<p>I’m just about to start my freshman year of college and I am majoring in IR w/ a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies. I’m planning on applying to grad school at Tufts, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, Harvard. What I was wondering is what do grad schools look for in an applicant. I know they look at standardized test scores, gpa, essay, interview. I also know they look at studying abroad and summer internships however, do grad schools place a strong emphasis on extra-curricular activities (i.e. mock trial, volunteering, student senate) that take place during the academic year. I guess what I’m trying to say is it like when applying for college during high school and in order to get into a really good school one had to be involved in extracurricular activities to be well-rounded. anyway, i hope that made sense and hopefully someone will answer my question.</p>
<p>Paki328,</p>
<p>For one, no interviews are held for MA programs at most IR programs. They look at the GRE, GPA, essays, your letters of recommendation, and essays. Work experience is important for many programs, as are internships and field experience. Undergrad research can help quite a bit. However, it’s not like applying to undergrad where one needs to be a superstar in everything. Many programs will accept people who don’t have stellar GPAs or GREs if they have great work experience to make up for it. The longer you’re out of school, the less your academic experience matters.</p>
<p>Also, don’t just look at JHU SAIS, SIPA, Tufts, and Harvard KSG. There are many other programs that are fantastic for what you want, including Georgetown SFS, American, and GW.</p>
<p>I don’t think extra-curriculars matter at all. I didn’t have any (I’m going to be a masters student in IR at UChicago this fall) and neither did my friend who got into Harvard for graduate school (plus a number of others).</p>
<p>I think that ECs, provided that they are topical, can help a little. They can’t hurt (provided the time spent on them isn’t hurting your grades), and they may actually get you acquainted with some nifty people.</p>
<p>thanks for the advice! i guess i don’t have to freak out as much!</p>
<p>Hey, I’m planning on doing the same thing, where are you going for undergrad?</p>
<p>i dont have a lot of work experience but i will likely have decent gpa…i am really debating whether or not to appy to sais…i really want to go back to italy.</p>
<p>Bonafide,</p>
<p>Do you at least have intern experience or relevant research experience?</p>
<p>i’m going to the university of iowa…not an amazing school for IR, but i live in iowa and so it’s definitely cheaper…i was planning on going to macalester but i decided not to in the end. i really wanted to go to wash u, but got waitlisted…oh well, there’s always grad school and i’m hoping to get into a good program. how about u, where are u going?</p>
<p>actually i see u are going to tufts…that’s pretty amazing! my older brother is at tufts right now for vet school and he went their for undergrad and got a degree in IR. he absolutely enjoyed tufts and had an amazing experience! i’m planning on applying to tufts for grad school, i think it’s my no. 1 choice so far, i love tufts and boston. hopefully i get in! good luck next year!</p>
<p>^ Hey, thanks a lot, I hope you get in as well, hopefully I will see you at Fletcher in 4 years!</p>
<p>i’ve only worked a couple summers at Dept of Defense doing clerical stuff and only did linguistics research…the rest of my time has been spent studying either at school or abroad.</p>