International Relations Major

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I am currently a junior at an all-boys Catholic school in San Francisco. I know I want to major in IR, but I'm not sure where I want to go or where I can get in. Here are my stats...
GPA-4.00 Unweighted.
9 AP and 2 honors classes by the time I graduate
First SAT 640/800/680. I know I can bring up the CR and W.
EC's
Civil Air Patrol (similar to JROTC)
100+ hours of community service
Varsity Basketball
Founder/President of European-American Club at my school
NHS
CSF
Chess Club
I know I need to work on these.</p>

<p>What schools should I apply to?
I am interested in the American University of Paris, Georgetown, Tufts, and John Hopkins. Do I even have a shot at the last three? Right now AUP is my first choice and I'm pretty confident I can get in.</p>

2

<p>Please someone answer me question.</p>

3

<p>Yes. Look into NYU as well.</p>

4

<p>nyu, tufts, georgetown, gw, stanford, uchicago, princeton</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the info guys.</p>

6

<p>oh btw, for next year I can either take AP Calculus or AP Stats. I know Calculus looks better and my school has a really good teacher, but would it really help me if I plan on majoring in IR? I know there is a lot more work for AP Calculus, so I don't want to take it if it isn't going to help me get into a better college. </p>

<p>Also, for the SAT II's. I know I'm going to take World History, Math II, and probably French. How hard are the language tests? I would take the one without listening. I've taken three years of Spanish at my high school, but am currently learning French. What level of knowledge do you need to know to do really well on the language tests?</p>

7

<p>If you are looking at JHU, make sure to consider the Five-Year Accelerated BA/MA with SAIS program. An MA from SAIS is an incredible first step to a successful policy career in IR.</p>

<p>Keep in mind that many of the strong names in IR for MA/MPP/PhD level studies are not necessarily huge hotshots for undergrad.</p>

<p>I also must stress this: Your undergrad degree in IR is not going to matter a whole lot if you go on to the MA. I'll be starting my MA in the fall, and I've already been accepted to two top MA programs for IR. I did not attend a super top IR program (my BA is in comparative politics, even). Make sure to keep in mind that you may change career tracks midstream as an undergrad, so look at schools that offer you options outside of IR.</p>

<p>As far as Calc/Stats goes, I'd recommend calc. A good calculus foundation will help you a great deal in the long run, trust me.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for the reply. Anyone else. Come on I know you wanna?</p>

9

<p>I'm also in CAP, what's your grade?</p>

<p>Me==> C/1st Lt (but almost a Capt) as a Sophomore</p>

10

<p>If you plan on doing something significant with your IR degree, make sure that you will come out of your BA fluent in two languages.</p>

11

<p>mini,</p>

<p>Agreed. SAIS, IR/PS, SIPA, and other top IR programs either require or heavily stress language ability. Definitely important.</p>

12

<p>Two languages beside English? I am already very good in Spanish, although I would need to work on my vocabulary, speaking, and listening skills to become fluent. I am also just starting to learn French, a language I hope to become fluent in. I was planning on majoring in IR, and minoring or maybe double majoring in French. </p>

<p>SparkShooter, I just started so I'm a Cadet 1st class or whatever. I initially got into CAP because I wanted to go to the AFA, but I don't really want to anymore. I haven't been able to go to any meetings lately because of basketball, we have games on Tuesday nights, but I hope to get back into it after bball.</p>