London-Tokyo

Update: So--As I promised, I'm ready to disclose my final choice after a lot of consideration, time, and everyone's advice. . .. .... ...... ........ ...........Okay, it takes too long to do that--So, without further ado--SOAS, UoL RHUL, I kind of threw out as an option after a long discussion and the following opinions above...amongst other things... So, it was down to UCL or SOAS. Reasons that made SOAS my choice: *Core-Courses/Course Options *Position of Dept. in School *And...Other factors of course--But yea... SOAS---Sept. 2011-2012, Here I come

Question-- Right now, I'm worried about UCL/SOAS Student Accomodations-- So, I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for places to stay near either UCL or SOAS? (Preferably the latter...although I haven't decided...) Basically, I'm hoping for something affordable (doesn't have to be too cheap but also not too expensive), that's close to the uni's but also pretty nice, quiet, and has an overall sane environment... If anyone has any experience with flats (are they basically studios but in the UK? lol) around the SOAS/UCL area that'd be nice. Russell Square/Euston Square I think... And, since I don't know anyone there...I don't think I'd go find a random person to share with--for a year lol, just a nice studio--with decent building, close to things... Yup-- **Update: So far, I've decided to make my 1st Choice--International Hall (Intercollegiate Halls) & 2nd Choice---College Hall (Intercollegiate Halls)... Does anyone have an opinion on either?

Unfortunately, I don't get that option--With my home uni. it's either $10.00 on USPS First-Class Mail or $45.00 for Int'l. Expedited...

Hmm---Ok, it is more or less reassuring to hear that-- Just I've heard answers from both ends, some say it takes a few days, some say it takes a few weeks-- But yea, I'm currently at the stage where I just need to submit my 'final' official transcript to have my offer changed from 'conditional' to 'unconditional'-- Here's how I'm picturing it-- Online Request (Tuesday) -- Office of the Registrar Process/Mail (Wednesday) Thursday--(Reaches USPS)-- USPS Mails out on Friday-- then--hopefully by the 17th? the UK uni's will get them... But I'll call to check consistently...

Does anyone know the relative amount of time it takes for 'Official Transcripts' (Letter size?) to reach the UK if being delivered from the US? Our registrar (the people who mail everything transcript related)...said they used USPS First-Class... Origin: East Coast (USA) Destination: London (UK) Type: Transcript (Letter) Form: USPS First-Class I'm honestly not sure, as the USPS website says *varies by destination, and some people tell me 5-10 days, some say 2-3 weeks... ...But I'd like to get my mail there before June 30th...(I've already paid for the service...) Thx in advance...

I'm pretty sure I replied to your PM a while back...and then subsequently deleted it (since I like clean inboxes )... But yea. I guess you could re-PM me. But I'll be busy the following days.

Yes--I am a Senior at Elliott--Graduating in a few days However, I'm not exactly sure how evening classes with interning works out. I always stick with the policy, that if I don't know enough about something, I'd rather not mislead. Things I do know, I share. Anyways, I'm done with the US--and hopefully will get my Masters in the UK, than another in France

Although significantly more "legitimate" than it's SCPS counterpart, I'm not an expert on the subject, so can offer no further comment. Why can't I type that in a more simple...humanely manner... But I can say that, the Elliott School is a powerhouse for IR, and many people I know that are graduates have worked in numerous int'l. orgs., esp. if they were an international student to begin with. Off the top of my head, I can think of HK, Tokyo-- A lot of ppl go into private consulting firms, world bank, and UN orgs.---So def, individual supercedes "Uni limiatations" in terms of job... So, imo, I don't see the problem...Eh, it's hard to be private and personal at the same time, so trying to give my advice without giving too much unnecessary details.

To my knowledge, FPA and Foreign Policy Magazine are two different organizations... And, that Foreign Policy Magazine bi-annually (every two years) ranks the IR programs undergraduate & master's level.. Foreign Policy Association just lists several different programs, irregarding rank, and the description is most likely from the individual school's webpage... When I said it's a joke, and take it with a grain of salt, I'm referring to World Rankings, UK Rankings in general...etc. However, there are other more concrete and substantive rankings that have more weight, such as rae2008 etc. in the UK, Foreign Policy Magazine for IR in the US...etc. There are other threads that have discussed these issues, so if you search around I'm sure you'll find something. Again, SCPS is perhaps a major deterrent, since it is the continuing studies...Just my $.02...

A bit busy so can't post too much-- But believe me, world rankings--take it with a grain of salt-- Look at rankings in Foreign Policy magazine for IR-- (Although rankings overall, you should take with a grain of salt--) For UK--Take a look at rae2008 or previous rae... (UK Rankings are even more of a joke than USnews)-- Also, departments matter--not just the overall school rep. (Although I think there are numerous forums on this...) PS...Comparing NYU SCPS to GWU Elliott... Is like comparing---a horse to a car...just saying.. If you do more research, a lot of this information is pretty obvious.. (Internet...use it a litte more..)

