Help choosing Programs with strongest focus in International trade and policy

[M G]

Hello

I am planing on applying to various graduate school for Fall 11 and I would like some advice on the selection and order of some programs.

My background:

I graduated from Georgia State University in 2007 with a BBA in Business economics with a specialization in Law and economics. I started off badly but ended pretty strongly which resulted in a 3.0 GPA. I did well in my "global" and economics classes. I took two semesters of Spanish but other than that no foreign language. After school I worked for one year in customer service for an online bank then worked for two years as a Logistics Contract Analyst. As a Logistics contract analyst I review shipping contracts and manipulated the data to input into a database to help optimize our clients international supply chain.

I will take the GRE Nov 1st. 2 letters from profs and one from VP of company I worked for as a Logistics Contract Analyst

I am focusing on MPA, MIR, MPP, and MIA programs and I want my focus to be International economics, International Trade, Monetary and Fiscal Policy(secondary optional interest in International security). Here are the ones that stand out:

The Johns Hopkins University: Paul H. Nitze School of AdvancedInternational Studies- School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS)

Program: Master of Arts

Specialization: InternationalEconomics/Strategic Studies

American University: The School of International Service-

Program: Master of Arts inInternational Affairs in International Politics or Master of PublicAdministration

Specialization: InternationalEconomic Relationship or International management

Universityof Michigan--Ann Arbor: Gerald Ford School of Public Policy

Programs: Master of Public Policy(MPP) or posible dual degree with Masters in econ

Specialization: Economic Policy or Methods of Policy Analysis

Syracuse University: Maxwell School

Programs: MPA or joint MPA/MIR

Specialization: Global Markets/Global Security(and with dual Public Management)

Duke University: Sanford School of Public Policy

Programs: Master of Public Policy

Specialization: Global Policy GlobalTrade and Finance

New York University: The Wagner School

Programs: Master of PublicAdministration in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy

Specialization: International Policy and Management(area specific tracks: International Public Finance, International PublicManagement, International Public Policy)

University of Denver:The Josef Korbel School of International Studies-

Programs: Master of Arts in Global Finance Trade and Economic Integration (GFTEI)

George Mason University: School of Public Policy-

Programs: Master of Public Policy (MPP)

Specialization: International Commerce and Policy (ICP)

Other schools considering:Heinz, Upenn, University of Maryland, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, University of Pittsburgh, UW Madison, ect...

I somewhat listed these in the order I guess they are ranked in compared to each other. I would appreaciate any advice on the individual schools(location, job prospects post graduation, how much funding they gernarlly give, ect) and also any advice on how I should rank them or any other schools I should consider. I eventually want to work for the Federal Government or for an organization like the IMF. I would like to as a International Economist, International Trade specialist, Policy Analyst, ect...I somewhat listed these in the order I guess they are ranked in compared to each other. I would appreciate any advice on the individual schools(location, job prospects post graduation, how much funding they give in relation to each other, ect) and also any advice on how I should rank them. I eventually want to work for the Federal Government or for an organization like the IMF. I would like to as a International Economist, International Trade specialist, Policy Analyst, ect...

Thanks!

Edited October 19, 2010 by M G

[HopefulIR]

3.0 cumulative I'm assuming?

What was your avg GPA for JR/SR year? Or... what was your avg major GPA? If you did poorly in the beginning (freshman year gen ed, it might not matter so much if you got As in upper level econs. Ex: a 3.8 in your final two years)

It will also be paramount to do well on the GRE 1350+ to make up for a cumulative 3.0.

SAIS I think might be out of reach, unless you were working for a major investment bank.

Fletcher school at Tufts has a Master of International Business. (but Tufts is also up there... like SAIS)

[M G]

3.0 cumulative I'm assuming?

What was your avg GPA for JR/SR year? Or... what was your avg major GPA? If you did poorly in the beginning (freshman year gen ed, it might not matter so much if you got As in upper level econs. Ex: a 3.8 in your final two years)

It will also be paramount to do well on the GRE 1350+ to make up for a cumulative 3.0.

SAIS I think might be out of reach, unless you were working for a major investment bank.

Fletcher school at Tufts has a Master of International Business. (but Tufts is also up there... like SAIS)

I did get A's in my upperlevel econ clases but more like 3.4.

I made A's in the following:

Survey of U.S History

The Global Economy

Principles of Microeconomics

Elementary Statistics

Intro to International Business

Macroeconomics

Global and Business Practices

Money and Credit

Race and ethnic relations

Law and Economics

I was hoping to make up for the low GPA with a very narrow focus on programs that relate to the classes I excelled in and my job experience. I guess SAIS may be to much of a reach, it may be smarter to spend that application money on a different school.

