<p>MoveForward,</p>
<p>Given that SIPA is not likely to be thaaaaaat much stronger job-wise, I’m inclined to say go with Fletcher. It’s a great program and does more than well enough in the job market.</p>
<p>Thanks UCLAri!</p>
<p>I’ve just been accepted to this program and would love to hear from people familiar with it and its reputation.
I applied last minute and think I probably could get into a more highly ranked school (I have extensive professional experience and two Master’s degrees from prestigious places) but if I get funding I might seriously go.
Thanks for any and all info.</p>
<p>So I’m about halfway through my International Business/Finance degrees at Georgetown and have started to think about graduate school. One program I found that seemed very suitable was Pittsburgh. </p>
<p>Eventually, I want to work for the World Bank/UN/ etc. Pittsburgh’s program (with the joint degree option) gives one year at Pittsburgh, one year at the University of Geneva, Switzerland (where you earn your International Organizations MBA and intern for the United Nations) then finish up your last semester at Pitt where you earn your masters of International Development (or affairs, I haven’t decided yet). </p>
<p>I will have around $70,000 in debt from undergrad. With in state tuition (I’m from PA) the program is only $18000/year assuming NO aid assistantship etc (I’m hoping I will gain some aid). Let’s say I’ll be around $110,000 in debt. However, I’ll have my undergrad, an MBA, and MA. Although I would love to work in the development sector for the UN etc, would working on Wall Street say 2 years or so be feasible to pay off my debt? (I will be 24 after I graduate). I’d like to do the Peace Corps eventually as well, so add another two years. Starting my “actual” career at 27, after I slave away paying off my debt? </p>
<p>I know this is A LOT of info and the plan is just an outline, but based on where I want to go does this program sounds reasonably fit to my goals?</p>
<p>If I could get in I think Princeton Woodrow Wilson School probably gets its pick of the best students since it is FREE, and let’s face it, IR jobs do not exactly pay tons of money so crushing debt from SAIS or Kennedy may not be ideal.</p>
<p>Is WWS really free?</p>
<p>Hi Everyone,</p>
<p>Having graduated from a mid-level University (Minnesota) with an okay GPA (3.47), but with extensive non-profit and some professional-level project management experience, I feel that I am currently sitting on somewhere between the top and second-tier IR programs.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any insight into MA programs that may not be top-tier (SIPA, SAIS, SFS, Fletcher…), but still offer a good education and can be a good segue into a policy career? </p>
<p>Thanks for all of your help!</p>
<p>Hi, I know there’s no sure way to predict the chances one has to get into top-tier programs, but feel like maybe you guys could help me find out where I should realistically apply, since I’m from Germany and don’t know a great deal about US admission procedures etc. Since I don’t have much money and have a sure scholarship if I went to a school in the EU, I don’t wanna take on a lot of debt. Are there good scholarships for International students to study IR that you know of?</p>
<p>My profile:
Major German University, one degree (B.A.) in East Asian Politics, I’ll probably have a 1.1 to 1.3 as my final mark (I don’t know what that would be in GPA, 1 is the best mark in Germany, 4 the worst (to pass)), another B.A. (simultaneously) in China studies and Math, altogether 1.7-2.0 (Math: 2.5, China studies: 1.0-1.1)
Our IR department is really strong, one of the strongest in Germany, I’ve got good grades there and will get a LOR from there, too
Already did an internship in China (microcredits) and volunteered both there and in Germany
Will go to China for a year abroad and applied for an internship in a German Embassy
Am fluent in English, Chinese; read Japanese, Arab, French and Spanish; German’s my mother tongue
Have no work experience to speek of
I’m somewhat younger than your typical grad school applicant, having skipped a couple of grades.</p>
<p>My goal:
I wanna join the German Foreign Service. I want to first get my M.A. in IR, then do a Ph.D., probably in International Political Economy.</p>
<p>Which programs do you think would be most fitting for my goals? And where could I have a shot (also at financial aid maybe)?</p>
<p>JHU SAIS has the best program in China studies in the world, david lampton is the best non Chinese scholar on Chinese foreign policy in the world. It also requires you to take a concentration in International economics is a boon to you because what you want to do later. But the China Studies program has become one of the most competitive programs at SAIS. In general the students are a bit older from others and they have spent years in China and indeed have fluent Chinese as in reading writing everything 4 years of college education and one or two years in China is definitely not enough for fluency and I’d suggest you write proficient in it if you indeed decide to send your transcripts. Your grades are very high and but you will need to take the GRE but if you can work for the German consulate that will be of great help. In general if you want to do an area studies in SAIS, especially the Asian ones the people I know that are in the China/Korea/Japan programs have EXTENSIVE experience in their respective region. Columbia University is also good for China related and East Asia in general and at SIPA you would be able to take classes at the Weatherhead institute of East Asian Studies. UCSD’s program is Asia specific in general but I don’t know much about them. Georgetown is strong in the Middle East and not that much in China even though they do have a fantastic Japan specialist there. Take the GRE, spend 2-4 years in China to really boost up your language ability and your understanding of the region (2012 Xi JinPing will be the new chairman and its a really exciting time to be in China due to the fact that China will be losing what probably has become their most successful chairman ever even though the censors now are really really going at it and its hard to go on to non Chinese websites even with a VPN)</p>
