<p>Knowing that I could write a book on my circumstances, I am going to try my best to condense my questions as best as possible. I attended community college for two years. Coupled with my fathers passing and personal medical problems, my transferring GPA was around a 3.1. I am now attending a four year university. I am expecting to do the best I possibly can at for the next two years. I am double majoring in political science and history. I am thinking about keeping my focus on American politics with some emphasis American/European foreign relations. I originally wanted to attend law school. After some personal reflection, I have realized that I shouldn't take out the possibility of graduate school for political science. I am worried about that transition to politics. I don't know how easy it is to take that transition from law to politics. I know a lot of politicians were previously lawyers. Nevertheless, I do not want to get into politics late in life. I am also thinking about teaching politics. My tentative goal is to go into politics. I have spent the last couple years doing research on law school. I have no idea where to begin with research into graduate school. What type of GPA do top graduate schools look for? What type of tests do law schools need? What type of previous knowledge should I have for these tests; such as math, etc? What are the chances of getting into graduate school for political science? What are some known graduate schools for American relations? Do top graduate schools look for solid students from start to finish? The reason I brought up my community college is because I do not know what type of student graduate schools look for. Should I look into soft factors, like clubs, such as when I did to transfer into a university? Should I try to publish articles?</p>
<p>Look at princetonreview.com and they'll give you the basics on law and grad schools, or visit your career services center to figure out what you REALLY want. Most people get into politics not just through law school but through internships on the Capitol Hill, taking volunteer jobs in campaigns, working for the local/state government, etc. Politics is learned mostly through experience, not something you can learn in law school. Even in law school, it won't prepare you for the real world. In law school, you just learn the law but not necessarily how to apply your knowledge until you're actually working.</p>
<p>Message user "porkypig" or "porkyboar", resident poli sci expert.</p>
<p>My best advice is to get some work experience under your belt. Why I understand all of your personal trials and tribulations, some of your scores are going to hurt your chances of admission. In addition, it sounds as though you have no clear academic focus in political science/international relations. You normally have to a focus in the subject prior to applying to grad school. I appears that you are going about grad school in the wrong direction. While it must sound like bad advice getting work experience this time in your life, but there are programs that you can get involved in that won’t cost you a dime, and that will help you to have life experiences that will assist you with your graduate essays and help to compensate your low gpa. Try looking into AmeriCorps (if you want to stay in the US) and the PeaceCorps if you want to go out of the US. I hope this advice helps you.</p>