Kevin1990

Hey sorry for my late reply, I'm glad it looks like I'm on the right track in terms of some of my key worries. Also to answer your question yes I do plan on going to grad school ether right out of undergrad or shortly thereafter.

I'll be a senior next year and I was interested in the Boren Scholarship for undergraduates(if it isn't too late and if the extension of my undergrad career wouldn't be costly) or failing that even the Boren Followship. Now since its language critical, I was planning planning on taking Persian this coming spring(or maybe Russian should I change my mind) and ether way I should have intermediate flunecy by the time it come's to applying for it in the winter of 2012-13. However, I had a couple of questions about the scholarship in relation to my competitiveness and the obligations for the scholarship/fellowship. 1, My gpa is currently 3.3-3.4, do I stand a shot at it given how competitve I hear it is? Would my language and culture choices help add to my app? 2, I know there is a federal service obligation should you win the scholarship, I would like to eventually serve in the military ether through Navy OCS or Army ROTC in grad school, and work for a 3 letter agency someday. Given that all of those are federal in one form or any another would these furfill those obligations? Thank's in advance to anyone who comments!

I'm a current undergraduate Junior studying history/international studies who is interested in going to grad school for strategic/defense studies, modern military history, or international security. My interests are the evolution of modern warfare, and theories/classics of war, methodology of armed conflict as well as intelligence collecting and gathering amongst related issues. I also have a strongly connected interest in the military affairs of the Middle East. Well here's my deal(yet again) I'm signed up for Persian/Farsi for the Spring semester, which I decided to take due to my interest in Middle Eastern military affairs as well as to have a critical language under my belt, since I've been strongly encouraged to apply for a Boren Scholarship. As well as the fact that I'm trying to get an internship and other grad related work, so I figure it would look good on my record esp. If I can gain some form of fluency. However given my overall interest in studying war, many people have recommended that German is the language. I already have started French and made it up to an intermediate level that I learned previously before stopping, and I was planning on finishing up my intermediate that up this summer. This has posed an issue for me in some ways since given my interest in military affairs in the ME, I should take a language for the region to gain relevancy. I feel I should be taking German for the theoretical and historical grounding overall in regards to my overall interest in modern warfare.

I'm am American student who is currently studying at home, but I was looking at going abroad for my masters. Recently one of the programs in other countries that I've become interested in is the University of Tel Aviv's International Master's programs. If anyone has past and present experience with the university or more specifcally the masters offered, could you tell me how it was? From what I've seen the masters offered in English seem quite comprehensive and a number of the profs that teach them are very well known. Also, Tel Aviv is arguebly the top university in the country.

How much stock do internatonal relations, defense/security studies, and other related programs put into the math section of the GRE? I ask because even though I have not taken the GRE yet I know that my math scores(despite my best efforts) will prob be low since I have a very rough time with the subject academically. On the other hand I have a history of doing quite well on anything verbal and anyalitcal and I think my scores will be soild in this area. So how much do admissions for these subjects read into math scores on the GRE? I know it differs depending on the focus of the program I just want to get a fell of how important it is to them overall.

So by must they're saying that 3.3 is their cutoff. However, by should it means that they would prefer a 3.6 or higher but other factors could sway their decision should you have lower then that?

Sounds like burnout to me. Even though I'm an undergrad, this effect typically happens to me around the middle to end of the semester. One question. Have you looked at the amount of sleep you've been getting per night? If your getting less then 8-9 hours( alot easier said then done) that could be part of your problem.

I think I have alot of strong points to the rest of my propsective application in more ways then one. Although I need to wrok on laying them out and identiflying them like one poster in this thread mentioned. Not to mention I know I'll have some pretty good recs, and hopfully a strong SOP as well. I'm not worried about my overall GPA since 3.3 is considered a pretty good place to be for an undergrad, and from what info I've gathered the same goes for applying to grad school. Although, I'd feel better if I have something like a 3.5-3.7. I mean I figure if I was making like a 2.7-2.9 then I'd have some problems but like mentioned before a 3.0 or a few notches above is considered fine.

