Ranking International Relation Programs

<p>I'm pretty sure that on the graduate level, at least last year, GW was #7.
I'm not sure that all the schools you listed were ahead of it, it might have been slightly different. I am thinking of the ranking that was done by Foreign Policy Magazine. Really, it is all subjective anyway. It's where you fit that counts.</p>

<p>This thread is amazing! I read through nearly all 45 pages! Now, I have some questions of my own, and thanks in advance for your input. </p>

<p>I am currently a graduating senior from St. Louis U. joining the Peace Corps, departing in June for a francophone W. Africa country in the small business development sector. I would like to begin an IR/policy-related grad program immediately after the two years of service. This means I will have to endure the application process from Africa. I am attempting to gather as much info. as possible prior to my departure. </p>

<p>Just took the GRE last week: 510 verbal 700 quant. I worry about my verbal score. My undergrad degree is BS in finance, economics and minor in Int'l Business (overall GPA 3.6). I grew up in Taiwan until my teens so am fluent in Mandarin and Taiwanese, will hopefully gain complete fluency in French after the Peace Corps. I've held many private sector internships (mostly investment related), lived/worked abroad in the UK (interned at the US Embassy-Commerce, not State Dept).</p>

<p>I would like to apply for the NSEP Boren fellowship to learn Russian in whichever grad program I end up, preferably the opportunity to spend at least a semester if not a year in Russia. My studies of focus will be int’l development. Here is a list I’ve compiled, in no particular order: </p>

<p>Columbia SIPA
Georgetown SFS
George Washington Elliot
John Hopkins SAIS
Syracuse Maxwell
Upenn Fels (MGA)
American
Fordham IPED
Yale MacMillan </p>

<p>I haven’t heard the programs at Yale, Fordham or Upenn being discussed. Financing will be an issue for me since I’ll have more than 30k of debt from undergrad and two years of making no money. </p>

<p>With all that being said, my questions are: 1.) Are the schools on the list realistic? 2.) Any other schools you suggest? 3.) Input on the Fordham program (I can attend for free if accepted). 4.) Any one school over another you would suggest given the information I’ve provided? </p>

<p>Sorry for the lengthy post! Looking forward to your responses!</p>

<p>PEEJAY, </p>

<p>I was also thinking of the Foreign Policy Ranking. I'm fairly confident that all the schools I mentioned were ahead of GW, with the exception of IR/PS, which is a special situation of sorts. I believe GW is immediately behind those top six, so you are right. I agree that there really isn't much difference between GW and American and the top six. For what its worth, though, at the consulting firm in DC where I just finished interning, SAIS and Georgetown students invariably get interviews over people from no-name schools. I'm not sure if this is because their resumes are better to begin with, or its just the prestige, but take it for what its worth. </p>

<p>trendycafe, </p>

<p>I think you have a shot everywhere. You have three things going for you that will make up for your (slightly) low GPA and verbal score. First, everything fits together. You have finance internships, small business work in the Peace Corps, and a business major. Make sure to write a personal statement about how you want to work in microfinance, small business development, or whatever. You also clearly have plenty of language and quantitative ability, which helps. Finally, the fact that you aren't a native English speaker should help offset your GRE verbal. </p>

<p>I can tell you though, that you will not learn Russian to any useful level in one summer or one year. Honestly, unless you intend to live in Russia for several years (which doesn't seem to dovetail with idev) it's probably too late. </p>

<p>Maybe consider adding Harvard Kennedy School's MPA/ID program to your list. It's two years of almost PhD-level economics all focused on development. It's also very highly regarded. I think SAIS is probably the best school on your list for what you seem to be interested in. Go check out the emerging markets specialty on their website.</p>

<p>samonite16 :
Thanks for the reply. I was thinking more of private international law, something that doesn't have to do with UN and human rights work. If it is difficult to get into right out of law school, what would you do after law school?</p>

<p>This is a really great, informative thread you have going on here.
Thank you guys for everything.</p>

<p>I'm looking for some advice pertaining to my complex issue.</p>

<p>I attend a relatively unknown public university in Pennsylvania (West Chester University) and I am a sophomore International Relations BA major with a minor in French (which I might possibly augment to a double major). I am receiving decently high marks (I have a 3.83 GPA).</p>

<p>I will be studying abroad through Rutgers University in Tours, France for a year looking to become fluent in French. I am already fluent in Spanish.</p>

<p>I have to two important questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I have the option of transferring to Rutgers University for my junior year, travel abroad through their program for a year and then come back, finish the rest of my undergrad there (possibly do an extra semester due to loss of transfer credits). The sole reason I would transfer would be for the sake of Rutgers' name recognition. Do you guys think my chances of getting into a top 20 IR school would drastically improve if I transferred to a school with more of a name recognition?</p></li>
<li><p>My other option is staying at West Chester. Hopefully graduating with the same marks that I am receiving now, with studying abroad for a year on my r</p></li>
</ol>

<p>This is really a fantastic thread! I got so much useful information from all of you. Thank you very much.</p>

<p>I have been offered by MIIS(Monterey Institute of International Studies) with scholarship 10000 USD per year. The major is international trade policy. I know many IR programs have the concentration on international economics but MIIS has this unique focus of trade policy--that's want I want. However I am a little worried about its reputation in DC/NY. It's really a small program (20 students per year in trade policy?) Do any of you know anything about MIIS? I appreciate any comments you give.</p>

<p>Deep thanks!</p>

<p>Me too. I was just accepted to Monterey's MA Intl Environment Policy program (class size 35) and I am currently trying to decide between Monterey and U Denver MA International Development. </p>

