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cbx2v

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Everything posted by cbx2v

  1. cbx2v
    Okay, I'll chill and wait. Thanks!
  2. cbx2v
    Hi All! I'm going down to do a couple do the SAIS optional interview and class visits at SAIS and Georgetown. Does anybody have any tips on how to make a great impression? Any insights on what the process is like? Thanks!
  3. cbx2v
    One the professors I asked for a letter of recommendation has not yet responded to my request. It has been three days since I sent it her the email (I live in a different state, so couldn't ask in person). I haven't seen or spoken to her in three or four years, but I felt like we had a fairly good relationship when I was in school, I got an A in her class, and she advised me to apply for a distinguished majors program in my department (which I was accepted to), and she's written me a number of recommendation letters in the past for internships, etc. I don't necessarily think this is her subtle way of saying not to ask, but I am getting paranoid... I am going back to my university soon to visit a friend who is in law school there. Would it be weird if I just dropped in to see her during office hours to ask? In my first email, I asked if she would be willing to meet with me when I was in town… If I can’t (or shouldn’t try to) see her in-person, how long should I wait to email her again? And how many times should I email her before I give up? I would prefer to use her, because the other professor I wanted to ask no longer works at any university and (if I can even get in contact with him) would be writing from a gmail address.
  4. cbx2v
    Gotcha. Good tips! Thanks!
  5. cbx2v
    True, true, true. I will just have to devote a lot of time to my applications... Thanks!
  6. cbx2v
    Great tips! Thanks for the advice! I'll be sure to send you a message once I find out where I got in. Cheers, Christine
  7. cbx2v
    I'm looking at MA programs in international relations/public policy. I've whittled my schools down to eight programs (and two fellowships). I'm a bit worried that's too many... But how many is too many? I am (probably irrationally) terrified that I won't get in anywhere, so I want to apply to as many programs as I can, but if I apply to too many programs the quality of my applications may go down. What is everyone else doing?
  8. cbx2v
    I'm looking at MA programs in international relations/public policy. I've whittled my schools down to eight programs and two fellowships. I'm a bit worried that's too many... But how many is too many? I am (probably irrationally) terrified that I won't get in anywhere, so I want to apply to as many programs as I can, but if I apply to too many programs the quality of my applications may go down. What is everyone else doing?
  9. cbx2v
    Okay, I took out the offer to buy and some of the exclamation points. Thank you both for your suggestions!
  10. cbx2v
    You have no idea how happy your reply made me! And thank you for the tips on pushing for more funding; I had no idea that I could expect that much! I will work hard on my SOP and will emphasize my volunteer work and career goals (which actually are to get into something where I can give back). Thank you again for your help!
  11. cbx2v
    Hi All, I'm planning to send my LOR requests soon, but I'm struggling over the email. I've gotten input from so many people, but I feel like there's still something missing from this email. I'm hoping that you all will be able to help. The draft email is below, personal information redacted... Please let me know what you think! Hi Professor Awesome, I hope you are doing well! It’s been too long since we last spoke! I believe it was when you helped me get my current job at X by acting as a reference. I’ve been at X for three years now and have learned a lot there. Thank you again for your help with that application and all the other letters of recommendation that you’ve written for me over the years. You have been instrumental in my success, and I greatly appreciate your support! I was hoping that I might be able to impose upon you once again for a letter of recommendation. I am applying for eight masters’ programs in international relations for the Fall 2017 term, along with the X and X Fellowships—most of the applications are due in early-to-mid-January. I would be very grateful if you could write a letter of recommendation for my applications. On another note, if you’re available the weekend of Month, day, I will be in Collegetown, and would love to buy you coffee and catch up if you have a free half-hour. Thank you again for your help and for considering this request. All the best, First Name
  12. cbx2v
    Hi All, I would really appreciate any input you all can provide on my application. Undergraduate School: University of Virginia GPA: 3.77 GPA, Phi Beta Kappa, Dean's List every semester, double majored in Foreign Affairs and Middle Eastern Studies GRE: 170 Verbal, 156 Quant, 5.5 AWA Work Experience: 3 years at highly regarded international relations magazine/ think tank as a research assistant/ admin person, 1-year internship in Cairo, ~3 years as an intern at the FBI (over the summer, during semesters, not consecutive) doing random admin work. Quant Background: Unfortunately scanty. I took microeconomics (A-) and am planning to take an online course in macroeconomics before apps are due in January. International Experience: 1 year living in Cairo, Egypt after graduation and one semester of study abroad in Scotland (I was evacuated from Cairo due to the Arab Spring and had to go from Cairo to a tiny, cute Scottish town) Languages: 3 years of Arabic at the college level, one year living in Cairo, 3 years of studying under private tutors. Some mediocre German from high school and a couple of college courses. I'm hoping to get into the top programs, but I don't know if I even have a chance. I'm planning to retake the GRE in a month to bump up that quant score. Do I have any chance at getting into SAIS, SIPA, Georgetown, Yale, or Tufts? If not, where do I have a chance of getting in (and getting funding). Thanks! Christine
  13. cbx2v
    Hi, Quickmick, Thanks! I think I agree with you in regards to retaking the GRE. I should probably devote the time to the rest of my application package. And thank you for the link to the ETS report. It looks really interesting and I can't wait to read it! Thanks again! Cheers, Christine
  14. cbx2v
    Hi Rich, Thank you for your insights! My application deadlines are concentrated in late December and early January. Time enough to retake the GRE, though I would prefer to avoid it unless it's necessary. The problem is that, for the programs I'm looking at, my GPA and background are about average, my GRE verbal score is above average, and my GRE math score is below average. For example, Georgetown's MA program is 163 Verbal, 158 Math, and 3.71 GPA. Yale's averages are 164 Verbal, 161 Math, and 3.7 GPA. My age and work experience are typical for these programs. As you can see, my background and GPA are where they should be, and my GRE Verbal scores are above average, and my math scores are too low. I am unsure how this will affect my chances. Will my math score knock me out of the running, despite my verbal scores? Will the stellar verbal score and mediocre math score basically cancel out? Will my great verbal score offset my math score so that it doesn't matter very much? Basically, I want to know if it would be "worth it" to devote another month to GRE when I could be working on other aspects of my application. Will a 160+ math score make an appreciable difference in my application? Thanks for your help! Christine
  15. cbx2v
    I never took the full practice test, but I did hundreds of their practice questions. It predicted something like a 150-156 on the math and a 160-166 on verbal. I only have my unofficial scores, but I got a 156 on math and a 170 on verbal. I'm guessing it lowballs so that you'll be more pleased with your actual scores.
  16. cbx2v
    I just took the GRE and my unofficial scores were 170 verbal and 156 quant. Though I am ecstatic about my verbal score, I'm a little worried about my quant score. I want to go to a top international relations MA program and I'm worried the 156 won't make the cut for those schools, even when balanced out with my verbal score. Background Undergrad: UVa Undergrad GPA: 3.77, graduated PBK 4 years of work experience in my field, one year of which was spent abroad in Cairo, Egypt. Verbal: 170 Quant: 156 Writing: Not yet scored I think I could improve my score with a month of study. I took a prep course last year, procrastinated for 12 months, decided to take the GRE, then studied intensely for a week before taking the test. With a month of study I could probably improve by a few points. However, I'm wondering if it's worth it? And if I did retake and my verbal score went down, would that detract from my application? Any insights would be much appreciated. Thanks! Christine
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