Ranking International Relation Programs

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I am planning to apply to a Masters in IR program about two or three years down the road, but have already started researching schools just because I think it is never too early to start. I graduated from Northwestern University last year with majors in History and East Asian Studies; speak fluent Mandarin, have about three years' experience with Korean and am planning to pick up Indonesian sometime soon. I have also been following this thread for some time now, albeit without contributing.</p>

<p>I am particularly interested in IR/PS, primarily because my area of focus at undergraduate level was China and Korea, and I hope to continue studying it in depth. </p>

<p>Could UCLAri or somebody else in the know please provide me with their thoughts about the program based on personal experiences? From the information I have gathered on the IR/PS website, and some of the posts here, it seems to be highly-focused on economics/business in the Pacific region, and I wonder what the prospects will be like for somebody who is more interested in International Security or Regional Studies (according to the website, a program can be tailored around the latter)?</p>

<p>UCLAri, I understand that you are focusing on security from one of your previous posts, and would be extremely grateful if you could take the time to just share some of your thoughts. </p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Tanayl,</p>

<p>Though there's definitely an economic bent here at IR/PS, security is definitely an area that gets studied. Plus, if you do the IR career track, you get to study with some big names in the field.</p>

<p>I know I'm going to sound like a shill (as always), but I think for someone focused on the Pacific Rim, this place is a great option. Personally, I think the fact that everyone comes out with economics and quantitative skills just means that we're in much better positions come job time, as we're well-rounded.</p>

<p>ULCAri,</p>

<p>Thanks for your response, and don't worry about shilling. I am extremely impressed by UCSD's program and like you, I care more about the reputation of the department than about the prestige of the university as a whole (though as an international student, I won't have the luxury of paying California resident fees! =p). </p>

<p>I agree with that stuff about having a strong quantitative background - it seems like a very important skillset to have these days. I really regret not taking any economic classes in college, and I plan to build an alternative transcript, starting now.</p>

<p>ok...you guys all seem really knowledgeable in IR schools...i'm applying to many elite schools(george washington among others) and am hoping to major in IR. i really want a safety school that i can get into really easily....i hear syracuse has a program? any other schools around that level?
thanks</p>

<p>kingstrackstar,</p>

<p>Stats? It'll help me to figure out where you are in terms of applications and safeties.</p>

<p>One more question UCLA (you have been very helpful thus far =]) how many years of schooling would I need to work at CIA analyst type position, or anything like it. Thanks!</p>

<p>Bare minimum is a BA. However, from what I've been told at the little informational seminars and by people working for the agency, graduate education is highly sought after. I'd say that if you can get in with a BA, great. However, don't be surprised if you end up needing an MA or more.</p>

<p>California-Bolt, I think you would be best getting an MA if you want to work for the CIA, you would be a much more attractive candidate. I'm a grad student in IR and one of my friends is applying to the CIA and this is the impression I have gotten from her.</p>

<p>Agreed.</p>

<p>However, if you can get in without getting an MA, all the better I say. The agency pays for graduate education, so it's actually MUCH better to get in with a BA only...even if it's tough.</p>

<p>"California-Bolt, I think you would be best getting an MA if you want to work for the CIA, you would be a much more attractive candidate. I'm a grad student in IR and one of my friends is applying to the CIA and this is the impression I have gotten from her."</p>

<p>Ahh most definately. I plan on getting my MA if all goes well. Does your friend also speak a foreign language? For alot of the IR undergraduate programs, you need a foreign language. I'm pretty fluent in Japanese, but I wonder how useful that would be in a CIA type position.</p>

<p>Again, thanks guys =]</p>

<p>Fluent language ability is VERY VERY VERY important for intelligence. It's one of the most highly sought after skills for the CIA, DIA, NSA, and even FBI. I was told, flat out, that if I could get my Japanese to a specific threshold that I was looking at a $5-10K signing bonus and a salary differential at an agency I can't name. </p>

<p>Language is of paramount importance. And although Japanese is no longer one of the top languages for the agencies, it's still important.</p>

<p>My friend does speak a foreign language but not one relevant to intelligence. However, she has already done an internship with the CIA so I'm pretty sure they will take her. I think Japanese would be pretty useful if you're good.</p>

<p>CIA recently downgraded Japanese from a highest need language to something right below that. C'est la vie.</p>

<p>I'd say that any language is relevant, though. Unless that foreign language is Esperanto. Then it's just dumb. :p</p>

<p>william and mary...</p>

<p>uclari...
dont they usually have even higher signing bonuses and salaries if u speak 3+ languages</p>

<p>To the best of my knowledge, you get a signing bonus for each language, but the pay differential is all or nothing. I may be wrong on that though, as it's never been clearly explained to me.</p>

<p>However, I can say that if you're brought on to do work for one agency to translate or interpret language X they will make sure to help keep you fresh on language Y and Z if need be. </p>

<p>But, remember that when they mean fluency they mean fluency. Front page of the newspaper fluency. Reading economics briefs in other languages fluency. Not "I can read manga" fluency.</p>

<p>Another question for UCLAri (probably another of many). What type of internships are available to IR major undergrads? Thanks</p>

<p>Plenty. The various government agencies offer tons of internships that pertain to what you're studying (CIA, NSA, DIA, State, DoD). There are also plenty of NGOs that need someone with IR knowledge. Think tanks are a bit tougher, but doable.</p>

<p>I did an internship for an NGO as an undergrad, by the way. There are tons of them in DC and NY available and generally untapped.</p>

<p>yeah i know
like
go to college
take the language (every class they offer for it...study abroad, and take like a year vacation to the place fluency)</p>

<p>anyway
yeah i had this teacher that was tellin me that the military will hire you for languages (if u speak multiple...liek i think 3 plus) and they pay you tons of money to give intense foreign language training to military personnel in southern california...he said that u go down in isolation and basically just teach language for like 8-10 hrs a day or somethin, for a few months</p>

<p>I did an internship in a think tank when I was an undergrad. and it was an amazing experience. It's why I'm in an IR grad program now. There are lots of think tanks beyond just the big ones that people know and most have internships. Be aware however that most don't pay or pay only a small stipend.</p>