<p>Hello everyone,</p>
<p>I wanted some opinions on my chances for various IR programs. Here are my stats - I went to NYU and double majored in Politics and Middle Eastern/Islamic Studies with a minor in Judaic Studies. My overall GPA was a 3.242, however my first 3 semesters when I had a hard adjustment period I had GPA of arounds 2.9 whereas my last 5 semesters my GPA was around a 3.4-3.5. Unfortunately I took many of my Politics major requirements in my freshman year and my GPA for my Politics Major is a 2.986, GPA for Middle Eastern Studies is 3.269 and GPA for Judaic studies minor is 3.26. I have had one semester studying abroad in an Arab country, written some articles for local newspaper regarding middle east foreign policy, and have 3 years of Arabic Language study. I am also proficient in Hebrew. Since graduating I have also taken Macro Econ at a community college (A) and am now taking Micro-Econ at a community college. </p>
<p>My GRE scores is 720 Verbal, 680 Math, 5.5 Writing and I have had a few months work experience in a prestigious think tank in Washington DC dealing with Middle East foreign policy issues where I can get a good rec from a well known senior fellow (who also teaches at SAIS) and another internship in DC at a think tank dealing with terrorism issues. My work experience other than that is as an SAT and LSAT teacher for a national test prep company. (My LSAT was a 164).</p>
<p>I want to work in international affairs - my dream job would be as a foreign service officer for the State Dept. I would love to go back to DC, GW's Elliot School is my #1 choice but I have no idea if I have a shot there but American is also a very attractive choice for me. Other than that, I suppose I could apply to Monterey, Syracuse. Any other suggestions? Do I have a shot at these schools? I also noticed that schools such as NYU, Rutgers, even Georgetown offer an MS in "Global Affairs" or an MA in "liberal studies" where you can concentrate on "international relations" through their schools of "continuing and professional education." Are these programs just cash cows or could they actually lead me places professionally? If Im not accepted into any well known schools I could always get an MA in IR at a public university like CUNY here in New York City. Would that lead me anywhere professionally or am I better off taking grad courses as a non-matriculating student to raise my GPA, show my potential, and then reapplying to schools like American in a year if im not accepted?</p>
<p>Also, I took a class one summer at a university as a visiting student where I did poorly but the credit was transferred to my undergraduate transcript b/c I passed the course. Would admissions offices notice if I didnt send this transcript along with my other 3? (NYU, study abroad, community college).</p>
<p>Thanks for all your help and opinion.</p>