Advice/Chances for an MA in IR at Sciences Po, LSE, or any other European school

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello, everyone. I have finally told my parents that I am not going to law school (to their disappointment) and have decided to go for an MA in International Relations instead (something they see as unrealistic). So, I'll start out with a little information about myself.</p>

<p>Graduated with a 3.85, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Two BAs:
1. Major: International Relations.
2. Major: French, Minor: Public Policy.</p>

<p>My school actually has a pretty strong International Studies institute. My regional focus was Europe, while my thematic concentration was Global Governance and Politics.</p>

<p>Study Abroad:
One month with Alliance Francaise Paris
Five week exchange program with Nanjing University in China (one of ten students selected), actually got to have a discussion with some of the officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs there. Pretty cool.
Semester abroad in Angers, France.</p>

<p>Foreign Language: I speak French quite well. I don't know about fluent, but I would say advanced for sure. I've just started teaching myself German.</p>

<p>Wrote a 70 page "masters style" thesis on faction of Salafism in France and its relationship to similar factions in the nations of North Africa.</p>

<p>I've got a few extracurriculars (fraternity, leadership organization, etc.) and a good bit of volunteering.</p>

<p>I also received the largest scholarship given at my school. It was enough to pay for all of my tuition, housing, food, and the occasional beer.</p>

<p>As far as professional experience, I've been working for a law firm for a few months and plan on sticking with it until I go off to school. It's awful and boring to be honest, but I am getting some time with clients and learning about "professionalism". Plus, the head lawyer is a state representative and I will get some experience by working on his campaign that is coming up.</p>

<hr>

<p>So... with all of that said, I have first decided to apply to Sciences Po's Paris School of International Affairs (probably the Master in International Economic Policy). My major was focused around European relations, I speak French pretty well, and I want to eventually work in consulting in France. It just makes sense for that to be my top choice. I am writing my personal statement now, but I am looking for any help from anyone who knows what Sciences Po wants to hear from international graduate applicants. Also, what are my chances? My recommendations will come from my thesis advisor (I've taken four courses under him and have a great relationship since we worked together for a year on my thesis) and a public policy professor (taken three courses with her and she's let me know that I am one of the best writers she's ever taught). I don't have any high profile recs, so I am afraid that will hurt me.</p>

<p>Also, I am looking at LSE for IR. Any advice for applying/personal statement/chances? </p>

<p>Lastly, if anyone knows of any other IR programs in Europe that I should know of please let me know. I've considered Oxbridge, but I'm not sure yet.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’ve heard good things about the IR programme at St Andrews, I don’t know any details, but perhaps explore it, if that is not too far away from London/France</p>

3

<p>Hmm to be honest I suggest you look at the other MScs at LSE, concerning what you want to do I would suggest the LSE-Sciences Po Double Degree European Studies or the MPA European Public and Economic Policy or the European Studies program, since you want to do international economics and europe. the IR department won’t look at you, both my GF and I are in the IR program and none of the students there study Europe (I am Central Asia focused and she is China focused), all the Europe focused people study either global politics or the European majors. If you really are into LSE look carefully at what program suits your interest not what you think will look shiny on a resume, the IR program is more academic than other schools in America and unlike schools in America like SAIS (Which I was accepted to but decided to go to LSE due to $$ hooray EU passport) There is NO econ component to the IR major, if you want to do econ do the MSc International Political Economy and do your thesis on Europe. IMHO as a current IR student, the IR program is not a good fit but if you applied ot the dual LSE-Sciences Po degree or the euro studies degree or the MSc International Political Economy I’m sure you would get in.</p>

4

<p>Just a quick edit I don’t want to say the IR program won’t look at you, its that our program is strictly foreign policy studying not econ not anything you are looking for.</p>

5

<p>Londonboyz, thanks for the information. Before I read your post I started looking into the MPA European Public and Economic Policy. That sounds more like what I want. I am allowed to apply for two programs, so I might just apply for both. Right now I am torn between foreign affairs and economic policy. Most of my undergrad studies covered foreign affairs, but it wasn’t strong in econ. I really want to study international economics, so I feel like I should do it in graduate school</p>

<p>To be honest with you, Sciences Po is my top choice. People may say that LSE is a better program, but I fully intend on working in France, so it makes sense for me to go to a French school. One thing that attracts me to the Masters in International Economic Policy is that they clearly state that it has a strong European focus: </p>

<p>“The core curriculum is as much focused on economic aspects (economic integration, international trade), finance (international finance, European monetary policy, firms in a global economy) as it is on policy (economics and competition policy, trade policies) in the field of international trade and investment. For the study of market economies, Europe is at the heart of the programme as it is the best example of successful economic integration.”</p>

<p>As for the Double Degree program between LSE and Sciences Po, I’m not interested. If I am accepted to Sciences Po, I want to stay there. Maybe I’m crazy for doing this?</p>

<p>Anyway, I’m glad that someone in the program has replied. If you have any advice for my application, it would be much appreciated! I’m trying to apply as early as possible.</p>

6

<p>I’ve really looked into the MPA European Public and Economic Policy and wow, you were right. This is right up my alley.</p>

7

<p>I’m glad I can be of help but like I said I would really look at the global politics MSc or MSc in IPE, you have high grades but the one thing that the IR MSc looks for compared to the others is experience, the Global Politics is basically the IR MSc for newly graduated students. Also what university did you go to?</p>

8

<p>Actually a bit crazy, you’d get two masters one with international recogntion and one from the school you want to go to, a lot of people look down on the double degree but my GF is in LSE-PKU double degree and she said it was the best program she ever did. I know science po is your top choice but if you got rejected, you would have abetter shot through the double degree so think of it as an insurance application</p>

9

<p>Well, I certainly do not have any experience. Not in international relations, at least. Do you think this would hurt me a lot with the MPA European Public and Economic Policy?</p>

<p>I am going to think about the LSE-Sciences Po program. Are you talking about the LSE-Sciences Po European Affairs or International Affairs?</p>

<p>And I went to the University of Mississippi. Not the best name, but I got massive scholarships so I went.</p>

10

<p>For the MPA and MSc in IPE and Global politics you should be fine. One of my best friends here is from IPE and he came straight from college with no real internship or experience. Science Po European one I was discussing, since your so concentrated on Europe you really should set your sights on it. If you decide to apply to he MPA and Science Po-LSE double degree I would really suggest you emphasize your passion for European affairs by discussing your paper and your experiences in Europe. . I just said experience cause at least the MSc IR here everyone has had massive experience in internships or work . I interned at the embassy in Tajikstan and Kazakhstan while i was a student and took a year off between undergrad and grad to work at brookings and I had prob the least amount of experience out of all my IR classmates. Like I said the global politics MSc are kids I see that are straight out of college. I suggest you do your top choice the MPA then second choice LSE-Science Po and in your PS discuss your passion for european studies, that will be of great help.</p>

11

<p>Well, I’ve written my PS and have all of my documents loaded to LSE’s online application. I’m still waiting on my references. I placed the MPA as my top choice. Here goes nothing…</p>