<p>For a International Affairs IR MA at a good IR school (both professional or academic):</p>
<p>After 3 years in the working field, is it OK if I don’t have a professor from my undergraduate school write one of my recommendations? I haven’t been in contact with my professors, so my references are professional, and a recommendation from an international professor from study abroad. </p>
<p>Or is it very important for an MA International Affairs to have at least one professor recommendation related to your field of study?</p>
<p>Check with the schools you are applying to to be sure of their guidelines, as some require at least 1 from an academic source. A professor from a study abroad program may be ok if that person is assessing your academic performance.</p>
<p>You may want to also think about asking one of your old professors and preparing some type of packet with your resume, sop, and coursework ou did for them. I am sure many would be willing to write a letter given that info.</p>
<p>It’s essential to have academic references. Get in contact with your undergrad professors. Put together a packet of information - your SOPs, a copy of your transcripts, maybe a sample or two from your work in their classes. Professors are used to this, so they won’t think poorly of you.</p>
<p>I’m not sure how many recs you need, but really, you can only get away with having one of the required number be non-academic. If you have a couple stellar professional recs, you can send in an extra.</p>
<p>Thanks to all. I will get two recs from academics. DespSeekPhd, but most schools don’t accept more than 3 recommendations, so any extra professional recs won’t be accepted right?</p>
<p>Most will accept the extra. It may be a good idea to contact the grad secretary to make sure s/he won’t toss one of their choosing, but I’ve heard of people sending an extra rec for whatever reason.</p>