Chances at LSE, SAIS, etc

Graduate School
1

<p>Probably should have posted this here in the first place, rather than the "what are my chances" forum that is dominated by questions regarding undergrad admissions.</p>

<p>I can pretty much figure out my chances at a place like SAIS, especially since they helpfully print stuff like the median and middle 50% GRE and GPA's for their admits. But for a place like LSE, where they have none of that information available and I am international, I am hoping for a bit of guidance as to how realistic it is for me to apply there.</p>

<p>Here is my information (transplanted from my other thread in the other forum):</p>

<p>Specifically looking at development studies or international development programs.</p>

<p>My stats:
-Brigham Young University graduate in Political Science with a minor in Economics
-3.5 cumulative GPA
-3.4 in-major GPA
-3.8 minor (econ) GPA
-GPA for my final 3 semesters of school was 3.77, to offset a fairly lackluster first couple years.
-Heavy courseload, including some non-major and non-minor courses related to development (international health specifically). No graduate-level courses though.</p>

<p>-My transcript looks a bit odd, because I failed and/or withdrew (they count the same) from three courses in my first three semesters. I've since taken them all, with grades of A, A, and A-. I'm assuming the original failing grades will still hurt me when they see them though.</p>

<p>-No foreign language.</p>

<p>-690 verbal and 700 quantitative on the GRE.</p>

<p>-Decent letters of recommendation, but nothing earth-shattering (i.e. no Nobel laureates writing my letters, just semi-respected professors of economics and poli sci).</p>

<p>Relevant and Semi-relevant outside-of-school information:
-3 years work experience in an unrelated field
-Organized and ran (entirely alone) a fundraiser that generated $3,000 for a local microcredit organization doing work in East Africa.
-Attended two seminars during summer breaks, one on economic theory and one on global poverty
-Interned at a development NGO for 6 months--just a local one few people have heard of.
-Extensive outside reading list in economics and development-related subjects.</p>

2

<p>I’ve just been admitted into SAIS this year.
I think that foreign languages is an important point you shoud cover. When are going to apply? If you have time ahead, try to start a spanish or french course, better than nothing in your application.
I think it was also important to point out your time spent abroad and how you can focus your work experience towards IR somehow.
My recommendations letters weren’t from top-top-top level people, but at least they did it with enough enthusiasm, I asked them to emphasize my strengths as goog as they could.</p>

<p>From my humble point of view I think</p>

3

<p>I am not totally sure on this - but LSE has a cut off GPA of 3.5. If you are right on the threshold, that may hurt/hinder your application. However, as grades have not come in for the spring (thank god) if you do well, then you should be fine. </p>

<p>Also - it depends on your regional work - I would def. start learning a language that applies to your area study.</p>

<p>Edited: oops just saw you are already a graduate. I would go ahead and apply and see what happens (next year I am assuming? As most LSE programs and funding are starting to close up - if you are applying for this year - apply NOW).</p>

4

<p>Yeah, I am definitely planning on applying next year. I took French in high school, but I obviously don’t remember any of that. I’m planning to start work on learning a language in the time between now and my application, but I’m very doubtful that I’ll be able to claim much proficiency. Still, better than nothing.</p>

<p>I actually have one semester left (spring term), but I am projecting my grades out a bit. I should be right at 3.55 or so, so I know that will probably hurt me with LSE–their cutoff is 3.5, as you mentioned schneider09. I’m just hoping that they’ll be happy to get another international student (I know, they get plenty of international applications).</p>

<p>I have spent no time abroad, except Canada(!!), and my work was thoroughly unrelated to either development, international relations or economics. I worked for a telecom firm. </p>

<p>So…until I apply early next year, I’m planning on taking language courses, and applying for short-term internships/fellowships that have application to IR/Development/Politics/Economics. I was also considering taking a course or two using independent study or distance learning. Something like econometrics (since I’ve been light on methodology courses), or agricultural economics. LSE offers classes like this, as do many other schools. Is that worth doing, or would I be better off working and focusing on the language situation (or something else altogether).</p>

<p>Any other thoughts? Do I even have a remote chance at SAIS?</p>

5

<p>Cake, </p>

<p>I am student from your neck of the woods currently enrolled in a two-year masters at LSE. I graduated from the University of Utah and although I didn’t apply to SAIS, quite a few in my program had also been accepted there as well as some other schools. </p>

<p>As far as getting in to the LSE, a lot depends on what program you are applying to. The nice thing is that you can see the acceptance rate for each program and you are able to put in for two choices. Also, admissions are rolling so make sure you apply as early as possible. I think if you can get into LSE you can get into SAIS and vice versa, they are both competitive but it looks like you’ll do fine. </p>

<p>It looks like you have positioned yourself quite well for acceptance in either program. Your letters of recommendation do not need to be from anyone famous people, the content is most important. </p>

<p>The GRE scores that you also seem to definitely be good enough to get into SAIS and they won’t hurt at the LSE. Only a few programs require GRE scores at LSE and again, I don’t know what you are applying for. </p>

<p>As far as academics go, I have met quite a few people that went to SAIS and LSE and both rave about their respective experiences. I think the LSE is more academic focused while SAIS seems to be more functional based. </p>

<p>Both LSE and SAIS have great name recognition. I would say that LSE has better name recognition outside of the states and SAIS better within, but neither one would deny you an interview as anyone that is in a position to interview you should know both of them. </p>

<p>The LSE programs are mostly one-year programs which means less opportunity cost and SAIS is expensive. </p>

<p>If you want to e-mail me I would be more than willing to talk about my experience and admissions, etc. </p>

<p>I would work on language courses and do some volunteer internship type thing rather than more course work. </p>

<p>best cdid5</p>