Even though it's still fairly early for me to be looking at graduate program's, what can posters on here(if there are any familiar with it) tell me about the University of Tel Aviv's master's program in Security & Diplomacy? It's courses look pretty interesting, plus they have quite a few well known names associated with it along with the fact that it is considered one of Israel's top 2 universities? Also how would such a degree go over here in the US, esp with Phd or other advanced academic programs?

I'm a 3rd year undergraduate college student about to enter my 2nd semester of my Junior year. I'm eager and aiming to go to grad school for military history, strategic studies, or International Relations. However, I'm a little worried about my GPA and being competitive for many programs. Additionally, looking around and doing more searches on various degrees that I feel would fit my interests and benefit me structurally. Therefore from this I've been drawn to a few programs and degrees offered in schools outside the US particularly in the UK and Canada, at places like King's College London, St, Andrews, Uni of Calgary, and a couple of others, which want to see a very higher undergrad GPA from American students like 3.5-3.9. My current GPA is 3.3 to be exact, and traditionally that is regarded as very good for an undergraduate considering that a min of 3.0 is considered fine. Many people have told me I should be good going forward and applying to graduate schools with what I have combined with good recs, statement of purpose etc.Additionally, the classes I've taken throughout my undergraduate career have been quite academically rigorous overall. I'm a history major with poli sci minors and I have taken numerous reading and writing intensive classes throughout my academic career. I've will have taken tow languages during my time in college by the time I'm finished. As I've taken up to intermediate level French(which I'm planning to finish at that level this summer), and I'm about to start on Farsi and perhaps fit in German should I find space for it. Also, I've heard and seen of people getting into top programs with even less 3.0 getting into top grad programs. So should I be concerned that my GPA is only 3.3? Or am I just stressing out for the sake of it?

I'm an American student who is in the prelim phase of looking into graduate programs in IR, military history, and defense/strategic studies and throughout my research so far I've been strongly intrigued about programs offered at non-US universities. Especially in Uni's within the UK(specifically England where I've long been interested in the War Studies program at King's, which has been a a dream of mine for a long time. Not only this university, but Durham, Reading, and even the Oxbridge universities along with others have degrees that catch my eye too. The same goes for Scottish universities also especially St. Andrews. Additionally over the past few years since coming to college I've had a couple of in-depth experiences with the British university system since I've studied in the UK twice in my academic career for far. In terms of Canadian universities I've heard and read alot of good things about McGill's programs in my areas of interest as well as some schools out west like the Uni's Alberta and Saskatchewan. European-wise Science's Po in Paris interest's me as well. Now I was wondering what people can tell me about applying to universities in places like the UK, Canada, and France as an American student? For instance, what do they like for in international students applying from countries like the US? Most of what I've read for the UK schools is whether first off is English my first language(or in the case of Canadian and the French uni's English or French). I've also noted in the case of UK universities the basic requirements(ex. GPA) seem to be much more stringent in comparison to what most programs would be looking for back in the US? While funding for American's studying at British universite both undergrad and postgrad appears much harder to obtain even in comparison to other international students? Especially since I'm not a UK/Commonwealth, Irish, or EU citizen. Also, I figure this is due to the fact that many British uni's like Oxford, University of London, and St. Andrews already have huge contingents of American students to begin with throughout their various degrees and programs. While what Canadian uni programs seem to what is basically the same requirements of US ones. And French universities from what I've heard and read are actually desperate for more American students, although I don't how true that actually is. But from what I hear it's more due to cultural differences like anglo countries like the US where Recs, SOP's etc must be done in a different way in comparison to US, Canadian, or even British standards. In terms of my academic stats this early on, I have a 3.3-3.4 GPA(which is considered pretty strong by US standards), and I can get solid recs from my profs. If I were also to apply to some of these schools funding is also a pretty big issue(which it is for me in general relating to grad schools). Therefore I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight into my very broad question? Btw I apologize if I posted this in the wrong section.

