<p>Hi all, so here's my question...</p>
<p>I want to apply to Columbia's SIPA program (Masters in International Affairs), but I'm not sure I have the credentials to get in yet - I would love some input from those who know better than I.</p>
<p>I'm graduating from UC Berkeley this May with a B.S. in Ecology and International Development (self-designed major). I will have roughly a 3.7/3.8 GPA and a decent number of International Development and Human Rights courses completed. I also have 2 years of French language courses. I will be taking the GRE this summer and expect to do fairly well.</p>
<p>My concern is that I don't have any professional international experience. I have quite a bit of work experience as an athletic coach (9 years) and competitive athletic program director (2 years), which I built from the ground up. I also have a fair amount of overseas experience (relative has an airline job, so I fly for free), but none of it working. I spent 3-4 months bicycling alone through the Balkans and Turkey, traveled through rural Laos for a month, and have been through most of Europe and Australia.</p>
<p>Do I have a shot at SIPA if I apply this Fall (for admission in 2010) or should I gain some more NGO/international work experience before applying? I'm going to be graduating with a fair load of debt, so volunteer experience isn't really an option right now.</p>
<p>Thanks for any advice</p>