<p>@GradNovice, the glaring problem with your application is the lack of direction. It really isn’t building to anything. You seem to be transitioning to economic development in conflict regions (sidebar: that’s something that I’m interested in), but the post-script about Berlin, London and DC is sort of disconcerting. Can you get a long-term posting for maybe a year? The internships wouldn’t be that bad if they were all in the same field. </p>
<p>The other less apparent problem is that your recs are from Oxford from a few years ago. While nice to have the academic references, can you ask anybody from your internships (pick any) to write something about you? </p>
<p>Third, I am always very leery of putting experiences on my resume (regardless if it’s an academic app or not) that I have not been at for at least six months or have completed. People don’t pay much attention to the details of resumes, and if you are asked about experiences that you have not completed by an interviewer that did not do their homework (which they seldom do), then that leads to uncomfortable and awkward answers where you only look bad. </p>
<p>Fourth (and this goes back to point one), what would you like to do with this degree? Economic development? Rule of law? Finance? Strategy consulting? And then with that answer, create a narrative of where you were, why you were there, why the multiple internships were necessary, why [insert program here] is necessary and where you want to move forward to. That’s your main goal between now and mid-January when these apps are due. Whether the narrative is true is honestly irrelevant, but if it is true, then you’ll be ahead of most people in those programs. </p>
<p>Fifth, assuming you can get that together, I think you have an excellent chance at any of the schools mentioned; however, if you can’t come up with a narrative, I think your chances would be greatly diminished as the application will not speak for itself. Despite the solid application, assume that you’ll have to pay sticker price.</p>
<p>I have a quick and simple question: Just how important is related work experience when applying for IR or PP? I am confident in my academic abilities but, truthfully, my resume is a bit…meh. After graduating from a small, well regarded American college in May 2010, I worked as a legal assistant at a large international law firm in NYC for a year, That was great when I was convinced I wanted to go to law school, which is obviously no longer the case! When my OPT (a work visa of sorts) expired, I returned to my home country and I now work part time for an international school (you know, the sort of place diplomats and the like send their kids).</p>
<p>My applications are already in progress but I was wondering whether I should just be patient, find a job at an NGO, actually see what I am getting myself into career-wise, and delay applying for at least a year. Since I live in a developing country in Sub-Saharan Africa, I am in a good position to find such work. Or, should I just go for it anyway this year and see what happens? </p>
<p>After typing all that I feel like I just answered my own question, but I’d appreciate your input nonetheless.</p>
<p>@iloveafrica, the question is what do you want to do when you’re out of the program? MAs in IR (or PP) are not transformative degrees in that you can’t completely change careers with it like you can for a JD, MD or even an MBA. It builds on what you did before the degree. If you want to do rule of law work or some other type of political development, you’re in a very good position already. If you want to do something else, well, that’s a bit more difficult. In general, of what little I know of you, you seem well positioned to be admitted to any program.</p>
<p>Adding to EconomistAddict’s comments, having more work experience and sharper focus on your outcomes when you apply will lead to stronger applications. It could help you with admission and aid to top schools if you do work for a year. This investment of time also helps you illustrate the transition you want to make.</p>
<p>Thank you both for your very sensible suggestions. My applications are already in progress, but if I am not accepted this time, I will know what needs to be addressed to make me a stronger candidate. It would also do me a lot of good to get some real experience and make some decisions about my future career. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I have a question regarding the econ requirements that a lot of schools have for admission. I’m planning on applying for grad school but unfortunately, I never took any econ courses during my undergrad. I graduated with a polisci degree from Umich with focus on history and IR and I originally intended on working in law enforcement at the federal/international level after a few internships. </p>
<p>That all kinda went to hell with the budget issues and hiring freezes that the DOJ is facing so I’ve now decided to go to grad school first. Is there any way I can satisfy these econ prereqs somehow before I apply? For example, could I take classes somewhere else and have them transfer or anything like that. The problem is that I’ve already graduated from undergrad. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.</p>
