[which schools should i apply to?]

For a focus on International Security I recommend looking into the Monterey Institute of International Studies: http://policy.miis.edu/international_se ... index.html

You would also be able to continue your Japanese linguistic studies since a requirement of the program is to take an international policy course in one of the languages the school focuses on--Japanese being one of them-each semester. The school is unique in having a language component focus and requiring an advanced language ability in one of their core languages for admissions consideration.

Classes are small

Lots of individual attention

Ranked 18th in nation

With your profile you'd have a good shot at a partial scholarship

I've heard glowing reviews of their DPMI program

great location

affiliate of Middlebury College (scheduled to become a graduate school of Middlebury in 2010)

You'd be with likeminded students since all of the programs offered are international/language studies focused

Best of luck!

May I see this ranking please ?

[which schools should i apply to?]

If you want to do Security Studies I would not recommend SAIS - they're not even in the top 10 for International Security programs.

Columbia and Georgetown - yes. But SAIS? Not for Security - I say this as someone attending Korbel's International Security MA program. When looking at Georgetown and Columbia I'd recommend Georgetown - just for the chance to study with Bruce Hoffman Remember though - the Georgetown Security program is really designed for mid-career professionals, classes only take place at night because most of the students work in DC during the day. So if you're looking for more of a professional program then Georgetown is definitely the right place for you. If you're looking for more of an academic program you're going to need to look elsewhere, to Columbia, Tufts, Pitt, GW, Syracuse or Korbel.

Hi HRH,

are you sure about that ? Aren't night classes for part-time students only ? Don't full-time students have day classes ?

[any fall 2010 applicants?]

I'll most likely apply for spring 2011 Can I still write on this topic ? :wink:

[Frenchy looking for Security Studies]

ahaha, yeah, i know a lot of international students from my college who have decided to stay in the US for good. but france seems like it could be a cool country to work in, if you can get a job that is, and if you don't mind the strikes (no offense)

None taken, 'cause it's all true. And let me tell you this : France is not anymore a cool country to work in (unless you enjoy working 35h per week, earning peanuts). There is definetely a "work crisis" coming. I don't wanna be there when it happens. You should see the consequences of the economic crisis... Depressing. Why do you think all the young professionals are escaping in the US or Canada ?

i'm sure if you put at least some effort into your application, you'll have a good chance at getting into at least some of those schools. as "selective" as some people might say these schools are, i think they're less selective than, say, many of the Grandes Ecoles in France. And much of the selection process is pretty subjective (a lot of it depends on whether the adcomm thinks you're a good fit for the school and if the school can really help you achieve your goals), so you could get into a school that is higher-ranked and generally more selective while getting rejected by a lower-ranked and less selective school.

pika, you bring me hope there. And I am really in a period when I need it. Bless you.

[Frenchy looking for Security Studies]

um, you might also want to add Johns Hopkins SAIS to that list. I've been told SAIS has a great Strategic Studies program, and a couple of the students there have told me that it's probably one of the best, if not the best, program at SAIS. Like Georgetown, SAIS is located in DC and is considered to be one of the best IR master's programs in the US, though one of my French friends who's studying at Sciences Po told me that for some reason JHU SAIS doesn't seem to be as renowned in France as Georgetown or Columbia.

Probably true. But I wouldn't care. If I make it to the US, hopefully there won't be any going back :mrgreen:

[Frenchy looking for Security Studies]

So let Me get this straight.

If I read well, these are the universities I should be looking after :

Georgetown SSP

Columbia SIPA

GWU ESIA

Fletcher

KSU

UD Korbell

University of Maryland, College Park

Am I correct ?

[Frenchy looking for Security Studies]

If those are your areas of interest, I would recommend SIPA at Columbia University. The are both strong in UN/Peacekeeping (arguably the strongest school in this particular field) as well as counterterrorism.

Thanks for the advice.

How hard is it to get into it, for an overseas ? Do you have a specific link showing the degrees in these fields ?

[Frenchy looking for Security Studies]

Thank you so much for your consideration ! I wasn't expecting so many answers in such a short period ! :mrgreen:

Actually I am more interested in peacekeeping and counterterrorism operations fields. More specifically I am currently writing a dissertation about the PMC's.

Would you recommend one particular university for these fields of studies ?

Thanks again to all of you.

[Frenchy looking for Security Studies]

Hi everyone,

I am creating this new topic 'cause there are many things I'd like to ask you guys about.

First, I should introduce myself.

I am a French student currently enrolled in a Masters degree (International Relations) at Toulouse Political Science University (Sciences Po Toulouse). Once I completed my masters, I plan to come to the US to get enrolled in a Security Studies degree.

Through the web, I figured out that the best place for this is DC, with Georgetown, GWU, American, etc... But actually I'm a total noob at this. What could you tell me about it ?

One particular thing I'd like to ask you about is the admission conditions for international students. Indeed the fact is that I am not precisely in a university, but in a French "Grande Ecole", sort of college with a highly selective entrance examination right after High School. As my cursus is pretty selective, the volume of work is larger and the exams are harder. So I have rather good marks, but not really highest rankings,which in my school are impossible to achieve anyways...

Do you think I still have a chance to get accepted in a American university ? I was told it was soooo selective. Now I am worrying...

I am opened to any sort of advice you could kindly provide about security studies in the US

Thanks in advance,