The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING

[MPAallday]

 

Hi everyone, I'd love if I could get some feedback as to how to improve my chances for an application in the fall of 2014.

 

Programs of Interest: Johns Hopkins - SAIS, Georgetown - SSP, Tufts -Fletcher, Columbia - SIPA, Boston U - College of Arts and Sciences

 

Undergraduate institution: Syracuse University

Undergraduate Degree: BA in International Relations - Conflict and Diplomacy Track, Geographical focus on the Middle East

Undergraduate GPA:  3.38 cumulative, 3.56 major

Study Abroad experience: 6 months in Tel Aviv, Israel studying counter terrorism and Middle Eastern Affairs

 

GRE: 163 V, 156Q, 5.0 Writing

Years Out of Undergrad: 4.5

Years of Work Experience: 3.5

Describe Relevant Work Experience:

- Director of energy services department of a local non-profit

- Focus on community development

- Experience with housing, foreclosure intervention

- Multiple financial counseling certifications through HUD, as well as building science professional certifications

 

Languages:

English

Hebrew - Conversational 

French - Basic

 

SOP: In progress, but should be solid

 

LOR: One from a former congressman, two from professional sources 

 

I have a couple of concerns that I'd love some feedback on.

 

1.) My background in Econ is very limited. I took one econ course in undergrad and got a B+. Should I take one or more summer courses at a local institution to bolster my background there?

2.) I think that my languages are a weak point, as I'm not fluent in French or Hebrew. Should I take a course(s) in preparation of applying, or is that something that won't hurt my application?

3.) I'm 26 now - and assuming I apply for grad school in a year, it means I won't be starting until I'm almost 28. Will this adversely effect my chances as I'll be a bit older than the average student? I do have strong work experience, but this would be a change in careers. 

 

Thanks to all who can provide some insight, it is greatly appreciated. 

 

Another Econ. course couldn't hurt. Your quantitative score seems good as-is, but could be improved if you want to be an exemplary applicant.

 

I'm doing the same thing for my German. Brush up on your foreign languages, just in case you need to demonstrate your command of them in an interview (although this seems unlikely). That being said, don't say you're "fluent" or "conversational" in a language unless you can express yourself naturally or hold a decent conversation with a native speaker. Use terms such as "intermediate" -- which are more vague -- if you need to.

 

As for your age concern, that's nonsense. Schools love older twenties-ish applicants. You've seen a lot of things in the world and experienced quite a bit; that's something to play on. Many schools have programs that cater to mid-career professionals.

[Khodanist]

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm new to this forum, just been a casual follower so far. I have kind of an unusual background, I'm currently in public accounting (2.5 yrs), but ever since undergrad I've wanted to pursue IR (got sidetracked by a Big 4 firm offering me a job in NYC). I've applied to some schools, and I wanted to get opinions from people on my chances to the programs that I've applied to. 

 

Graduated from a small public university in the deep South, earned two degrees upon graduation. A couple months after graduation I went to work as an accountant at the same firm at which I'm currently employed.

 

GPA: 3.41

 

BBA - Accounting

BA - Foreign Languages (Commercial German)

Began BS in Political Science online through same university after graduation, took 3 or so classes, + a few classes during undergrad but never earned the degree.

 

Study Abroad:

2 semesters abroad (Germany & Austria) + Summer abroad in Spain

 

Senior Capstone Research project:

 

Analysis of the effects of the European Sovereign Debt Crisis on the fiscal health and enlargement of the EU. (not published)

 

Languages:

 

Fluent: German & Spanish

Conversational: Russian, French, Farsi

Undergrad Classes taken in Polish and Turkish (I love learning languages)

 

GRE:

 

Most Recent test:

 

Verbal: 161  87%

Quant: 151  41%

AW:      5.5   97%

 

First test:

 

Verbal: 580  78%

Quant: 710  61%

AW:      4.0  54%

 

LOR:

 

Former partner at my firm (since left to another firm)

Former manager at my firm (since left to another firm)

Undergrad Professor & academic adviser (oversaw capstone)

 

After graduation, I went to work for a Big 4 Accounting firm - my firm is one of the largest firms in the world. I don't want to disclose the name, but it's either EY, PwC, KPMG, or Deloitte, and I will have been here three years by the time I go back to grad school. Unfortunately, I don't really have any experience in IR. I bombed the Quant score on my most recent GRE, but did well on Verbal and AW. I'm not sure how much this will help, however, as I know they often look at Quant to compare you to foreign students.

