<p>Gonzaga–difficult to determine without GRE scores. If you were to get good scores then I’d say you’re around the median but nonetheless competitive for the top 10 schools (and fwiw there’s a fairly big gulf in the admissions criteria between top 3 schools like JHU or SIPA and lower-10 ones like Denver or American).</p>
<p>What’s with American supposedly requiring a 3.3 undergrad GPA just to even apply? What if a student comes from a school that’s highly grade deflationary?</p>
<p>Hi, would it be possible for you guys to help me out by weighing my prospects? I am looking specifically at SAIS (looking specifally at the Bologna option, concentration in International Development or IR), MSFS (concentration either International Commerce & Business or International Development, and LSE (MSc IPE), which I know are reaches for me since I am still an undergraduate.</p>
<p>Rising senior at Yale University
3.85 GPA
Double major in Economics and International Studies
Fluent Chinese, very advanced Spanish, intermediate Portuguese
Haven’t taken GRE yet but expect to be above the averages for these schools
Internship experience in China (US Foreign Commercial Service), Taiwan (big international consulting company), and Uruguay (semigovernmental agency)
Study abroad in China (semester) and Spain (summer)
Substantial extracurricular work with NGOs and other international matters</p>
<p>I realize based on real-life conversations and also this thread that it is very difficult to gain admission to terminal programs at the top IR schools without any real international work experience, so would like some of your opinions on my chances considering the substantial internship & study experiences I’ve had abroad?</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for the help!</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I’m 2 years out of college, worked in finance for one year, and now at a think tank. Graduated from Wesleyan University, 3.5 gpa in demanding multi-disciplinary major, speak spanish and some Arabic, spent a semester in Egypt.</p>
<p>My top choices are Fletcher, SIPA, WWS, and MSFS, as I want to do international diplomacy with a focus on the Middle East. I just took my GRE’s and scored at 680 (96%) Verbal and a 670 on Quant 63% (terrible!). Anyway, I have a significant amount of econ classes in undergrad, and worked as an i-banker, so I have lots of real-world quant experience, but should I retake my GRE’s? Are these schools out of reach?</p>
<p>sparty17, I know your post was a few months ago but there is a ma in international studies at Concordia University, Irvine that offers a year of working and studying in China. It might be what you are looking for. <a href=“http://www.cui.edu/mais[/url]”>www.cui.edu/mais</a></p>
<p>RayJen,</p>
<p>I’ve heard mixed reviews about UK-BSIS. The calendar does work well for a lot of people, the programs sound interesting and diverse and Brussels is a very international city. Unfortunately I’ve heard the program isn’t terribly rigorous and the students not very serious (mostly Brits doing a jaunt on the Continent hoping to land a job at the EU). That said, like many less well-known programs, it can be as much as you invest in it (people have gone straight to the EU, NATO and UN) and it’s still definitely on my list.</p>
<p>As an aside, this thread always reminds me how packed this career field is (every year all the schools discussed are churning out graduates). I cannot stress enough how important (international) work experience is! </p>
<p>Good luck to all.</p>
<p>Hey all,</p>
<p>I know half this thread is ‘Evaluate me plz’, but I’m in dire need of some brutal honesty. All of these info session people just smile and tell you to apply without giving you any straight up answers about your real eligibility. Here’s what I’ve got followed by the schools I want to go for:</p>
<p>2 degrees: B.A. Political Science, B.A. International Studies. An Economics minor to go with one, an Asian Studies certificate to go with the other.
Foreign Language: 6 semesters of Japanese
Study Abroad: 1 summer in Tokyo(I had to work all through college and could only afford not to for a summer at a time)
Internship: Non-profit work for a summer in DC
Additional Info: TA/Research Assistant for well-published Poli. Sci. prof for over a year, held several positions in the university for work, 2 years Student Government
GPA: 3.5
GRE: Pending (I know it’s a big factor, sorry)</p>
<p>I’m looking to apply to GWU, GMU, American, and The New School </p>
<p>Open to suggestions to other school, preferabely in the North East or in a city. Also opinions on how good/bad the New School is would be great. </p>
<p>One last question: I only have a small pool of profs I really want reccs from, but I feel so nervous about asking for several letters, should I be less worried about it? How did some of you approach this issue?</p>
<p>Otherwise, just give me the cold hard truth. Thanks all.</p>
<p>I want to study in England, international relations
I have to make up my mind between leeds & sheffield
leeds: international history & politics / International Relations
sheffield:International Relations and Politics</p>
<p>i just do not know where to find a site, that can rank them . as in, pick the subject i am looking for and see where do they stand in terms of ranking .
any information?
thank you !
