Not Quite Sure Where to Begin Looking

[IHaveAQuestionOrTwo]

Hey,

I'm looking for any advice about where I should begin to look for graduate programs. I'm currently looking at law schools, but I want to look at other options too. I just don't know where to look, since there seems to be so many graduate programs in so many disciplines. For law school, it's pretty easy to find the strength of a school. USNews does a fairly good run down and there are enough forums and individuals obsessed with the process to learn how good a program is in absolute terms and in relation to other programs. I've looked at MTS and MA in IR, but I can't seem to get a feel for anything other than that Harvard Divinity school is clearly good and that Georgetown's SFS program kicks ass. Beyond that, I'm not even sure what graduate programs exist out there that would fit my interests and future desires. I hope you all can help! 

A little background: I'm currently an undergraduate in my junior year at Northwestern University. Here, I have a 4.00, but I was previously at a top liberal arts college; my cumulative GPA is around a 3.93. Overall, I have a 4.00 in my major (history), and I should graduate with honors in my major. I'm interested in serving the U.S. government, the U.S. people, or international communities in need. This interest would preferably manifest itself in a job working for a governmental agency (FBI, CIA, DoD, etc...), teaching students at a university/liberal arts college (preferred), or working at a non-profit organization. Ultimately, I want to be put in a job that really pushes me and isn't about a 9-5 lifestyle; I'm completely fine with untraditional and long hours if it makes me feel like I'm actually accomplishing something. Within history, I'm particularly interested in Southeast Asia (my major concentration) and cultural history - with most of my interest being in the latter. Outside of history, I'm interested in the judicial system, culture and religion, international relations, and any subject that examines states/groups/institutions from an analytical perspective. 

I also have zero research experience, since it's only my second year technically (graduating in 3 instead of 4 years), but I may have a LITTLE by the time graduate applications are due. I've had one job working for a local non-profit over the summer and belong on the 5-6 committees across 3-4 student organizations that focus on either international relief or student government. 

Are there any niche and large fields that I'm missing or might be a good candidate for? I just look at random fields and bounce around, but I'm making no real progress. 

 

[rising_star]

It sounds like you don't even know what you want to study. I recommend you get involved in undergraduate research as much as possible (e.g, write a senior/honors thesis, maybe try to incorporate archival research) then take 1-3 years off to really figure out what it is that interests you. The three types of grad programs you mention above (MTS, MA in IR, JD) are all very different and would prepare you for vastly different types of careers. In that sense, figuring out what you actually want to be doing/studying at a graduate level would be helpful for you and your admissions chances.