<p>Alright, so I have a couple questions about getting an MA in IR (I read through the sticky).</p>
<p>My situation is the following, I'm a currently a second semester Junior at SUNY Oswego. I'm majoring in Global and International studies with a minor in Peace and Conflict studies with a 2.73 cum. GPA. </p>
<p>I have extracurriculars and some travel experience:</p>
<p>Extracurriculars:
-2 years of Student Government (including an executive position)</p>
<p>Travel experience:
-2 months in Egypt studying introductory Arabic
- (will be spending a short amount of time in Turkey this summer)
Other:
-4 years as a Civil Air Patrol Cadet</p>
<p>Additionally, I'll be interning somewhere in D.C. or abroad in the next year.</p>
<p>Given this information, how realistic is for me to get into a decent grad program? Aside from my GPA what else should I try to add to make me more competitive? </p>
<p>I've been doing research and so far I like:
-NYU
-AU
-BU</p>
<p>I realize these schools are well renowned in the field of IR, but I was wondering what my chances are?</p>
<p>Now, I'll be doing everything I can to bring my GPA up to a 3.0 or higher before I graduate as well as taking an intensive prep course so I can score highly on the GRE. </p>
<p>If need be, I'd be willing to spend an extra semester at my current institution to bring up my GPA, although I'd really prefer not to.</p>
<p>Any thoughts? I'd appreciate any help that can be given!
Thanks!</p>
<p>I would suggest that it would be beneficial for you to pursue a six-month or year-long internship in the field after graduation, then apply for graduate school. Your GPA would likely weigh less heavily against you if you can demonstrate successful “real-world” experience.</p>
<p>I thank you for taking the time to weigh in. I’ve been trying to find something in the event that I don’t get into my grad school(s) of choice. I’m a little unsure where to look, everywhere seems to want experience. I’m applying for an internship with State for fall 2011 with their Near East Asian bureau and if I don’t get that, I was going to apply to a series of think tanks and NGOs in DC for Spring 2012…</p>
<p>As far as your suggestion goes, would you know of any places that offer such an internship off the top of your head? I’ve been looking, but I haven’t been able to find anything.</p>
<p>Also, I’m trying to refrain from the Peace Corps. While it’s a wonderful organization, it would obstruct me from gaining employment in the field I want.</p>
<p>I’d try to get some work experience/internship experience. Also, see if you can find a way to get that GPA up to at least a 3.0 as a bare minimum.</p>
<p>With a sub 3.0 GPA or even a barely 3.0 GPA in undergrad, you need to prove to the grad school profs that you have matured and are ready to focus on classes, research, education, etc.</p>
<p>Often an internship will help. One caveat, many MA programs will offer funding of some sort, tuition remission for TA, etc. If your GPA is too low, they likely won’t offer that. If you can prove yourself in the outside world, you might have a chance at a funded masters.</p>
<p>Is this a research MA or professional school MA? Depending on which, the relative importance of GPA to word experience is going to be very different.</p>
<p>Either way, you might want to spend an extra half year or so taking classes that’ll boost your statistics training (whether you are a policy person or academic, you should have this) and 2nd/3rd language proficiency (esp critical languages). These two skills are becoming increasingly important in your field, and taking extra classes will also give you a chance to boost your GPA.</p>