IR LeLaH

Good luck on funding! A student at SIS contacted me weeks ago and did answer some of my questions. But there has been no response since I sent another email asking for more information about my program. I could not make it to the open house either, so I was really hoping to hear from the current student. I agree, it is not cool.

Hi! I'm an international student too, and I'm about to start my graduate study this fall. Here's a little something about myself. I hope it can help you gain some confidence when you apply. I'm straight out of undergrad and my only work experience was a one month full-time internship in a local government's foreign affairs office. I had some international volunteer experience, but none of them was longer than a month. (VISA restriction sucks) Well as you can see, you definitely have a stronger background in working than I do. Since I managed to get in some schools that I really like, I believe you will too in the near future. I think when applying, the most important thing is to show the ad comm how you fit their program. Sure work experience in related field is of great significance, but you can still show that you're a good fit by emphasizing your other strengths, your unique experience and your motivation in your personal statement. I hope this will help.

"I'm going to American University." "Oh. So which university in America?" I'm from another country, so I can't really blame my friends and family when they say this to me... Still, it is frustrating and I hate to explain it for so many times. Maybe I should make a public announcement about it.

I already accepted the offer. I've never been to the AU campus but I love the city. Since I was accepted straight out of undergrad, I really need to gain some work experience during graduate study and DC seems to be the ideal place. The other schools I applied to in DC area either rejected or waitlisted me, so AU became my first and only choice. Did SIS offer you any funding?

Hi. I'm an international student and I'm also worried about my English. Since I wasn't offered a language training session, I plan to come to America one week earlier than I was asked to. I will take the time to explore the city and try to walk out of my comfort zone and talk to native speakers. I think as international students, we do need time to adjust. If you really don't want to leave so soon, maybe you could arrange to arrive just a couple of days earlier?

The deadline for admitted students to make their final decisions is April 18th. I don't really know for sure but I'm guessing they will wait after that day to notify people on the wait list with more information.

Also an international student here. I've been looking at some apartment info on websites like craiglist and I plan to arrive two weeks earlier to find an ideal place to live. My problem is, since I didn't receive any funding, I have to share an apartment or a studio with a roommate to cut the cost. But how can I find one without being able to meet one? I don't know anyone in the city I'm going to, so it really worries me a lot.

Thanks for the info John385! It is such a relief to know that we don't have to wait another week. This whole waiting thing is just killing me...

I just found out that I was accepted into Global governance, Politics, and Security. The letter didn't say anything about funding though..

Hang in there. Good news is on the way.

Just checked my status. Got in! I'm so excited since this is really my first acceptance.

Congrats to those who got in! Mine status still says "in review". This doesn't look great...

Thanks! I hope I can hear back from them soon.

I also haven't heard back. I just realized that I actually applied to MIPA. Maybe they don't send out decisions at the same time? Idk...I think all we can do is wait..

Friday is coming. I'm really nervous right now. Anyone hear anything?

Thanks for the information. I got nothing today. Did you ask Jennifer?

I also applied to La Follette. Checking both my email and the website twice a day is driving me crazy. My status on the website says pending. I almost begin to believe that I'm wait-listed.

Thank you guys! I contacted the department but they haven't reply. I think I'm going to cut it down to 500..

My AW is 3.5 and I'm not going to take the test again. From what I heard, a good SOP or writing sample is enough to prove your writing ability. Good luck!

Hi everyone! I really need some help. I am currently editing my SOP for a graduate program. According to the requirement of the program, the SOP should be approximately 500 words... My essay is about 570 and I feel like I cannot downsize it anymore. Will it be a problem if I just submit the 570 words SOP? Any suggestion will be appreciated.

Thanks a lot, MPPgal! I have a clearer picture of my future now because of what you said. I guess I have a lot to work on to be amazing, but I should not stop trying.

Hi everyone! I really need help and here is my situation. I am an international applicant trying to get into a security studies program. I want to gain some work experience in think tanks here in United States after graduation. (Not that I don't want to work in my home country but the fact is there are much fewer think tanks back home.) However, my friend who is now in grad school focusing on security studies told me that it is extremely difficult for an international student to get a job in this field. I am pretty frustrated after hearing this. What do I do now? Maybe apply to other IR programs? Or apply to security studies programs anyway and bet that I'll get lucky two years later? Thanks for reading this patiently. Advice or more information on situation like this will be greatly appreciated.

Hi, I'm a junior in international politics and I have decided to get a master degree in IR or MPA. However, I found myself really interested in transnational crime. Are there any IR programs focusing on this area? Will it be better if I apply for grad programs in criminology (though I am less likely to get accepted)? All your reply will be great help to me!! Thanks.