M</p>
<p>Hi everyone,
i’m in my undergraduate year, a senior…to graduate next may. So far i don’t have any relevant work experience but i’m working on doing a volunteer work in South Africa this winter break. I plan to take a year off and work for an NGO in either Tanzania or South Africa. Im really interested in the IR program concentrating in international development or economic development (haven’t quite gotten to make a choice out of the two). I realize that the top IR programs are highly competitive and so that’s why i’m asking for your advise/opinion on what would be the best way to get admission to the schools.My GPA is 3.5 but its bound to go up i have one more semester to go. im currently attending a very small university, one of the SUNY schools in plattsburgh. Im very much involved on campus and have great leadership skills and am taking honors classes in school.
Please, can someone help me understand what the best way would be to get into a school like SIPA, SAIS, GW, Fletcher in my situation.
What about NYU is the IR program any good?
My plan is to work in economic development for developing nations especially ones in Africa.</p>
<p>PS. i am an international student from Tanzania. will that harm my chances not being from the US.</p>
<p>I am an architect with masters in construction management. I have app. 10 years of experience in real estate, finance and development. I do not have any formal education in the courses mentioned in the LSE’s website for this program. See below URL.
[MSc</a> International Political Economy - Taught programmes - Graduate Prospectus for entry in 2010 - Home](<a href=“http://www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScInternationalPoliticalEconomy.aspx]MSc”>http://www2.lse.ac.uk/graduateProspectus2010/taughtProgrammes/MScInternationalPoliticalEconomy.aspx)
I now seek to change my career in politics and economy at an international level. I have the following concerns and would appreciate any feedback on these.</p>
<ol>
<li>With my educational background, do I need to complete any pre-requisite or course, before joining the course? I have a bachelors in architecture, masters in construction management. I have also completed executive education in real estate finance from Harvard University.</li>
<li>what the career options avaliable and the starting income level of these options after graduating with this degree? I am looking at government, non-government, profit, non-profit, private, public sectors at international level for politics and economics?
3.would this degree be of any advantage if do continue with my career in real estate? If yes, can you elaborate?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks all.</p>
<p>Im in the process of applying to schools now. Taking the GRE before the new year. But I too was wondering how my profile may stack up to others applying.</p>
<p>-Graduated in 2006 from Providence College with a 2.9 History Major (Good grades<br>
within Major Sciences were not so hot)
-Spent a Year Studying in South Africa (Grades did not Factor into GPA)
-Worked in a Township Community in South Africa Teaching English
-Worked for 3 Years as a Paralegal in a New York Law Firm
-Worked for 6 months in Thailand with an NGO that investiages Human Rights abuses
that occur alongside Oil and Gas Development in Burma.
-Helped write and Publish a 2009 Report on the implications of a proposed Pipeline
from Burma to China
-Editor on a News Bulletin.
-Researcher for reports
-Corresponded with Mult Int’l NGO’s in developing ties and research
-Worked for 1 Year with a Refugee Group From Burma In Malaysia
-Began an Advocacy campaign to get larger numbers of people registered with the
UN Refuee Agency. Numbers went from 100-3000 after the work was over
-Worked with Malaysian NGO’s to develop ties that would help community in getting
member released from prison if arrested with a UN card/paper (Got 20 peopel
released)
-Investigated Abuses by Malaysian Police/Immigation in the arrests of Refugees. Led
to having News of Events covered.
-Working as analyst a company that is upgrading their computer system (America)
-Voluntering at a Local Group that works with Refugees that are resettled to America
-Currently Takin Micro/Macro Econ. Gonna get an A
-Conversational in Burmese/Hindi</p>
<p>I know that it is hard to know what my chances are without a GRE score, but based on Work Experience do you think I sorta even myself out or do many incoming students have a resume similar to mine? Any input would be much appreciated. Thanks</p>
<p>Damn I thought that I was makin that viewing format better…</p>
<p>James, what schools were you looking at? I’d say you have some pretty decent work experience to compensate for your GPA, so you should have a shot at several programs as long as you get decent GRE scores.</p>
<p>Thanks Flyers-</p>
<p>Yeah I am thinking I should do pretty good on the GRE. Also I hope that getting A’s in Macro, Micro and Statsitics will also help. But that GPA is kinda ****, LULZ. </p>
<p>The Schools I am looking at run a wide wide range. Thinking of Denver, UCSD, Stanford, Pitt, GW, American, New School, GW and Tufts but might also throw in a Columbia and Johns Hopkins, G’Town etc . I am still researching programs so that list will be shorter as I see more of where I can study what I want to study. I have been emailing the schools and going to Grad School Fairs to learn more but I want to study something within the realm of combining Human Security with Conflict Resolution/Negotiation and the documenting of Human Rights Abuses as people are pushed from Conflict regions either internally or into refugee situations. </p>
