oshkosh72

Honestly, at this point my purpose in getting this graduate degree is mainly so that with it I could have a better chance at getting a job in IR (after having applied for entry level jobs for years with no luck). Not sure what else to do at this point to advance my (non-existent) career, but I guess that's getting off topic.

Well then for next year

Hello everyone, gonna give this another go in hopes of getting a response this time I'm considering applying for graduate school either for fall of 2015. I've taken a look at a few IR programs, but I'm really not sure what my chances are for any of them. I'm currently leaning towards an MA in International Affairs/Politics. I graduated in 2009 with a double major in political science and French. As far as relevant work experience goes I think could only truly count on my time as a visa officer at the French Consulate in Boston back in the summer of 2010, so my main concern is that I may not have enough work experience. Given my profile, what types of programs would I be competitive for and what would I need to do to improve my chances at more highly regarded institutions? Undergraduate institution: Large public school Undergraduate GPA: 3.49 Undergraduate Majors: Political Science, French Study Abroad: semester in France GRE Quantitative Score: 152 (49%) GRE Verbal Score: 165 (96%) GRE AW Score: 4.0 (54%) Took it about a month ago (for the second time since 2009) Age: 27 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 5 Years of Work Experience: Overseas experience (work, study and teaching): Studied in a French university for 5 months in 2007 and taught English in a French high school from October 2013-April 2014 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I'm just going to list everything since graduating since I'm not sure how relevant certain jobs I've had would be: -Sales Associate at Lowe's from January 2009 to May 2010 -Poli Sci tutor at my university during the summer of 2009 -Visa Officer at French Consulate in Boston during the summer of 2010 -Volunteered for US Senate campaign during the fall of 2012 -Academic intern at local non-profit for about six months in 2013 -Languague assistant in French high school from October 2013 to April 2014 -Sales consultant at currency exchange business from March 2011 to September 2013, then from June 2014 to present Languages: Spanish [native], French [advanced/almost native level], German [beginner, started learning earlier this year] Poli Sci Coursework: micro, macro, IR, American politics, comparative politics, politics of the EU, political theory, US foreign policy, Cold War politics, politics and the media, and obviously many French courses Quant: Precalculus in UG, micro and macroeconomics. Took AP Stats way back in high school (so I'm familiar with it) but don't have college credit since I didn't take the exam. Strength of SOP: It seems that my lack of relevant work experience may make things difficult for me here. Strength of LOR: Pretty much any of my French professors would be very good; I'd have a tougher time with my poli sci professors since it's been a few years and I haven't really kept in touch. I could likely also get a good LOR from one of the teachers I worked with while in France. That's everything for me. I'm not too sure about my competitiveness despite having a recent MA grad friend urging me to consider getting my master's. He recommended I try applying somewhere in DC due to the networking possibilities there but I'm certainly open to other places (Boston, NYC, etc.). So what are my chances? Should I try applying as I am? Thanks in advance.