Took the "Old" GRE, so may not be too helpful... But, there are a few things I would stress and emphasize over and over again... (I'm currently a Senior in Undergrad--Heading to UK for postgrad..) *Vocab--(Buy a 1000 Essential GRE Vocab. or similar product...Start Memorizing ASAP) *Self-Timing (A large aspect of your Essay, Math, Verbal...Is being able to understand how much time you have, correctly use the timing, to score the highest possible number of points...) *Practice tests (Working over previous exams...well in your case maybe not....but generally gives you an idea of what your up against, and practice does make perfect...although over-conf. is bad..) Thins I would not recommend... *GRE Help Books (Princeton/Kaplan...etc., really just a bunch of advice that you prob. should understand since you prob. took the SATs or even if you took IB/A-Level, test-taking strategy...waste of time reading these books..) *GRE Prep Classes---(Again, at least for me, the guidance was much less helpful than the above 3...) Math is not extremely difficult, which is why if you can understand logically, and do semi-advanced math, you should be fine... Vocab, especially for nonnative---would be difficult.

Merci-- All that knowledge really brought postgrad. studies in the UK into perspective for me. As for taking other courses, the structures of taught masters look pretty stern/finite to me, with specific courses/modules during specific terms--- For now, I'm just going to focus on finishing up, summer plans, and...etc. I'll update when the time comes. So far, I have no more questions--lol, but really this whole thread was like a personal advising session. (So many Qs, and so clueless...despite doing research...) Let's see I've gone over... *UCL/SOAS/RHUL (General comparison...) *UK Academic System (Grading Rubric) *UK Academic Calendar (Terms...) Yup, not too much more I really need answered...(I guess the cost of a 2nd Masters maybe? Esp. if it's a diff. Masters, didn't know some uni's charged extra...Doesn't really make sense to me but...Eh...) If anybody has other general advice to give me, I don't mind I come and check pretty often.

Sorry, still in undergrad. mode--Which means I forgot that in postgraduate studies, B is the new C, and it's almost unlikely (or rather imprudent) to view postgraduate rubric in an undergrad. setting. But, thanks to MJ. & Bukh., I have a rather clear picture of the system I'll be entering. (Although I guess when I'm there I'll ask to understand how likely it is to achieve, academic scaling...etc.) As for the academic calendar...Does anyone have an idea or been through the process once? Grad Cafe--By far, is prob. one of the most beneficial forum's I've come across for postgraduate info., btw.

Hmm---Would you say that striving for a distinction would be like trying to hit an A-/A range? I guess, would it be comparable to... A/A- = 70% (Distinction Zone) B+/B = 60% (Merit) C & Below = 50% (Pass) I think if it's similar to the way I outline it above, at least I can give myself a sense of the system and how hard it might be to achieve. I'm wondering academically how difficult/strenuous the UK system might be... Is it much harder than the US system? Also, would looking at rae2008 be a better measure than league tables? (Although I've gotten a solid sense of how to prioritize my schools...) Ty. Edit: PS...I will update prob. in a few weeks from now my final decision Since everyone here's been so helpful and eh might like to know. P.Edit: Oh and one more thing I wanted to know, the academic calendar---So, I know it's a full-time 1 yr program, so I think it's 3 terms. Is it most likely to be like having a Fall Semester (Term 1), a Spring Semester (Term 2), and no classes but just time/advising for thesis writing (Term 3)?

Oh wow, that's definitely a change for me. Since I did IB in upper-school, and went on to undergrad in the US... I wonder why the system is out of 100% and yet they maintain relatively low scores-- I guess I'll ask the int'l. support to guide me when I'm at the uni.--- Which as of now still has not been decided, I think it'll be one of those--before I go on summer vacation, I'll make it, but until then--I'm just gathering as much details to make an informed decision. Still on finals in the US...

Here's where I'm most confused--For example, the French Bacc. uses 20 point system, the US uses 100 point system... 70% for distinction, is that out of 100%? So, the average academic grades are in the 50s-60s then? I did a little bit of my own research, apparently for postgraduates, most unis offer, Distinction, Merit, and Pass. As for my 2nd Masters, oh well--if I don't get funding, you can't help it. Plus, if it's Oxbridge/LSE--I'd still go without funding. Unis are relatively less expensive than in the US for example. Although, funding would've been nice. No hurt in trying--- So, for example later in my career after say 3 yrs in the consulting world, then I head back to get an MBA or something similar without corporate sponsorship--I wonder if it'd hard to get funding too since that'd be a 3rd Masters...