I'm a an academic junior at the moment looking at applying to MA/MS programs in ether history or political science. I've heard and read alot about(including on here) the importance of research experience when applying to these types of programs. Does this hold true for undergrads when applying to say an MA or MS programs in these areas? I ask because I have considerable research expernice through extensive projects I've had to complete for a number of classes, but I haven't been published anywhere to speak of yet(ex. the on campus IR journal). Would this reflect negatively on my application? I mean I have plenty of research projects and papers classwise to list and my profs could certainly testily to my research capabilities in recs, however I worry this may not be enough? Am I right or am I just worrying over peanuts?

Even though I'm in the early process of looking into graduate school, many grad programs that I've looked into don't seem to put lot of stock into the GRE i.e. the exam is more of a formality with them and much less important unless you totally bomb it or you have a borderline GPA(ex.3.0/2.9). One consular even told me that GPA, recs, experience, fit/interests and other aspects of one's academic record a much more important to graduate school's then the scores on the GRE. However, is this true or only heresey? I know that grad school admissions are radically different from those of undergrads which mainly looks at grades/scores, but is this the case or not?

Well it looks like you were right, Final grades are in didn't end up with the best grade(a C) but I didn't end up with a D which would have been more painful.

I'm very weak in math that much I know. The writing section I'm worried about but I think I should do decently, and the vocab I feel good about but I should review. So I'm looking for a good overall study guide that touches on everything. I've already added the ETS guide, along with the Barron's Words for the GRE. I guess I'll get the Princeton book also.

I'm currently a junior majoring in History/International Studies who wants to go to grad school to study war & warfare. I'm having a hard time finding out what my specific interests are, which I hear is critical for grad school? Which unlike undergrad which tends to be very broad stresses specialization. My specific interests that I've nailed down so far revolve around the history of warfare from the late 19th Century to today, the "origins of warfare", the big philosophers and thinkers on warfare(ex. Sun Tzu/Clausewitz), methodologies/analysis techniques for understanding modern warfare(to an extent), counterinsurgency, and military organizations/operations. Now I'm having a very hard time trying to find out what my interests within these realms are. I hear regional specialization is often important and I've always had an interest in the Middle East(although one that is not exclusive). So I've decided to take Farsi for this upcoming semester since it seems like a hot language to take at this time. I have prior background of French up to an intermediate level. While people(including members of this forum) have suggested that I should take German for a variety of reasons. However, I'm sorely lack in quantitative skills and I need to catch up badly in this area. So my overall dilemma and one that I feel I need to solve badly at this point is define clearly what my specific interests are? If I could hear back from people on how they dealed with this issue in their academic lives and what I should do? I'd be eager to hear your advice. Thanks again,

No it is not, but I'm worried by the fact that it is not going to look good on my record. Especially since I was thinking of applying for history grad programs.

I'm planning on taking the GRE within the next few months, I was wondering if anyone could make any suggestions as to what good GRE study books I should get in general? Thanks,

I'm a current junior majoring in history/international studies and I want to go to grad school when I finish my undergrad. The semester is wrapping up for me and my preliminary progress reports for my classes appear to be good. And my overall GPA is fairly decent at around 3.2-3.4, and this semester I'm looking at getting around 3.4-3.7. However, in one of the courses I'm taking within my major I'm not doing so well, I haven't done well on a midterm for the class and received a poor grade for a paper. I fear that I may very well receive a D or worse in the class, despite from what I know numbers wise it wouldn't do much damage. I'm in this between this rock and a hard place simply because I have a very difficult prof. Ex. I'm getting D's for work that I would normally get B's or A's for in any other class. This is the worst I've ever done in a class. Previously a C is the worst I could expect to do in a class overall. Would this hurt me badly if I do poorly in a class? I mean I've read about successful applicants to grad school who've done a lot worse then this. Would anyone mind chiming in on my situation? Thanks,

I'm a current academic junior who is interested in attending grad school for military history/and or defense and strategic studies. Over the past semester I've been researching quite heavily into the various programs out there in terms of my areas of interest. However, I've been wondering what steps I should be taking at this as junior despite the fact that I have quite some time left? I'd like to get started on some of the process toasted applying to grad school since I feel time is beginning to go by fast because I'm nearing the end of my 1st semester of my 3rd year. Additionally, I want to signup and start studying for the GRE soon too. Any opinions or suggestions of what steps I need to start taking would be greatfully appreciated!