 

Anyway, I've applied to the following programs and am currently anxiously awaiting decisions:

 

USC - Price - MPP (International Affairs Concentration)

U Denver - Korbel - GFTEI

Columbia - SIPA - MIA - International Finance and Economic Policy

Fletcher - MALD

GWU - MA International Trade and Investment Policy

NYU - MS Global Affairs

CCNY - IR

 

My end goal is to become an economic analyst at the World Bank or IMF, and at the programs I've applied to I want to research the efforts at regional political economic integration in various regions, with special interest in integration in South America through UNASUR. I've mentioned both in my statements of purpose and included my capstone research project (even if they didn't specifically require a writing sample!).

 

So given the above, despite my lack of IR background, what would you rate my chances of getting into any of these programs?

 

Thanks for your time!

Edited January 12, 2014 by Khodanist

[Porshyen]

Hello Everyone, 

 

I have posted and been a part of various forums on Gradcafe, so I am not new. However, I have applied to graduate school for 2014-2015 year and am now biding my time as the admissions season gets underway. My credentials are overall pretty decent, but I bombed the GRE and there were reasons why I could not retake (whether they are good or bad, this is the fact). So here is my profile: 

 

Graduated with honors at the University of Montana in May 2013 (GPA: 3.61)

B.A. in Russian Language and Literature, academic minor in Central and Southwest Asian Studies

 

Senior Seminar Paper and Presentation on the history behind the 2008 August War between Russia and Georgia. I received an A's on the paper, presentation, and in the course (This is also used as a writing sample)

 

Languages: 

Russian (Working proficiency, all modalities) 

Georgian (Rudimentary)

German (Beginner high) 

 

Experience abroad: 

- Study abroad, Saint Petersburg, Russia (full immersion, spring 2012)

- Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship, Republic of Georgia (following graduation 2013-2014)

 

Distinctions within major:

- ACTR (American Council for Teacher's of Russian) Post-Secondary Russian Scholar Laureate (2013)

- ACTR National Russian Essay Contest nominee (2010, 2011, 2013)

- Departmental scholarships

 

President of the University of Montana Russian Club for two years, active member during my entire undergrad. 

 

LOR:

3 stellar recommendations, all professors, two from the Russian Department and one from the Central and Southwest Asian Studies Department).

 

GRE:

V: (153) Q: (137) (Ouch, I know) W: (3.5) (Ouch, I know)

(The only 'C' grade I received as an undergrad was in math)

(Who the heck knows what went wrong in the writing section as writing is one of my strongest attributes)

 

Other experience:

- 10 years of working at a multicultural summer day camp

- A semester as a volunteer English teacher at Saint Petersburg State University in Russia

- A semester as an English Conversation Tutor for international students at the University of Montana

- A semester as an English Tutor to disadvantaged elementary school students in Missoula, Montana 

- Volunteer for a local political organization in Chicago, Illinois 

- Election Judge in the 2008 Illinois Presidential Primaries 

 

The schools and Master's programs to which I applied: 

- Georgetown University's Center for Russian and East European Studies

- University of Washington's Center for Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies

- Indiana University's Russian and East European Institute

- University of Kansas' Center for Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies

 

I have applied for the Foreign Language Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS) for all four schools.

I have applied for a Pickering Fellowship (full funding for two years of Master's work for those interested in working in the government, particularly the Foreign Service) sponsored by the State Department. 

 

Ultimately, I want to be an expert on the sociocultural implications on politics in the area of Russian and Eurasian studies and how national and ethnic identity play into this theme. Long story short, I would focus on government, geopolitics, security, language, and ethnic studies. I would like to work in the U.S. Federal Government or an international agency that focuses on Russia and Eurasian matters. 

 

My main concern is that I cannot afford graduate school without funding and know that it is hard to get funding in the humanities on a Master's degree and I am wondering how much my GRE scores will impact my chances? 

 

Thank you! 

Edited January 13, 2014 by Porshyen

[MPPgal]

If you want money you need more work experience and ro gre scores, that q score is waaay too low. If you can't sell your academic side you need to sell your professional and thus have at least the average work experience aka 2-3 yrs. Your GPA is average for that sort of program, your WE is low and so are your gres, just fix one of the two or both and you should be fine. Also, i would recommend getting at least 1 of your 3 references to be someone who knows you professionally, perhaps your immediate supervisor in Georgia, you are stating you want the degree to do something more professional, and yet you are only selling your academic side. For writing the trick is to do it long, very long aka 7 paragraphs, i had a 3.5 the first time too and uped it to 4.5. My advice would be to stay teaching one more year and thus save more money, retake the gres because they are waaaay too low and then re apply, you are young. But hey who knows you might have luck and you might get in this year.