<p>@ AzureK Check with each school, but generally you could take this kind of background course at a community college. If there is a particular advanced course requirement, perhaps it would need to be taken at a four year school as a non-matriculated or non-degree student.</p>
<p>Also not all IR programs have an econ requirement. Due diligence will determine if you need to make this additional investment. It is a good idea to take it but it may not be a requirement, depending on the nature of the IR program.</p>
<p>@AzureK, while I would do what straightadmit says, if you have the applications together, I would just apply anyways. There are plenty of people in your situation that do not have any economics background (when I say background, I mean coursework). </p>
<p>Typically, if they think you’re an otherwise competitive candidate, they will conditionally admit you. By “conditional,” I mean they will ask you to take econ classes the summer before either through their program or through another accredited program (community college for example). The specifics will depend on the program. I would imagine that the lack of an econ background may be a slight minus, but if you and the admission committee feel you’re a strong candidate, then they will not hesitate to admit that way. </p>
<p>I will say that while at some IR programs where a lack of facility with economics poses no great disadvantage, at some other programs it will prove a rather large disadvantage when it comes to the time devoted to coursework. </p>
<p>Think about how your goals match up with the programs’ curricula, if you want to dedicate time to learning a different mode of thinking, and then make the decision of where to apply. If you do want to do international economic development, you will absolutely need econ to be competitive for employers. If you are more inclined to say democracy building (like NDI or IRI), econ is less of a priority. It solely depends on your goals. If you’re less directed (like me), then econ will only open up opportunities for you.</p>
<p>I put this question into the LinkedIn group for the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs yesterday. Unfortunately it seems to be a low activity group, but if any of the admissions officers respond, I’ll post it into this thread.</p>
<p>EconomistAddict has a good point about fit. At UCSD IR/PS, the program is rigorous with quant, but they provide a summer short course in Econ and stats for people with less that adequate background. It isn’t a substitute for all prior econ, but it helps.</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice guys. While my undergrad background is History and IR (security issues & globalization topics), I want to pursue a degree that addresses institutional/policy issues for international law enforcement. More specifically, economic crimes like money laundering and corporate due diligence. </p>
<p>I’ve heard something about “conditional admits” before but now I’ve got a better sense of how it works. In the meantime, I’ll keep on doing self-study on econ topics.</p>
<p>I know quite a few people with that background, and that has not hindered them from being accepted. Just as a suggestion, make sure you get into a program with finance classes and load up on them in addition to the international law coursework. The combination will make you a compelling candidate for Treasury, the SEC, the FBI and the IRS (if US government is what you’re after). Also some internship (or two) either in the enforcement field or even something finance-y would serve as an additional attractive element.</p>
<p>That’s encouraging to hear. Yeah, I don’t really have an academic background for finance/econ/accounting so I’ll be focusing on those areas a bit. I did two internships at Interpol that addressed economic crimes and I’m trying to contact my former supervisor for a good letter. Thanks again for the tips.</p>
<p>@AzureK The Executive Director of APSIA, the Association of Professional Schools of International affairs responded on their LinkedIn group this way:</p>
<p>“Hello – this questions does come up often from people interested in pursuing graduate studies in international affairs. Speaking for APSIA member schools, most of them do require previous exposure to economics or other quantitative coursework. The degree to which this is necessary does depend on the program, though. If a graduate program requires econ courses or other quantitative type courses (such as statistics or finance) as part of their core coursework, then to be a competitive applicant, you will need some prior coursework in these subjects to show your aptitude for such coursework at the graduate level.”</p>
<p>I see, thanks straightadmit. Now I’ll have to look into acquiring those credentials as someone out of college. I’ve already emailed some of the schools’ admissions departments so I’ll wait to see what they have to say. I’m already at an disadvantage since I’m applying with only internship experiences and no professional work experience so I don’t want to hurt my chances any further…</p>
