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My current interests within international organizations is currently in the impact of human rights in the relationship of IGOs and NGOs. At this point, I do not have any language proficiency to note of but I do hold some background in French and Arabic at the undergraduate level - approximately one year of coursework for both. As a clarification, would these issues with my GPA still be in play even if I get a 4.0 in the MPA program? If so, how strong of a profile would I need to overlook it, assuming it can be at all? rwillh11 and yourself noted some difficulties with top programs and I already eliminated the top 5 as an option for application. However, is there even a chance at the top 20 with vast improvements or should my search be set exclusively at the 30-50 range regardless of what everything says?

Good evening all. Forgive the somewhat long post. However, I am a bit lost as to how to improve my profile to be a bigger challenge for a PhD program in political science (preferably top 40). I recognize that the quandary is broad and there are more specific questions below but I would be indebted to any assistance provided. I just started my MPA program and will not be set to graduate until Fall 2016. The plus side to the timing of graduation is that I can use my exit paper as my writing sample for my applications. While it is not an MA thesis on paper, I have already approached my exit committee chair to have the paper go this direction he approved it – on the condition that it incorporates some Public Administration elements into the paper per exit paper requirements. My general profile and questions are below. Interest fields: International Relations, International Organizations, Human Rights, Methodology Degree History Master of Public Administration - University of West Georgia (in progress) Bachelor of Science in Political Science - University of West Georgia Associate of Arts in History - Gainesville State College GPA Undergrad: 2.94 Major (overall): 3.833 MPA GPA: TBD - Projected to be a 4.0 with 9 hours completed GRE Verbal: 149 Quantitative: 149 Analytical: 3.5 Quantitative Background: Linear Algebra, Calculus I, Calculus II, Mathematical Probability (Calculus-based) Independent Research Undergraduate: "The Arab Spring's Impact on Religious Liberty In the Middle East" - Paper written for independent study for a grade and neither published or presented. Publications: None Conference Presentations: None Relevant Work Experience Undergraduate Research Assistant at UWG’s Communications and Marketing Office (Fall 2014) Graduate assistant in UWG’s Political Science Office (starting this Fall) Specific Software Knowledge: SAS (in progress), SPSS (in progress), R (in progress) Concerns/Questions GPA prior to transfer to UWG was weak at a 2.7. Despite a 3.83 major GPA, it only went up .24 points due to 90 hours of mediocre work while in pursuit of my Associates Degree. I was unfocused during my AA pursuit but slaughtered almost all of the remaining work for my bachelor degree. I am sure this can be written out with an outstanding CV and SoP, but how big of a concern should this be on the overall picture? Because of the low GPA, I did not see much option than to jump into the MPA program at the school – I had no chance at other in-state schools and had no money to go out of state. Transferring this degree over to a PhD program within my interest fields will be difficult. I am looking at performing independent studies, but I may be doing well to get three, maybe six, hours of it into my studies depending on what the rules are for directed readings. In this light, what would be the best options to help compensate for this discrepancy as most applicants I will be with will either have a masters in political science or will be coming straight out of undergrad with a political science degree? To gain research experience, would it be best if I tried to connect with a couple professors I know to see if I can be a contributor or try to wing it on my own with conference paper presentations? Is my GRE score low enough in the quantitative section to consider retaking in order to make an argument for a methodology minor and/or get into a quantitative-heavy program? Once again, thank you for your time and your assistance.