<p>Hi, I am applying to the top 10 IR MAs and think I have a good shot at getting into a couple. However, I am wondering if anyone could do me the <em>possibly-life-changing favor</em> of telling me what kind of chance I may have of getting into one of the top ten PhD programs for political science/IR. Without further adue, here are my creds:</p>
<p>Graduate Certificate in International Studies (16 credits) 3.92 GPA - Johns Hopkins SAIS
One year work experience at prominent DC think tank doing national security research
Wrote a scholarly monograph on US intelligence policy (100 pages) - not published
Two political book reviews published in literary magazine and one policy analysis piece published with non-profit/think tank
Received undergrad fellowship to study Israel-Palestine conflict
Undergrad: Polisci/History/IR Univ of Florida 3.13 GPA (<---will this hurt me too much?)
Volunteer work in Cuba and Nicaragua
Speak/read Spanish at Intermediate-high
Speak/read Arabic at Novice-high (three classes of post-bacc coursework, 4.0 GPA)
Research internship at a second think-tank and also at a multilateralism-advocacy non-profit in DC
Wrote a book composed of 60 essays/op-eds for young people (150 pages) - not published
Wrote for an online magazine
I'd rate my Letters of Rec at 8-10 each on a scale of 1-10; with top name writers from SAIS and big DC think tank
Research focus on Middle East, South Asia, US Foreign Policy and intel/security to-date
Very involved extracirricularly in undergrad, president of student govn't party, volunteer at alternative media library, etc.
Predicted GRE: 1350-1400
Out of school 4 years; 25 years old.</p>
<p>Please consider weaknesses too: 3.13 undergrad GPA and not as much full-time work experience as other top applicants</p>
<p>Thanks a million!</p>