SIPA chances

Graduate School
1

<p>Hi all, so here's my question...</p>

<p>I want to apply to Columbia's SIPA program (Masters in International Affairs), but I'm not sure I have the credentials to get in yet - I would love some input from those who know better than I.</p>

<p>I'm graduating from UC Berkeley this May with a B.S. in Ecology and International Development (self-designed major). I will have roughly a 3.7/3.8 GPA and a decent number of International Development and Human Rights courses completed. I also have 2 years of French language courses, the full calculus series, stats and two econ courses (micro and environmental). I will be taking the GRE this summer and expect to do fairly well.</p>

<p>My concern is that I don't have any professional international experience. I have quite a bit of work experience as an athletic coach (9 years) and competitive athletic program director (2 years), which I built from the ground up. I also have a fair amount of overseas experience (relative has an airline job, so I fly for free), but none of it working. I spent 3-4 months bicycling alone through the Balkans and Turkey, traveled through rural Laos for a month, and have been through most of Europe and Australia.</p>

<p>Do I have a shot at SIPA if I apply this Fall (for admission in 2010) or should I gain some more NGO/international work experience before applying? I'm going to be graduating with a fair load of debt, so volunteer experience isn't really an option right now.</p>

<p>Thanks for any advice</p>

2

<p>I may be biased, having taken 3 years between undergraduate and grad school, but I would say you almost definitely need job experience - if not because Columbia will require it than because YOU will benefit enormously from it. Especially in international and environmental issues. Through work experience, even if it is completely unrelated to what you want to study, you will get a feel for how change happens and business works. </p>

<p>In this economy, paying jobs abroad are next to impossible, but you can certainly find volunteer positions -- many of which will pay your way, and sometimes even your health care.</p>

<p>If you want to stay in the US, try Natural Resource Defense Council, Resources for the Future, USAID, etc. or any one of a number of NGOs.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the info and advice. Do you know of any good websites/listserves to find overseas volunteer positions (my main interest is humanitarian aid and refugee assistance)?</p>