I understand quite well from you are coming from in term's of your interests. To answer your question more fully, I'm more interested in going down the academic track. Since I'm interested in ether doing research at ether a think-tank or university eventually. However, what the defense and strategic studies programs out there offer interest's me intensively. That being said when looking at programs dealing with warfare and international conflict in some aspect ranging from defense and strategic programs to anthropology/sociology programs. I'd say next to the former mentioned this area along with political science and history has alot of what I'm interested in. You are probably right in saying that I would be unhappy at a conflict resolution program, since alot of these don't tend to focus on the areas I'm interested in. Although, I don't much about Peace Studies but from what I've seen it seems alot more like strategic studies with other subject areas thrown in. At this stage though I'm still trying to figure out where my interests fit though.

I'm a current undergrad junior at a large state school on the East Coast who is majoring in History/International Studies, and is looking on making the jump to grad school once I finish my bachelors. I currently have a pretty good academic record overall with a GPA well above 3.0 but under 3.5 at this time. I also haven't taken the GRE at this time, however I'm planning to before this summer. Over the course of my undergraduate career I've become very interested in the evolution of warfare and it's theorists since the late 19th century up until the modern day. I'm also interested in the origins of war and other forms of related violence like terrorism and insurgency. Furthermore, I've recently developed an interest in methodologies used to trace these evolutions. Even though my interest's overall are still pretty broad. Also,I really haven't done much shopping around in terms of programs since it is still fairly early for me to be looking. Additionally, what grad school research I've done has largely been focused on poli sci/strategic studies and military history programs. However given alot of what I'm interested seems to exist in some areas of academic anthropology and sociology, I thought I should ask if there is any programs that could be recommended that I look at in this early stage of the process? Thank's again,

I'm looking for ether an MA or MS, I'm hoping to go onto a Phd in this field eventually. Research-wise, I have done plenty of projects and papers in the field during my time in undergrad so far. Additionally, I'm slated to do a couple of large scale ones this semester for a couple of classes. I'm also regarded as someone who is quite capable of doing graduate level work by my faculty Like I mentioned above I'm interested in going research route and getting a Phd. However, even though I'm still early in the grad school search I'm having a hard time finding a program geared towards what I want to do. Would it be any big deal regardless, if I went into a policy program for a MA/MS instead of a research one?

I'm a junior undergraduate seriously starting to thinking about and look into graduate school for ether security or defense/strategic studies or maybe intelligence. I'm also a current history and international studies major. Overall, I've been told I have a pretty strong record as I have decent grades(Well above 3.0), I should do well on the GRE(haven't taken it yet), and I have an extensive background in leadership and political activities as well as study abroad. Additionally, I'm looking into seeking an internship at a think tank in Washington. I mainly want to do research going forward in terms of a career, with my interests being modern warfare and it's evolution, insurgency and terrorism, and military operations/organizations. However, even though I'm highly oriented towards these subject areas I'm still trying to figure out where my interests lay obviously. I've been steered towards the following schools if anyone has any information on them including the good, the bad, and the ugly. Georgetown GWU John's Hopkin's SAIS Institute of World Politics(IWP) Missouri MIT University of Kansas Ohio State UNC Chapel Hill If anyone could provide any insight for me that would be great, and if there is any other schools I should be looking at(even though it is still very early) that would be great!

Thanks I looked through most of these journals and most of them only solicited articles from inside their school like you mentioned. I guess I'll wait until winter break which is around the time the journal's at my school start asking for articles. As I got a couple of papers from classes in which I got a B or so on them in which I could work to improve for submission.