malcolmbates

Hey, all. I've been thinking about applying to grad school for a while now in search of an MA in International Relations/Affairs. Now that I've been washed out of the Foreign Service selection process, I want to take this goal more seriously. I need some help selecting schools, but any information you can offer is much appreciated. Here are my stats. I can give more info as needed. Applying For: MIA/MIR Schools Considering Applying To: Carnegie Mellon, Johns Hopkins SAIS, LUISS, Georgetown MSFS, suggestions? Undergraduate Institution: Temple University Honors Program Undergraduate Majors: English, Italian Undergraduate GPA: 3.8, cum laude GRE score: V: 167 (97%) Q: 153 (52%) W: 4.5 (80%) Years out of undergrad: 2 going on 3 Years of Relevant Work Experience: 2-3. I started teaching Italian during college and tutored for the Italian Club. After graduation I moved to Italy where I lived for a little over a year teaching English as a foreign language, publishing essays, and translating. Upon returning to the states, I continued my translation work in a position with Google Ads. I currently work for a non-profit teaching classes for underserved students, but I think it would be a stretch to call that relevant outside of the leadership/administration experience. I also work as the (unpaid) International Fiction Reviews Editor for a local literary magazine and have placed my writing in several different publications. Might be working as an Americorps VISTA this year to get some experience doing communications work in a public service environment. Made it to the second round of the officer selection process for the Foreign Service this year, but washed out. That is my long term goal. Language skills: CILS Certified Level C2 Italian Language Fluency with 10+ years of study, can speak and read basic to intermediate German, studying Spanish now. Quantitative requirements: Took only one math class in college but I have been studying recently in my free time. Would like to take more in grad school. Statement of Purpose: Haven’t started. Still not sure which schools I want to apply to and would like to tailor my statements to the specific programs. I am very confident in this portion of the application because I have been publishing regularly as a freelancer for two years now and have taught classes on writing college application essays. Strength of LOR: My options: Director of the non-profit I work for, owner of the TEFL school where I taught, an Italian professor of mine who interviewed me for an opening in her department at my alma mater, an English professor of mine who hooked me up with the magazine where I’m an editor, the director of the Honors dept at my alma mater. Who should I ask? What can I do to make my application as strong as possible before applying?