<p>Hello all,</p>
<p>I've come to this forum looking for responses to the following question: What are my chances of getting into top MA programs in foreign affairs/public policy directly out of undergrad? Without the work experience that many of these programs seek, do I still have a decent shot of admission? Your insight and opinions would be much appreciated! Here are some of the schools I'm looking into:</p>
<p>-Princeton: Woodrow Wilson School
-Johns Hopkins SAIS
-Georgetown: Edmund A. Walsh SFS
-Columbia: SIPA
-Yale: Jackson Institute for Global Affairs
-Harvard: Kennedy School of Government
-Tufts: Fletcher
-King's College London
-London School of Economics
-Plus some safety schools, such as American and George Washington</p>
<p>Here's some basic info about me:
-History/International Relations double major. Might soon declare concentration in Middle Eastern Studies
-3.96 GPA entering my senior year
-GRE scores: 1340 overall. V- 670, Q- 670
-Two years (four semesters) of Classical Arabic classes
-Two quantitative courses--Calculus and Macroeconomics. Still need to take a micro.
-Semester abroad in War Studies Department at King's College London. Received great grades, equivalent of two As and two A-'s
-Spent this past summer conducting research on the Arab Spring. I have a 43 page paper analyzing a contemporary issue, which I could potentially add to my resume/show admissions officers</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
-President of my academic-oriented fraternity, which brings leadership, negotiating and conflict management experience
-Contributor to student newspaper since freshman year
-College baseball player for 2 years
-Worked as Teacher's Assistant grading essays
-Involved in the improv club, and performed two one-act student-directed plays
-Member of three honors society, and Phi Beta Kappa soon (pending the faculty vote next year)</p>
<p>However, as an undergraduate applying straight to these programs without work experience, I do not have a full grasp of my chances. I'm not sure if I'm aiming too high; but, from my preliminary research it seems that my GPA and GRE scores make me a very appealing applicant. </p>
<p>So, pending my statement of purpose, how attractive would I appear to these top programs? Any comments or insight would be much appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks a bunch,
-JM</p>