Tolchy

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): USC Previous Degrees and GPAs: 3.8, double major in International Relations and Econ GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 162 / 162 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 0! I got accepted straight out of undergrad. I had however had 2 previous internships, a job on campus for 3 years, and a lot of involvement with a development org on campus working to build a bridge in Mali. Both of the internships were with professional orgs relevant to my career field. The job was as a program coordinator for a center on campus doing community outreach. The campus org I think helped show my passion for development and conflict and it gave me a lot to talk about in my SOP Math/Econ Background: Econ major - I think ultimately this really helped especially with SAIS Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): lots of language experience, but in terms of the language that is actually relevant to my field of study (french), I started learning it a year before I applied Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Development / Conflict Management Long Term Professional Goals: US foreign policy to conflict affected states Schools Applied to & Results: SAIS ($20k), GWU ($10k), SIPA, Fletcher - waitlisted, Yale Jackson - rejected Ultimate Decision & Why: SAIS!!!!!!!!!! Conflict Management concentration, its in DC so I can get more professional experience while also going to grad school, and they gave me so much money I thought I was going to have a heart attack from happiness when I saw the e-mail Important things that I think helped me get in: Internships, passion for development, quantitative background, and LORs Advice for Future Applicants: DONT BE AFRAID TO APPLY STRAIGHT OUT OF UNDERGRAD! Everyone really really emphasizes work experience for grad school - implying it has to be full-time work experience after you graduate. WRONG. While schools do accept a very small percentage of students right out of undergrad, I think that is mostly due to the fact that we are SO pushed away from applying by all of the negativity. I thought I was wasting my time applying to SAIS, I really did. Being a senior IR major nowadays is so rough, getting a job in your career field (especially if its development) is near impossible and 2-3 years of work experience seems to be the ultimate Catch 22. You can't get into grad school without it, but you cant get a job without it. I think there are a lot of misconceptions out there about this. So many undergrads have incredible internships now, and I think these can really help you get into a great school. Of course, strong LOR and SOP is very important as well (I think my LORs helped me a lot as I had 2 professors who knew me well and my internship supervisor who is awesome). The end point of this long ramble is: IT IS WORTH IT TO APPLY! If your goal is to go to grad school and you are ready to go to grad school, you should apply. It's worth a shot. Especially if you have internships, which so many of undergraduates do. Don't be afraid to apply to the top schools. I spent about 2 weeks of winter break cranking out all my apps. It's worth it to try for a top school because you never know... you could get in! Don't let yourself get beaten down by all the pessimism. So many of my friends with similar qualifications to me didn't try for grad school because they didnt think they could get in to a good one. If any other undergrads thinking about applying to grad schools have questions or want advice, fell free to message me!