<p>I disagree with the idea that programs are somewhat academically interchangeable. In my experience with certain “higher-ranked” and “lower-ranked” programs, the higher-ranked programs’ students produce much more rigorous analysis than those from other schools. Also while I’m sure some people told kigali they coast through HKS, my experience with HKSers is that they are super-overachievers who are extremely constructive and productive, adding more than they take away. That’s what Harvard’s known for.</p>
<p>Not to say that this justifies expensive costs of tuition at all, but I think it’s important to remember that certain schools are ranked higher (such as in the W&M survey, right?) because they offer extremely challenging courseloads with influential and interesting professors who shape the IR field.</p>
<p>Also, I think prospective students spend WAY too much time worrying about post-graduation statistics. Are these statistics normalized against each other? How much do the career centers have to do with finding jobs for students? Are the jobs commensurate with experience and with university brand name and all that? You can’t figure out the truth on that level of granularity.</p>
<p>InSF, I disagree that no one cares with where you got your MA from. Some organizations have alumni who seek to hire out of their prior graduate schools and therefore give those students priority.</p>
<p>[Edit: I’m not disparaging any of the programs. Most of them are outstanding from what I’ve heard about them. But I think it’s important to be realistic about how the programs are ACTUALLY different than each other.]</p>
<p>Volscio, re: HKS, I was just sharing observations from another board - I’m sure HKS students are very intelligent and capable, I just figured it was an interesting observation.</p>
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<p>I agree with this in general, though in this regard I’m perplexed by the case of SIPA - while consistently ranking within the top 5 and obviously a world-class institution, I keep hearing the same things from applicants, admitted students, current students and alums about huge class sizes, “overbooked” classes requiring supplemental “admission” essays and how “impersonal” their experience is/was. These repetitive accounts make me wonder how much access SIPA students have to their professors and the courses they wish to take - the same professors and courses that brought SIPA up to the top of the rankings.</p>
<p>I definitely would not want to go to grad school and have to deal with large classes like I was back in undergrad intro courses again. Other people don’t mind it. And still others think the large class size thing is overblown in reality.</p>
<p>I’m at MSFS – one of our main selling points is our company-sized total class size. Generally we only have 15 people per course.</p>
<p>So, I finally got the kind of job I went to grad school for. However, it’s also a job where I’m the only person with an MA.</p>
<p>Win? Loss? Hard to say. I do know that my education helped me a great deal at the interview, and that it helped me to differentiate myself amidst the “Great Recession.” However, I also know that I probably could do the job without my MA skills. </p>
<p>To be honest, that seems to be the trend amongst most of my classmates that I talk to these days, so take it with a grain of salt as desired. Ultimately, I’m happy now, but it’s hard to say if I’m happy because of or in spite of the degree. Ain’t life complicated?</p>
<p>Next year I’ll graduate from International Relations Instute in Moscow (Russia, bachelor degree) and would like to continue my international relations study in the U.S. In Future, I’d like to work in a prominent think tank or NGO. My major is now East Easian International Relations, except of it I’m interested in Central Asia int. relations and clash on Russia-US interesnt there.</p>
<p>Which school would you recommend to meet my goals:</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins University: Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)
Tufts University: Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy located in Medford
Harvard University: Kennedy School of Government located in Cambridge</p>
<p>I don’t have any work experience yet, so when comment, specify where it is preferable?</p>
<p>I’ve posted in this thread before, but mostly I’m looking for some advice. </p>
<p>I’m well aware that U.S. schools are the best choice for IR, particularly for those wishing to go into the public sector or academia. I also know that LSE is well-respected, even in the U.S.</p>
<p>That said, I am applying for a scholarship to study outside the U.S. to attain a Master’s in one year. I have to choose 5 schools in 3 different countries; no two schools can be in the same city, and I cannot apply to any schools in the U.S. or Madrid, Spain, where I have previously lived.</p>
<p>My goal is to report internationally; I will be attending the Medill School at Northwestern this fall and will get an MSJ. I think an MA in IR will really help my career prospects–my interest is specifically on the EU, and I’ve previous work experience in Spain and studied Spanish literature and culture for my B.A. I’m open to just about anything, with one caveat; the language has to be English, Spanish, or French. I don’t speak anything else and have to prove my proficiency to study at these places. The schools on my initial list:</p>
<ol>
<li> IBEI in Barcelona</li>
<li> LSE</li>
<li> Monterrey Institute in Monterrey, Mexico</li>
<li> Universitat de Valencia in Valencia, Spain</li>
<li> College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium</li>
<li> Universidad Aut</li>
</ol>
<p>HEI in Geneva is an excellent school to consider, as well as Sciences Po, although a lot of the courses at the latter seem to focus on political economy (not sure if that’s your thing or not). Aside from that, I’ve heard good things about Pompeu Fabra.</p>
<p>Wow…how the hell did i get Monterrey Mexico for the Monterrey institute? Durr…</p>
<p>But yeah, kigali, you’ve already been helpful. I was thinking strongly about putting the IBEI, but after reading up on things a little more, as well as knowing my undergrad university has an affiliation with Pompeu Fabra, I think I’ll include Pompeu Fabra. Appreciate the input.</p>
<p>hello all, few months ago i was on here talking about all the drawbacks of doing an MA in IR. I was torn between UCSD and Thunderbird. For a while, I thought an MBA was just more practical, but after much thought I finally decided on UCSD. If anyone is going there, see you in the fall!!!</p>
<p>Does anyone know how MA in IRs do as far as getting into a good Pol.sci. PhD programs?</p>
<p>If you want to study internatioanl relations, and do not necessarilly work for the U.S. government, is European schools suitable?
