interdisciplinaryangst

I got into Columbia's Human Rights Studies program and actually decided to pull my Oxford app (thinking a policy degree may be best for after an MA). Still deciding whether to accept. Best of luck to you too! Where did you apply?

Program: MA/MSc/Phil (Social Policy/Human Rights-related) Schools being considered: Oxford (MSc/MPhil Comparative Social Policy), Columbia (MA Human Rights Studies, considering SIPA next year if apps unsuccessful), LSE (Social Policy & Planning), other Canadian inst. Undergrad Institution: top-tier Canadian school Major: Joint Honours Political Science/Canadian Studies GPA: 3.78 (3.85 for last 2 years) GRE score: none (not needed for programs applying to) Years since undergrad: graduating this term Work experience: 1 year as full-time elected executive of university student union representing >20,000 people (ample policy advocacy/writing experience at University & student union level); volunteer: 2 other years as unpaid elected student representative, 1 summer internship with federal political party, 2 years on executive of an undergraduate journal, 1.5 years on exec of political party campus group Coursework: one intro-level microeconomics course (A), one mandatory empirical research course for Honours Poli Sci (B+), one econ-related international relations course (A-) Language skills: some French Statement of Purpose: focusing on policy advocacy area of interest, linking academic interest in area with policy advocacy skills from work experience Letters of Recommendation: director of one of my Major programs, director of program in a related field at Uni I took transfer courses at, non-academic Dean (student advocate; professional colleague) Concerns: minimal quantitative/econ-related coursework, minimal off-campus internships/experience, no paid research experience (just Honours thesis & independent study course). Considering taking a year off to get more research/work experience.