College Discussion - View Single Post - Ask UCLAri: Political Science, International Relations, East Asian Studies, & EAP

H4MOR · 12-12-2007, 06:58 PM

Thanks for the quick answer UCLAri!
Well the problem with the german BA/MA-system is that it is just being introduced, so it's really irritating for us, too. They introduce the BA/BA programs in order to make it worldwide comparable, which actually just isn't the fact.
Basically we have a 3-year-BA, followed by a 2-year-MA (There are no 4-year-BAs or 1-year-MAs in Germany), which you usually directly attend after graduating. The problem with finding a job with your BA is that the new degrees are still unknown to the employees, so they expect an MA which is more or less equal to the former Diplom.
At my university's international office they told me that a lot of American universities officially state they wouldn't accept 3-year-BAs, but in most cases they do actually accept them inofficially.
So my main concern is that my applications might have no chance in top programs like SAIS, SIPA or SIS just for not handing in a GRE and not having several years of work experience. From what I've read in this forum this is exactly what's highly essential.
In the long run I would like to work in an international organization or NGO, but I also think about making a PhD and beginning an acadamic career.

12-12-2007, 06:58 PM	#220
H4MOR New Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5	Thanks for the quick answer UCLAri! Well the problem with the german BA/MA-system is that it is just being introduced, so it's really irritating for us, too. They introduce the BA/BA programs in order to make it worldwide comparable, which actually just isn't the fact. Basically we have a 3-year-BA, followed by a 2-year-MA (There are no 4-year-BAs or 1-year-MAs in Germany), which you usually directly attend after graduating. The problem with finding a job with your BA is that the new degrees are still unknown to the employees, so they expect an MA which is more or less equal to the former Diplom. At my university's international office they told me that a lot of American universities officially state they wouldn't accept 3-year-BAs, but in most cases they do actually accept them inofficially. So my main concern is that my applications might have no chance in top programs like SAIS, SIPA or SIS just for not handing in a GRE and not having several years of work experience. From what I've read in this forum this is exactly what's highly essential. In the long run I would like to work in an international organization or NGO, but I also think about making a PhD and beginning an acadamic career.