rk2012

Programs: MPA, MA in International Relations Schools: Columbia (SIPA), Princeton (WWS), Yale (Jackson Institute), NYU (SCPS), Seton Hall Undergraduate institution: State University ranked in top 50 (according to US News Report) Undergraduate Major: Information Technology (some programming, but more emphasis on business management) Undergraduate Minor: French Undergraduate GPA: 3.87 overall GRE: Verbal: 161; Quant: 152; AW: 4.5 (a little worried about the math) Years Out of Undergrad: 0 (I'm a senior in undergrad right now) Years of Work Experience: 3 years of work/internships Describe Relevant Work Experience: -Resarch work for Johnson & Johnson (pharmaceutical company) -Currently working as intern for a prestigious government agency Languages: French (Earned diploma in French business language from Paris Chamber of Commerce - DFA1, passed with honors) SOP: I'll be talking about my work at the government agency, how I feel my government service makes a qualified candidate, and what I would like to gain from each respective program LOR: 1 letter from my supervisor at the government agency, 2 letters from professors Questions: -Firstly, I'm worried about my GRE scores. My quant score is low, despite being in a semi-techincal major. Honestly, I'm not sure why I scored this low in quant. During the practice tests I was repeatedly doing much better in quant than verbal, but I ended up with the opposite scores on the real test! I do not have the time to take the test again, so I'm just going to hope for the best! -Also a little worried about applying straight out of undergrad. Although, people have told me that my internship gives me a competitve edge in the area of experience. I talked to a recruiter from NYU (his office directly handles selecting masters candidates), and he told me that I was definitely a competitive candidate. In retrospect, maybe he was just being nice and wanted to get me to apply. Any feedback would be much appreciated!

I just took the GRE yesterday. I scored a 161 on verbal and a 152 in quantitative. Im applying to masters programs in International Relations at: Princeton (Woodrow Wilson School), Columbia (SIPA), Yale (Jackson Institute), NYU (School of Continuing & Professional Studies) and Seton Hall University. I feel good about my verbal score. But should I retake the test to increase my quantitative score? Princeton's application deadline is in 2 weeks, so I had to send them my scores. However, I have a little more time for Yale, Columbia, and Seton Hall (deadlines are in January). Strangely, NYU doesnt require the GRE for my program. I'm applying to these programs straight out of undergrad (I'm a senior now). I have a 3.87 gpa, I currently work as an intern with a prestigious government agency, and I also have foreign language experience (DFA1 diploma in French business). Im a little reluctant to take the test again because it's taking too much time out of my schedule. Ive been neglecting my current courses (I skipped an entire week of classes) for GRE prep. On top of that, I have a ton of personal statements and writing samples to write. Do I have a good chance? Or should I retake the test?