clove75

Hey all, the gist I've gotten from most is that a personal statement for IR programs (for the likes of Georgetown SFS, SAIS, etc.) is supposed to be quite specific on how you feel the program will advance your career goals. My problem, of course, is I am still not sure what specifically I am interested in doing. I am quite interested in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but have no idea how that interest will manifest itself down the road. I could see myself joining a think-tank, working for a peace-building NGO in Israel, or even working in the U.S. govt. regarding Middle Eastern policy. My philosophy is that I should keep learning about the region and international politics, and opportunities will present themselves. But is that what programs want to hear? If not, how do I spin my interests in a more positive manner? Thanks!

Anyone have any thoughts on which has a stronger Masters Middle Eastern Studies program? SAIS seems to have somewhat of a conservative bent (Martin Kramer seems to teach all classes that has to do with Israel - I happen to lean left), but I can't really come to any solid conclusions. Thoughts? Thanks!

Hey all, I have noticed that for Georgetown a masters in conflict resolution is not contained within SFS, while at SAIS conflict resolution is. Two Questions: 1. Does anyone have anything to say one way or another about the Georgetown Conflict Resolution Masters Program? Is it considered vastly inferior to SFS? 2. What about the Conflict Resolution concentration within SAIS - Strong program? Thanks!

Thank you very much for the thorough reply - Would all of those things need to be included in the personal statement or is there some other medium to convey it? Because 600 words does not seem enough to cover all those bases while telling my story. Do I need to address my lack of IR coursework/ experience in the essay? Or do I need to only positively address what the program will allow me to accomplish in the future? Thanks again

Thanks for the reply - What specifically do you know about the two middle eastern studies programs that causes you to prefer SFS?

Hey all, I want to apply to some of the big IR programs (SAIS, Tufts, Georgetown, etc.), but I have some reservations on whether I will be considered seriously (more on that in a second) GPA: 3.8 from an Ivy Major: Neuroscience GRE: 168 Quant 168 Verbal Experience in IR: Lacking (Was Pre-med for most of my college career) Foreign Experience: Served for a year in the Israeli army after my junior year of college before injuries cut it short and I returned to school - I am fluent in Hebrew. Also lived in Israel for a year between high school and college I'm interested in Middle Eastern Studies and Conflict resolution (the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a major focal point). Yet I took at most 2 classes that could be considered IR-related at school - Am I in big trouble? (Also, was succesful in my former pre-med career. I was the fifth co-author of a paper in a major research journal and did a service-learning program in South Africa for 6 weeks). Thanks!

Hey all, I want to apply to some of the big IR programs (SAIS, Tufts, Georgetown, etc.), but I have some reservations on whether I will be considered seriously (more on that in a second) GPA: 3.8 from an Ivy Major: Neuroscience GRE: 168 Quant 168 Verbal Experience in IR: Lacking (Was Pre-med for most of my college career) Foreign Experience: Served for a year in the Israeli army after my junior year of college before injuries cut it short and I returned to school - I am fluent in Hebrew. Also lived in Israel for a year between high school and college I'm interested in Middle Eastern Studies and Conflict resolution (the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a major focal point). Yet I took at most 2 classes that could be considered IR-related at school - Am I in big trouble? (Also, was succesful in my former pre-med career. I was the fifth co-author of a paper in a major research journal and did a service-learning program in South Africa for 6 weeks). Thanks!

Hey all, I want to apply to some of the big IR programs (SAIS, Tufts, Georgetown, etc.), but I have some reservations on whether I will be considered seriously (more on that in a second) GPA: 3.8 from an Ivy Major: Neuroscience GRE: 168 Quant 168 Verbal Experience in IR: Lacking (Was Pre-med for most of my college career) Foreign Experience: Served for a year in the Israeli army after my junior year of college before injuries cut it short and I returned to school - I am fluent in Hebrew. Also lived in Israel for a year between high school and college I'm interested in Middle Eastern Studies and Conflict resolution (the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a major focal point). Yet I took at most 2 classes that could be considered IR-related at school - Am I in big trouble? (Also, was succesful in my former pre-med career. I was the fifth co-author of a paper in a major research journal and did a service-learning program in South Africa for 6 weeks). Thanks!