silentcacophony

Thanks Balderdash for the reply , greatly appreciated. Academically , i am in top 10% of the class. I passed the grades with first class with distinction honors. Also i have high grades in math, stats and economics /management courses. I also looked at Tufts , George Washington ( Elliot) and UCL International Public Policy . Any ideas on how these courses when compared to LSE public policy .. As LSE looks freaking expensive ( 2 year worth 35K GBP ) .. so was checking UCL and Elliot as well How much of work experience will matter for admit /scholaships, All my work experience ( 2.5 years ) has been iinternational work ex and in energy sector . Additionally i also worked as free lance writer during engineering for an year . Thanks silentcacophony

Hello All, I am an Indian national, 24 years, aspiring to study International Relations/ Public Policy Masters for Fall 2011, but i am a career changer , so i am not sure whether my aims are out of reach or not Bachelors in Engineering ( Information Technology) Academics : 73% from not so known college in India Work ex 2.5 years until now Post graduation , i worked in Europe with small startup and then with fortune 500 energy major in a financial analyst role . managed to gain perspectives on energy, finance, management ,technology , climate change and policy issues related to energy during my stint Motivation for IR/ policy : went to Antarctica last year on an International Expedition with a famous explorer promoting and creating awareness on climate change and preservation of Antarctica. worked in communications on the continent connecting technology with environment and climate change awareness movement. Later I went to Arctic this year to really witness the first hand effects and its impact of the society. International Travel : travelled to around 30 countries and gained international perspective of different cultures, traditions and political systems which strengthened my interest into passion . GRE : yet to take i am trying to read on areas on India and Global Issues and its impact to India and South Asian Society, Environment Policy, Technology and Policy and I want to make a further career in these areas. So based on my work ex, life experiences and academics , i am targeting the following schools . Is it impossible to make a shift to IR/policy with an engineering degree? 1, Graduate Institute , Geneva 2. LSE ( MPA course , since IR course strictly had acad degree from social science, eco, pol sci) 3. Harvard Kennedy MPP focus on International and Global Affairs 4. Woodrow Wilson , Princeton I am also looking at Sciences Po, Hertie School , Berlin . Am i targeting too high ? Do you think these are out of reach schools for me and i should also research some other schools . Any other inputs will be greatly appreciated PS: Graduate Institue and LSE MPA doesnt require GRE ( thats what it is mentioned) . Has anyone applied here without GRE .. How do the chances pan put for an applicant in such a case. ANyone has had such experience with LSE and Geneva Graduate Institute? Regards, sientcacophony