Incredulous

I've had friends attend LSE for an MA and really like it. That's all I know. I get the feeling, frankly, that like Georgetown, its undergrad is the focus of its considerable prestige. There were several students with me at SAIS from LSE undergrad, and that its MA is well thought of, but is a relative unknown at least in the US. But I don't have enough data.

I would think that DC would set you up for jobs in your field more readily, if for no other reason than you have two years and a summer to figure it all out.

jbauer81

I am trying to decide between MA Programs in International Security at the following schools: GWU, American, Denver, and BU. My interest lies in Intelligence and Middle Eastern Studies. Ultimately, I'd like to work for the FBI or CIA. GWU and American seem to have the best reputation out of these, but Denver seems to be gaining ground and they have a curriculum more closely in tune with my specific interests. What would you do? Help.

laurla2011

This forum seemed like the best place to ask my question, so I hope someone out there can give me some guidance...

I have been admitted to two international development-related programs, both of which I find intriguing, but am unsure of which to choose, since they are also quite different. My two choices are going for the MPhil in International Development from Oxford or for the MPP with a focus in International Policy and Development from Georgetown. I have some funding from Georgetown and am originally from DC, a place that I love and eventually hope to settle in (eventually = maybe ten years). I am still waiting on notification of a Fulbright grant to Oxford and probably won't know with any certainty until early summer as to my funding status there. Funding is not the primary issue for me because I went to undergrad dirt cheap and have the option of borrowing from family, so what I really want to know is how these programs stack up in terms of their courses and perceptions about them. I see myself eventually working in a large non-profit or for an international organization, not in academics, so I am not too concerned with which program would place me in the best position for a terminal degree, but I would like to know what people in-the-know think about each place, if possible.

Please help a struggling undergraduate figure out the best place for her...Thanks!

UCLAri

laurla2011,

How nice not to have to worry about cash! But then again, the decision is now even harder! Shoot...

I'd lean toward Georgetown, myself. You'll be really well situated to get a lot of good internships and jobs in DC and surrounding areas. Plus, there are no stuffy Brits to sell you bland food!

ashleywang

Hi!

I was offered admission to USC and NYU, both for international relations.
Just wondering how you guys would choose between those...?THanks=)

BIGTWIX

im pretty sure NYU has Better International relations,
though probably not by much.

It's really up to you and what school you like better

UCLAri

ashleywang,

What kind of funding? Are they both terminal master's, or what?

sarah_brooke

How do University of Miami, Boston University, University of Michigan, George Washington, and UCLA compare in terms of undergraduate IR programs? They can be fields within the larger political science department; it doesn't matter to me if they're individual departments.

UCLAri

Out of all of them, I'd say that either UCLA or Michigan are the strongest.

There's really no such thing as "undergrad" anything. The quality of a department is really an overall thing.

coolfeet

Hi!

(I'm having a little trouble with posting so forgive me if this shows up more than once)

I'm wondering do most grad school IR programs look for people with a significant amount of work experience? Would there be much chance for students who have come straight from undergrad?

I also am a little worried about my own chances of getting into a decent IR program. So far my biggest drawback, in my opinion, is my undergrad major --- I majored in Mass Communications, which did not have too much of an international focus. However, I have a 3.8 GPA from UC Berkeley (graduating with honors), I've taken a few international-focused courses and did reasonably well in them (International Human Rights, Internet Regulation in Asia, Southeast Asian History, Southeast Asian Politics, Media and Globalization, Social Change in Korea), I studied abroad in Singapore for a year, I have the equivalent of four semesters of proficiency in Mandarin Chinese, and I have a bit of volunteer experience with the International Rescue Committee and Operation Sunrise (a program that assists doctors with performing surgeries on children in China). I've also worked at the US Department of Health and Human Services (in the civil rights department) for the past year. I haven't taken the GRE but I will in a few months. I'll also be taking economics classes and possibly some IR classes or more Chinese at a community college for the next year or so.

