Long story short, a combination of an extremely rigorous schedule, family issues, and a late realization that I don’t want to major in STEM, I’ve found myself with a B- average GPA. Recently, I realized that my long-held passion for diplomacy is a viable career option, and I really, really want to study international relations. My top choice is the Walsh school at Georgetown, but it’s doubtful I’ll get in. Either way, all of my low grades have come from STEM courses, not from humanities courses (which I have almost all A’s in). My question is, if I do apply directly to IR schools or indicate my intended major as IR, will colleges weigh my poor STEM grades less against my much better humanities grades? Thanks.
SFS is not going to cut you any slack on grades, even if they aren’t related to you new area of interest- nor will any of the selective US colleges. If you test well & have the funds your best bet is the UK, where your GPA won’t be a factor.
Look at American University if you have funds! It’s in DC and they have a top-ranked IR department. The bonus is an 89% ED1 acceptance rate and AU is even test-optional.
Colleges look at your entire academic record and the top schools are looking for students who perform well in a strong and diverse curriculum. At most colleges students are free to change majors once admitted so indicating an IR major will not make a huge difference in terms of admissions (unless perhaps you have a large number of activities/work or internship experience etc. that demonstrate a long-standing and deeply committed interest in the area).
It is fine to have a few reaches but focus your college search on schools that appear affordable and that match your academic profile.
American (suggested above) is a good suggestion but if you want/need the opportunity to compare financial offers between schools I’d warn against applying ED.
Assuming they are significant, I would suggest that you ask you guidance counselor to address your family issues in his/her recommendation. It would be better coming from a third party.
Thanks for the advice! Yeah, GT is a far reach, I’m considering American, GW, W&M, and Ohio State as well.
Your GPA puts you in the bottom 30% of admitted AU students and the bottom 2% at W&M. GWU & OSU don’t give GPAs, so hard to know.
Obviously GPA isn’t everything- test scores, ECs, recs, essays all factor in.