Starting and Stopping Your UnderGrad Education

[mrmirv]

Hello,

My questions is sort of an interesting one. I have a feeling more and more people may fall under this situation.

I started my undergrad in 1997. I stopped in 2000. I had good grades at the time, 3.5 gpa. I took 2 classes in 2005. I started again in 2009 and will finish May,2011. Only reason I stopped was I married very young and we could not afford to both be in school so she finished 1st and went on to get her masters. Anyone have any experience with a situation like this? I have a 3.6 gpa as of now and 700 and 700 gre's. I want to move on to a PHD program for IR. Not sure where I should aim. I could go to my state university in the Northeast and get a masters to boost myself up. Thanks

[gsams]

I don't see why it would hurt you. You could easily explain why. I think the only disadvantage it might put you at is just getting excellent LOR's because you only had probably 2 years to build them rather than four and it would be more difficult to have one prof for two classes and that sort of thing. But, if you are are a really motivated student with good LOR's, I don't think it would be an issue.

[mrmirv]

I don't see why it would hurt you. You could easily explain why. I think the only disadvantage it might put you at is just getting excellent LOR's because you only had probably 2 years to build them rather than four and it would be more difficult to have one prof for two classes and that sort of thing. But, if you are are a really motivated student with good LOR's, I don't think it would be an issue.

I am not sure what I am going to do. I am thinking about going to my state undergrad school I am in now for my masters and bulk up a little. I want to go to a top 25 school in IR so i figure the more background I have the better shot I have. Speaking of IR, what would you guys say out there are the best IR school out there?

[Penelope Higgins]

"Best IR school" is too broad. What areas of IR interest you? Different schools would appear on a list of "best departments" for IPE, security, cooperation, etc.

I am not sure what I am going to do. I am thinking about going to my state undergrad school I am in now for my masters and bulk up a little. I want to go to a top 25 school in IR so i figure the more background I have the better shot I have. Speaking of IR, what would you guys say out there are the best IR school out there?

[mrmirv]

"Best IR school" is too broad. What areas of IR interest you? Different schools would appear on a list of "best departments" for IPE, security, cooperation, etc.

I am more interested in Missile Defense and Non-Proliferation issues.

Thanks for your help.

[Penelope Higgins]

Not my subfield so I hope someone else will chime in, but I know that UCSD is strong in this area.

I am more interested in Missile Defense and Non-Proliferation issues.

Thanks for your help.

[tskinner]

I am more interested in Missile Defense and Non-Proliferation issues.

Thanks for your help.

Ha ha! I used an abstract for a lit review I did on the effect of Missile Defense Systems on the chance of war as my "writing sample" for UCSD's application. It's one of two schools I got into. Take that for what you will.

(USCD is a great place to go if you're into conflict (resolution).)

[mrmirv]

Ha ha! I used an abstract for a lit review I did on the effect of Missile Defense Systems on the chance of war as my "writing sample" for UCSD's application. It's one of two schools I got into. Take that for what you will.

(USCD is a great place to go if you're into conflict (resolution).)

UC Davis?

[American in Beijing]

UC Davis?

UC San Diego, .

[mrmirv]

UC San Diego, .

Interesting. I am looking a lot at MIT now. Not sure if I have a shot though

[balderdash]

Interesting. I am looking a lot at MIT now. Not sure if I have a shot though

I would also think Stanford, with guys like Sagan and such.

[mrmirv]

I would also think Stanford, with guys like Sagan and such.

Stanford would be amazing...but it is very far from my family and friends. MIT would be great because I would not have to move or uproot my wife. I am mostly looking the the Northeast.