rileypep

Does MIT have a security studies masters program under their political science department? I have been looking around for it but I cant find anything in their depart of political science website. But theres a MIT security studies program website, it doesn't have any admissions information though.

is 500 enough? or should i memorize more

are those MA programs usually easier to get into than phds?

yeah, both the paper test and online diagnostic

has anyone taken the Kaplan practice test? everytime i take it it gives me a score ridiculously lower than my other practice tests from power prep. With Kaplans I consistently get 500-v 580-q but with powerprep im hitting 660-720 on the Q and 550 on v. Dont know what to believe!

Is there a correlation between how high a program is ranked and how hard it is to be admitted to the program? For an example, we all know that M.I.T. is one of the best schools in the world. But their International relations program is only ranked in the low 20's. Is it harder for someone to be accepted into lets say SAIS, SFS, or Elliot than the MIT IR program? Even though MIT as a whole is more prestigious and higher in the rankings.

how many points did you increase or decrease on the real GRE from your practice/diagnostic tests? im been making 620~ on the math section and trying to see how much i can realisticly improve in a month and half. My verbal is really bad at the moment too (4xx) ;-(. ill be taking a class in june so hopefully that will greatly increase my scores

well since i'll be sending in the bulk of my applications in oct-nov, would getting an internship during my last senior year affect my admissions chances? or should i just do it for experience. Also, since my transcripts won't include my last two semesters are the grades i receive my senior year irelevant when it comes to admissions?

i understand undergrad to grad is not recommended but i am going to atleast apply and see where i get in. Anyone else in here apply to grad school straight out of undergrad and get in? i only have about a year of internship/volunteer experience, 3.7, decent gre, but i feel that i have a strong sense of direction on what i want to do.

sop? gre? gpa? lor? resume? writing sample? work experience? what has the most weight in an application lets say for both research/academic oriented programs and professional programs. i think its: SOP- 30% GRE+ GPA- 30% LOR- 15% Resume-5% Writing sample -5% reserach or work experience - 15%

whats an average GRE score for lets say mpp/IR programs like Johns hopkins, columbia, and gtown. is it above 1300?

what schools would be considered as a saftey for me?

what schools would be considered as a saftey for me?

thanks guys for the input! I have a really weird yet fortunate situation on why i want to go grad school right after undergrad. my loving parents are willing to pay for most of my tuition but they can only do so before my sister goes to college which will be in 2 and half years. I understand it is self fish on my part to rely on my parents and avoid debt but would it be better for my future if i joined the work force for a couple of years to gain work experience and have a shot at WWS and HKS (but with debt) or enroll in the best program i can currently be admitted to with my stats and not be in debt. I feel that even though i am still an undergrad, i have a clear path on where i want to go and how grad school will help me get there so my SOP should be fairly well written.

i would like to focus on security studies. i am completely fluent in japanese. as for my future aspirations, UN or Dept of State