<p>The most important things for top programs, in no particular order, are:</p>
<ul>
<li> Quantitative and economic ability (this usually means at least single variable differential calc and intro to micro and macroecon. Some finance doesn't hurt.)</li>
<li> At least one foreign language, preferably in your regional focus</li>
<li> Foreign experience</li>
<li> GRE of around 670+ on both sections</li>
<li> 3-5 years of work experience, preferably not teaching English in Asia (though that's what I did...:rolleyes:)</li>
<li> Demonstrated interest</li>
</ul>
<p>My main interest in in Africa/middle east.Therefore, i am currently learning arabic and swahili.Next summer, i am going on a volunteer mission to Africa to work at orphanages.Georgetown has been my number one school for a long time.However, William and Mary and BC are two that i have been looking more into.What do you know about them?I really appreciate all you have told me so far!</p>
<p>PS.I'm also leaning towards State department work.Any schools that specifically gear you for that?</p>
<p>I tend to believe that most people who are serious about working in international relations will have to get at least an MA to do anything interesting, so your undergrad is not terribly important. What you should be worried about is getting a well-rounded education in an area and economics and math/stats in general. </p>
<p>I think that BC is good, and two of my classmates (that I can think of) here at UCSD went there. William and Mary is an excellent institution, and would prepare you quite well.</p>
<p>No particular school will gear you for State. I'll be working for them this summer, and I've met people from tons of different schools. Besides, State's a HUGE organization with tons of different types of jobs.</p>
<p>Math? <em>shudders</em>Why do you suggest economics?I was thinking more human studies and such.
William and Mary has been really growing on me.I love history and that school is packed full of it.Plus the architecture is stunning and the classes challenging.</p>
<p>Math lets you understand econ, which lets you understand most of the truly important trends that effect people. If you want to do any truly substantial work in international relations (even in development or human rights) you'll need to understand the economic basics.</p>
<p>WOW, this is the only place I find online which discusses IR programs throughly. I face similar problems now.
I am a Chinese undergraduate student (receving all of my education in China except for 1 year exchange in the States) with no formal working experiences, and I have just been admitted to SAIS, GWU, U Chicago and Syracuse this year. </p>
<p>For financial reasons, I am choosing between U Chicago and GWU now. GWU offers me a little bit better financial package but U Chicago is an one-year program, and has a more individualized course plan. I plan to work for 1 or 2 years after the M.A's program and then pursue a law degree (have not taken LSAT yet). Ultimately, my interest would be to work in an International Organization. However, I heard that for international students, the career choices are very limited for those with a M.A.'s degree, usually only in NGOs or small think tanks. </p>
<p>What would you suggest ? between GWU and U chicago? Thanks a lot!</p>
<p>Hi everyone, i'm popping in here for a bit advice on undergrad programs</p>
<p>i didn't really figure out and settle on IR as somethig i would really love to pursue until fairly late in the process, and i'm kind of floundering now that i've realized my options are not really stellar for what i want to major in</p>
<p>admissions didn't quite go so well for me, so i'm left with just a few schools that even have an international..anything..program</p>
<p>right now i'm trying to decide between Miami University in Ohio, the University of Dayton, and Centre in Kentucky...not exactly the top notch programs i suppose, but does anyone have any advice for me? I haven't really been able to find out much of anything...</p>
<p>The things that will give you the best foundation in IR are math, econ, language, and opportunities to go abroad. Miami sounds like the best school for that, personally.</p>
<p>Do you mean I should take the one with more aids? </p>
<p>GWU offers me a lot more aids than U of Chicago.
But that was after I replied to U of Chicago to take their offer when GWU substantially raised their fellowship. </p>
<p>So, I guess now the choice is made. I know that it is very difficult for a foreigner with no strong economic background to pursue a career in this field. And the program that Chicago offers is more academic oriented, which means it will take many years for me to make ends meet. But anyway, it is my choice. </p>
<p>I really appreciate your help cuz there is very rare information I can get about the programs since I am in China now.</p>
<p>I don't think it's that hard for foreigners to pursue international relations. There are plenty of non-Americans doing IR in the US at think tanks/NGOs/non-profits. There are also a good number of foreigners teaching at universities. This quarter alone, three of my professors here at UCSD are from outside of the US. </p>
<p>Chicago is a great program. You'll do great! If you have any interest in terrorism studies, make sure to do some work with Robert Pape.</p>
<p>I'm looking at a bunch of IR grad programs, eg. SIPA, NYU, AU, etc. I'm really looking to get into international diplomacy. Seton Hall's Whitehead School keeps popping up. </p>
<p>diplomacy.shu.edu/</p>
<p>Anyone know anything about this school? It doesn't figure in any of the IR rankings, but seems to have a solid prohgram. what's the deal?</p>
<p>I've heard of the program quite a bit, but don't know much about it other than it supposedly is pretty solid. However, I tend to believe that you're always best off at a full member of APSIA, both for the recognition and resources. Seton Hall's program has promise, but it's pretty new (not even 10 years, I think.)</p>
<p>I tried several different searches and didn't come up with anything about this. </p>
<p>Anyone heard of USC's Public Diplomacy program? It looks interesting, but my understanding is that it's really new so I haven't been able to track down much, other than what's on their website. Any knowledge whatsoever would be helpful. :)</p>
<p>hey what's going on? Regarding this whole, "IR into law school or intl. business school" discussion, i had a somewhat related question. I'm also hoping to go to USC starting 2008, as a junior i'm at a JC right now, and i was planning on majoring in East Asians Studies, work a few years possibly abroad in Japan and then come back to get an M.B.A in Business and an M.A in East Asians Studies as a joint program (not like minor more like a double major thing). I mean business wise i should be safe this way, seeing how Asia is synonymous with economic growth. But i was just wondering, what do you guys think about this? The only worry i have is, that i'm afraid that during the period of time (1-2yrs) that i live/work in Japan, i won't be able to find any good or decent jobs with JUST a B.A in East Asians Studies, except for like teaching English or being a translator. Do you guys know of any jobs that i could try applying to if i follow this program? I don't mean like actual positions, just like general ideas...</p>
<p>Work in Japan for non-natives is INCREDIBLY hard to find. The truth is that unless you are 100% fluent/native-speaker level, you are pretty much limited to either working for a US company or teaching English.</p>
<p>Sorry, I don't mean to be discouraging, but it's pretty much the sad truth. Yes, there are rare opportunities for non-natives, but they are rare and oftentimes plagued with poor working environments. </p>
<p>My best recommendation is to try to work for an American company in Japan or work for your home government in Japan.</p>
<p>Also, RE: language requirements at IRPS. I checked the online course catalogue and see that only Bahasa is offer in the SE Asian realm...and only one single section (what would one do with the other 5 sections you are supposed to take?). Is this true that Bahasa is the only SE Asian option? You just informed the last poster that Thai is offered but I don't see this course listed. Lastly, if I settled upon SE Asia at IRPS, what do you suppose would be the most useful language between Thai, Bahasa, and Vietnamese?</p>
<p>being from SEA, i would say take bahasa. bahasa is applicable in both malaysia and indonesia (is also one of the official languages of singapore). thai and viet are limited to their own little boundaries. vietnam is definitely growing, and thailand definitely has the attention of the world community now (due the its political problems and whatnots), but bahasa, all in all, is the most widely used.</p>