KenBesonders

Well I have taken some interim classes at my university that require intensive research, structuring and analysis. Usually spent about 7-8 hours of class for a three week period for four years. Many grads from our program says the course is very akin to what you would fine to graduate school and helps provide comprehensive knowledge for large research projects. But that aside, I have spent time researching with a think tank in Europe and a law professor to which I was actively assisting in researching and analyzing works and also helping in polishing them off for publication. I know of a few journals that actively do look at some students with a BA, granted a lot of them also have extra experience to have the knowledge and merit to publish it. I am currently working as a staff writer for a non-profit so I thought perhaps maybe spend some free time to look into it. If the benefits are not as greatly associated when applying for a MA (which I want to do for sure) than I would consider looking into to other ways to spend time that can better my application.

The GGPS program focuses on two tracks of Global Governance or Global Security. Global Governance will focus on the aspects of the international regime and international organizations with main focus areas in human rights, regional agreements and foreign policy of different regions. Global Security focuses on addressing different security paradigms such as, arms control, conflict resolution and transnational security. All of this is opposed to the USFP program which essentially focuses on applying foreign policy to United States priorities. From what I understand, the USFP has a certain element for mid-level professionals so work experience is highly desirable if you have none already. While both seem similar, the USFP has an intense concentration on United States specific issues and cover technical details of designing foreign and defense policy. For example: Course in USFP will deal with understanding the process behind defense budgets and strategic mission objectives for overseas issues. Courses in the GGPS track will probably focus on issues more international and apply to how regions interact with each other rather than just how the United States ineracts with them. I am basing this from what I read off the website as I applied to American in the past.

Fairly solid scores. They could earn you some funding at the higher-mid tier MPP and MPA schools. It will also help you with admissions to some elite schools but funding will be more competitive. Work experience can help remedy this.

Don't get two masters degree simply because you want to change the emphasis of your career.

Maxwell seems to come up a bit.

I have successfully acquired research related employment that I plan to last me for some years until I apply for a Masters Degree in International Affairs. In the mean time I have theorized ways to help further bolster my application. Overall, I am interested in Arms Control and Counter-Terrorism/Narcotics. I was thinking about trying to do research for publication purposes. I have already identified some possible journals that could fit the need for my interests. My main question pertains to those with knowledge about application processes. How much impact does having published work have on your application? Potential "game-changer" for some admissions committees?" If you had free-time with your job and wanted to build a solid graduate school resume, would you find this fairly viable or would another solution be more attractive?

Admissions staff are not the ones making admissions decisions. I understand graduate school is important to you, but you are overthinking this and blowing it out of proportion. Stay calm, send an apology email and continue with your application. Firstly, you have done nothing wrong really. Secondly, I'd doubt they have the time or interest to really put forth the effort to have the admissions committee blacklist you. Just brush it off and continue with your application process as planned. It's the professional thing to do.

Unless you actually send in an application that does something against the rules (falsifying information) than you shouldn't have anything to worry about. Admissions get emails from hundreds of potential applicants. I doubt they would miss a small folly. Most the decisions are up to the admissions committee and I doubt they would care either way about a small email. They will most likely just delete it.

Okay, allow me to elaborate. Doing well in these classes by no means gives you a automatic bid for funding. However, as you said, many programs holistically look at the whole package that is the student. GWU, Georgetown, Tufts, SAIS and others all have previous econ classes as a preferred prerequisite for applying. Most people I see getting accepted and funding usually meet the criteria. I am rather saying don't overlook the importance of having it. If you do, good, shoot for GRE scores, work experience and other ways to enhance your application. My original point is that some applicants, especially in those seeking for security programs, often overlook the importance of having econ classes on the transcripts. You can still get into these schools and maybe get funding, but net meeting the prerequisite criteria reduces your chances.

I am currently seeking it and have come close. Still staying persistent. My target right now is local government or a company that works internationally. I live in a Midwest state and unfortunately cannot move out to DC until graduate school comes around.

You will likely have to request additional transcripts for the classes if you already graduated. Most grad schools should accept them as long as you have them on a transcript.

You and me both are on a similar boat. I won't apply for another two years to build up work experience, but in the mean time I think I will take some macro and micro economics courses. From what I have seen on acceptance and funding on this forum, micro and macro classes play a fairly weighted role.

Hello all, I was a perspective grad student this year and though I got accepted to two fine programs, I have decided to find work experience before entering advanced education to enhance my finances and my viability as a candidate. (International relations) I took the GRE twice through a course of about three and a half months. First time I barely studied at all and took one practice exam. The second time I tried to brush up on my vocab with online flashcards, took three practice exams and read some extra GRE guides. My score the first time was V156/Q148/AW4. Second time round I scored V156Q148/AW5.5. Though I was disappointed that the first two didn't change, I felt better about the excellent writing score. Now that I am going to be taking around two years to build some work experience, I was wondering what are some affordable but effective GRE prep programs that can be used online. I have been taking notice to Magoosh since it is relatively affordable and seems to have good reviews. Manhattan seems superb but highly expensive. Right now I am leaning towards Magoosh but I welcome the input of anyone who is experienced with these programs or ways for improving GRE scores.

Yes Maxwell has been becoming more prominent on my radar because it seems to be a well rounded program. The only disadvantage seems to be that they are located in a less ideal setting, but that is rather nullified with their semester in DC (which I believe you can do your last semester as well) because of their CSIS partnership. It would be excellent for me, since I plan on studying International Security.

If I could chime in I wish to really lay down some misconceptions within this thread. 1. You shouldn't necessarily worry too much about what sector your position is in but rather the duties you undertake. I know many students who were able to get into top MPA/MPP programs while working in the private sector. Its the experience and skills that these programs are looking for. I am sure they won't judge against you for where you worked. 2. Don't think or assume that a certain degree holds you to a certain field. It seems to be a habit of people here to think that going to a certain school will mean they have to take up a career directly relating to it. Take up a masters that will meet YOUR OWN interests and capitalize on the skills and knowledge you gain. A colleague of mine got his Masters in Public Policy Administration and now works with a nice position for Yahoo in California.

I figured as such through analyzing their websites but it doesn't hurt to get second opinions, especially from those with first hand experience. Judging from the previous thread, Maxwell does seem to give generous aid and I have heard good reviews of it. It amazes me though that larger programs, such as SAIS and Georgetown, offer such limited financial aid considering the immense cost of attending. One would think that schools of such caliber would be covered with large endowments to attract more students.

Hello, I have been lurking the forum for a while when looking for information. I always hear people differentiate between different types of programs: professional and academic. I could have goofed my terminology but from what I understand there are certain types of programs that focus on professional aspects of public policy to transition into the workforce while others focus on the theoretical aspect for academics. Needless to say, I am looking to build work experience and enter to gain my MA in International Affairs. I want to work on a professional degree because I intend to find work in public service afterwards. Perhaps I haven't analyzed deep enough but some schools don't seem to differentiate if their program is "professional" or not. Could someone perhaps help clarify what schools tend to offer these types of MAs? For example, schools on my radar include: Syracuse Maxwell, Georgetown SFS, Johns Hopkins SAIS, American SIS, Columbia SIPA and George Washington Elliott. Secondly, which professional programs in IR tend to be more generous with aid? I ask because I have an average GPA that I want to make up with work experience, test scores and other qualities.