IR Graduate School Applicant Profile (Fall 2014 Entry)

[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.

 

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%

 

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!

 

[Khodanist]

Thanks!! I found my way over to the "Am I Competitive" sticky in that forum and posted there. Once I figure out how, I'll delete this post to cut down on clutter.

[AuldReekie]

Thanks!! I found my way over to the "Am I Competitive" sticky in that forum and posted there. Once I figure out how, I'll delete this post to cut down on clutter.

 

I don't know what you want to put yourself through this, you've applied! There is nothing for you to do now but try and distract yourself and get on with life while you wait to find out

[Khodanist]

I don't know what you want to put yourself through this, you've applied! There is nothing for you to do now but try and distract yourself and get on with life while you wait to find out

 

Hah, yeah you've got a good point. I'm just nervous about them because I'm really eager to get out of accounting, and I'm not sure of how my chances are.