<p>I'm really interested in the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, and I know it is extremely difficult to get into, and was wondering what could possibly help. I'm not worried about testing scores, but my grades are average (top 15-25%?? school doesn't rank) but I go to one of the most competitive high schools in the nation, and I have a "most rigorous" courseload, so I'm not if that helps. I'm also heavily involved in Model UN and things of that nature.
How does the school compare to the international relations programs at Princeton/UPenn/Yale?
Also, does a music supplement help at all? (given the focus of the school) I'm heavily involved in music (about 10 hours/week) but I feel that it won't do anything to help my application since the school is focused on IR. :(
Thanks for your time!</p>
<p>Georgetown SFS ( and Georgetown in general) is known to be a “numbers” school. Although your high school does not rank, (ours does not either), typically your guidance counselor still indicates on his/her form what overall “percentile” your GPA falls into for your particular graduating class. This can hurt you if you are at a high school where there are a lot of over-achieving, bright students – but such high schools are typically also well-known to an admissions rep for Georgetown, for example - so that rep would know that an A- at your high school might be an A+ somewhere else. So… give Georgetown SFS a shot but have other schools as a backup. Also, keep in mind that most FS careers often require a master’s – you can always get a great education elsewhere and go to Georgetown SFS for graduate school. In terms of other options that might be slightly less difficult to get in to but still very highly regarded programs - look at Tufts and Johns Hopkins. Renowned programs. In my mind, I don’t think a music supplement would make sense for you – however, make sure your application highlights your 10+ hours a week of this as it speaks to your passions and interests.</p>