<p>I have exactly the same problem as you! My dad is so adamant!</p>
<p>Hi all. I just scoured all 25 pages of this thread, and was wondering if there’s a difference in the level of difficulty in entering the different options for SAIS’s China Studies Program (2 years in Nanjing, 1 year in Nanjing/ another in D.C., both years in D.C.). I understand that the program in itself is highly competitive, I was just curious about any possible variations.</p>
<p>Also–does anyone know anything about the LSE/ PKU double degree program? I’ve looked over their website but they don’t really give any statistics or student profiles. I’ve heard that the incoming class size is considerably smaller than the top U.S. programs.</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! :)</p>
<p>This is an extremely informative site. </p>
<p>I’m currently an attorney w/ no previous experience in international affairs… other than an LL.M. in International Law from Georgetown; that’s getting pretty rusty from non-use. I’ve since, married an Indonesian woman and have been taking bahasa classes (not even close to the easy language people think it is), and would like to go into some sort of int’l business/Int’l relations position that in that area of the world. </p>
<p>I was wondering if UCLAri, or any other knowledgeable persons here, have any information about George Mason’s ICP program? Its seems to be 1/2 MBA and 1/2 MA, but wondering about others opinion of how well they are at placing people in international positions in the private sector. I’m thinking that I’d be interested most in SAIS, IR/IP, and the ICP programs. However, I was an average law student, and a mediocre undergrad student.</p>
<p>I also went to UCLA as an undergrad (double in econ & pol. sci.), but have never worked in either area. So would definitely need to brush up on my econometrics and stats. Any info is greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Bump please!</p>
<h2>I just discovered this thread, which has been extremely informative and helpful. I was hoping that someone could look over my stats and see if I am competitive for the top programs.</h2>
<p>Undergraduate GPA: 3.83 overall, 3.96 for my Russian GPA – University of Wisconsin - Madison
GRE: 670 V, 740 Q, 4 A
International Experience: 7 months study abroad in Russia. I am also going to be going back to Russia on a Fulbright Fellowship. </p>
<p>What I don’t have: Strong quantitative background. I took Pre-Calc, Calc, and Stats all in high school so that I wouldn’t have to take it in college. I am currently taking a micro-economics course at my community college. My analytical writing is also low, but I think I can make up for it in my statement of purpose. </p>
<p>SIPA is my number one choice, and I’ll be applying to GW, Georgetown, HKS, SIS. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!</p>
<p>Hi everyone, I was wondering if you guys could give me some advice about applying for these programs for Fall 2012. I’m interested in Middle East affairs and am applying to many different programs because I’m unsure about where I will get in. SIPA, SAIS, WW, Georgetown MA in Security Studies, Fletcher, American, Elliot, UMD, HKS, Yale, Syracuse, NYU GSAS MA, The New School, and Seton Hall. I am also considering applying to joint JD/MA programs at these schools as well. Here is my info:</p>
<p>GPA: 3.27 from Cornell
Major: Psychology, Minors: International Relations + Spanish
Languages: Spanish- somewhat fluent but rusty, Hebrew- beginner, Arabic- very very beginner
Coursework in economics, statistics, linear algebra
Study abroad for 6 months at the Universidad de Sevilla in Spain - lived w a Spanish family, took classes with Spanish students
GRE: taking it in September, but both sections should be around 90-95th %ile
Summer internship experience at 1 senate office and 2 congressional offices
Currently interning for the Israeli Mission to the UN in NYC</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice about joint JD/MA programs? Is it worth it to apply to these? Does it have a detrimental impact on the application?</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know anything about the programs at NYU GSAS or The New School? I know they aren’t APSIA schools but I’d really like to be in NYC…</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Unfortunately SIPA, SAIS, WW, Georgetown, Fletcher, Elliot, HKS, Yale are almost certainly out of your reach even with a great GRE score (more to do with lack of work experience). American/UMD might be doable if you do well on the GRE (at least high 600s). The others I don’t know.</p>
<p>Dear All,
I’ve just discovered this forum and it seems like everyone who are offering advice knows what they are talking about. I am a recent Graduate from Turkey. One of the best colleges there wth 3.58 GPA from International Relations (studied with scholarship). Besides from my Turkish I am fluent in English and intermediate in both French and Spanish. During my undergrad I went to Erasmus- Exchange for 6 months to Bordeaux Management School (BEM- one of the top MBA schools in FT list). I have 2 different internships in Healthcare businesses. One being General Electric. I am currently working in GE Healthcare for 4 months and I’ll continue it till I got into one of the programs. </p>
<p>During my undergrad I had some scholarships and attended to some voluntary works.</p>
