Good matches for IR major?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am going to be a senior this year and I hope major in international relations. I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on schools I should apply to based on my qualifications. </p>

<p>My transcript is probably the strongest part of my application as I have very steady grades and would say I have a 4.0 GPA unweighted. </p>

<p>SATs:</p>

<p>CR-740
Math-640
Writing- 770</p>

<p>I am hoping to bring up my Math score and still have to take the ACTs...</p>

<p>Sat IIs</p>

<p>US History-760
World History-780
Biology-700</p>

<p>I go to a small, all girl catholic school and only 5 APs are offered
I took APUSH this year and recieved a 5 and am planning on taking the remaining 4 my senior year</p>

<p>ECs:
Hospital volunteer
Weeklong trip to soup kitchen
Jv soccer 3 years, captain one year
President of Free the Children
NHS member
Math club - 4 years
Newspaper editor</p>

<p>I received the Holy Cross Book Award for grades and community service and the RPI Award for math and science as well as many other awards for a averaging the highest in various classes</p>

<p>Any ideas on what I should do to add to my transcript?</p>

2

<p>American U may be a match. What can your family afford?</p>

3

<p>Georgetown is among the best and Holy Cross is very similar. Both top Jesuit-run colleges.</p>

4

<p>Strong IR programs: Penn, Harvard, Georgetown and (believe it or not) University of Georgia</p>

5

<p>Definitely check out William & Mary if you’re interested in undergrad IR research.</p>

6

<p>The Elliott School at George Washington University.</p>

<p>Plus, if you care, your stats would probably earn you a good merit scholarship.</p>

7

<p>Holy Cross, Duke, Tufts.</p>

8

<p>Macalester in St. Paul. You’re a strong candidate for good merit aid at American.</p>

9

<p>Agree with American and Macalester. Look at Tufts – they took 24% this past year, but you would be competitive. W&M can be a tough admit for young women from the east coast, but their IR is excellent. URochester has very good polisci and has started an IR department as an offshoot. UMD’s College Scholars has a special program in international studies. Boston University has a large IR department.</p>

<p>My S (current IR major) looked at all of these schools, applied to some, plus Chicago, Georgetown, Swat, Bowdoin and Carleton. He liked LACs but not many have IR majors, so he looked at schools with strong polisci/history/philosophy/econ departments.</p>

<p>Your scores are strong; if you bring up the math a little on the SAT retake, I wouldn’t bother taking the ACT. (In fact, I wouldn’t spend SAT test prep time on anything except math.) Even so, an IR major with very strong history/verbal scores and a 640 math is not a deal breaker. </p>

<p>My feeling is that the best way to distinguish yourself is through the essays. Your grades and scores will get you on the table – you have to make the schools WANT you. Get your personality and interests to jump off the page.</p>

10

<p>I would look at richmond, jhu,georgetown, william and mary, as well as gw and american in DC</p>

11

<p>Thanks a lot for the suggestions and tips, I really appreciate it.</p>