I will be applying for a Masters or PHD program in International Development this fall at top 15 schools like LSE, Georgetown, American, Tufts Harvard etc.
I am worried about my chance at admission right off the bad because I did my undergrad at a very small research school that does not have any real name recognition (Northern Arizona University)
Personally, my CV is:
GPA: 3.85, 3.9 Major
Research experience: I have done substantive research with faculty on campus. Also, I have entered a student writing competition and won publication of an article by a D.C based think-tank.
Work experience: I have been working with said think tank for the past half-year as an editor. Aside from this, I have been a T.A for the past three years and a java coder doe the past year.
Letters of Rec.: I will be receiving letters from 2 International Affairs professors, a History professor and my boss at the think tank.
Random tid-bits: I have been involved in extracurriculars like putting on a national Model UN conference at my uni this year. I led an effort to gather and donate food to the Red Cross during the protests in Venezuela earlier this year. I know how to code in Python and Java and have experience in Adobe products. Also, I will be looking to be above the 85th percentile on the GRE.
So, all in all, am I a competitive candidate? What do I need to work on or highlight? Thanks for reading all of this!
I would reach out IR professors in the various schools you’re considering – someone whose work you’ve read/admired or who is an expert in your field of interest – and ask them… Often, faculty members are quite receptive to prospective grad students, and can be very candid. It’s a good way to network, as well, something that can be important in getting fellowships, jobs, referrals, etc. And it’s a great way to overcome whatever drawbacks there are to attending a lesser-known school.
I definitely think that it is worth reaching out as @katliamom suggested and also applying to some top schools. When I was a graduate student at a top school (in a completely different field), there were quite a few students who like you were the best student from a small “not all that well known” undergrad program. I am guessing that your references will probably be stellar also. Good luck with your GRE and your applications!
I would not reach out to professors and ask them if you would be competitive coming from a small school (and definitely not to evaluate your chances). They will simply tell you to apply and that your chances will be evaluated during the application process. Or they’ll simply ignore you.
There’s nothing wrong with reaching out to professors if you have other questions about their work or about the program, or want to talk about working with them for research, but not to answer basic questions about the application process. Most are sort of annoyed by these questions.
The answer is that students go to top graduate programs from all kinds of schools. What really matters is what you did there. You have a high GPA, “substantive research”, and have been working at a think tank on what sounds like research-adjacent work - you sound like a reasonably competitive candidate (assuming that you’ve been involved in that “substantive” research since at least your junior year).
I don’t think coming from a small school is going to disqualify you from being a competitive applicant. The school is not going to stand out, but it shouldn’t hurt.
Ok, thanks for the advice! I’ve heard that it may be annoying for professors to get these kinds of emails from students, so is there any way in particular that I should go about this?
Yes, I’ve been doing my research since junior year with faculty here on campus. The thing about NAU is that the professors here are generally those who have worked in the private sector and took the job to retire. My point being that they do not have a lot of connections academically. So I am worried that this devalues my research.
Also, I get the feeling that I am an average applicant to these schools. Is there anything that could make me stand out?
I think a great GRE score would make you stand out.
Another way to stand out is to cultivate your network. Are there conferences you can attend or opportunities to present your research anywhere? Are the schools you hope to attend hosting any events or speakers with an International Development focus?