Do many IR programs prefer their applicants to come from a polisci/econ/IR background? I'm really not expecting to get into a top IR/International Studies program, but I really want to know if I can get into a decent one at least. I also don't necessarily want to continue the communications route (although I think I might be a strong candidate for international communications programs).

Any opinions? I'd be so grateful!

Welsh0913

It'll be difficult to get into a top IR program straight out of undergrad, regardless of what major you are. Being a mass comm. major, it'll probably be tougher.

With that being said, the top schools heavily emphasize work experience - I know the average age of a new student at SAIS is 27, meaning roughly 4-5 years of work experience out of college. If your work experience is in the field of international relations or studies, then I don't think your Mass. Comm. major will be a problem with you getting into some of the top programs. Your GPA Is excellent, make sure to study for the GREs hard, and get some meaningful work experience.

UCLAri

coolfeet,

Your major won't affect you much, if at all. It's obvious that your life has taken a more international turn over time. I know plenty of people here at IR/PS who did not major in something even remotely related to IR.

Your one year of work experience in HHS will definitely help, but one year is not usually seen as "enough." Granted, a high GRE score may help out. I'd say that you'll have a shot at at least one of the top 10 programs.

Good luck!

beberabozo

Hi,

UCLAri (and anyone else you?d like to chime in),

I would really appreciate your insight on my grad school options.

I am 29 and have 7 yrs Wall St. experience. I want to pursue a career in public policy or international relations but I'm not exactly sure what job title I'm after upon graduation. Of the 2 choices (MPP or MA in Int'l Relations) I'm slightly more interested in Int'l Relations. I got rejected at all the biggest Intl Relations schools, probably because I have no experience abroad nor do I speak a 2nd language, and I botched the GRE math section. I'm left to ponder these programs:

1. UC San Diego (MPIA) - PROS: Language classes built into program; allows for a regional & career track concentrations. CONS: May be too restrictive since it's only LatAm and Pacific Rim focused; minimal networking opps outside of NY/DC; core courses are puzzling: Accounting? Finance? 2 Quants? Seems like MBA program.

2. American School of Public Service (MPP) - PROS: DC networking opps; better name recognition than UC San Diego. CONS: the public policy program isn't as exciting to me as UCSD (I got rejected at American SIS so that?s not an option).

3. Syracuse (New dual degree program called Public Diplomacy would give MA in Int'l Relations and MS in Public Relations) - PROS: Two degrees which complement each other very well; internship in summer and DC workshops for the entire final spring semester. CONS: Town is middle of nowhere; since it's a dual degree, there's no chance for an Int'l Relations concentration so I?d only get the core classes at Maxwell and the rest of my time would be spent in Newhouse School of Comm.

MPP vs. MA Int?l Relations (MPIA in case of UCSD): How important is this decision in terms of the type of jobs I?d be eligible for after graduation? I am interested in both but slightly more so in the latter.

I was also excepted into NYU for MA in Politics (concentration Int'l Relations), Seton Hall School of Int'l Affairs and Diplomacy, U of Chicago Harris (concentration Int'l Relations), and IU at Bloom MPA.

Any comments welcomed.
Thank you.

UCLAri

beberabozo,

The IR/PS core classes may seem puzzling, but believe it or not, I've had many potential employers drooling over them. SAIS is also heavy on the quant, so don't be too surprised. I actually think that the heavy quant focus means that you have a lot more job options in the end. Even organizations like State and DHS want quant at times, so you won't find yourself totally wasting your time.

As for the degree name, I wouldn't worry much. But I'll let out a secret: there's talk here of changing the degree to an MA. But don't tell anyone.

Really, when it comes to application time, nobody seems to care. None of my internship organizations seemed to care in the slightest. But now I have a few questions: What region are you interested in? What do you want out of the degree? What do you see this degree doing for you?

ashleywang

UCLAri:

I didn't apply for any funding or financial aid (i assume that's what you're referring to=S?). I don't think they are terminal master's degrees..they are just regular IR undergrad programs. But then again I am not so sure what terminal master degrees are...lol. But how would you choose between the two, in terms of majoring in IR? I am fine with LA or NYU in regards to location. Thank youu!=)