christina2006

WhaWhat, thanks for the great advice! It's helpful to hear about someone going down the legal path I'm considering and ending up practicing international law. I think I am leaning towards LS but I believe AU is a good school/opportunity and don't want to turn it down without really considering my options. Thanks for the heads up about lower ranked LSs. I've heard the same from others and I'm a bit nervous about that. Any tips you care to share? =)

Hi, Thanks everyone! I agree I still need to figure out my career path and will do more research into both programs. I was just wondering with the MIA route, what are the career options of getting a MIA and going into international law without a law degree? Is it more policy oriented? What kind of jobs are there? Double Shot- Unfortunately I didn't get into AU law so I can't do that program.

Hi All, I'm in the process right now of trying to decide whether to go to AU for a Masters in International Affairs-Foreign Policy program or to go to law school. I know I would like to end up having a career in international law/affairs, I'm just conflicted about which option is the smartest career wise. I also understand that while in law school I wouldn't actually be taking any international law classes the first year or two. The law schools I got accepted to are not the best or the highest ranked but I'm hoping with hard work during the first year I could transfer to a better one in the D.C. area. Also I did not get any funding in either option. Any input would be great. Thanks in advance!

Hi Sarakeet, Thanks for your response. I'm glad to hear from someone who has been in this similar position. I did decide to go home and defer my admissions. I spoke with my advisor who understood and said I could go back next Spring or Fall. Now that I am back home, I've interviewed with a law firm, and hopefully will get that intern position next week. It's not a paid internship but hopefully it will give me more clarity about what path I would like to take. Thanks for the recommendation about that book, I will see to getting it and reading it soon. You're most likely right about getting anxiety over the job market and debt issue if I were to get accepted to law school. I'm hoping this step backward and taking some time off to think will really help me make a good decision. I'm just going to do as much research as I can. Do you regret not going to law school? Do you feel like you made the right decision?

Losemygrip, No I wasn't funded in the program. Maybe the MA in International Studies would help me get into a good law school, but that would mean I would then go from one school to another, which is what I have been doing. Jumping from school to school without getting real experience. I wish it were easier to figure out what I'm truly passionate about or what I want my career to be. I'm hoping taking some time off from school will help. I know you have to dedicated to be successful in either grad or law school. I'm a very studious person and take my education seriously. I just want to pick the right path, the dedication part is not a worry for me.

Hi Runonsentence, Thank you for your input, it was pretty helpful. I agree it does seem early in the semester for me to decide whether I'm going to like the field I'm entering. I think I should have done much more research into the program than I did. I thought I had done enough, I travelled to visit the school, spoke with my advisor months prior to school starting,met student who would be in the same program, etc. However, once I got into the classroom environment I just felt as though it wasn't right for me. One friend told me, after I explained how the professor's taught and what we were learning, that I'm not a theory type person but more of a practical person. Meaning I want to be able to use the information I learn in real scenarios, i.e. accounting, law. Not so much of a "what do you think neorealists would say" type of person. I hope that makes sense, b/c it did to me. I know theories are done through much through process and tested over and over again and I am in no way discounting their value. I did decide to take some time off. I spoke with my advisor who understood my dilemma. Fortunately he allowed me to defer until next year. Now I plan to return home, find a job in a law office & CPA office and work for a while to really experience what it is to work in those industries rather go off of what I believe it is like. I don't want to have any more fantasies of what it is like to work in a certain field. In a year, hopefully this will all make sense. Elsie, I did read over what I wrote in my SOP. However it didn't persuade me to stay. I believe I am making the right choice for myself at this point. I'll save around $25,000 this year (tuition, rent, food) and have time to really decide if this is right rather than second guessing myself the whole semester and probably not doing my best.

