Need help getting on track for grad

[Paella]

Hello grads and grads-to-be! This is such an amazing place, and I feel so lucky to be around so many academics!

I am a public university undergrad (second year) who is absolutely excited at the prospect of (hopefullyhopefully) researching and working with a grad program in the future. My plan, which I am ridiculously excited about and set with at this point, is graduating in four years with a double in International Development Studies and Spanish, and then working with the Peace Corps (2 years). If I am accepted, I am planning on entering grad school when I come back. My ultimate goal is to work with instating progressive primary schools in developing nations, as well as working with policy to make these institutions more accessible.

I was hoping to get any and all feedback on what I can do to improve my chances of getting into the program of my dreams. I am definitely looking towards International Affairs/Human Rights. All I have in mind right now is SIPA, as I just visited Columbia last week and fell in love with the area and its proximity to international institutions. I am also planning on applying to UCLA (PubAff). Ideally, I would like to apply to the top-ranked programs in the field, but I also have an affinity for big cities.

I had been pretty confident with my academic work until this last quarter, in which I received 1 B, 2 B+'s, and a D+. I'm especially worried because the D+ was in macroeconomics (which is quite relevant to International Development). I am definitely planning on retaking the class, but the grade will remain there. There were no health reasons or family emergencies...just a student getting a hard-learned lesson in stepping-up her game.

What can I do at this point to strengthen my application (classes, research, nonacademic work, etc)? Have I ruined my chances of getting in to a top grad program? Do you have any school recommendations?

Cumulative GPA: 3.647

Relevant (?) experience (I'm aware that several ad comms probably won't look at this):

-Volunteering for two months this summer with an AIDS education program in Tanzania

-Volunteer Coordinator for a Scholarship Organization

-Working with underprivileged kids at the University's official charity camp

- I have a job

- Will soon begin an artistic internship

- Planning on entering an undergraduate thesis track

Thanks for any and all help!

[UnlikelyGrad]

Don't despair! Most adcomms look primarily at the second two years of your transcript. So try to get better grades in the future, and you should be fine.

Get the best grades possible from here on out...study hard for the GRE...and above all, make connections during your time in the Peace Corps. For what you want to do, that will be the BEST thing you can do. Really.

[thepoorstockinger]

My advice is to:

a) Start developing relationships with professors so that you can get advice from them about where you apply, and (perhaps more importantly) to make sure you get god reference letters. Don't go to their offices just to take up time, but make the most out of what your professors can provide and take lots of smalls seminars.

Read up on the secondary literature in the field and write down the names of people whose articles/books you particularly like so that you know who you want to apply to work with later.

c) Enjoy your undergrad and don't sweat the future too much.

[nab190]

Hello grads and grads-to-be! This is such an amazing place, and I feel so lucky to be around so many academics!

I am a public university undergrad (second year) who is absolutely excited at the prospect of (hopefullyhopefully) researching and working with a grad program in the future. My plan, which I am ridiculously excited about and set with at this point, is graduating in four years with a double in International Development Studies and Spanish, and then working with the Peace Corps (2 years). If I am accepted, I am planning on entering grad school when I come back. My ultimate goal is to work with instating progressive primary schools in developing nations, as well as working with policy to make these institutions more accessible.

I was hoping to get any and all feedback on what I can do to improve my chances of getting into the program of my dreams. I am definitely looking towards International Affairs/Human Rights. All I have in mind right now is SIPA, as I just visited Columbia last week and fell in love with the area and its proximity to international institutions. I am also planning on applying to UCLA (PubAff). Ideally, I would like to apply to the top-ranked programs in the field, but I also have an affinity for big cities.

I had been pretty confident with my academic work until this last quarter, in which I received 1 B, 2 B+'s, and a D+. I'm especially worried because the D+ was in macroeconomics (which is quite relevant to International Development). I am definitely planning on retaking the class, but the grade will remain there. There were no health reasons or family emergencies...just a student getting a hard-learned lesson in stepping-up her game.

What can I do at this point to strengthen my application (classes, research, nonacademic work, etc)? Have I ruined my chances of getting in to a top grad program? Do you have any school recommendations?

Cumulative GPA: 3.647

Relevant (?) experience (I'm aware that several ad comms probably won't look at this):

-Volunteering for two months this summer with an AIDS education program in Tanzania

-Volunteer Coordinator for a Scholarship Organization

-Working with underprivileged kids at the University's official charity camp

- I have a job

- Will soon begin an artistic internship

- Planning on entering an undergraduate thesis track

Thanks for any and all help!

Grades/GRE scores are not the only thing that matters. Especially for IR, your experience in "the field" will be one of the most important parts of your application. Having experience in Tanzania, working with underprivileged kids, these are important experiences that have not only shaped your interest in IR (which you should definitely talk about) but will also give you a unique perspective that can set you apart from other candidates. Keep doing well in school and try to establish some contacts in the field, either through your extracurriculars or academics.

Also, there a number of schools that offer joint Peace Corp/IR degrees, where you do the Peace Corps and then come back and study.