International Student Graduate School Application

[Frenchie8]

Hello, 

I know questions about chances of getting into graduate schools have been asked quite a lot, but I would like to have your feedback. 

I am a student at KU, and will be graduating in December with a B.A in political science, and a minor in global and international studies. I plan on applying to graduate school for Fall 2017. Top programs are on my list (UPenn, Maryland, Georgetown, Washington University in St. Louis, San Diego, Stanford, Princeton, the University of Chicago, Texas and Michigan). Could I have some feedback regarding my odds of getting into these programs? 

-My GRE scores aren't great (146Q, 154V, and 4.5). I am taking them again soon, and hopefully will perform better. 

-GPA: 3.9

-I think that my letters of recommendation will be the strongest part of my application, as my professors all were enthusiatic about writing them (and I know that I have been doing very well in their classes). 

-No work experience.

-I am a D1 athlete at KU on a 100% scholarship. I also have been a member of the French national soccer team, and won the European Championship and finished third at the World Cup with this team. 

-No publications. But I will be taking an independent study next fall, and I am confident that I can write a good research paper that can better my application. 

-Others: Graduated second from the first year of law school in France, before going to Kansas; received a scholarship for my good work in political science at KU; I plan on doing an internship at Brookings or the Wilson Center in the Spring after graduation (I need to apply to them) to gain research experience before graduate school. 

Overall, I think that my application could reflect the fact that I have potential, even though I haven't had the chance to fully use it. What do you think? Am I aiming too high? Thank you for your feedback.  

 

[fuzzylogician]

I probably won't be able to help, but for anyone who might be, you should probably say what field and degree you are applying for (PhD in political science? MA in international relations? something else?). It's hard to say anything about your chances without knowing that information. 

[Frenchie8]

I am applying for a PhD in Political Science. Thanks!