No this is my first semester...so 2 years to graduate

Dimanche, thanks for your post. I understand what you are saying about the legal profession and there are no guarantees there as well. When I compare getting a law degree and a masters in international affairs, I feel like the better choice would be a law degree. I have always envisioned having my own business and not working under someone else. I want to end up with skills that are versatile and can help me in the future. Getting a masters in international affairs, I'm not sure what I would be able to do besides working for a think tank, government, or non-profit. You're absolutely right about doing something I have a passion for. Right now I feel kind of lost which is why I am thinking of taking some time off to figure that out. Maybe get some work experience in to help me decide. Even work at a law office and making sure that, that is the right decision as well. I'm not sure I love international affairs or the classes I'm taking (learning about the Cuban missile crisis, intelligence stuff, etc.) I just feel like those are nice topics to read about but what will it do for me later. I guess with the current economic situation, I'm nervous about investing so much money in a grad degree and hoping in the end it will be worth it.

Hello, I'm hoping to get some perspective on my current situation. I have been seriously contemplating whether I should continue my graduate degree in international affairs or return home, work for a while, and pursue law school. I entered grad school without much experience in international affairs, I think I liked the idea of it. Working for the government, traveling, helping make policies, etc. But while I have been here in DC all I can think about is job security when I get out, my reluctance for actually working for the government ( realized I don't want to), and investing around $100,000 in school. I can drop my courses this coming Monday for a 100% refund and defer my education for a year to think. Should I do that? In addition, I will admit I am a bit homesick. But mostly I'm concerned about supporting myself when I get done with this. I'm 25 and I guess I should have my life in order by now, but I feel like I didn't really work that much when I was younger. I was just geting 2 majors (accounting, finance). In a way I think I need more experience. I am interested in the law, I read law related articles, etc...and I know that it is very rigorous. I'm not kidding myself on the hard work that it will take. I'm just nervous I won't get in. So basically what I am looking for is any advice or if anyone has been in a similar situation. Thank you.

Thanks! My intended goal is to go directly into the work force after school. Perhaps in the future I may consider a PhD, but not for a couple of years. I am looking for a more policy driven curriculum. I would like to work for an international organization, or maybe a government position (although I would need to do more research on that). I would like to go to the school that gives me a more real world education rather than just reading a textbook like in undergrad. I feel like American is more policy driven. With NYU i'm not sure, b/c I can't really find anything online. When I spoke with the advisor, he wasn't extremely helpful, he gave basic generic answers. Would like think the reputation of the school as a whole matters as well?

Hi, If you had the option to go to either American University's SIS for a Masters in U.S. Foreign Policy or NYU's Graduate School of Art & Science for a Masters in Inernational Relations, which would you choose? I've been accepted to both and I've been mulling over this decision in my head for the past month. I've visited both schools and they are both great schools. Here's what I've come up with: -NYU's Masters in IR is very new. I spoke to the advisor and he said it just started in the fall of 2010. That makes me a bit weary. American's program has been around for a longer time. -NYU overall is a better school, however, I think American's SIS department is better b/c they seem more organized and devoted to the field -American's professors have real world experience (diplomats, etc.) -American is a member APSIA and NYU is not (not sure if this is important) -Cost of living in NYU i think may be more expensive than DC If anyone could give me their opinion and input I would be very appreciative. Thank you

Hi, I also got accepted into GSAS-International relations program. Have you heard anything else about the program? I was looking on their webiste as well and searching blogs, but I can't seem to find much info about how well the school is. I know overall NYU is great, but i would also like more info about the program. I think I heard it was a new program. I want to know what opportunities it has over other schools in DC. I also got accepted to American Univ. and trying to decide between the two. If you hear anything else about the school or if anyone else has any input, please feel free to reply. Thank you!

Hi, I'm moving to D.C. this fall and want to get a lease signed hopefully by June. I'll be attending American University and I was wondering if anyone who lives in D.C. or around the AU area can help give me recommendations for apartments to live in. I want to live near school however I've been told it's really expensive. I'm open to living in other areas around D.C. as long as it is a relatively easy and short commute to AU. I'm looking for a safe area that's under $1,500 and not a basement or a room in someone's house. Thanks so much in advance I really appreciate it!

Oops accidently hit reply too soon on the prior post. Anyways, thank you for your input! I greatly appreciate it. You made some valid points that I am now taking into consideration. If I have anymore questions, I'll be sure to ask you!