Schools Applied To: Harriman Institute @ Columbia and Georgetown SFS
Schools Admitted To: Columbia
Schools Rejected From: none yet
Still Waiting: SFS
Undergraduate Institution: BigTen school
Undergraduate GPA: 3.4
Undergraduate Major: Comparative Politics and Russian, Eurasian, and Eastern European Studies
GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: Didn't take the GRE
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 0
Years of Work Experience: 0, unless you count fellowships
Describe Relevant Work Experience: Athletic scholarship, FLAS fellowship, Boren scholarship
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I had my SOP looked over by 3 professors and my grandfather who was a prof for 30 yrs.. They helped me a lot. I also included professors I'd like to work with along with specific classes I'd like to take. I don't think there was anything that stood out too much. However, I think that majoring in REEEC in my undergrad helped me a lot.
Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I had 3 LOR's. One from my program director, one from my minor's director, and another from the prof helping me with my honors thesis. 2 of them had helped me previously with fellowship/scholarship LOR's, so they already knew what my interests were, what I want to do with my career, and they had seen my academic growth over the past few years.
Other: Although I have 0 work experience, no internships or jobs, I've received a few scholarships and awards for papers I've written. I haven't received any funding from Columbia, but their website says they usually give them out in mid-April, so I'm really hoping I get something.