beefmaster

I am in at Evans. Unfortunately no funding so I will be declining. Congratulations to everybody else! Hopefully the first acceptance of many!

I disagree because of first hand experience...on this forum I think too much emphasis is put on the institution / program when in reality the overwhelming factor that secures employment in multilateral organisations is work experience (as described in my previous post).

I am sorry, but this is certainly not the case......(source, I work for a multilateral org.) Start at an NGO/INGO in an entry level position (certainly does not require a masters degree) then make the transition into an entry level (p1/p2) in a multilateral org

I would assume it is most probably due to the fact that there are only limited "entry level" jobs at multi-lateral organisations. In addition to the majority heading to those types of organisations post-graduation having extensive pre-grad school work experience.

I did mine in December I think. Its not really an interview but an informal chat to be honest. As you would expect I was basically asked to talk through my CV and how GHD fits into my future career goals etc. Good luck, I am now in the "patiently" waiting phase

What is your reasoning for this conclusion?

We basically applied to the same places. Good luck!

The UNHCR HQ is in Geneva, if your dream is to work there it might be worth putting in an application to the Graduate Institute in Geneva. However if I am honest, it does not really matter what school you go to. I have worked as a UNHCR implementing partner for the past 5 years and only met a couple of people who went to SIPA (no more than any other school in fact....)

Go with the Peace Corps, grad school isn't going anywhere. Take a few years to get some full time experience, work out your career goals, and of course earn some cash to pay for school. I applied right out of undergrad and I am VERY happy I didn't up any of the offers I received. A few years relevant work experience has allowed me to clearly define my career goals and what I want to get out of grad school. Anyway, just my opinion / experience, good luck whatever you decide.

Could Could be the lack of full time work experience? On the SIPA admissions website it says that it rare for candidates to be accepted straight from undergrad.

I am adapting a policy paper I did for work into a shorter policy memo!

Program: MPA/MPP/MIA etc. Schools Applying To: Princeton WWS, Fletcher, Georgetown, SIPA, USC Price, UCSD, Yale, etc. etc. you get the picture Undergraduate institution: European Uni Undergraduate GPA: No idea how to calculate my GPA Undergraduate Majors: History GRE: 161v 151q (is this going to kill me?) Age: 28 Years of Work Experience: 5 years with well known INGOs focus on humanitarian aid delivery in the context of the Syria Crisis. Last 2.5 years in upper management leadership positions (think Country Director level). Working directly on humanitarian policy in this context. Published Works: Numerous publications on various aspects of humanitarian policy for partners including UN agencies, bi-lateral donor governments etc. Languages: English & Arabic Quant: Intro Macro & Micro. In addition all of my publications have been based off quant analysis. Strength of SOP: I focus on my humanitarian policy experience at various levels (strategic, operational etc.) and how I want to leverage off this and a policy level degree to make the jump to global level humanitarian policy making. Concerns: GRE obviously pretty pissed about the score but no time to retake at the moment. Is it worth putting in an application to the caliber of schools I am thinking of with a GRE like I have? Thanks in advance of course.

I would go with a higher verbal score. As you say, an opportunity to prove writing ability is given with the personal statements.

Everything is possible, of course. I just wouldn't recommend anyone did it. If you do, good luck! Also, contact the university and just ask them straight out. Not like anything bad can come of it.

I mean. If you do come to Lebanon, don't tell anyone that you have lived in/studied in/traveled to/have friends or contacts there. World of bullshit = deportation and PNG for foreigners. Issues with the internal security forces / community for local people.

It is not everybody. But you have no idea who anyone you know will tell, that is the point. The university does not matter (in fact the types of people that go even to Francophone universities are mixed). You have to remember that all sects suffered through the Israeli war.... Anyway, up to you. But I would recommend any people who had done that to tell anyone in Lebanon they had. You are just setting yourself (and close colleagues) up for a world of bullshit.

If you do it, don't tell anyone (even people you become friends with / colleagues) that you went there. (Source, I live in Lebanon).

Could not disagree more.

For field positions in the large humanitarian NGOs nobody cares what school you went to, only about the actual experience you have.

Wow, I bet you're fun at parties...

27 and will be applying for fall 2016! Not too worried about age, especially in the field I work in. Taking time out between undergrad and graduate school has allowed me to really define my career interests and thus what programmes I want to apply for.

Planning on applying for this for 2016. What attracted you to this over the MIA / MPA?

Please share! I will be applying this fall.

I applied after 2 years work experience and in the end decided that I needed more time working to 1) decide exactly what I want to study, 2) get more funding, and 3) save up some much needed cash to pay for it. Graduate school isn't going anywhere..if you have the opportunity to do some interesting work that is related to your interests then do it.

The Arabs - Euguene Rogan