<p>I am a math and government major at a top 30 university. I have amazing recommendations, I have set the curve in two of my classes. I am really good at decision theory. My GRE score is amazing, I got a 800 quant 780 Verbal. I worry I won't get in because my first year I screwed up and got a 1.6. My cumulative GPA now is a 3.1. My last 60 hours is a 3.7. I really want to go to Columbia.</p>
<p>The missing piece in your post is “research experience”. Grad programs (even in PSC) want to see research experience. Have you been able to publish any of your research manuscripts? The grad school application process is a bit different than the undergrad process. While GPA and GRE scores are important to get your application through the first phase, it’s the combination of professor recommendations, research experience, work experience, and publications that catch the eye of PSC dept. heads.</p>
<p>I also worked at a Political Science think tank and have coauthored an article that was published. </p>
<p>The course schedule I had as a math major was grueling. The courses I took are listed below</p>
<p>applied statistics
Probability
Real analysis 1 and 2
Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory
Stochastics
Advanced Symbolic Logic
Differential Equations
Vector Calculus</p>
<p>I want to do political economy, which is why I have all the math.</p>