<p>So I wonder---do I have a chance to get into SIPA, SAIS, G-Town, Fletcher, or USC?</p>
<p>I'm a rising senior at the George Washington University, GPA 3.3, 2 majors (4.0 in one major): International Affairs (europe and eurasia) and russian langauage and literature.
I was born in russia (speak fluent russian) and have travelled to hungary, ukraine, czech republic, germany, and obviously russia. I can get good recs.
My ECs are good---vp of foreign service organization, prez of russian club, student ambassador, volunteer for DC-wide cultural club, etc...And I hope to do well of the GREs.
Additionally, I've working at the national archives, for a fulbright scholar, had 2 state department internships, and various other minor IR jobs.
I'm hoping to get an MA in an international affairs/communications/public diplomacy/europe and russia studies area.</p>
<p>Let me know if I should apply...I can't afford the application costs, so I need to know my % chances that I will get in.</p>
<p>The answer is… it depends, on a lot of things. Like:</p>
<ol>
<li>Your GRE scores</li>
<li>The people applying to the schools to which you’re applying (those you’re competing against).</li>
<li>Your recommendations and SOP.</li>
<li>The program to which you’re applying.</li>
</ol>
<p>Your GPA is a bit low - try and get your cumulative above 3.5. Make sure your GRE scores are high, try and be in at least the 85th percentile for both (some would say 90%+ but in reality once you’re past the 80th percentile no one really cares). Speak to the school and the program in your SPA - don’t recite your accomplishments but tell the admissions crew exactly how their program can help you achieve your dreams and goals - be forward-thinking in your SOP - I cannot say that enough! A good SOP can make up for A LOT. A bad one will doom you even if you got 1600 on your GREs.</p>
<p>Other than that - this process can be a bit of a crapshoot. You NEVER know where you are and what your chances are because the process is so opaque. None of us really knows what happens behind the doors of the admissions office so we just try and do our best when applying but in the end… no one really knows.</p>