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Hi Angel! I am applying to all 4 schools as well in International Development! Nice to see someone else in the same boat. I've been anxiously reading the forum looking for students in a similar situation. Let's keep in touch on this thread and compare experiences. Unlike you I graduated a while ago from UCLA in 2007 and I've been working ever since but in a field unrelated to Development I'm trying to change direction and I think that's my weakness. I have volunteered for about a year for a micro lending non profit alongside my full time job and I hope that will help show my interest in the field. I have already submitted my application for Sciences Po and IHEID. I am now working on my statements for SOAS and UCL but like you IHEID is my top choice. Can you tell me why you think you were rejected from IHEID the first time around? Was it the only school you applied to? Any insight can be helpful to relieve the stress!

Hi, I am applying to all the programs you mentioned as well for Dev Studies or International Development. I am also applying to 2 other UK schools LSE and UCL (International Public Policy) This is a nerve wrecking process and I'd like to compare my experiences with someone applying to similar programs.

I'm sorry I have subscribed to this thread but for some reason I don't get notified when it's updated! Forgive my late reply. You make valid points there smirrah! The way you put it the MPA does sound better all of a sudden lol but in reality the free option classes are the same in both the Msc in Dev Management and the MPA so I will be able to take some of the same classes. The Msc does not have a 6 month long capstone but they do have a consultancy project as well. And in all honesty price is also a major factor I had to take into account the MPA is 2 years tuition is higher. I try not to be discouraged by stats or I don't think I'd ever apply to anything! I have started the application process and I have 5 schools all in Europe and I am so nervous! I have been working and reworking my SOP everything is ready, even my professors have been great and submited their letters already but I can't bring myself to submit my LSE application thinking I still have time to edit something. My application for IHEID Geneva Development Studies is already submitted I wanted to be considered for early review. I am also applying to Sciences Po for International Development, SOAS for Development Studies and UCL for International Public Policy. To be quite honest I'm not so sure about UCL since development in Africa is really what interests me. IDS Sussex recently came to my attention I don't know why I have not heard much about this program it seems quite good for dev studies. But I don't know if I should add one more school so late in the process after doing extensive research on my other choices. You seem to know a lot about UK schools any insight would be great!

Hi, Thank you so much for your reply! After reading countless forums and blogs (particulary Wendy's blog) I have decided to pick the Msc in Development Management over the MPA. It is a much more practical degree and it offers more of what I want to study over the overly theoretical MPA. I think that first year would be really hard on me I looked at the curriculum and I can't say that I like what I see there it's just too much theory/math for my liking. And I don't really like the rigidity of the program in the first year. I also think that it's quite odd that the MPA 2 yr program doesn't have an internship component or anything geared towards profesionnal experience other than the capstone project.I am also applying to Sciences Po and Geneva for Development Studies and I like the structure of both programs better. With that said I am still signing up for Micro and math classes this coming semester even if I'm not applying to the MPA. I think that will be helpful no matter what program I land in. I was reading over statistics for LSE Msc and even the Dev Management is at around 10% admissions. That is nerver wrecking! I'm applyiing early and I hope that helps.

Hello smirrah and other current/former MPA students I am in desperate need for advice. I've been going back and forth in my choice of program at LSE for fall 2014. I am really attracted to the MPA in International Development I know I want to focus my graduate studies on developing countries. Problem is I have a very weak quantitative background and this program sounds very focused on math and economy. I graduated 5 years ago from UCLA with a BA in Political Sciences and minor in African Studies 3.79 GPA but only took one Statistics class freshman year and got a C. I only have one Macro class under my belt I did very well but it's not much. I am worried that is not enough... do they even consider candidates with light quantitative backgrounds or are all admited students economists? Will taking Econ and Math classes this winter fill in the gaps help me or is it not worth the trouble? And I should stick to 'simple' Msc like Development Studies or Development Management and such Any insight would be greatly appreaciated

Hello prospective students! Since the older threads on this topic are not very active I just thought I would start a new one for students looking into European graduate programs in International Relations/International Affairs! Please share your thoughts/insight on programs you are considering applying to and hopefully we can help each other deal with the application process and the stress. Former and current students please don't hesitate to share your experience with popular programs like LSE, HEI, Sciences Po, KCL, UL SOAS etc... We need all the information we can get to find the right fit and maximize admission chances!! Thanks!

Hello! I've been reading this entire thread and I have learned so much already thanks to previous posters! I would appreciate any feedback from knowledgeable students on this forum! I am looking into going back to school for an International Affairs MA in 2014. I am still narrowing down programs but my interests are International Affairs, International Development or International Political Economy (I suck at math but took many Pol Econ classes in undergrad). I am mostly focusng at European programs because of price + no GRE (best of both worlds) My choices so far are: LSE London, HEI Geneva, Sciences Po Paris secondary: UL London, ULB Brussels... any other schools I should look at even in the U.S? My goal is career change and to get a job for the UN or any big NGO/organization as a Project Manager or a Program Officer on an African focus development program. Background: I am originally from West Africa and moved to the U.S to attend college. I grew up on 3 different continents (Europe/Africa/Asia) Education: AA in Liberal Arts from a community college 3.6 GPA BA in Political Science from UCLA 3.79 GPA (concentration on International Relations) minor in African Studies 3.95 GPA Languages: French native speaker/English/Intermediate Spanish Relevant work experience: NONE :-( I worked part time jobs through undergrad so I have only one internship under my belt at the U.N Diplomatic Mission of my country in New York. After that was unable to find a IR related job and used my languages skills to secure a job. Worked in translation for years in technology/entertainment. I did learn soft skills and acquire project management experience. I have been volunteering online for a year for a micro lending platform working mostly with sub Saharan African borrowers. (translation/borrowers application review ect..) Working with them made me realize I was on the wrong track career wise. Can anyone tell me if I have a shot at getting into any good MA program with such an unusual non IR background or if I am kidding myself? Any advice is greatly appreciated!