Get into Columbia graduate program?

Graduate School
1

<p>Here's the 'run down': I graduated from NYU a year early this past august. I've since been attending law school in the UK. Due to unforeseeable circumstances, I may be forced to return to the US. </p>

<p>So, my question is can I get into Columbia for their M.A. in Human Rights? </p>

<p>My GPA from NYU was low, 3.35 with a double major in philosophy and politics and a minor in psychology. Don't really have any current grades because of how the UK system works. </p>

<p>My CV: </p>

<p>--> Relevant Coursework 2009-2012: Gender in Law (A), Theories of Justice (A), Advanced Topics in Ethics and Political Philosophy (A), Current Moral and Social Issues (A), Political Sociology (A), Introduction to Comparative Political Analysis (A-), Constitutional Law I (B+), American Constitution (B+), Ethics (B+), American Government I (B+), International Politics (B+), Dictatorship and Democracy (B), History of Political Thought (B)</p>

<p>--> Informal teaching experience: During a summer course at NYU (Gender in Law) I presented a project to students on LGBTQ legal topics, and theories of sex, sexuality and gender. Spanned 2 lecture periods for a total of 4 hours. </p>

<p>--> I had internships with the New York City District Attorney's Office last year, and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office before that. </p>

<p>--> Currently writing articles for an academic law blog hosted by my University on legal issues pertaining to sex and gender. </p>

<p>--> Participated in six academic conferences since October pertaining to international law, prostitution law, pornography law, etc. </p>

<p>--> Head Editor of International Law for my university's law review </p>

<p>--> Compete in mooting competitions hosted by the University's mooting society; winner of the fall competition </p>

<p>--> I also have my own human rights blog which focuses on sex and gender issues in law</p>

<p>I plan to pursue a PhD-JD program after completion of the MA program, doing my PhD in philosophy focusing on ethics/political philosophy/philosophy of law. Obviously joint programs are very competitive, so I may have to split up my JD and PhD. After that I would like to (hopefully) be a legal academic. </p>

<p>One of my letters of rec was written by the professor who taught my Gender in Law course - after my presentation in her class, she has now founded a new MA program at NYU based around an understanding of gender theory which I presented last summer; she made books which I recommended to her required readings for the program. Needless to say, in her own words she told them "I walk on water". </p>

<p>So, do I have a chance of getting in? Apologies for how long this is!!!</p>

2

<p>Columbia’s MA program in Human Rights is a major cash cow. Your GPA is good, you have relevant coursework and experiences, so if you write a good personal statement I’m betting you can get in. I wouldn’t expect much financial aid, though.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your feedback juillet :slight_smile: </p>

<p>I’ve tried doing research on opinions about the program, but they seem to be hard to find. Is the program a good program to your knowledge? </p>

<p>I’ve seen other people suggest that rather than an MA in Human Rights students should go for an MA in politics/IR with a focus on human rights. The reason I want to opt for the human rights program is specifically because it focuses on human rights and let’s me ‘mooch’ courses from multiple departments - e.g. the law school (I hope to take quite a few law courses).</p>

4

<p>Bump.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any input about the quality of the program? </p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>