What kind of money can I expect for my IR masters?

Graduate School
1

<p>In January, I'll be applying for masters programs at SAIS, Fletcher, SIPA, SIS, and IR/PS. Looking at how expensive these schools are makes me sick to my stomach. I'm going to give you all of the relevant information I can think of right off the top of my head and see if anyone here can conjecture possible financial outcomes for my graduate studies. </p>

<p>Of course, for the sake of this exercise, just assume I get accepted.</p>

<p>My background:</p>

<p>Studies: I have a BA in English (French minor), a Licence +3 in Philosophy from a French university, and have studied Chinese in Taiwan for about a year now.</p>

<p>Experience abroad: I lived in France twice for a total of a year and half, and I've lived in Taiwan for about the same amount of time. I've also traveled to about twenty countries, staying with the families of friends I've made during my studies. </p>

<p>Languages: French (Fluent), Chinese (Advanced) </p>

<p>GRE: Q = 690 (70%) V= 690 (96%)</p>

<p>Grades: average. Not stellar, not bad. Except for the language programs in France and Taiwan, in which I've gotten all A's so far.</p>

<p>Extracurricular: Since I was an undergrad I've been very active in taking part in any studies, seminars, meetings, etc. that I can. I've published a large amount of articles in print and online. </p>

<p>Awards: National English Honors Society, Webby Awards Official Honoree </p>

<p>Work: Though I've been working since I was about twelve, none of it is that relevant to IR. Soon, I may be in charge of starting a campaign to encourage environmental NGO's to set up offices in Taiwan, but that's not certain yet. </p>

<p>Recommendations: My letters of recommendation should be very good, from professors and officials who are very high up on the ladder and who know me and my background very well. </p>

<p>What I'm wondering with all this is what sort of prospects I face when it comes to paying for the programs. My girlfriend and I will be getting married before moving back to the US, and, together, we'll have very little money (maybe a few thousand dollars). Certainly not the tens of thousands necessary for these programs.</p>

2

<p>The two ways of paying for programs like this are basically loans or scholarships. This is a simplistic answer to your question, but if you dont have the funds to pay up front (which almost no one does) you have to finance your studies through government or private loans or hope you get a partial scholarship or TAship. The good news is that several of the schools you listed likely have TA positions open for grad students and American universities are not as stingy with financial aid and scholarships as European or Canadian schools are.
As far as specific ways to finance your studies, I know that several posters are either graduates of the some of the programs you mentioned or are studying at them now. See if you can get UCLAri’s opinion on IRPS especially since I know he is going there.</p>

3

<p>Looks like you’re aiming high, which is fine. But after having done the same thing (and only getting admitted to 2 of the 5 programs I applied to) and facing the expensive loans myself, I’d strongly recommend applying to some of the programs that are solid but not “Top 10.” A couple of ones off the top of my head are Pitt, USC, and Syracuse. I say this because you have a decent chance of getting awarded a scholarship if you have good stats.</p>

4

<p>Flyers29, I’ve actually been meaning to start a thread on the no. 6-10 IR programs. As everyone seems to know what the top five are. </p>

<p>I’m going to go ahead and do that.</p>

5

<p>Most of the top programs (you mentioned SAIS and Fletcher) are only graduate schools so there are no TA’s because there are no undergraduates. Most students take loans or have their employers/government pay. Many students work part time to help make ends meet. </p>

<p>Even those schools which have undergraduates (like SIS) usually give the TA positions to Ph.D students, not masters students. I’m sure there are exceptions but loans are the usual course.</p>