<p>I have decided to apply for PhD programs in International Relations. I am looking to find out what my chances are to apply for Ivy League.
I am German, but I did my undergrad at St. John's College in Santa Fe, NM (GPA 3.6)
Currently I am getting my Masters Degree (International Relations & Diplomacy with focus on the Middle East) in Morocco at Al Akhawayn University. I start my last semester in August and would have to apply for PhD programs by December. Right now my GPA is 4.0
I was thinking about going back to the states and so far my choices would be: Harvard, University of Chicago and Stanford.
My academic background is diverse and I have travelled a lot. However, I am in dire need of financial support AND my GRE is most likely not going to be good. What are my chances from a purely technical perspective?
Another question that I would love to have some input on: given that my focus and interest lies in the Middle East and that I am already living abroad, should I even go back to the states? I do not want to go purely into academia career-wise, but would rather have the PhD as a guarantee that I would be able to publish and teach should I need to.
I fear that I might get bored or fed up with the removed "Ivory Tower" style of Ivy League institutions.
Another option would be to get my PhD at places like the University of Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. Needless to say, my family urges me to finally opt for Ivy because of the reputation.
Does anybody have any advice?</p>
<p>If you get in to any of the US schools you listed, financial support will not be an issue - they will provide funding. But that, of course, is not easy to do, particularly if you’re worried about your GRE scores - all of those schools admit something like 10% of applicants.</p>