[MJA87]

 

Programs: MPP

Schools: Georgetown McCourt, GWU Trachtenberg, American U, JHU SAIS, Chicago Harris

 

Undergraduate institution: large state universtiy, top 40 public

Undergraduate Major: Political Science

Undergraduate GPA:  3.41 cumulative, 3.52 in major

 

GRE: 160 V 156 Q. 4 AW

Years Out of grad school (if applicable): 4 years

Years of Work Experience: 3.5 total, 2+ years of policy analysis

Describe Relevant Work Experience: 

Internship with a lobbying firm (here in Florida, nothing too impressive) in undergrad

Legislative Aide for a State Representative for just under a year

I've been in my current office (state energy policy office) for almost 3 years in various roles (namely grant manager and program specialist), but i've been in my current position of Policy Analyst for over a year and have a lot of responsabilty and programs with my name on them

SOP: Nothing yet, but it will be solid

 

LOR:

- My office's Executive Director will write a glowing and very personal letter

- I hope I'll be able to get an undergrad professor to write me one. I took 3 of his classes and did decent in them, he's an accomplished political science prof.

-I could get another very good letter from work

 

 

 

I updated a couple things, including the schools i'll be targeting (for Fall 2015). Any comments are greatly appreciated.

 

I only really have your basic college algebra and a political science research methods (stats) class as far as math goes. Would it be beneficial for me to take a macroeconmics class or something similar as a non-degree seeking student before applying to MPP programs?

Edited January 14, 2014 by MJA87

[Porshyen]

If you want money you need more work experience and ro gre scores, that q score is waaay too low. If you can't sell your academic side you need to sell your professional and thus have at least the average work experience aka 2-3 yrs. Your GPA is average for that sort of program, your WE is low and so are your gres, just fix one of the two or both and you should be fine. Also, i would recommend getting at least 1 of your 3 references to be someone who knows you professionally, perhaps your immediate supervisor in Georgia, you are stating you want the degree to do something more professional, and yet you are only selling your academic side. For writing the trick is to do it long, very long aka 7 paragraphs, i had a 3.5 the first time too and uped it to 4.5. My advice would be to stay teaching one more year and thus save more money, retake the gres because they are waaaay too low and then re apply, you are young. But hey who knows you might have luck and you might get in this year.

I am not too worried about "selling" my academic side, I can in every way except those GREs. This application cycle is not the end all be all and I can always try again. And I do have a significant amount of experience, traditional and non-traditional. I can sell my academic side and professional side by using professors, my supervisors, unfortunately, just wouldn't work. I will see what happens. Thanks for the advice. 

 

That said, I did have a friend who also bombed his GREs and he got into a top Slavic program at USC and received full funding. So, you just don't know? But this is not the end and if it doesn't happen this year, I will just try again. 

[kellyjean]

Hi All!  Thought I'd throw my stats on here too.  Any of you with low gpas, feel free to chime in!!!

 

Programs:   Intl Dev, MBA, Geography
Schools:       Johns Hopkins SAIS - Intl Dev; Georgetown - MSFS/MBA; George Wash. - Intl Dev/MBA; American - Intl Dev/MBA; Univ Maryland - Geo PhD (Random, I know)

 

Undergraduate institution:  University of FL, "public ivy"
Undergraduate Major:          BS Business Admin - Economics

Undergraduate GPA:             3.29

 

GRE: 161 V 157 Q. 4.0 AW 
Language:  Conversational Portuguese

Years of Work Experience: 4 years

Describe Relevant Work Experience: 
2 years retail banking/financial planning

2 years Peace Corps (Worked with two NGOs and participated in surveys/evaluations funded by USAid)

SOP: Vary considerably, I'm afraid... demonstrated good writing ability,  answered what was asked, used details from my experience w/dev work in the PC... felt like they lacked a certain polish, though.

 

LOR:  I feel they are pretty strong. 2 professors, 1 ngo program manager, 1 Peace Corps country director

 

My gpa has me so so so worried!  I also have a failing grade on my transcript from a class I wasn't even aware I was registered for.  Luckily it was a random African American studies elective class having nothing to do with my major/requirements, but it still conveys a certain sloppiness on my part... if it hadn't been for that failing grade, I would have had all As and one B for the semester... hope admissions is forgiving...  *fingers crossed*

Edited January 16, 2014 by kellyjean

[MPPgal]

You are fine, the rule of thumb is one yr work experience makes up for 1 point goa, so consider yourslef an almost  3.7, you have peace corps and mpp schools love peace corps and 2 yrs of professional experience in something quant. And low gpa is under 3, you are fine.