<p>Both are equally as inaccessible to DC/NYC and the money/scholarships I have been offered are comparable - so those are moot points. </p>

<p>I am indecisive because;</p>

<p>1) Denver is ranked much higher than Monterey
2) Monterey has econ and language req (Spanish) and Denver has waived them for me (making me think that at Monterey I will be getting a better education and not just 'sliding by')
3) Monterey has the Intl Enivronment specialization - which I am passionate about. (Denver can be tailored to reflect almost anything)</p>

<p>One of my concerns is that the environment specialization will pigeon hole me and reduce my employment options - then again I fear that a MA in International Development is not lucrative. </p>

<p>My two questions for the thread are which school should I attend???? and should I not specialize in environment policy when development money is going toward reducing poverty???? (I can still switch to a more general MA International Policy/Affairs...)</p>

<p>Please advise. There is so much talk on this thread about the top six or so schools and very little regarding Denver and Monterey - Yes I know they are both good, but any help/info would be appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Hello --</p>

<p>I was recently accepted into MA programs at both GWU Elliott and American's School of International Service, both for a Master's in International Affairs. Does anyone have any advice/experience? I am trying to decide between the two and I am having a hard time. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>they are both very good programs, though it depends on what exactly you are doing as to which is better. some more info would be helpful.</p>

<p>What info would help? I'm an International Relations and History major, about to graduate in May...I'm interested in working for the government and for non-profits. I've also had a lot of experience working with educational and cultural affairs programs.</p>

<p>What do you think of going to LSE for undergrad IR, then going to the US for either Tufts, Georgetown, or other top postgrad IR programs?
Or do you think it's better to make a headstart in the US for undergrads in order to get into one of the top IR masters?
I am now to decide between lse and tufts.</p>

<p>Hey I will get a MA from a European School at the end of the spring semester and was just admitted to SIPA, SAIS, and HKS (Harvard Kennedy School, ex-KSG) for fall 2008. I am planning on going into journalism and/or media management internationally and particularly in the US (Im not American). I have the toughest time deciding on which school is the best fit for my project. SAIS is supposedly the best, Columbia is in NY and Harvard is Harvard + the Shorenstein Center sounds YUMMY... There are so many factors to take into account that it pretty much makes me dizzy whenever I try and think about it. Also I know for sure that I will be a lot younger than most people in all 3 pgms.</p>

<p>Anyone for a fresh insight on my situation?</p>

<p>Thx</p>

<p>Paddington,</p>

<p>My opinion? Go to Harvard. You're talking about selling your degree name if you go outside of the IR niches. SAIS is quite good, but I think you'll have an easier time selling the Harvard name to media companies.</p>

<p>Any idea how well-known/respected among government institutions/non-profits is the James Madison College in Michigan State? Just wondering</p>

<p>I added this before and received no response, hopefully someone can answer this time:</p>

<p>This is a really great, informative thread you have going on here.
Thank you guys for everything.</p>

<p>I'm looking for some advice pertaining to my complex issue.</p>

<p>I attend a relatively unknown public university in Pennsylvania (West Chester University) and I am a sophomore International Relations BA major with a minor in French (which I might possibly augment to a double major). I am receiving decently high marks (I have a 3.83 GPA).</p>

<p>I will be studying abroad through Rutgers University in Tours, France for a year looking to become fluent in French. I am already fluent in Spanish.</p>

<p>I have to two important questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>I have the option of transferring to Rutgers University for my junior year, travel abroad through their program for a year and then come back, finish the rest of my undergrad there (possibly do an extra semester due to loss of transfer credits). The sole reason I would transfer would be for the sake of Rutgers' name recognition. Do you guys think my chances of getting into a top 20 IR school would drastically improve if I transferred to a school with more of a name recognition?</p></li>
<li><p>My other option is staying at West Chester. Hopefully graduating with the same marks that I am receiving now, with studying abroad for a year on my r</p></li>
</ol>

<ol>
<li> I think it helps to have that level of difference, yes.</li>
<li> If you can do well on the GRE, you can mitigate some of the problems.<br></li>
</ol>

<p>The advantages? Well, I suppose it's better than just having a poli sci BA. And at least most of them have quant classes these days. The good ones, at least.</p>

<p>So, I've been admitted to the following programs:</p>

<p>MPA2- JFK (Harvard) - Fellowship
MALD- Fletcher - Scholarship
MA- SAIS (Bologna 1st year) (haven't heard about money yet)
MIA- SIPA (initially no money, but they may change their mind)
MPP- Princeton (new 1-year program, all paid for)
MSFS- Georgetown (Haven't heard about money yet)</p>

<p>My interest is to go abroad after graduation for a couple years to work in Human Rights/Humanitarian issues (I also have a background in international law from a top law school) in post-conflict nations with a recognizable NGO or international organization. I want to later return to Washington and work in foreign policy, drawing upon my international experiences and education at one of the above institutions. </p>

<p>What is the best for my current (and highly likely to change) plan of action?</p>

<p>Go wherever is cheapest. All of your options are good, but you want to make sure you leave with as little of a financial burden as possible.</p>

<p>That would be Princeton, but I fear that the one-year mid-career program isn't quite right for me (since I've really only worked 4 years) and want a stronger all-around educational background (not just 8 classes) and the opportunity for an additional internship for the resume (summer between years).</p>

<p>Thus far, JFK has offered the most, but Fletcher would be only slightly more expensive.</p>

<p>I would go for JFK, then. Good education, and a name that will carry you everywhere.</p>