Hello everyone!
I've just spent a whole hour or so reading 15 pages of excellent information, feedback (and hyperventilation - totally understand this phase of the excruciating wait!!) To all those who've got accepted in SOAS, Sciences Po etc. - Congratulations!! but may your IHEID dreams come true too.
I am applying for the MDev course and have picked IHEID, SOAS, Sciences Po, IDS/Sussex, University of Amsterdam, Institute of Social Sciences as my top few choices. Not an early bird unlike most on this thread, I recently put in my application for IHEID on 10 January and am working on the rest of the applications.
I am particularly interested in agrarian development, food security issues, water management, displacement and migration issues. Below, is just a bit of background so if you're interested in similar issues, I would love to hear about which universities according to your research might have the best resources for the mentioned areas.
I have a BA degree in Communication from Australia with a less than average GPA that I completed in 2010. I have been working ever since with travel magazines, the Associated Press, an investigative documentary film on Papua New Guinea and the Department of Immigration in Australia. I left Australia for good six months ago and returned to my home country, India after seven good years. In the last six months, I did a course on agro-ecology and organic farming practices at a biodiversity conservation farm started by the renowned physicist and environmental activist Dr Vandana Shiva, in the foothills of the Himalayas. This was an excellent orientation into the area especially because we were taught by a collective of seed scientists, micro biologists, nutritionists, environmental activists, writers and researchers - each with a different perspective on food security and sustainable farming. I also did some volunteer work with an American couple who ran farmer trainings in rural villages. Currently, I am doing a Grad Dip by correspondence from the University of London/LSE in International Relations - to make up for a poor performance and a four year break from the world of academia.
I'm not sure if my experience will make up for my academic background but how I would love, love, love to get accepted at IHEID. Did anyone have to explain/justify an irrelevant Bachelor degree or a low GPA in their SOP? I circumvented that bit and just highlighted what I have done and what motivates me to complete a post graduate degree in Development studies/ International Development.
Look forward to hearing from someone and anyone.
Hope you've all had a fantastic start to the new year.