starrylanterns

A graduate degree in IR is important for working in federal agencies, not as much for working for Senator/Congressman X. You'll eventually find your Hill career stalled without an advanced degree, though, just like everywhere else... "professional staff" and doing "inherently political work" in DC will generally require a grad. degree. But the way to work on the Hill isn't to go to a school in DC... many people who go to DC policy schools think they have privileged access to internships and jobs (it's a marketing ploy by those schools), when really several schools there just oversaturate the market. I know that, where I worked in DC, we deliberately sought out people who weren't from those schools (especially since they tended to admit people straight from undergrad...i.e. with no real experience). I also got all my DC internships without living in DC, and that's not remotely uncommon. None of the top IR schools will be looked at any differently for DC jobs/internships, and for the Hill, it has a lot more to do with your home state and connections for an entry-level staff ass position. Easiest way to break onto the hill would be getting an internship where you want to work, then working up the ladder. It doesn't mean going to a DC policy school. You'd be spending a lot of time/money only to end up in an entry level Hill job anyway, which you can do without one of those degrees. DC experience is essential to get DC jobs, but DC schools aren't necessary for DC experience (especially not on the Hill). 
 
I hate to say it but the "instant gratification" path would have been to get a Hill internship while you were an undergrad, then get hired out of college. As it is you'd be in a kind of awkward limbo where you've probably come from a lucrative job and are too experienced for an entry-level staff ass position (and an internship), but you lack the DC experience that would allow them to confidently hire you for something more senior. I'd consider a more traditional IR path (defense/intelligence/diplomacy) and, if you like, you can always be hired as professional staff on the Hill later. Starting an IR career on the Hill is kind of a strange trajectory, in my opinion. The Hill can be very insular. It sounds like you want to be involved in policy planning, and foreign policy planning for the United States really happens in one branch of government, and the other provides review/oversight. How easily you can switch between the two (and which side is more substantive) is open to question.

Hey Guys! I'm applying UCSD IR/PS program right now. I have questions about the second essay (Many events of globe significance have occurred in the last three years. please discuss how one of these events has impacted your views on initiative and leadership.)I'm not really clearly about what the essay should talk about. Could you guys give me some suggestions about how to write the second essay? What kind of essay it should be and how long it should be? what kinds of my abilities that the committee want to see through the essay? Thank you so much!!

I'm a Department of State Foreign Service Officer currently based in DC after overseas assignments.  Before entering the Foreign Service, I got an MPP.  I'm happy to answer questions about the Foreign Service, the hiring process, graduate school and the Foreign Service, Wikileaks, etc.  I won't tell you where I went to school or where I've served since I'd prefer to try to preserve some sense of anonymity, but almost anything else is fair game.  So, if you'd like to ask questions, go ahead.
 
As usual, any responses are my own and do not/not necessarily reflect the views, policies, etc. of the Department of State.

(the following is in no way meant to disparage any previous posters)
 
While I'm sure that on occasion reverse academic snobbery exists, I think more often than not it's a phenomenon much like "reverse racism" - in that the very people who feel they are being wronged are in fact simply worried they will not get the advantage they feel they are owed.  I'm not an anti-intellectual, and there is certainly a strange cultural undertow which sometimes makes me feel as if I'm swimming upstream when I strive to be well informed, articulate, and logical.  For example, the constant need for politicians in America to make a big show of being "plain spoken" and folksy.  So in a broad sense, yes, I think culturally there is an annoying smart vs. "real" perception problem. 
 
But, on an individual basis, I have to assume everyone is trying their best.  I just assume an intentional posture of niavete in order to not become an ass-hat myself.  Because for me it is better to assume if someone boasts to me that they would never be bothered to read a book that perhaps they have an undiagnosed learning disability, or an incredible strength in art, or simply a strong preference for auditory learning but they listen to pod casts religiously - whatever, than to assume they are just a big stupid idiot who hates smart people.
 
