Int Aff Masters?

Graduate School
1

<p>I guess this is a fairly typical question, but al the same, I’m working on my statement of purpose and trying to figure out what my options really are. I would like to go to graduate school for a masters in International Relation - primary area of interest is development. Its obvious what everyone here thinks the ideal programs are, but as always qualifications are ambiguous.
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<pre><code>I’m 21 and graduating a year early after having transfered schools freshman year. That means that i will have one and a half years on my transcript when i apply. My freshman gpa was a 3.8 something and my current gpa is a 3.4 and change. In major(s) it would be a high 3.6. I will graduate with a double major in Poli. Sci. and Intern Aff. I will be taking the GREs in 2 weeks but given everyones position on them, i doubt they make or break my application.


Personal info, my first language was italian, but i was born and raised in the US primarily so i speak both fluently. I am currently studying in france and will be taking the TEF in December and I would say that I'm functionally fluent. I also have spoken proficiency in spanish.
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 The study abroad Im currently doing in france is my longest single experience abroad, but I spent most of my summers in europe as a youth. I worked and studied with an NGO in Thailand for two months two summers ago, and spent 2 weeks in Slovakia this summer with a graduate program examining the economic transition and then 3 weeks in Uganda working with an NGO studying the use of sports for social change in Gulu.
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<pre><code>The culmination of my time abroad is that I created a LLC for consulting non-profits and charitable organizations in august. I have two clients, and i cant claim to be changing the world, but i think that i am making a difference in the efficiency and sustainability of their programs. With that said, this is my major work experience. Aside from interning with a congressman for two months and working for Jumpstart for a year, my work experience is pretty unimportant (read valeting in boston or door to door canvassing). Now the question is, if i can convey the importance of what i've experience abroad am i competitive?


Thank you for any guidance you can provide.
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2

<p>What is your question exactly? Are you trying to make the case for International Development or are you looking to decide on which programs are best suited to your interests? </p>

<p>Both SAIS and HKS are great schools with strong development programs.
And the GRE is very important- especially in quant-related areas such as development! This is taken from SAIS's website:</p>

<p>"SAIS has no minimum GRE or GMAT score. However, the following statistics are representative of enrolled students whose native language is English. The average GRE Verbal score is 640, with the middle 50% of enrolled students achieving a range of 580 to 680. The average GRE Quantitative score is 710, with the middle 50% ranging from 650 to 750. The average GMAT score is 630, with a range of 510 to 760." </p>

<p>So my advice is: Study hard- especially on the quantitative section! </p>

<p>All Development programs want to see a strong background in Econ. How many econ classes have you taken? If you haven't taken any beyond Micro and Macro, I suggest enrolling in a few more Econ classes and doing realllyyyyy well on them to bolster your application. </p>

<p>Having profficiency in another language is very useful but it wont be enough to discern you from the rest. I speak 4 languages yet I do not consider myself a shoe into most programs! </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

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<p>Sorry, i probably wasn’t very clear with my question. What I would like feed back on is what programs I should be considering given my grades and qualification. I haven’t taken the GREs yet, but outside of that factor, what are the programs I should be considering. </p>

<p>Thanks for the advice.</p>

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<p>Fordham University IPED is a great development program. George Washington’s Elliot School also has a top program.</p>