<p>So, I was recently accepted to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) for a MSc. in "Politics and Communication" I will graduate next month with a double BA in Communications and International Studies.</p>
<p>Good GPA, a lot of internships and international study abroad experience, etc. (HAVEN'T TAKEN GREs)</p>
<p>My ultimate career goal is to work with a public relations firm doing government relations and public affairs. OR - I would really enjoy working within the communications/public affairs offices for the UN or State Department.</p>
<p>Therefore, is a ONE-YEAR MSc. in "Politics and Communication" program at LSE worth the 40K-50K loan?</p>
<p>Or would I be better off to work in Washington for a couple years, take the GRE and apply to schools like Georgetown, GW, SAIS, American, WWS, KSG, etc.</p>
<p>Does LSE really have the same recognition in the U.S. as it does in the U.K? Especially among potential employers (those in government, public relations, public affairs, lobbying, etc.)?</p>
<p>Alot of the IR schools like to see real life experience. I think even some of them require it. That's not to say that you can get in right out of college because it does happen. But, more recently it is my belief that real world experience is a big help. For example my Unc went to SAIS and I think the fact that he worked on the SanFran stock exchange for a time was a big help to get into the program. And also, you can want to see if your employer will play for your graduate school. I know of another person who is having her place of work (It's some think tank in DC, forget the name) pay for her to go to Gtown, GW, or American or something like that. So, in sum real work experience may be a big help. In my case, I'm not sure what to do because I want to co-opt it with a JD, but I think that I myself would look into maybe working a year or two as a research analyst in a DC think tank or something.</p>
<p>I guess it would depend on what you would like to do after the Degree. If you would like to work for an international organization or the state department a Masters from the LSE would definatly be well regarded and would show your potential employer that you have a good international experience. Even the president went there, in the West Wing anyway LOL. LSE as far as I know is well know in the USA and maybe just below Oxbridge in recognition for UK universities. Regarding the cost it is quite high. You should be quite sure of what you want to do if you accept it.</p>
<p>I don't really think a US program would be less expensive unless you can get your employer to pay all or part of it. I will be getting my masters in IR next year and even with good aid I will need to take out lots of loans.</p>