<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>MIT is among my dream schools for a graduate degree. I’m not looking to apply now, I think taking time off to work, cool off, and not burn myself out is a better idea than going straight from undergrad. I’m wondering if anyone can help me figure out what the profile of an admitted student for their IR/IS program is, and what are some things I can do while I take time off to build up my resume. </p>
<p>I’m hopefully going to continue working in IR after graduation, maybe working at a think-tank. Or maybe I’ll pursue more work experience in Public Affairs, but my heart is really in IR. What else can I do at my time off to make it to MIT?</p>
<p>I’m currently a 4th-year at a mid-tier UC. Here are some stats:</p>
<p>Academics:
- GPA: 3.5/4.0
- History GPA: 3.9/40
- Political Science GPA: 3.5/4.0
- Studied abroad in the UK for 1 semester
- Bad Grades: C- in Calculus, C in Calculus, C+ in Latin</p>
<p>Awards:
- UROP Scholar/ Grant Recipient
- 6/9 quarters on the Dean’s Honor’s list (so far)</p>
<p>Research Experience:
- Research Assistant for History Department Head
- 1-year self-directed Undergraduate Thesis (Social Media and Eastern European Revolutions)</p>
<p>Presentation Experience
- Presented undergraduate thesis at a symposium, working to get it published
- Presented at a Defense Social Media conference</p>
<p>Work Experience:
- Worked part-time since Freshman Year at our campus computerstore
- 6 month internship at Department of Defense (Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Army Office of the Chief of Public Affairs)</p>
<p>Potential Letters of Recommendation
- DASD from the Department of Defense
- History Department Head
- Professor Emeritus of History (my research advisor)
- Associate Dean of Political Science Undergraduates
- Director of Foreign Policy Studies at Cato </p>
<p>Thanks, everyone!</p>
<p>-pro</p>