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I spent four years in college studying social thought, anthropology, and history, and graduated very well. During my gap year afterwards, I applied to one of the best programs that could offer me a research intensive Masters in my thematic interest within an interdisciplinary framework. I was accepted with a full scholarship to this very well respected University and department. I've been planning to apply for a doctorate in the same field from a very long time, and seem to be in a good place to aim for it. However, in the last 6-8ish months, I've been in a war-torn developing country, working as a researcher in a pilot community health project that I have become extremely devoted to. I have been working with three principal investigators, but more or less leading the research and recommendations for a national community health policy. Since I was most immersed in this project amongst my colleages, I have been offered an opportunity to continue to work remotely on it whilst I'm in the US pursuing my Masters. After what I have learned during this time, I cannot imagine letting go of public health developmental work. So even though my academic passion continues to lie elsewhere that I don't want to leave either, I want to get some kind of a degree in Public Health that would enable me to be more competent in pursuing more such projects parallel to my other academic goals. (an degree in the hiatus between my Masters and PhD) I am wondering if Public Health Schools would frown upon my application because I haven't pursued Public Health academically before and still have other academic goals. I will probably be published in public health by the time I apply however and would have worked on this project (even if partly remotely) for two years. I believe I will bring a lot of interdisciplinary background to the degree. I really want to only get this education to better be able to contribute to developmental work that I've already become quite invested in. Since I cannot hope to earn at all from them, I can't afford to take on debt for this degree...are there scholarships I can hope for...? And finally, if not a degree, are there other options for me to advance my knowledge and broaden my perspective in administering and writing on community health projects in developing countries. And finally, I know its difficult to pursue two tracks at the same time, but would universities determine it to be a lack of enthusiasm for either one? (It really isn't...I am quite sold on both...) Thanks for your advice.

I don't post frequently, but thought I'd add some thoughts. Some advice: 1. Don't apply to only your top programs if you haven't slept in many nights, are crazily working on your senior thesis, have many papers to write, and no time for your personal statement, gres, or for editing your writing samples EVEN IF you have exceptional recommendations, a high gpa, and manage a strong gre score. I tried it, and it didn't work...\ If this is your situation, and you really must apply out of undergrad, apply to a mix of programs, and seriously consider finding a funded terminal master's program. Also consider Oxbridge for funded M.Phils... they're always a good opportunity. 2. Don't be so passionate about your research interests that you make your sop into a dissertation proposal that only someone who is truly a specialist in a subfield of a subfield will truly appreciate. Whereas you shouldn't make your SOP excessively general and unfocused, they shouldn't be so dense and restrictive that finding a faculty match may become near impossible or rare. Be able to present your ideas in an sop to academics who are not specialists in your region, era, or theme. 3. Really consider a terminal Master's, but don't jump into one that is cash cow even if its at University 'prestigious' even with 1/3 or 1/2 tuition scholarship. (Two of my friends declined half-funded Master's offers from U. Chicago together, and really don't regret it)... Use Master's time to publish and present at conferences. Travel over the summer to the region that you're interested in - seriously, do this. Learn languages beforehand. Give yourself some elbow room. 4. Do try and meet up with the people you want to work with (not just write to them). Go take an appointment and talk to them! Good luck!

Thanks for all the feedback on NYU! and yes I am interested in Modern Middle Eastern History. My scholarship is not an FLAS. I agree with Samarkand...(and indeed "prestige" was a misplaced term)...I have a very definite research interest right now that I believe I have developed over time, and I really wanted to go straight into researching and writing on it, but I guess I will have to use my Master's time towards developing it further (perhaps improving my reading Arabic and elementary French as well)... the reason I mentioned Columbia is because it seems a very good fit for my concentration. Which programs have strength in the Levant and Egypt?

I just got accepted to NYU's Near Eastern Studies Masters with full funding for the two years. I didn't apply anywhere else this year...and this was a fluke. I am kind of concerned about the prestige of the program...say compared to Columbia/U.Chicago.... Would this improve my chances of getting accepted to a very prestigious PhD program (which I was stupid to not even apply to this year).... Thoughts/Suggestions?

I have a paragraph...that i wanted some quick comments on. I will be happy to help you out as well. Message me personally please.