[kellyjean]

Thanks MPPgal.. nothing to do now but sit back and wait I suppose!!

[Khodanist]

Hi All,

Just wanted to bump my earlier post.

 

-----------------

 

Hi Everyone,

 

I'm new to this forum, just been a casual follower so far. I have kind of an unusual background, I'm currently in public accounting (2.5 yrs), but ever since undergrad I've wanted to pursue IR (got sidetracked by a Big 4 firm offering me a job in NYC). I've applied to some schools, and I wanted to get opinions from people on my chances to the programs that I've applied to. 

 

Graduated from a small public university in the deep South, earned two degrees upon graduation. A couple months after graduation I went to work as an accountant at the same firm at which I'm currently employed.

 

GPA: 3.41

 

BBA - Accounting

BA - Foreign Languages (Commercial German)

Began BS in Political Science online through same university after graduation, took 3 or so classes, + a few classes during undergrad but never earned the degree.

 

Study Abroad:

2 semesters abroad (Germany & Austria) + Summer abroad in Spain

 

Senior Capstone Research project:

 

Analysis of the effects of the European Sovereign Debt Crisis on the fiscal health and enlargement of the EU. (not published)

 

Languages:

 

Fluent: German & Spanish

Conversational: Russian, French, Farsi

Undergrad Classes taken in Polish and Turkish (I love learning languages)

 

GRE:

 

Most Recent test:

 

Verbal: 161  87%

Quant: 151  41%

AW:      5.5   97%

 

First test:

 

Verbal: 580  78%

Quant: 710  61%

AW:      4.0  54%

 

LOR:

 

Former partner at my firm (since left to another firm)

Former manager at my firm (since left to another firm)

Undergrad Professor & academic adviser (oversaw capstone)

 

After graduation, I went to work for a Big 4 Accounting firm - my firm is one of the largest firms in the world. I don't want to disclose the name, but it's either EY, PwC, KPMG, or Deloitte, and I will have been here three years by the time I go back to grad school. Unfortunately, I don't really have any experience in IR. I bombed the Quant score on my most recent GRE, but did well on Verbal and AW. I'm not sure how much this will help, however, as I know they often look at Quant to compare you to foreign students.

 

Anyway, I've applied to the following programs and am currently anxiously awaiting decisions:

 

USC - Price - MPP (International Affairs Concentration)

U Denver - Korbel - GFTEI

Columbia - SIPA - MIA - International Finance and Economic Policy

Fletcher - MALD

GWU - MA International Trade and Investment Policy

NYU - MS Global Affairs

CCNY - IR

 

My end goal is to become an economic analyst at the World Bank or IMF, and at the programs I've applied to I want to research the efforts at regional political economic integration in various regions, with special interest in integration in South America through UNASUR. I've mentioned both in my statements of purpose and included my capstone research project (even if they didn't specifically require a writing sample!).

 

So given the above, despite my lack of IR background, what would you rate my chances of getting into any of these programs?

 

Thanks for your time!

[danaofdoom]

Erm, wrong forum, apologies!

Edited January 20, 2014 by danaofdoom

[MPPgal]

Unless your interest is in current incan politics you are in the wrong forum, go to one of archeology, this is for government affairs, or IR.

[danaofdoom]

Unless your interest is in current incan politics you are in the wrong forum, go to one of archeology, this is for government affairs, or IR.

 

Oh dear I apologize, for some reason I thought this was a general discussion.

[ImpulsiveNixie]

Can we please get this as a sticky on the Speech-Language Pathology Thread too??? 

Edited January 22, 2014 by ImpulsiveNixie

[Katrun]

I'd like to know how my economics and statistics courses and grades will affect a somewhat average to low GRE quant score:

 

Programs of Interests: Sciences PO PSIA, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Georgetown MA Intl. Dev, George Washington, Tufts Fletcher, American U, Brandeis, 

 

GRE: V: 162, Q: 152, V: 5.5

 

Courses: three different economics courses, all As. One of my letters of rec is from my economic dev professors. One upper level Statistics course.

 

Will my lower Quant. score hurt me even if I have econ and stats courses under my belt?

