<p>go to JHU, it has amazing IR</p>
<p>First of all, make sure to seperate undergrad and grad programs. They do not always overlap.</p>
<p>JHU's grad program in IR is not the same program as their undergrad one. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Is there any difference between:</p>
<p>Georgetown "SFS"
Johns Hopkins "SAIS"
Tufts "Fletcher School"</p>
<p>What are other schools like these?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>These are graduate programs at each of the schools. </p>
<p>Other programs are like the ones I listed on the previous page.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If one attends these top IR schools, wouldn't the competition in these programs be more of a hindrance than an advantage? If I attend one of these schools, wouldn't I have to be in the top of my class to earn these prized internships? I think it would be difficult to be surrounded by talented peers competing for the same goal as you. How would I, or anyone else, shince from the pack?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Nope. Think about it. When you apply for internships, you apply against applicants from schools nationwide. You don't just compete against your peers at your school. You compete against your peers from every other school in the nation.</p>
<p>According to a comprehensive</a> survey of international relations scholars.</p>
<p>Top doctoral programs for academic careers:
1. Harvard (491)
2. Columbia (318)
3. Stanford (309)
4. Princeton (284)
5. U Chicago (236)
6. Yale (190)
7. U Michigan (184)
8. UC Berkeley (176)</p>
<p>Taking away votes for almas matar, Columbia falls to fourth.</p>
<p>These are the top schools for policy careers:
1. Johns Hopkins (370)
2. Georgetown (353)
3. Harvard (267)
4. Tufts (255)
5. Columbia (252)
6. Princeton (221)
7. George Washington (149)
8. American (92)</p>
<p>Of course, this ranking doesn't entirely capture the strength of the undergraduate program. I would argue that Princeton's undergraduate program is underrated, for instance, because of the superior opportunities for advanced work and study afforded to Princeton undergrads in academic international relations. Harvard's program, similarly, I would argue is slightly overrated for undergraduates.</p>
<p>In any event, you also have to factor in the inherent graduate school resistance to accepting students from the undergraduate class. It's easier to get your PhD from Harvard if you go to a comparably prestigious university undergrad than if you go to Harvard. You also have to consider that letters of recommendation from top scholars are critical to admission; you're better off going to a slightly weaker school where you can work closely with high profile professors than standing undistinguished in a great department.</p>
<p>Going to a DC area school looks like the way to go if you want IR. If you can't get into the schools already mentioned (as my daughter couldn't). Other schools in the area that have IR are George Mason, Goucher, Randolph Macon, & Towson. Of these we thought that GM had the best IR program. They as a school aren't at GW, Georgetown, or American's level, but for those who can't get in there are still DC options!</p>
<p>Im kind of interested in IR and I was wondering what kind of jobs are available in this field....and do you guys know aprox how much money these jobs make?</p>
<p>If you have a career with the Department of State as a foreign service officer and have your bachelor's degree without any experience, the starting salary is about $40,000. If you have a masters without any experience, it's $55,000. It keeps going up. The more education and experience, the more you get paid. </p>
<p>What are some other jobs in the IR field that pay more than that. (Just wondering.)</p>
<p>Jonathan K.,</p>
<p>IR isn't exactly a rich man's field. $45-55 is about the range for starting salaries with the government. If you can get a consulting job with a private firm, you may expect a bit more. </p>
<p>By the way, STARTING salaries in State are around what you said. However, keep in mind that one can always climb the GS ladder and make more later. Education and experience don't hurt, but someone without an MA isn't necessarily precluded from getting a good salary.</p>
<p>This is probably a stupid question but, what is GS?</p>
<p>Do you reccommend any fields that are kind of related to IR?</p>
<p>How much money do ambassadors make? They can't be poor. lol</p>
<p>Sorry... GS is "general schedule," and refers to the pay ladder that the various agencies use in determining salary. Here's an example of one:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jobsfed.com/ipayschd.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.jobsfed.com/ipayschd.htm</a></p>
<p>So, let's use the DC schedule for a moment. According to JHU SAIS, most SAIS grads enter the fed on a GS 9 or higher level. Some even as high as GS 11. Now, when I looked into federal employment, I was told that most would enter in the third to fourth step. After that, moving up a step usually meant further education or having special skills (languages, for example.)</p>
<p>Other fields like IR? What do you mean, exactly? In terms of studies, or employment? </p>
<p>
[quote]
How much money do ambassadors make? They can't be poor. lol
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I don't know for certain, but they're almost definitely at the high end of the GS-scale, and most likely in the near-six figures or six figures range.</p>
<p>By the way, here's a good page to look and see what someone in the State Dept. Foreign Service can expect to make at the outset:</p>
<p>When I said other fields, I meant on terms of employment. :)</p>
<p>Yeah, I saw that chart for Foreign Service Officers. Do you think someone could get hired into the foreign service without any experience?</p>
<p>Depends on how well they do on the foreign service exam. ;)</p>
<p>Other fields of employment? Hm... this is kinda like asking, "What other fields do people with JDs go into other than law?" Sure, some people with JDs will do work outside of law, but the vast majority don't...</p>
<p>Well, a lot of the grads from IR/PS end up working for corporations, doing consulting and international accounting because of the strong math bias of the degree. But I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that it partly depends on the degree itself.</p>
<p>What could one do with a Master of German and European Studies? </p>
<p>That is a degree offered at either Gerogetown or Johns Hopkins. I don't remember. </p>
<p>Isn't Germany a European country? Why isn't the title just European Studies?</p>
<p>I'm assuming that it's to show that the holder of the degree is an expert on the particular field (e.g. Germany). </p>
<p>To be honest, I cannot say with any certainty what one would do with that degree. But I bet you could probably get a job with a German firm's American branch. Just think of the wonderful discounts BMW employees get... I could get that 3 Series I want so badly for a discount.</p>
<p>Why'd I have to fall in love with Japan? Sigh.</p>
<p>lol. Honestly, I wouldn't even consider a job in Japan. Talk about culture shock.</p>
<p>What city are you in?</p>
<p>Karatsu</a> City</p>
<p>Do you like it there?</p>
<p>Are you the only westerner living in Karatsu?</p>
<p>Actually...not all that much. I live in a town right outside of the actual city called Hizen. It's boring, rural, and lacks any real character.</p>
<p>I know... "OMG! Rural Japan has character...blah blah blah, traditional Japan, blah blah blah." This town has NO character. It's awful.</p>
<p>If you'll believe it, there are over 15 Westerners in Karatsu. FIFTEEN. OMG! We're like an army of freaks!</p>
<p>lol. I would never live in Asia. Maybe Dubai in the UAE but that's it. I'd definately vacation there though.</p>