not on the admissions committee this year.
Following the example of Betsy Paluck and Graeme Blair, I do not meet with prospective students to talk about their FSU applications. This avoids giving an advantage to applicants who have been advised to contact faculty, or who happen to be connected to me through colleagues. You can find general information about applying to FSU’s PhD program here. Once you are admitted, I will be very excited to talk about working together.
These resources may help you figure out whether a U.S.-style political science PhD is right for you, and prepare a strong application:
- Steven Wilkinson’s advice for (international) applicants
- Chris Blattman’s FAQs on PhD Applications
- Erica Chenoweth’s Grad School, Some Items to Consider
- Jessica Calarco’s A Field Guide to Graduate School
- Josh Kertzer’s Information for Prospective Graduate Students
- Macartan Humphreys’ Applying for a PhD
Time Management for Grad Students
Figuring out how to allocate time and effort in a way that actually produces a good dissertation is one of the hardest parts of graduate school. This presentation covers some things that worked for me, offered with no warranty, guarantee, or promise.
