What graduate schools should I consider?

Question

I am a junior Political Science major with only a 3.2 GPA at a top 50 liberal arts school. I haven't taken the GRE yet.

I am really interested in studying political theory. I don't really have a career path in mind, I just really like the subject matter.

I don't think that I could get into a top 20 school at this point (unless I get several incredible internships). Should I go to graduate school? What schools would be a good match?

This is kind of a new idea for me. I never thought that I would want to go to graduate school before this year.

Answer 1

If you get a good GRE score and have a good story about your GPA -- you might be able to get into a top 20 school -- but probably not a top ten one.

My undergraduate GPA was about the same as yours -- but it was because I had a really bad Freshman year. I would have graduated with honors if I could throw out that first year. I got into a program that is ranked 15th. But I had high GREs and a story about my GPA. I never finished that program -- but did well enough where I was able to get into Duke and Berkeley for graduate degrees years later.

If you have a much higher GPA in your major or in the last two years, you need to highlight that fact in your cover letter.

You may have luck with some of the better large public universities. Many of them have excellent programs and need graduate students to work as TAs. Some of these programs aren't hard to get into -- but are hard to stay in. But this gives you an opportunity. Schools like University of Minnesota, Ohio State, University of Texas and University of Wisconsin fit into this category.

Good luck.