I barely graduated high school, I'm the only one of my friends from that period of my life who did finish high school, I married a high school drop out, and I spent much of a decade working in a hair salon.  Many of my clients were college students, graduate students, law students, or scientists from the nearby national lab.  The most articulate, interesting, and accomplished people also tended to be the people who just spoke to me like I was a person and were completely unconcerned with impressing me or impressing upon me the importance of education.  Occasionally I had a jackass in my chair, and it's 50/50 that person thought I was an elitist high brow snob or an uneducated idiot rube.  
 
I have strong feelings about this, because I've been on both sides, and have been perceived as being on both sides the entire time depending on who I was with and what I was doing.  In the end I found that as with anything, you won't change anyone who isn't interested, who has their guard up, and the more you push the more they will build up a defense against you and what you represent.  If you have a jackass in your salon chair, or in your life, treat them well until you get get them out the door and don't let them back.  And if you're dealing with a non-jackass, don't push an agenda or a belief system, and if someone is interested in your views, your beliefs, or your value system (including placing a high value on education) they will see that in your actions and ask you directly if they want to know more.  (All this is, of course, just one blue collar lady's opinion)

Hey Guys! I'm applying UCSD IR/PS program right now. I have questions about the second essay (Many events of globe significance have occurred in the last three years. please discuss how one of these events has impacted your views on initiative and leadership.)I'm not really clearly about what the essay should talk about. Could you guys give me some suggestions about how to write the second essay? What kind of essay it should be and how long it should be? what kinds of my abilities that the committee want to see through the essay? Thank you so much!!

First @ Rollaround – “since the rankings of both the University and the Program are not quite high.” Not sure what this is based on. One of the biggest strengths of IR/PS is that it located across the way from UCSD’s economics and pol sci programs, both of which are top 10 in country and most professors at IR/PS are also professors at these departments.

The PhD program, however, is a bit of a weakness. My understanding is that you pretty much have to apply to the PhD in pol sci, be admitted there, get funding, etc through them. In your later years, you are then welcome to reach out to IR/PS professors and resources later in your PhD process. I do not think they are accepting anyone directly into the PhD program at IR/PS, but I could be wrong. I only know one person that graduated from the IR/PS phD program. She is pretty awesome though. She worked at the IABD for a while then moved to the German Marshall Fund.

I think the academics at IR/PS are top-notch. It isn’t as well known as some other professional IR programs (SAIS, Tufts, etc.) but those schools tend to have professors who are ex-top officials in government, NGO-leaders, diplomats, etc so their lectures are all stuff you can learn listening to public radio and reading the economist. Academically, the only other IR schools which “compete” (well, are better than) IR/PS are Colombia’s SIPA and Harvard’s KSG (this is a quote from the Dean of the school, not me). I agree though. I’ve worked and interned around DC, and I’ve meet people from every other IR program. My take is that IR/PS as hard as, or harder, than most other IR programs. The program is very quantitative in general, but if you hate numbers, you can do your best to avoid it after the first year. Since you are considering a PhD, I’m assuming you don’t hate numbers. If you want quantitative, you can get as much as that as you can imagine at UCSD. My last quarter I took a “Quantitative Methods for Advance Analyst” which was taught by someone at the math department…it made my head spin. Not to mention, UCSD's econ department is known for being the best in the world at econometrics (well, used to be at least).

The school is in San Diego…so that’s probably all I need to say about “culture.” I loved it. Great weather, wonderful beaches, relax professors, etc. The career services team is amazing! However, IR/PS doesn’t have the network other, older IR programs have. So, you can get a great job out of IR/PS and there are great alumni, but a good job is not going to fall into your lap, you have to work for it (i.e. lots of time e-mailing alumni, networking, polishing resume, doing cool projects while in school, etc). I’m a firm believe in “you get what you pay for.” IR/PS costs half as much (or less) than other programs. So, you have less debt leaving IR/PS, but you will have to work harder to find a job! Currently, I work with people from almost every other IR program and I’m glad my student loan payments are half the size!

I graduated from this program! Happy to answer any questions on it!!!

I highly recommend it!

We are already getting compensated for our service of being TA/RAs by receiving stipends and getting tuition remission. I rather the money go to reestablishing subsidized Stafford loans especially for master's students who are not usually funded by their programs.

Tom Cruise!