I want to have a broader exposure to different cultures, and different experiences in foreign schools.
Also, what are the most important factors that admission officers look for?</p>
<p>all depends on what you want to do right? There are some really good european schools. I imagine that admission factors are more or less than same as the U.S. Big difference might be language requirements.</p>
<p>European schools are certainly suitable for any type of global politics and IR work. </p>
<p>From what I have taken from professors in the field - places like LSE, Geneva,Bruges, Science Po etc… are great for job opportunities after graduation. That’s not to say that you won’t have the chance to get a good academic degree, but just that they are a bit more focused on turning out people who will work in govt, think tanks, ngos…</p>
<p>Then - from what I have taken - Oxbridge is a bit more of the academic route. You will have job opportunities coming out there too - but the focus is more on research and academia careers.</p>
<p>Only good program is in Monterrey. You should be able to find it pretty easily. Not sure if there is anywhere else in Mexico (school wise) worth going.</p>
<p>I stumbled upon this forum and I think it’s a great resource. Thank you everyone. </p>
<p>So I have a question for you guys. I am applying for master programs in international relations this year and from the looks of the curriculum I am much more interested in the international affairs degree more than public policy. Correct me if I am wrong, but I have a feeling that IA seems to focus more on issues (i.e. geopolitics, economic development, and etc.) and PP programs seem to be focusing on actual career related skills (policy analysis, economic analysis, grant writing, non-profit management and etc…). But at the same time, from my undergraduate experience (I studied international political economy from berkeley), I feel that while the topics and issues I learn in an undergrad degree while greatly interesting, it did not teach me much tangible skills that I could apply directly to work (beside analytical ability). My goal is to work in a multilateral organization such as the IMF or IFC. I am just afraid that a master program in IA (as compared to public policy) might turn out to be lacking practical professional training like my undergraduate degree. </p>
<p>Could anyone please comment on this issue?
What are the real differences between the two degree (in public policy and international affairs)?
If my focus would be in finance and economics, which route would you suggest?
If I do go for the public policy degree, would the scope of “issue-focus” classes that I could take be limited by the “practicality-focus” curriculum?</p>
<p>Oh and another unrelated question, what is the general reputation for the UCSD program in the professional field? I see that it ranks consistently in the top 10. But the top names that everyone keep referring to are georgetown, JH, tufts, and columbia - all in east coast where foreign policy mostly take place. It would be helpful if you work in the field in the East Coast and could comment on what you think about UCSD. </p>
<p>I’d say you have a good idea on the differences between IR and PP. If your angle is “gaining technical skills” then I’d go for PP. I personally favor that approach in theory, though I went IR since that’s just what interests me more.</p>
<p>As for UCSD, I haven’t heard anything on it (though from what I understand it’s completely Asia-focused). But from someone who goes to a major program outside of the East Coast, I’d say that you’re not a huge disadvantage by not being on the East Coast. Good luck.</p>
<p>Hey all, just wanted to introduce myself a little bit, and maybe get a little advice (or reality check, whatever the case may be…)</p>
<p>I’m a rising junior, going to a small liberal-arts college in Massachusetts (yay women’s college!). I’ve spent the summer so far obsessively researching MAIR programs, especially those that would allow me to pursue a dual degree in JD/MA. I will be the first to admit (to anyone that’s not interviewing me for a job) that I slacked off my first two years of undergrad, and that my GPA shows it. However, finding the dual-degree programs at SFS and GWU have totally re-motivated me to work my little butt off to raise it to at least a 3.5, which would allow me to graduate from college <i>cum laude</i>. I have extensive leadership and substantive experience in the high-school and college Model United Nations programs, and I’m pursuing an IR major concentrating in international law and Middle East language (Arabic), culture, religion, and politics. I will be studying abroad this upcoming spring in either Cairo or Alexandria. I’m in the midst of completing my first internship my local Federal Public Defender’s office, which will last all summer, and applying to any and all goverment or non-profit or NGO programs I can find for next summer.</p>
<p>In any event, assuming the rest of my college years go as planned, I’m planning to go into the Peacecorps for a couple of years, followed by whatever menial (but hopefully substantive) labor I have to pursue while biding my time until grad school admissions the following year.</p>
<p>SO, to sum up a very long story, I’m trying to figure out what my actual chances of getting into one of the top programs are. Is there no point in me trying to boost my resume with work in the Peacecorps, or do grad schools actually take into account your extracurriculars/work experience/work abroad prior to application?</p>