Hopefully, that's true. And no, I don't particularly need funding---Although always welcome... (I know it's deviating from my original question....But all the UK experts seem to be here so...[and, I'm not particularly fond of The Student Room]...) How exactly does the postgraduate (or in general the UK) academic system work? My understanding is only of First, Upper Second, and Lower Second (2:1/2:2), then Third---and No Pass... But the details of what is Distinction, how is everything graded--- That'd be great. Ty. Edit: Even if the 2nd Masters is in a related but distinctly separate field? Like Int'l. Relations --> IPP or Int'l. Management? (in terms of Funding)

Hmm, well my undergrad was decent, however not strong enough I don't think for Oxbridge (so I didn't apply...US student-here...) So, if I did pretty well on my 1st Masters---It would not affect my admissions into my 2nd Masters at all? Is that what your implying...? (Not trying to emphasize or anything, just clarifying...) And, of course I'm not doing a 2nd Masters in the same field, rather, as I explained earlier, I want something closer to Business/Management/IPP to be more efficient for consulting firms--- But yea... I think pretty much my first question has been answered (Although, more inputs def. welcome---Basically, UCL (Eh Maybe SOAS--), then RHUL)... But my 2nd question, it would be helpful too--Since I'm planning to do so-- Btw, is there a significant difference in getting reference letters from undergrad vs. postgrad professors? Ty And...PS...What does it mean "it makes no difference"? Are you talking about the 1st Masters making zero-impact on decisions? Will they still evaluate you based strongly on your undergrad? Etc... A lot of help everyone, ty.

Okay--From what I'm getting... It's prob.-- SOAS or UCL for me---(Especially since East Asia is my specialty/focus...it would be hard...) ---But yea, more feedback the better I can make an "educated" decision... --Although I might still pick Royal Holloway (rae2008 pretty high--and relatively new yet high standard IR dept...) ---(Calmer campus...) ---Not sure--lol, I really think this back and forth thing--- Also, can anyone answer "part II" of my question? Regarding the 2nd Masters? Would a Masters in say IPP or IS & Diplomacy from SOAS or UCL aid me in admissions to Oxbridge/LSE? Ty

Hmm, I think the part that's confusing me the most-- Is which would be most appropriate, better---or just opinions in general... Hmm---RHUL has an amazing campus (Founder's Building), but further from central london... ----UCL, has a semi-attractive "core" building---definitely central london..... ----SOAS, really nothing special about buildings---But also central london... Hmm--- I'm really trying to narrow it down, because at this point---I can't

So-- It's been a while since I've been back on Grad.Cafe, mostly due to finishing up my last semester, but also since I've been spending some time at The Student Room as well--- But, I need plenty of opinions---Full throttle--on these 3---that I'm having difficulties choosing between-- First--I must say the Ranking system under the British system is horrible-- Most of the rankings vary way too much between each other and vary way too much in less than a couple of years-- Just not as consistent as say USNews--(Accurate or not--is another question...) So, according to purely ranking, I'd prob. evaluate---Based on their info. being pertinent to mine...(btw, this is all for Masters) UCL (Leading Overall) - University College London SOAS (Leading East Asian Studies) - School of Oriental and African Studies RHUL (Leading in Arts & Politics---which IR falls under) - Royal Holloway ---Which, doesn't really help as---well, My interests co-incide with all 3---So, perhaps someone could arrange them for me? Second--Outside of ranking, well--They're all University of London institutions---So, the apple can't fall too far from the tree-- Plus, at the postgraduate level, it's hard to evaluate the unis since so much of the research out there is for undergrad--- UCL & SOAS --location wise are central---While RHUL is a bit further away at Egham (40min)... Hmm--I'm not exactly sure what other details to provide---But please ask if anyone needs more info, or just give me inputs as well-- Plus, an additional question is, I'm looking to go into consulting firms eventually, and well--also a second Masters in the UK, I'm hopefully trying to do my 2nd Masters in a more related field to int'l. management or int'l. public policy (since my 1st masters will be IR), --Would a decent GPA/Degree (First, Upper Second) aid me in getting into say Oxbridge/LSE...etc. for a 2nd Masters? Ty. Edit--Funding is no issue.

I always thought of it as Person of Interest...But could be wrong...

*Sigh* I will have to work intensively to achieve full marks in my last semester, but I will not give up just yet. However, a lot of my UK uni's are sending me acceptances/rejections. (Heads up.)

In the end, I was told that if my final marks were exceptional I would be considered. (Does this mean final marks...in my last semester? Seeing as how I kind of...ruined Fall '10...)

If only the world worked the way you described it...But, is it too much to ask them for unconditional offer instead of a revised conditional offer? (I mean, I'm ready to pay...and sign the papers...)