flyers29

Regarding scholarships, I'll actually trumpet Korbel for once. Looks like they have to re-do the requirements due to the GRE format change (see here: http://korbeladmissi...t-scholarships/ ) but you shouldn't have a problem getting $10-15k from them. Although the overall tuition is higher than some of the DC schools, that plus the lower cost of living would probably give you an advantage there.

Yeah I think they do ask for transcripts for PMF, though as far as I know the test is pretty much what determines if you get selected or not.

Generally speaking, yes. Though things don't go in "generally speaking" terms per se.

Good advice above. I'm also an aspiring Europeanist (I feel weird calling myself any sort of "-ist" at this point....heh) and have run into similar issues in my own mind. Then again my school is one of the ones with a EUCE posted above, so perhaps it's not all bad. Either way, developing expertise in broader themes and frameworks versus a geographic region might be the road you have to take, at least at first.

I think you should be ok.

I'm still trying to figure out what law school has to do with your future goals. Also, I'd go for a more policy-focused IR school if you're doing it in the US or Canada...MA in political science is pretty much just a stepping stone to the Ph.D.

Hmm, DC schools are probably your best bet. Don't forget George Mason and Maryland, which may be easier on the wallet.

I tend to take BLS forecasts with a grain of salt, regardless of whether or not they're positive or negative.

Agree with the above. One of the big catch-22s with this field--often need to demonstrate proficiency in a second language, but you're pretty much on your own as far as finding the resources to ensure that proficiency.

Can this be locked already?

What exactly are you looking to research within public policy? Have you considered applying to Ph.D programs in public policy?

I agree with the above. Your best bet would be to look at schools that have good opportunity for language study (in addition to being a good match with your research) so you could pursue it in your own time.

Looks like the NSF bill passed the House. I don't see anything about cuts to SBE, though that may come in the Senate (especially as it's Sen. Tom Coburn who seems to be the main opponent of the SBE directorate's existence).

If NSF is getting a big cut across the board then it's hard for me to really argue. If social sciences are being targeted while others remain safe, however, then I'm very much for this effort (if you recall the idiotic comments of that senator a couple of years ago arguing for NSF social science cuts, with his argument essentially being, "Why do we need political scientists to study electoral behavior when CNN has those fancy election maps?).

Getting a job on campus is going to be more difficult (not impossible) for a foreign student due to the fact that many are filled under Federal Work-Study. As for jobs post-graduation, I don't think that being a foreigner is a huge hindrance in the non-government sector, though the proportion of jobs that exist in this field with the government is of course pretty substantial. Also depends on your concentration as some are more government-heavy than others. Did seem to me that many international students just came to the US to study with the intention of going back to their home country upon completion, though.

I don't think it's that formal--you could probably just call up the particular school and ask if you can sit in on a class. Pretty common.

I went 1/3, so choosing was the easy part. I probably would've chosen that program though anyway--just the best fit in terms of research, quality of life factors, etc.

Going the MA route and trying to get a job in the US in this field--especially as a non-citizen--is going to be a gamble right now (ask me how I know ). Besides, a Ph.D might be something you find necessary to get ahead down the road if you want to go the think-tank route. Here are some more policy-focused programs I'd recommend just off the top of my head (I don't know what your level of competitiveness for admissions is): MIT Political Science, JHU SAIS, Maryland Public Policy, American SIS, Tufts Fletcher, Denver Korbel, Pittsburgh GSPIA.

I also agree you should have a decent shot if you have a good GPA/strong GRE scores.

A better understanding of how strong my school's professional network was would've helped. Kind of hard to really determine that before going, though. (To avoid possible confusion, I did finish an IR MA before continuing on to Ph.D elsewhere this fall)

Go figure, I heard that polygraphs were really only designed to respond to yes/no questions. Honestly OP, I don't know if you're going to get any detailed responses from anyone who has actually taken one given the non-disclosure stuff surrounding them.

Grad PLUS loans are federally-backed and have an 8.5% interest rate. The Stafford loans (6.8%) are indeed limited to $20,500. Mine together have a 7.3% rate.

Just a thought--why not get some experience with the British institutions for a few years then move on to private firms? Unfortunately it's very tough to jump into private firms without any experience.

You're going to need to be a citizen--that's non-negotiable. However, it's not quite true that you're disqualified by being a naturalized citizen (or furthermore, being a natural-born citizen with a foreign parent).

SOME government agencies offer paid internships with a livable wage, though they're obviously pretty competitive. IR Internships are unpaid on the whole, though.