<p>I wanted to discuss something I haven’t come across going through this thread. There is this clear consensus by the powers that be (denounced by the OP) regarding the top tier of IR MA programs. The top tier will always contain some order of the following:</p>
<p>However, with “safety schools” in mind, I’m curious how others rank. What schools would be placed in positions ~10-25? I suppose this hinges on the idea that a school’s reputation even plays if it’s not one of the major players listed above. That is, is there a meaningful difference between what would be the #20 and #50 school?</p>
<p>Even if we believe we have a solid chance at cracking admissions in one of the top schools, it’s always best to be prudent and have those backup schools. But beyond the flagship schools in my state, I’m not sure what schools I would apply to.</p>
<p>APSIA is a grad school organization that is a forum for all professional schools of IR. All of the schools are at least very good, if not excellent. All the schools that you listed are on there plus others (like University of Washington and USC, which have very good programs). If you want to be a practitioner, start there. </p>
<p>If you’re gunning more for a job in academia, look at the US News and World Report’s rankings of International Politics programs. </p>
<p>My caveat to this is the following: It’s not that hard (not to undercut the achievement of getting into an IR grad program because it is an achievement) to get into at least one of the ten you listed. This is a niche interest. There was a rumor at my program (one of the top six you listed) that my program’s acceptance rate is 35%ish percent. They don’t release those numbers. My suspicion is the rates are relatively high for top graduate programs. </p>
<p>If you were somewhat serious in college, your GRE is not a disaster, you put at least some perfunctory effort into your applications, and you have demonstrated interest (work, extensive international experience of more than a year, study abroad in a non-Western European/Australia/NZ country, Peace Corps, etc.), you will be accepted in one of those programs you listed. Do not worry. And if you don’t get accepted, get some more experience and you’ll get in next round. Experience of any sort counts for much.</p>
<p>I have a question concerning the importance of math courses in getting accepted to the top IR schools. I’ve only taken a ridiculously easy finite math class in college (easy A, freshman year and didn’t know then that I wanted to double major in econ). </p>
<p>I’ve received mostly A’s and a few A- from my economics classes and I got an A from basic statistics (total GPA 3.88, current school American University). However, I’m still wondering whether my lack of a rigorous math class would hinder my chances of getting in. I know that admission depends on various factors, but do you think it would be worth it if I took a calculus I class during my final semester of undergrad? Would that help me or should I have even more rigorous math classes for the top schools (SIPA, SAIS, Tufts etc.)?</p>
<p>Math is not a priority, unless you want to overload on finance courses. While math does help just in life and coursework (and in my experience, calculus is oddly useful in the most unlikely of circumstances), it does not kill your chances. Remember who you’re up against: poli sci, econ and history majors. They tend not to load up on the math.</p>
<p>My recommendation is this: take calculus if you sincerely want to take it. If something else trips your trigger more, take that. You’ve done very well in college. You can do the graduate coursework. It sounds hokey, but it’s true: Do not try to cater to a program, cater to yourself and the perfect program will present itself to you.</p>
<p>Hi all. New to the forum. Looking for any feedback regarding admission odds.</p>
<p>Brief bio - Graduated from Univ. FL w/ BA in Business Admin (3.6 GPA, w/ honors) and from Univ. FL Law School w/ JD (3.1 GPA, which was top 25% of class).</p>
<p>Have been practicing law for 8 years, 4 with a medium sized firm and 4 out on my own. Wide range of civil law practice (no crim law practice).</p>
<p>Never took the GRE. But did very well on the LSAT and the FL Bar exam. Because of my JD, I have been told by the different graduate admissions offices with the schools I have applied to that a GRE is not required.</p>
<p>3 years of HS Spanish and 1 year college level Spanish.</p>
<p>Have always had a strong interest in international security related studies. Contribute to a number of security related blogs. No military experience. Did have a conditional offer of employment with DIA right out of law school but turned it down due to relocation and family issues (still kicking myself for that one).</p>
<p>No LORs from professors as I have lost touch with them being out of school as long as I have. However, all LORs from professionals with security related work experience.</p>
<p>Strong writing sample regarding DPRK provocations in the Yellow Sea.</p>
<p>Based upon my review of these kinds of forums, I realize I am not your “typical” applicant. I have applied to SFS (SSP), ESIA (SPS) and SIS (US Foreign Policy).</p>
<p>Very anxiously awaiting admissions responses from these programs.</p>