I'll play! A girl messaged me who didn't really seem like my type for multiple reasons, but I didn't want to discount anyone right away, so I agreed to meet her for a date. I gave her my number, and she started texting me all. day. every. day. When I began to ignore some of her texts (like the ones that just said "what are you doing?"), she got upset. I hadn't even met her yet, and I'm the type of person who would be completely turned off and downright terrified by anyone being clingy. I was very nice when I called off the date, and she seemed okay with it. A month later, she messaged me to say hello and ask if we could still talk online occasionally. A couple messages later, she casually mentioned that she had been arrested that week for assaulting someone (not in self-defense), but that it was okay and she just had a bad temper. Yeah, I didn't reply to that message. The story would have been way better had I actually gone through with the date... but I can't say I regret canceling!

I met my now-husband at grad school. I was doing my masters and he was doing his PhD. We were in the same field, but with different specializations. Now I am going to start a PhD in a separate field entirely, mainly because I do not want to do what he does (no spousal hires in his faculty). My career has been seriously compromised by marrying him, which I knew it would be from the outset. I'm fine with that and would be happy to be an adjunct at OurU.

I got an email letting me know I had a new message in my UCSD application, and when I logged in and checked my messages there it was. It seems like UCSD is staggering the messages they send out to applicants, since someone at the top of the post got their message at the beginning of last week I believe, and I got my message at 1am last Friday (maybe it was computer automated?) Anyway, don't stress, the wait is almost over! Regardless of the decision, you did your best and that's all we can do as potential graduate students.

Uniqlo is also a good cheap store (only phone orders if ordering "online").

I got an email letting me know I had a new message in my UCSD application, and when I logged in and checked my messages there it was. It seems like UCSD is staggering the messages they send out to applicants, since someone at the top of the post got their message at the beginning of last week I believe, and I got my message at 1am last Friday (maybe it was computer automated?) Anyway, don't stress, the wait is almost over! Regardless of the decision, you did your best and that's all we can do as potential graduate students.

During the admitted students chat, funding information should be released sometime this week.  Stay tuned    And congrats!

Congrats to everyone accepted and to those still waiting I hope you hear good news soon!
 
Yes, if you got the nominated for acceptance you are accepted to the program. And for funding, these decisions probably won't come out for maybe 3 more weeks or so. I got my funding notification near the end of March so I'm guessing that's when people will hear this year too.

Anyone got advice on approaching the second essay for MPIA? I'm a bit worried about mine.... I'm approaching it as how the US's approach to the Senkaku-Diaoyu dispute changed my views on initiative and the role of leadership and actions taken by countries in leader roles like the US...

Congrats on your acceptance edan!

Yep, I received notice a few days back that I was admitted! But info on funding won't be forthcoming until March, alas..

Strive for clarity and if not clarity then cohesiveness in your explanation of your uncertainty.

Can you people who keep posting here actually provide proper avenues or stop posting!!

I have one chance to take the new test in order to boost the chances of me receiving as much aid as possible for grad school (reading for an MA in international relations).

I have 9 weeks before I would have to schedule the test. I have taken the old test before. Did reasonably well (Q740 v690) but I know I can do better.

Questions:

1) How did you begin your studying for the GRE?

2) Are 9 weeks enough?

Thanks!

No offense, but for someone who professes to have no experience in a PhD program, what is this advice based on? The OP is  more than 5 years in and not past the comprehensive exam yet, talks about not enjoying any of the major components of a PhD program (research, writing/publishing, teaching) and doesn't like their PhD project, which they also can't get funded. This calls for a major evaluation of the OP's career path, and only if they decide that a PhD is needed to get them where they want to go - or at the very least, that it doesn't interfere with the plans or hold them back - does it make sense to continue. Staying just because you could make it work out is not good enough. We're talking about another 2-3 years out of this person's life, and they shouldn't be spent doing something the OP doesn't enjoy now, nor need for their future. A PhD is not something you do just because you can stick it out; it's a difficult time-consuming endeavor even under the best of circumstances, and the circumstances the OP describes are less than ideal.
 
ETA: edited for clarity.

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