[Expectations for a Skype Interview?]

Hey guys, thanks for the input.  I have a big Skype interview tomorrow for my dream grad school (Johns Hopkins), so it's nice to know that it should be somewhat more laid back.  That's encouraging!  

Any other advice also welcome   I've made sure to stay on top of my subject area so I think I'll be fine.

[Some Advice on Writing an SOP]

Thanks for the info!  I will definitely take a look at the link

[Personal vs Professional SOP]

I'm sorry if this has already been covered, but I was hoping for some clarification in the difference between a personal and professional SOP.  When a program specifies a "professional, not personal, SOP", what exactly are they asking for and what common mistakes should I avoid?

Thanks in advance.

[Some Advice on Writing an SOP]

I apologize if this topic has already been covered, but I need a clarification.  One of the programs I'm applying to specifies a "professional, not personal" SOP.  Could someone explain to me exactly what this means and how it differs from a personal one?  I'm a little lost.  

[Which IR masters programs should i apply to]

I'm applying for the same major, but my schools are scattered all over.  With your scores, you could apply to a top 10 graduate program, though there are some other really great programs not in the top 10 (UT Austin, Boston University, for example.)  The deadline for UT Austin has already passed, but Boston's isn't until April, so that should give you plenty of time.  

[Writing Sample-- SOP ties?]

Ok thanks for the input everyone.  One of the programs I contacted told me the same.  (Also, I blog about politics and include a fair bit of research, so it would have been an informal research-type paper.)  

[Writing Sample-- SOP ties?]

Regarding programs that claim writing samples are optional, but not necessary.  When should I add/not add one?  If my SOP is very strong, is it worth my time to put together a writing sample?  (I switched laptops after graduating and don't have access to my old papers.  Careless mistake, I know.)  Also, what are programs looking for in a sample?  Does it need to be formal, or could it be something less formal that still showcases research and writing skills? (Ie, a blog post.)

[Would there be any chance with my gre score?]

So, I retook the GRE, and while I brought up my quant score to 160, my qual went down to 161.  (I'm still not sure how I did on the writing.)  Should I send both sets of scores, so they take the best of each?  Or stick with one or the other?

Also, thank you for letting me know that some of the top programs took you with your quant score.  I'm not looking at those same programs (though I am looking at Johns Hopkins.)  I had a good GPA, Americorps experience, and lots of international travel experience.  I'm working on my own independent research at the moment, so while I haven't published anything, I feel like the rest of my application is pretty solid.

[Would there be any chance with my gre score?]

Ok, thank you for your response.  I'm in the process of signing up to retake the GRE, so at least I know I'm taking the right action to make myself more eligible.

[Would there be any chance with my gre score?]

On 11/21/2015, 11:32:05, GradSchoolTruther said:

For top programs, I'm seeing median verbal scores at 165 and higher, while quantitative reasoning scores are generally 162 and higher.

 

Out of curiosity:  I managed to score a 165 on the verbal and a 5 on the essay.  My quant score was pretty low though (153), and I'm unsure if I'll have time to retake.  Applying to international affairs programs, which do involve statistics, is there any way for me to make up for a low quant score?  (Ie, if the rest of my application is really strong, will I still have the possibility of getting into a top school?)

[156V/157Q okay for humanities masters?]

I've researched this a lot actually, and it really just depends on where you're trying to get in.  From what I've read, your current scores are pretty average, so if the rest of your application material is pretty strong I think you should be fine.  

[Would there be any chance with my gre score?]

If it makes you feel any better, my quantitative score was pretty low too.  I'm banking on my high verbal and writing to do the trick.  

However, I'm only applying to one top 10 school, the other schools I'm applying to are highly ranked but not top 10.  I think you'd have better luck with those 

(and you won't have to die in debt.)