Please evaluate my application - need to make a decision ASAP

[Ta2433]

Hello!

I am looking to apply to either Phd in Political Sciences Program (in this case I have time till December 2018 to prepare), or MPA in Development ( in this case I have a week left till the deadline!), both at Columbia University. Please help in evaluating my profile and understanding 1. if I have chances in applying as it is, 2) which program will be the best for me.

I am from a developing country that is now going through a war. I have a BA in linguistics, majoring in translation from English and Spanish. I also took economics, statistics, religion, philosophy, politics classes. GPA is 3.7.

I also hold a Masters of Science from Columbia University (Communications, graduated in 2016).

Because of the situation in my country, straight out of my MS degree I started working in the undustry that I din't initially intended to work in (International development, conflict resolution). Hence I now want to enroll again after several years of working to enhance my subject knowledge and embark on research.

 Currently I am working at the UN Department of Political Affairs office in my country as a political researcher. Before,  I worked for USAID  (democracy building and anti-corruption issues). In New York, I had 2 internsips at the UNHQ in New York (different departments), and worked as a consultant with several NGOs.  I also was a volunteer at the Red Cross.

I will have very good recommendations from UN and USAID chiefs of missions.

I've never passed GRE, so if I choose the PhD program,  I will need to prepare and pass the test. I do have a GMAT from 5 years ago, but it's quite low (500) , due to math results, although my writing had the highest score, and verbal was quite high. I can apply with this score to the MPA program since the deadline is in a week, but need your advise if I should try?

The problem is, I don't have any means to provide for funding mysilf, so financial aid is crucial. As far as I understand, there are more chances to receive funding for the Phd program, rahter than MPA?

Looking forward to your comment, it is very much needed=)

[buckinghamubadger]

Are you planning on using the degree for practical or academic purposes?

[csantamir]

Do you want to continue working in development? If so, I would go for the MPA not a PhD.

[guest56436]

I am bit confused, is your plan to apply to only one Ph.D. program? If it is...that's a horrible idea. 

Edited January 30, 2018 by Comparativist

[Ta2433]

Thank you guys for your repplies! i am very confused, so your help is very needed!
buckinghamubadger , csantamir : I want to continue working in development, specifically at the UN, but I also want to concentrate on my research. After years of research for internal audiences only, I really want to collaborate and share experience/learn/produce available-to-all materials. In NY, I still have a lot of colleagues who I can interview and I see how this can help to build an interesting work. But I don't  know which program is more suitable for these purposes =( During my previous Master's at Columbia, I was also working, so I think it's doable (also quite hard), I don't know if it is possible while doing PhD (maybe you can advise on this).
Comparativist, yes, I only consider Columbia, and I do understand it may take a few years of applying... but I honestly don't see myself anywhere else, especially if we think about a city where there's a presence of international organizations (which is my only sphere of expertise pretty much), than options become quite limited. Columbia was my only choice for MS as well, but it happened - so I hope to be the same lucky this time, although I know the probability is quite low. Please tell me what you think ! 

 

[csantamir]

I don't think you can continue working full-time while doing a PhD, and keep your mental sanity. I work at the Asian Development Bank and PhDs are only required for very senior positions, if at all.