<p>Does anyone have any information on NPSIA in Ottawa? Specifically, I’d be interested in learning what job prospects are like for graduates.</p>
<p>Yes, there’s a reason why you don’t hear about it: It’s terrible! Unfortunately I was a student in the Virginia Tech VT MPIA program. I should have known something was fishy when they accepted me before my application was even complete! </p>
<p>My advice is to stay far, far away from this program. It is very low quality, and most of the classes are online or telecast. I was there for a semester and then immediately transferred to a real IA program in DC. I almost didn’t transfer the credits because I didn’t want this awful school on my transcript at all! Beware: the student IQ level is also really low here. I felt like I was slamming my head on my desk each class. One student even printed out a professor’s lecture (from another university, with his name on it) and turned it in to the class as her presentation. She didn’t even try to hide her cheating/lack of initiative—see what type of student VT MPIA caters to?</p>
<p>Seriously, go anywhere else, and you’ll be glad you did.</p>
<p>Hello everyone!</p>
<p>I have a few questions, I have been researching IR programs and schools over the past few days and stumbled upon this thread. I have a few questions.</p>
<p>I am currently a U.S Naval Officer (pilot) and have 5.5 years so far in the navy. I am getting out relatively soon (within 2 years or less) and would like to go back to school, since I have my GI bill to pay for it. I am definitely interested in an IR field. </p>
<p>My background:
Graduated from The Citadel with a B.A in Modern Languages (German), and a minor in History (Greek/Roman). My cumulative GPA was a 3.2 (I think, can’t remember), I was in the Honor society for German (Delta Phi Alpha), and did a month long study in Germany and a semester study in Vienna, Austria.</p>
<p>Some schools I have been looking at were SIPA at Columbia, Georgetown, George Washington. I am from PA and would like to stay around that area for graduate school, with the closest choice being SIPA. I already have a top secret security clearance with the Navy and was wondering what are my chances of getting into one of these programs (specifically SIPA?) I know that those are top tier schools in the IR field, and I do have work experience, however it is not “field related”.</p>
<p>Any other advice I can get would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>Hello everybody,</p>
<p>Here’s my quick profile:
U grad GPA from UCSD (2008): 2.5
GRE verbal: 166
GRE quant: 166
GRE writing: 4.5</p>
<p>3.5 years military experience, trained in Mandarin Chinese, nearly fluent. Currently in the National Guard as a Chinese Linguist. I have good letters of rec and can put together a solid personal statement.</p>
<p>I plan to apply to the big four in DC (SAIS, GW, AU, Gtown), where else should I be considering?</p>
<p>Needless to say I didn’t put in any effort into my undergrad academic experience. Since then I have put together a solid resume with top GRE scores. </p>
<p>What do you think my chances are at the top IR programs? which ones should I be focusing on?</p>
<p>Any advice is much appreciated!</p>
<p>To be perfectly honest, I had one classmate in my IR program who had a sub-3.0 GPA, and he was at a 2.9 from Pomona College. You’re going to have a seriously uphill battle there for top programs.</p>
<p>Maybe consider trying for IR/PS, but that’s a stretch given your undergrad GPA. Sorry to be a downer.</p>
<p>I hear the IS program at Macalester College is very nice. Does anybody know much about it? I’m not even in college yet, I’m just seeing what fields may interest me. Also, why exactly is doing grad school overseas not recommended? Wouldn’t that be very unique?</p>
<p>Wow, there is a wealth of information on this thread. I could not possibly go through it all tonight, so I apologize if some of these questions have been asked.</p>
<p>I’ve always been interested in IR in some way or another, and I am definitely going to consider an MA.</p>
<p>I’m an upper sophomore at an OK college that I settled on because I didn’t want to incur undergraduate debt. My GPA is a 3.97, and I plan to take the GRE soon. I also hope to find an internship soon (many of the ones I see require previous experience, which…I don’t have)</p>
<p>1) On a scale of 1 to 10, how crucial is fluency in a foreign language? I can read translate one other language than English, but can’t keep up with a conversation for the life of me. </p>
<p>2) As I’ve said, I’ve been interested in IR for awhile. This question is probably unique in this thread. I’ve engaged in political/foreign policy discussions on the web for awhile. I’ve left quite the Google search paper trail (yes I’ve used my real name. Probably a mistake). As I’ve grown up my views have changed (my 14 year-old self would have a field day with the current me on some random site’s comment section) I know the chances at government jobs are low to begin with because of clearances etc, does this kill it? </p>
<p>3) What kind of jobs would you recommend seeking after undergrad if I wanted to gain some experience? The career advising at my school isn’t that good, to preempt the probably reply. </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Also, does McGill in Montreal have a reputable program?</p>
<p>Sorry for a third post-- It won’t let me edit my last post, too late I guess.</p>
<p>Is a political analyst a nice job for an IS major? If anybody knows anything about it, could you provide me with more info?</p>
<p>Hi all,</p>
<p>Wonderful thread. Haven’t gotten to read through all, but thought I would post a question about admissions chances. I have applied to the SIPA MPA, SAIS MA (Idev), Fletcher MALD, and LSE MPA. Low writing score on GRE and a couple of poor grades (1 C+ in multivariable and 1 C+ in statistics) have got me somewhat unsure.</p>
<p>GPA: 3.67/4.0 from top public school, major in Environmental Economics (3.86 major GPA)
GRE: 162 Q, 162 V, 4.0 A
Work Experience: 2 years full-time with international NGOs, based in agricultural development (1 year Bangladesh, 1 year East Africa)
During time at university, 1 year-long relevant internship with group that works with international financial institutions
some relevant extracurriculars, conversational in Bengali and French</p>
<p>Any ideas? Should I be expected to have more substantial work experience to be competitive?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>