Overall competitiveness with very weak quantitative background?

[Sounder]

Hi all,

 

I'm currently working on my applications to start a Fall 2015 program, either an MPA or MA in Political Science, likely with a focus in international relations. Before I get in too deep on this though, I was hoping I could have some outside opinions as to my chances and whether I need to include some more safety schools, as I feel that in the numbers department, I am relatively weak, but that's made up for in the quality of my work experience. Specifically, my quantitative background is not very strong, as I did not score very well in the quantitative section on the GRE, and I have one extremely bad grade from a Microecon class that I should have withdrawn from and never had time to retake.

 

Here's my basic application profile:

 

Undergrad: BA Political Science, University of Washington,

• GPA 3.24
• Minor in Scandinavian Studies (basically fell into my lap, wasn't initially my plan, heh)
• Did absolutely awful in Microecon (received a 1.2), however I have taken many upper level, economics intensive poli sci courses and done very well in all of them (3.5+).

 

GRE: Verbal 162 (89th percentile this cycle), Quantitative: 153 (52nd), Writing: 5.0 (93rd)

 

Letters: 3 very strong and enthusiastic letters from professors who know me well, potential for 1 one more filler letter from a big name professor, but as he does not know me that well I am leaning toward skipping this one.

 

Experience: 

• 6 month internship with a small nonprofit that focused on strengthening US/Canadian relations and fostering economic growth within the region.
• 4 years in the Navy Reserve as an intelligence analyst, total of 21 months active duty by time of enrollment.
• Currently deployed to Djibouti, Africa for the next year, where I am working as a geopolitical intelligence analyst, which includes frequent collaboration with foreign liaisons from several African countries, along with occasional travel within the continent.

 

Schools/programs I'm planning on applying to, in order of preference: University of British Columbia (MA Political Science, IR focus), University of Washington (MPA, Intl Development focus & MA International Studies), University of Denver (MA Intl Studies & MA Intl Security), George Washington University (MA International Affairs)

 

I'm pretty determined to stay on the West Coast, so I know the list of schools I'm looking at is a little biased that direction.

 

Any input on the competitiveness of my application with these schools in mind would be very welcome. Particularly, if there's any suggestions regarding how to address the quantitative issue, that would be awesome. I do have access to free tuition while deployed to take any online class I want, however the earliest I would be able to start anything would be this January, at which point most of my applications will be submitted already. I also am probably going to be unable to retake the GRE, as the nearest testing centers to here are either in Nairobi or Dubai.

 

[setgree]

Current Ph.D here logging into gradcafe because IRB training is boring.

 

I would advise you entirely against the plan you are pursuing. A political science MA, as far as I can tell, is worth very little on the job market. I mean really why would anyone care? One way to make it useful is to take a ton of quant stuff, but your GRE, overall GPA, and microecon score suggest this won't be a very fruitful path for you. 

 

This is harsh but you were a pretty mediocre student. I'd be very skeptical of a grad program that would take someone with your stats. A lot of them are just after your money and offer next to no value added.

So many interesting things to do with one's life. Throwing away a ton of money on a useless degree is a downer.

[Kosmosis707]

Current Ph.D here logging into gradcafe because IRB training is boring.

 

I would advise you entirely against the plan you are pursuing. A political science MA, as far as I can tell, is worth very little on the job market. I mean really why would anyone care? One way to make it useful is to take a ton of quant stuff, but your GRE, overall GPA, and microecon score suggest this won't be a very fruitful path for you. 

 

This is harsh but you were a pretty mediocre student. I'd be very skeptical of a grad program that would take someone with your stats. A lot of them are just after your money and offer next to no value added.

So many interesting things to do with one's life. Throwing away a ton of money on a useless degree is a downer.

 

I don't really agree with this.  It depends on what career path you are looking for.  If you are looking to parlay your intelligence experience into a federal intelligence job or even a diplomatic job, then the MA degree will likely increase your competitiveness.  If you maintain a proficiency in a critical-needs language and currently have a top secret clearance or higher, the M.A. may lock you up in one of those career paths. I guess it does'n tlead to big bucks necessarily, but it might be pretty exciting!

 

As far as the stats, your experience (or possibly language skills?) may overcome the low GPA and GRE quant, but that's just a guess on my part.  Right now, I'm in the same position.  I had a strong undergrad GPA at a great school, but I do not have the related professional experience (except military time) and have an even lower GRE quant. 

 

Good luck to you!