[MPAallday]

I'd like to know how my economics and statistics courses and grades will affect a somewhat average to low GRE quant score:

 

Programs of Interests: Sciences PO PSIA, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Georgetown MA Intl. Dev, George Washington, Tufts Fletcher, American U, Brandeis, 

 

GRE: V: 162, Q: 152, V: 5.5

 

Courses: three different economics courses, all As. One of my letters of rec is from my economic dev professors. One upper level Statistics course.

 

Will my lower Quant. score hurt me even if I have econ and stats courses under my belt?

I wouldn't worry too much about it. A stellar academic background with three economics courses that are all A's will outshine a standardized test score. Admissions officers are very aware of the fact that GRE performance can be misleading -- some people just have bad test days.

 

On the other hand, your verbal and analytical writing are phenomenal. I'm quite certain you will be fine.

[notmike]

Hello everyone,

 

I recently completed my grad apps, and I'm incredibly nervous. I'd really appreciate any comments about my stats.

 

Programs: MPP
Schools: HKS, Berkeley, Michigan, Chicago Harris, UCLA, CMU Heinz, UT-Austin

 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan
Undergraduate Major: Political Science

Undergraduate GPA:  3.72 cumulative, 3.92 in major

 

GRE: 166 V, 153 Q, 4.5 AW 

Years of Work Experience: 5 years work experience, 4 years in US Army (pre-college)

Describe Relevant Work Experience: 

4 years Army

Legislative Aide for a State Representative - 6 months

Research Assistant at Ford School - 1 year

Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship (HKS and some other schools had me submit evals which were generally very good)

 

Relevant Coursework:

Statistics (A), Microeconomics (A)

 

SOP: I just talked about what I'm passionate about; the issues that I care deeply about. Probably came across ok. 

 

LOR:

Honors Thesis advisor

State Representative (HKS grad)

Undergraduate professor, took three classes and wrote my butt off for three A's

Edited January 27, 2014 by notmike

[terrapin]

 

Hello everyone,

 

I recently completed my grad apps, and I'm incredibly nervous. I'd really appreciate any comments about my stats.

 

Programs: MPP

Schools: HKS, Berkeley, Michigan, Chicago Harris, UCLA, CMU Heinz, UT-Austin

 

Undergraduate Institution: University of Michigan

Undergraduate Major: Political Science

Undergraduate GPA:  3.72 cumulative, 3.92 in major

 

GRE: 166 V, 153 Q, 4.5 AW 

Years of Work Experience: 5 years work experience, 4 years in US Army (pre-college)

Describe Relevant Work Experience: 

4 years Army

Legislative Aide for a State Representative - 6 months

Research Assistant at Ford School - 1 year

Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship (HKS and some other schools had me submit evals which were generally very good)

 

Relevant Coursework:

Statistics (A), Microeconomics (A)

 

SOP: I just talked about what I'm passionate about; the issues that I care deeply about. Probably came across ok. 

 

LOR:

Honors Thesis advisor

State Representative (HKS grad)

Undergraduate professor, took three classes and wrote my butt off for three A's

 

 

It seems to me that you would be extremely competitive for your schools. I would say your GPA, UG degree/institution, work experience, and LORs are all at least above average for all of those schools. Your GREs might be a little low, but I have to believe that the rest of your profile more than makes up for it.

 

Good luck; I share your nervousness.

[MPAallday]

It seems to me that you would be extremely competitive for your schools. I would say your GPA, UG degree/institution, work experience, and LORs are all at least above average for all of those schools. Your GREs might be a little low, but I have to believe that the rest of your profile more than makes up for it.

 

Good luck; I share your nervousness.

I concur. Your GRE's are ever-so-slightly low for some of those prestigious schools, but your GPA, experience, etc. more than make up for it. I think you will get into a good number of those schools (probably UT Austin as well, seeing as how your credentials are even better than mine ). Good luck!

[notmike]

It seems to me that you would be extremely competitive for your schools. I would say your GPA, UG degree/institution, work experience, and LORs are all at least above average for all of those schools. Your GREs might be a little low, but I have to believe that the rest of your profile more than makes up for it.

 

Good luck; I share your nervousness.

 

 

I concur. Your GRE's are ever-so-slightly low for some of those prestigious schools, but your GPA, experience, etc. more than make up for it. I think you will get into a good number of those schools (probably UT Austin as well, seeing as how your credentials are even better than mine ). Good luck!

