my chances for IR schools Fall 2011

[benaro]

I'm really nervous about this whole application process, since my qualifications are not outstanding. How do you see my chances?

Schools Applying To: GWU Elliott, Hopkins SAIS, American SIS, NYU SCPS for Global Affairs

Undergraduate institution: University of Maryland

Undergraduate GPA: 3.55

Undergraduate Major: Government&Politics

GRE Quantitative Score: 700

GRE Verbal Score: 580

GRE AW Score: 3:(

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): I will graduate this semester(Fall 2010) and I'm doing my last semester in Rome

Years of Work Experience: I have been working at Berlitz Language Institute teaching Persian since summer of 2008 and have worked there full-time all 3 summers since 2008, and also part-time during the school year. I also have tutored at the University of Maryland Persian Flagship Program since June 2008.

Describe Relevant Work Experience: At Berlitz I mostly worked with students from DOD and the State Department.

Foreign Languages: Persian (Native), Italian (Highly Proficient- 7 semesters), German and Spanish(finished intermediate level in college) This is also my second time studying abroad in Italy.

[Magnolia2011]

I am no expert on admissions, but I will say from an outside perspective, your credentials are very impressive. You can basically carry a conversation in five different languages, PERSIAN being one of them. How were your SoPs and recommendations? Those could also really boost your chances. Your abroad experience and apparently long-term dedication to anything government and foreign affairs-related, I think, bodes well for your chances. I've also applied to SAIS and Elliott, and I don't think we hear back until mid-March. I try not to count the days so the time isn't so painful and anxiety-inducing.

Good luck!!

[apsuwa]

I I've also applied to SAIS and Elliott, and I don't think we hear back until mid-March.

I think Elliott will notify somewhere around March 20. SAIS however, may send decisions by the end of next week. Last year it was 4th of March.

[winterxrose]

What do you think of my chances? Following benaro's format....

Schools Applying To: GWU Elliott, Hopkins SAIS, Georgetown Walsh SFS

Undergraduate institution: Johns Hopkins University

Undergraduate GPA: 3.94

Undergraduate Major: International Studies

GRE Quantitative Score: 740

GRE Verbal Score: 700

GRE AW Score: 4.5

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): I will graduate this May (2011)

Years of Work Experience: I have been working part-time during the school year and have had full-time summer internships since senior year of high school.

Describe Relevant Work Experience: My part-time job is for an environmental non-profit, this summer I worked in the Public Policy office of a business organization, and last summer I did research on climate policy for a NASA official.

Foreign Languages: Spanish and Arabic, both intermediate

Publications: I was published in the Uni Wisconsin Journal of Undergrad International Studies last fall

Recommenders: 1) the VP of Public Policy at the business organization I worked at; 2) the NASA official I worked for the summer prior; 3) one of my professors, not sure about his credentials

No extended time abroad

I had no idea SAIS would reply so soon! Yikes!

[Ashlett]

I think Elliott will notify somewhere around March 20. SAIS however, may send decisions by the end of next week. Last year it was 4th of March.

Seriously? That quickly? I did not expect that either. Do you think they'll send out funding information in that too, or send it later since the financial aid stuff was due later??