<p>I didn’t take the GMAT yet but will take it soon.</p>
<p>Can someone kindly tell me what is my probability to be accepted to top tier masters like the ones talked before (SAIS, SIPA, Harvard etc.) </p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I am a recent college graduate (June '11), who is currently looking to apply for admissions for Fall '12. I graduated from a good West Coast public school with a 3.71 GPA, and have been working at public affairs firm doing domestic work since then. I took the GRE, and only received score ranges (680-780V, 750-800Q), and will have to wait for my actual scores until November.</p>
<p>In terms of international experience, I only recently decided that I wanted to pursue this degree, and have only really done a semester of study abroad in Hong Kong. I am a beginner in a couple of languages, but far from proficient.</p>
<p>I want to apply to IR/PS, and think I have a decent shot of getting in, but in terms of other highly ranked schools, should I bother applying?</p>
<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I don’t know if anyone visits this thread anymore. But I thought I’d give it a try considering all the amazing info I found here.</p>
<p>I’m in the processing of applying to MAIR programs at JHU SAIS, Syracuse Maxwell, Elliott GWU, SIPA Columbia, Korbel Denver, SFS Georgetown and SIS American. </p>
<p>I’d really appreciate it if anyone could tell me whether I have a shot at any of the aforementioned schools.</p>
<p>Here are my stats:</p>
<p>Previous University: University of Mumbai, India (highly regarded in the country)
Undergrad Degree: Bachelor of Engineering(Information Technology)
UG GPA: We don’t have the GPA system in India but from what I gather mine is a little below 3.0
GRE: 600V, 740Q, 4.0 AWA
Math/econ background: Five semesters of math including statistics and calculus, no econ background except a basic course in Industrial economics</p>
<p>Other education: After my undergrad degree, I changed tracks and got into journalism. I received a post-graduate diploma in journalism from one of the top 10 journalism schools in India, top of my class with a GPA of 3.7 or so</p>
<p>Work exp: By the time I enroll, I will have 2 years experience working with two of India’s top national dailies The Indian Express and Hindustan Times as a reporter writing on environment, wildlife and civic issues. While in undergrad, I did a three month internship with a youth magazine and wrote on lifestyle and entertainment.</p>
<p>I don’t have much in the way of international experience other than reporting on a two-week international meeting of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in which about 170 countries participated. I wrote on sustainability, biodiversity governance with an international perspective. </p>
<p>I’ve traveled abroad to the UK, France, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey but haven’t lived anywhere other than India.</p>
<p>Languages: Fluent in Hindi and English. Did three years of French in school but don’t remember much. Planning to take a Spanish class over the next year.</p>
<p>Field of interest for grad: Foreign policy, comparative and regional studies</p>
<p>Work in future: I want to continue in journalism but write on regional issues with an international perspective</p>
<p>I would be so grateful to anyone who can tell me if I stand a chance at all. </p>
<p>Also, how is the IR program at Boston and the public affairs program at UT Austin and Mizzou?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>Hi, I posted this in a new thread before I found this one which seems more relevant so accept my apologies for the cross-posting. </p>
<p>Does anyone have any input or ideas as to the relative strength of the University of Washington international studies program? I was interested in their accelerated, 10-month Master’s program (the only reason I’d been looking at it was because of the accelerated program; I’ve had trouble finding a wide selection of other accelerated programs), however, I have some real trepidation about the relative quality of the school after reading their website.</p>
<p>I’m specifically talking about their “Advisory Board” (<a href=“http://jsis.washington.edu/jackson/board.shtml”>http://jsis.washington.edu/jackson/board.shtml</a>) which just seems to be a bunch of middle managers from exclusively Seattle-based companies. This raises some red flags to me that the local yokels are the best they can get to sit on their advisory board. Also, the bios of their board members are pretty strangely written. For instance: </p>
<p>“William T. Robinson is a pilot, as well as an attorney with business in Russia. He is competent although not fluent in Russian. Bill is very involved with the Rural Development Institute (RDI) and is on their board. He has even done some fundraising for them.”</p>
<p>As far as I can tell from this bio, Mr. Robinson owns the Rosetta Stone “Intro to Russian” course and sold some raffle tickets for the RDI. </p>
<p>There’s another fellow whose bio simply mentions he manages a chain of 8 dry cleaners and is a longtime basketball season ticket holder. I don’t want to sound aloof, but I frankly don’t know how much I would learn from an IS program being advised by a dry cleaner. </p>
<p>Their “diplomat in residence” has a very vague summary of his career that doesn’t mention any details about his diplomatic postings other than a few city names. I’m not sure if his terminal position was as charge d’affairs in Bukina Fasso or what. </p>
<p>Finally, there are several pretty glaring spelling and grammar errors on their site, which I think should be a big red flag as well. </p>
<p>Am I reading too much into this and this is really a stellar, top-flight school, or is it basically a peer institution with Norwich University (which is how they present themselves)? </p>