 

Thanks for the kind words. You've definitely boosted my confidence. I have to admit I was more than a little concerned about my GRE. 

 

Good luck in your own endeavors!

[MPAallday]

Thanks for the kind words. You've definitely boosted my confidence. I have to admit I was more than a little concerned about my GRE. 

 

Good luck in your own endeavors!

Your GRE is excellent overall (a 4.5 AW is in the 78th percentile, and your Verbal score is top-notch). The quantitative score is average. Honestly, most of the people on these forums tend to have higher scores than the majority of people who take the test, so don't get discouraged about that. Even on the quant. section you did better than most people who took it.

 

Thanks! Good luck.

[Legacy]

Hey i kind of winding up my applications.. waiting period is really painful... any comments on my profile please... 

 

Programs :MPP, MPA & Msc Economics

Schools: HKS, Harris (Chicago), Ford (Michigan), Sanford(Duke), SIPA, Lee Kuan Schools (NUS), LSE

 

Undergraduate Institution: Top 10 engineering colleges in India
Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate GPA:  8.72 out of 10 (Converted to a scale of 4 it will be equivalent to 3.93)

 

GRE: 170 Q, 152 V, 3.0 AW 

Years of Work Experience:  4 years 

Describe Relevant Work Experience: 

Have been coordinator for CSR activities while working with  oilfield major MNC, Founded a non-profit student organisation in college.

 

Relevant Coursework:

Mathematics (advanced); Statistics (intermediate); Economics (Basic)

 

SOP: Talked about what i want to do and how i want to impact change in the society, Hope that SOP is ok

LOR:

2 from previous supervisors(really good) and 1 from college prof (average)

 

 

I am concerned about my lack of relevant experience and GRE Verbal and AW scores. what do u guys feel about my chances?

Edited January 29, 2014 by admm.noops

[Jufarius87]

Those are some interesting numbers admm.noops!

If you had applied to only a few schools, I would be more concerned, but seeing as you are an international student (they have more realistic expectations for you on the verbal/writing since English is not your native language) and sent out a reasonably large number of applications I believe you will get at least 2 or 3 admissions offers.

Pros: Your GPA would be high even for a standard social sciences major, but mechanical engineering is probably one of the most rigorous things a public policy admissions officer will see. It certainly vouches for your academic ability. Your quant score is also obviously excellent.

I think it is really going to come down to your essays / writing samples / SOP. If these are well written they will prove the GRE wrong in regards to your low verbal/writing scores and demonstrate direction in terms of moving from oil to government/public sector work.  

[Northernlightgradcafe]

Programs & Schools: HKS (MPP); Princeton WWS (MPA); SAIS (China); Gtown (Security Studies); Tufts Fletcher (MALD); LSE (MSc); MIT (MA); Yale Jackson (MA); GWash Elliot (Security Policy Studies); Columbia SIPA (MA-Intl Sec)

 

Notified so far by: Tufts Fletcher (admitted)

 

Undergraduate Institution: non-ivy ranked around no. 30 in US news

 

Undergraduate Major:  PolSci+Classics

 

Undergraduate GPA: 3.64 overall, 3.76(PolSci)

 

GRE: took it twice sent both scores. VR: 162, 160 ; QR: 158, 163 ; AW 4.0, 4.0

 

Years of Work Experience: none, but interned at U.S. Senate and CSIS, ran a major undergrad IR journal as president for one year

 

Relevant Course Work: advanced IR theory(grad level), national security, foreign policy, a lot of history classes, comparative politics, intro level micro and macro econ, Calculus(AP converted, didn't take courses during undergrad), AP Stats, AP Chem...

 

Language: Chinese (native proficiency), Spanish (just a little bit), Latin (intermediate I guess)

 

SOP: talked about future career goals, in some of the longer SOPs, talked in detail about lessons learnt about public service, in other SOPs that asked about school's relevance, talked about how certain faculties' research field are helpful to me in detail

 

LORs:  Three stellar recs I think, 1 from thesis advisor who is well known in the IR theory field, 1 from a professor who is well known in the china field, 1 from a CSIS senior advisor and program chair.

 

I'm not sure about my chances for HKS, Yale Jackson or Princeton WWS, I really do not have much relevant work experience in public administration apart from my internships. My GPA I feel does not give me advantage either. Personally I am into security studies and feel I have a greater chance in those programs.

 

Any comment is much appreciated! Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Northernlightgradcafe]

sorry I meant I received offer from Fletcher MALD, haven't decided whether I want to go yet