askandtheanswer

Hey thanks so much for this! I'm definitely more practically-oriented as a person, and am more tempted by the data analysis and practical skills I'd gain in an MPP/MPA rather than a degree that's solely theoretical, which is why I'm slightly hesitating over the PhD. Definitely loved my MPhil but I worry that pure theory feels a little detached to me. I'm interested in going into policy but sadly don't have a policy background, and so I wonder if the 2nd Masters would help in that regard, alongside giving me more practical skills like data analysis and better preparing me for a public service career. Just hesitating over the fact that I already have a Masters, and I really can't afford an MPP/MPA in the States without substantial funding! Do you think my profile is competitive enough to possibly have a shot at good funding/scholarships for top universities (i.e. Berkeley, Harvard, Princeton, or anywhere else you'd suggest)?

Hi all, would really appreciate some input on both a profile evaluation and advice on whether to pursue a (second) master's, or a PhD. Motivation: I'm a lifelong learner - have always enjoyed my time in education and just learning - and deeply driven to pursuing careers that can shape policy or drive some sort of greater systemic change and public good. Whilst I don't really have an intention to stay in academia or go into teaching, I feel like there's still so much I could gain from having a more robust theoretical foundation in politics and theory, to be able to analyse and grasp policy (as well as human rights/IR issues) with more nuance and depth. In terms of careers, I'd love to end up in public policy, government, non-profits, or perhaps Think Tanks or related research. Basically, I'd love to learn the subject at a higher level than I currently have and I think I could do well and really grow as a person and researcher, but at the same time, I don't foresee a life in teaching or academia for myself, as I don't think that's where I can make the greatest impact. I'm in my mid-20s, and feel like if I want to do a PhD (or a second Master's) then now is really the time, as I think I'd be able to easily make the mind-set shift back into academia. Profile: Undergrad Institution: University College London (UCL), First-Class Honours Majors: Focussed on politics, legal studies, and Italian language primarily, whilst taking classes on Qualitative Thinking, Quantitative Methods, and Interdisciplinary Research Methods. GPA: First-Class Honours as well as a year abroad at UC Berkeley where I had a 4.0 GPA. Master's degree: MPhil in IR & Politics from University of Cambridge (awarded with a high Merit, 2 marks off a distinction). Work experience: Around 3 years professional experience. Most notable roles include Coordinator for Special Projects at a private not-for-profit University in the UK, a Fellow with an International Human Rights Programme (philanthropy related) and I'm now moving onto a role as an Analyst with a socially-minded consulting company. Languages: Italian (intermediate although I have an 'A' in 'Advanced Italian') and Farsi (relatively strong, terrible writing skills) Recommendation Letters: I had a really strong relationship with a UC Berkeley professor (took 2 classes, strong marks, and frequently went to office hours) who I might reach out to, as well as my MPhil Supervisor. Unsure on the third. Research Interests: A mixed bag. My background is in international politics (primarily in the Middle East), but I'm also interested in authoritarianism, labour activism, and human rights. Programs considering: PhDs - Political Science, mostly UC Berkeley Political Science or even possibly Jurisprudence and Social Policy Harvard Government NYU Politics (particularly tempting for the 1-year Master's waiver) Yale Master's Princeton MPA UC Berkeley MPP Harvard MPP I spent a wonderful year at Berkeley, loved the professors and the atmosphere, and know they have a really strong bent towards more social causes. Harvard and Yale are also tempting because of the Carr Center and Schell Center respectively. NYU offers the 1-year waiver for Master's degrees, which is also really appealing. I think I'd love an MPP or MPA - I'm a practical people-person (despite my love of academia) and want to be able to build my professional skills too. I love the whole course structure of the MPP (or MPA) and think I'd learn so much. But funding is a massive issue, especially as an international student, hence why Princeton is top of the list. I know these are massively competitive programs and institutions - as an international student, I think global reputation/brand is unfortunately quite important to me, as is the location. Really happy to consider alternatives though. I've also paid some thought to Columbia, or Chicago. TL;DR: Torn between pursuing a very expensive but fulfilling second Master's degree, or a rewarding but lengthy PhD that might not be hugely helpful to my career. Advice and profile eval would be really helpful please, and happy to add/clarify anything!