This is rather specific, but I'm running into a problem and wondered if anyone here on gradcafe could be of assistance.
I have a BA (Hon) in Asian Studies and am finishing my MSc in East Asian Relations very shortly. I am interested in Harvard's MA program as a means to study the Korean language (my earlier research was in Japanese but in my masters I have taken a change in direction), to work with a particular professor within my interest area (I won't bore you with details but it's international relations related), and to polish my research/writing before going for my PhD -hopefully at Harvard.
After looking through the current students, examining the kind of person RSEA admits, I am beginning to wonder if my masters will actually hold me back in the admissions process. As I said, my language skills are weak (this program accepts that with the agreement that I bring it up considerably while studying), but I have research experience (two dissertations) and other work experience.
My question for you is whether or not you think my first masters is going to be a negative on my application or could it give me an edge to prove my case for admission?
Apologies for the strange format. Longwindedness doesn't quite work on a phone. Thank you!