Hi all,
Before I give you all my stats, I should probably let you all know that I haven't solidified a list of schools I'm applying to yet - definitely still looking. So if any of you have recommendations as to programs that may be good fits based on my profile, please let me know! Thank you so much for all your help!
Potential Programs: WWS for IR, Theological Studies MA from Harvard Divinity School (recommended to me by a current American diplomat!), SU Maxwell MAIR, UVA MPP, GWU MAIA, GU MSFS, Texas A&M MAIA, USC Public Diplomacy MA, and Middlebury's MA IPD.
Interests: My goal has always been to become an FSO. If the foreign service doesn't work out, I am interested in working at a nonprofit or NGO that focuses on women's issues or religious freedom. Also interested in other natl. security work in the U.S. fed. govt.
Undergrad Institution: American University, semester abroad at Peking University in Beijing, China
Undergraduate GPA: 3.7
Years since Undergrad: 2.5 as of now, 3 when I apply
Undergraduate Major: Intl. Studies
GRE: Quant: 155, Qual: 159, Writing: 4. - RETAKING IN 3 WEEKS
Quantitative Courses: Micro, Macro, Advanced International Econ.
Age: 23 (finished my BA in 3 years instead of 4)
Languages: English, Mandarin (working, high intermediate), French (middling?)
Work Experience:
Current - 8 months as an Evaluation Assistant with the evaluation office at the State Department's Foreign Service Institute.
2 years as an assistant for the Chinese language program at the Foreign Service Institute.
3 months as an intern for the Governor of NY
3 months as an intern for the State Department's Office of Intl. Religious Freedom..
3 months as an intern for a Congressman in the House.
Current volunteer ESL teacher for immigrant communities in DC area.
Various volunteer and paid experiences with literacy tutoring in DC area primary schools.
Concerns: I want to narrow down my list of schools I'll apply to to around 5 or 6 that are Foreign Service feeder schools, but I'm also not attached to staying in DC. I went to undergrad here and expect to live here on and off for most of my career - so moving somewhere new for grad school would be welcome (yes, I know the big DC schools are likely feeder schools too).
Also concerned that my GRE scores across the board are a little lower, but hopefully I can rectify that in three weeks!