[Korbel Student]

Hello,

I am a current student at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies. If you are looking for a program with a strong focus in Int'l Trade and policy, I would highly suggest looking more closely at the GFTEI program. I am in the general International Studies program because I wanted a more general Masters degree but from what I know about GFTEI the students in that program are really happy with their choice to attend Korbel.

Denver in general is a very laid back town. There are a lot of things to do in the city, outside of the university (which was really important to me.) At Korbel, the staff and professors are very knowledgeable and willing to help students one on one. If you are concerned about funding and job prospects, you should know that Korbel has a very strong alumni network and there are several scholarship opportunities specifically for GFTEI students. I'm including a link below to the GFTEI page on the Korbel website. I encourage you to read the GFTEI student's blog and look a the types of courses offered.

http://www.du.edu/korbel/academic/degrees/ma/GFTEI.html

Hope this helps!

[M G]

3.0 cumulative I'm assuming?

What was your avg GPA for JR/SR year? Or... what was your avg major GPA? If you did poorly in the beginning (freshman year gen ed, it might not matter so much if you got As in upper level econs. Ex: a 3.8 in your final two years)

It will also be paramount to do well on the GRE 1350+ to make up for a cumulative 3.0.

SAIS I think might be out of reach, unless you were working for a major investment bank.

Fletcher school at Tufts has a Master of International Business. (but Tufts is also up there... like SAIS)

I don't really have a second language so I don't think I can get into Tufts.

I took the GRE today.

710Q:630V

total:1340

You tell me it is essential to get 1350+ and I get a 1340....amazing....Perhaps if I get a pretty good analytical writing score it will push me over the edge.

Korbel Student, thanks for the information. Could I give you a call if I want additional information.

[Korbel Student]

Of course. Our Admissions Office number is in my signature.

I don't really have a second language so I don't think I can get into Tufts.

I took the GRE today.

710Q:630V

total:1340

You tell me it is essential to get 1350+ and I get a 1340....amazing....Perhaps if I get a pretty good analytical writing score it will push me over the edge.

Korbel Student, thanks for the information. Could I give you a call if I want additional information.

[CalSeeker]

I don't think you mentioned GWU's MA in International Trade and Investment Policy. That is one that I am very interested in. If anyone is in the program or knows anyone in the program, I'd love to hear more about it.

[M G]

I don't think you mentioned GWU's MA in International Trade and InvestmentPolicy. That is one that I am very interested in. Ifanyone is in the program or knows anyone in the program, I'd love to hear moreabout it.

I don't have a foreign language so I didn't bother with GWU.

Anyone out there have anything else to add?

I have made a few changes to the list. From what I have read I should have 3 tiers: reach schools, either way schools, and safe schools. The problem is I seem to be top heavy with someof my either way schools actually being reaches(or visa versa) which is why I need your help.

Reach Schools:

Universityof Chicago:

The Harris school

Programs: Master of Public Policy

Specialization: International Policy

Syracuse University:

Maxwell School

Programs: MPA/MIR

Specialization: Global Markets/Global Security (and with dual PublicManagement)

Either way Schools:

Universityof Michigan--Ann Arbor: Gerald Ford School of Public Policy

Programs: Master of Public Policy(MPP) or posible dual degree with Masters inecon

Specialization: Economic Policy or Methods of Policy Analysis

The Johns Hopkins University:

Institute for Policy Studies (IPS)

Programs: Master of Arts in Public Policy

Specialization: International Policy

Duke University:

Sanford School of Public Policy

Programs: Master of Public Policy

Specialization: Global Policy-Global Trade and Finance

American University:

The School of International Service

Program: Master of Arts in InternationalAffairs in International Politics (M.A.I.A.)

Specialization: International Economic Relations

Safe Schools:

University of Denver:

The Josef Korbel School of InternationalStudies

Programs: Master of Arts in Global Finance Tradeand Economic Integration (GFTEI)

GeorgeMason University:

School of Public Policy

Programs: Master of Public Policy(MPP)

Specialization: InternationalCommerce and Policy (ICP)

TheUniversity of Texas at Austin:

Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs

Programs: Master of Global Policy Studies

Specializations: International Trade andFinance

Does this look realistic or correct? I am thinking of adding one more school (maybemy Alma mater Georgia State University or another reach school). For now I took out NYU wagner, was that agood choice? Harris school is not an APSIA member, should I knock it down a bit?

Also I just god my actual GRE scores and I hadthe numbers in the ones and tens place reversed. Actual scores:

730Q

610V

AW:4.5

I guess that it is better in my case to have ahigher quant score.

Edited November 18, 2010 by M G