<p>Hi guys,</p>
<p>I am a 25 year old British citizen currently working on research proposals with an eye on applying for PhD programs for 2010 admissions. I am looking at some US universities. I have 2 considerations:</p>
<p>(a) The college should offer considerable financial assistance to accepted PhD students irrespective of citizenship.</p>
<p>(b) I dont really like huge cities. I mean 200k-400k is my limit in terms of population. I know this rules out some great schools. </p>
<p>2 questions, given my preferences, which schools would you recommened? (I am already in touch with Stanford and American University [practical location for my field, and full fee aid] ), are there any other schools outside the Ivy League with resources to consider full free/costs packages?</p>
<p>Now for my competitiveness. I have a BA (honours) with a high 2.1 (like a 3.5/4 equivalent) and an excellent Masters degree with Merit and a Distinction for my MA research project.</p>
<p>I have also interned in parliament, in the City of London and taught privately. I play club Cricket and enjoy Tennis as my extracurriculars. </p>
<p>Do I stand a chance at HYP?</p>
<p>No one has any insight for me?</p>
<p>The title states PhD in International Relations.</p>
<p>My specialist subfields are Democratisation and Foreign Policy Analysis [US, UK and Pakistan].</p>
<p>Sorry – I read the content without paying attention to the title.</p>
<p>Although I’m not familiar with IR programs in general, I’m somewhat familiar with Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School. As you know, admissions there are extremely competitive; however, your internships and research experience will weigh in your favor. Much will depend on how you measure up to previous admits from your UK university – for instance, how a high 2.1 is viewed depends on the program’s calibration and past history with UK students. Also, while your internship and research will be critical information to provide, your tennis and cricket playing have no place on a graduate school application. Generally, in the US, extracurriculars count heavily for undergraduate and medical school admissions only, and have no bearing, unless related to the specific field, on graduate school admissions.</p>
<p>Most American PhD programs offer some sort of assistance, if not a full-ride, for citizens and permanent residents. As an international student, you’ll have to look closely at each program to determine how they treat non-US citizens since some will not offer any financial aid to international students. (There’s usually a section for international students on each web site.) I would expect IR programs to strive for international diversity, however, and often the only way to do that is to offer funding. </p>
<p>I hope this message will bump this thread to the top where someone more knowledgeable in the field will see it and answer.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insight. </p>
<p>Who is the best poster to get inside info on for this situation?</p>
<p>I don’t know. I suggest that you read the entire “So you want to get a masters in IR” thread to see if an expert has chimed in.</p>
<p>bumped.</p>
<p>Whats a good GRE score?</p>