Middle East Studies

[-viveladifference-]

Hi - long time lurker here.

 

I'm a bit anxious about my application and was hoping if perhaps someone could weigh in on my application?

 

I'm thinking about applying to:

 

Harvard AM in Middle East Studies; Oxford M.Phil in Middle East Studies; UT Austin MA Middle East Studies; NYU MA Near East Studies; Chicago MA Middle East Studies, MA International Affairs

 

I've purposefully not applied to some other programs such as Georgetown's Arab Studies because I really don't think I have a real shot. These are my basic stats:

 

GRE: V164, Q163, AWA 5.5

 

Undergrad: Double Major in Middle East Studies and Political Science (minor in Economics) from a Top-30 University in the US. CGPA of 3.7 (because of a poor first year as an undeclared freshman), major GPA of 3.87

 

Work experience: None. I'm going into my senior year this Fall, but have had 3 summer internships. 1) At a human rights organization, writing weekly reports on human rights situation in Egypt, 2) As a research assistant at a not-very-well-known Institute specializing in the Middle East 3) As a general intern at a civil society advocacy organization 

 

Other: I have 2 years of Arabic training, but haven't spent any time in the Middle East studying or working, only nominal, casual travel. 2 publications in undergrad journal and 1 conference presentation

 

 

Any thoughts? Should I be applying to more "safe" schools? Truth be told, I'd be happy with one acceptance at any of the schools I've listed above. I'd preferably like to go into academia, but I can also see myself in a think tank job or working for the State dept.

Edited August 7, 2014 by -viveladifference-