<p>But you are in Denver right? Do you think that would be considered a reach or do you think I have a legitmate shot if I do well on GRE’s?</p>
<p>Yes I graduated from Denver. The admissions standards actually weren’t terribly high when I matriculated in 2008–maybe it’s because of the high price tag attached to it. I’d say you have a pretty good shot as long as you have decent GREs.</p>
<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am also extremely interested in entering graduate school in International Relations. My credentials are very spotty, but I would appreciate if someone could let me know what would be a reasonable school that I should shoot for? </p>
<p>My GPA is extremely low, below a 3.0. I can obtain some great recommendations from my History professors, though. I have work experience as a Research Assistant on Iran-related topics, have traveled abroad to Central Asia on a research grant, taught a university-level class for two years, and am currently in the Caucasus teaching English. I’m currently waiting to see if my thesis can be published, which I feel like could help with chances of getting into a good program tremendously.</p>
<p>However, I just took the GREs and while I was happy with my scores (730V/790Q), my AW score was a shocking 4.0. I’m a competent writer, so I’m not exactly sure what the best plan is. The low GPA is probably already enough for any reviewing committee to swallow; what do you think? Should I take the GRE again… and how likely would a good graduate program be willing to overlook these things?</p>
<p>I thought I’d see if I could start this thread up again…</p>
<p>Since it’s a judgement free-for-all, would anyone care to comment on whether I have a shot at American (SIS), Toronto (Munk), Fletcher, LSE, or Kings?</p>
<p>I have 3.72 undergrad GPA, and a GRE score of 640Q 690V, ~5.0 on the writing.</p>
<p>I have good recommendations, and I’ve taken two courses at a graduate level. I have conversational fluency in Japanese after having spent a year abroad (in undergrad) at a prestigious Japanese university, and I’ve also done postgraduate courses in Thai…</p>
<p>My main weaknesses are that I don’t have much in the way of work experience and somehow never took macro/micro econ while getting my B.A…</p>
<p>Anyone have any thoughts? I’m especially curious about Toronto. Thanks.</p>
<p>I just got into transfer admission at AU. Having a bit of a hard time adjusting, but I feel like things are going to get better very soon. Looking to go to Harvard, GTown or JHU SAIS after I graduate in 2012. Stats:</p>
<p>Previous School: University of Hartford (3.1, IR, PoliSci, Philosophy minor–Tier 3)
Honors Program: Yes
GPA: 3.1
Major GPA: 3.8
AA Student
ECs:
-Student Government 3 years consistently
-Government and Law Society 3 years consistently
-Started ran College Democrats chapter on campus from Fall 2008-Fall 2009
-State College Democrats</p>
<p>Internships/Work Experience:
-Intern in State Congress
-Intern with State Attorney General
-Intern in US Congress
-Intern at State Treasurer</p>
<p>Volunteer Work:
-Obama campaign
-State congressional campaign
-State House campaign
-Campus and Community Voter Registration</p>
<p>Present School: American University SIS
Credit Hours: 46</p>
<p>Honors Program: No
GPA: (first semester)
Major GPA: (first semester)
AA Student</p>
<p>ECs:
-Student Government
-College Democrats
-Roosevelt Institute</p>
<p>Internships/Work Experience thus far:
-Paid intern in US Congress
-Graduate-level fellow at Capitol Hill Policy/Advocacy Organization
—>Publishing paper on Iran-US relations</p>
<p>Volunteer Work:
-Tom Perriello campaign (VA-5)</p>
<p>In terms of being at this new school for 2 years, I feel as though I should focus less on college organizations and more on work–and especially schoolwork. Thoughts? What would people advise?</p>
<p>Hi everyone, </p>
<p>This is such a great thread, its been so helpful to read past posts. I am moving to DC this coming summer, and currently applying to grad programs at all schools in the are with good IR or International Development Programs. SAIS would be a dream come true. </p>
<p>Ive got a 3.9 GPA from Texas Christian U, a BA in Political Science, a BA in Spanish, some good international experiences, and an internship with an international NGO a few years ago. Ive been dancing as a professional ballet dancer the past year or so, and havn’t had time to gain any more work experiences. Just took the GRE, got a 610 V and 630 Q, not by any means the best I had scored in practice exams. Does anyone have any opinions on whether or not I should take the GRE again? I’ve noticed some programs will accept your best score. Would really appreciate some feedback, thank you so much!!</p>
<p>rlmunson</p>
<p>Hi ,
I have a similar question about the GRE
I scored a 760V 760Q and a 3.5 (AWA)
I am confused about whether to take it again or not
I have a GPA of 3.9 ( The conversion of Indian grading system)
Graduated from University with an Economics bachelors (topped in International Policies and Practices)
I am working for the EU Chambers of Commerce in India as a Senior Executive .
did anti racism based internships in Poland and Hungary earlier one for 3 months and another for 6 months .
Speak Native Hindi and English
Good Spanish
Basic German (3 levels )
Working language of Hungarian ( Just enough to survive)
act
I have also represented Mumbai in International Youth Forums as a teenager .
This is just a gist ,
really hoping for an evaluation considering the little work ex and low awa
i am 23 years old , Graduated in 2008</p>