Hello everyone, I'm considering applying for graduate school either for spring or fall of 2015. I've taken a look at a few IR programs, but I'm really not sure what my chances are for any of them. I'm currently leaning towards an MA in International Affairs/Politics. I graduated in 2009 with a double major in political science and French. As far as relevant work experience goes I think could only truly count on my time as a visa officer at the French Consulate in Boston back in the summer of 2010, so my main concern is that I may not have enough work experience. Given my profile, what types of programs would I be competitive for and what would I need to do to improve my chances at more highly regarded institutions? Undergraduate institution: Large public school Undergraduate GPA: 3.49 Undergraduate Majors: Political Science, French Study Abroad: semester in France GRE Quantitative Score: 152 (49%) GRE Verbal Score: 165 (96%) GRE AW Score: 4.0 (54%) Took it about a month ago (for the second time since 2009) Age: 27 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 5 Years of Work Experience: Overseas experience (work, study and teaching): Studied in a French university for 5 months in 2007 and taught English in a French high school from October 2013-April 2014 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I'm just going to list everything since graduating since I'm not sure how relevant certain jobs I've had would be: -Sales Associate at Lowe's from January 2009 to May 2010 -Poli Sci tutor at my university during the summer of 2009 -Visa Officer at French Consulate in Boston during the summer of 2010 -Volunteered for US Senate campaign during the fall of 2012 -Academic intern at local non-profit for about six months in 2013 -Languague assistant in French high school from October 2013 to April 2014 -Sales consultant at currency exchange business from March 2011 to September 2013, then from June 2014 to present Languages: Spanish [native], French [advanced/almost native level], German [beginner, started learning earlier this year] Poli Sci Coursework: micro, macro, IR, American politics, comparative politics, politics of the EU, political theory, US foreign policy, Cold War politics, politics and the media, and obviously many French courses Quant: Precalculus in UG, micro and macroeconomics. Took AP Stats way back in high school (so I'm familiar with it) but don't have college credit since I didn't take the exam. Strength of SOP: It seems that my lack of relevant work experience may make things difficult for me here. Strength of LOR: Pretty much any of my French professors would be very good; I'd have a tougher time with my poli sci professors since it's been a few years and I haven't really kept in touch. I could likely also get a good LOR from one of the teachers I worked with while in France. That's everything for me. I'm not too sure about my competitiveness despite having a recent MA grad friend urging me to consider getting my master's. He recommended I try applying somewhere in DC due to the networking possibilities there but I'm certainly open to other places (Boston, NYC, etc.). So what are my chances? Should I try applying as I am? Thanks in advance.

I'm living with my mother and stepfather right now, working part time only. I don't make that much but if I spoke to my mother I just might be able to do an internship of some sort (although it'd probably still be somewhat difficult financially). As for spending a year abroad somewhere I'd certainly be willing to do so, but what would you recommend I do while abroad? Teaching English for a year? Thanks for the help so far!

Hello everyone, I'm new here and I'm considering applying for graduate school this fall or next spring. I've taken a look at a few IR programs, but I'm really not sure what my chances are for any of them. I'm currently leaning towards an MA in International Affairs/Politics. I graduated in 2009 with a double major in political science and French. As far as relevant work experience goes I think could only truly count on my time as a visa officer at the French Consulate in Boston back in the summer of 2010, so my main concern is that I may not have enough work experience. Given my profile, what types of programs would I be competitive for and what would I need to do to improve my chances at more highly regarded institutions? Undergraduate institution: Large public school Undergraduate GPA: 3.49 Undergraduate Majors: Political Science, French Study Abroad: semester in France GRE Quantitative Score: 520 (31%) GRE Verbal Score: 670 (95%) GRE AW Score: 4.0 (41%) Took the GRE once in 2009. Didn't do much studying beyond taking one or two practice tests (as you can probably tell). Age: 25 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 Years of Work Experience: Describe Relevant Work Experience: As I mentioned above I worked during the summer of 2010 as a visa officer at the Consulate General of France in Boston, but that's probably the only relevant experience I can think of. Other than that I worked at Lowe's for a year and a half before the French Consulate and have been working as a sales consultant for a currency exchange company since March 2011. Languages: Spanish [native], French [advanced/almost native level] Quant: Precalculus in UG (didn't realize how useful calculus would be now), micro and macroeconomics. Took AP Stats way back in high school (so I'm familiar with it) but don't have college credit since I didn't take the exam. Strength of SOP: It seems that my lack of relevant work experience will make things difficult for me here. Strength of LOR: Pretty much any of my French professors would be very good; I'd have a tougher time with my poli sci professors since it's been a few years and I haven't really kept in touch. My current boss would likely be good as well. That's everything for me. I'm not too confident in my competitiveness despite having a recent MA grad friend urging me to consider getting my master's. He recommended I try applying somewhere in DC due to the networking possibilities there but I'm certainly open to other places (Boston, NYC, etc.). So what are my chances? Should I try applying as I am or do some other things to improve my “profile” first? Thanks in advance.