IR programs

[raychurr]

I know this is a weird time of year to be posting this question, but can someone help me decide which IR MA programs to apply to for Fall 2012? I have heard a bit about most but am mostly ignorant to the strengths and weaknesses, selectivity, etc. of each program. Beyond what they claim on their sometimes labyrinthine websites I have very few resources.

The program I'm looking for:

• is more practical than academic
• includes or will be very helpful in incorporating a practical element (internship or work experience)
• starts with the basics of IR theory–my BA is in the humanities
• will be cool with the fact that my BA is in the humanities
• gives pretty good financial aid packages (obviously the more the better)
• is highly regarded and/or will leave me with a really good professional network
  About me:
  
  • hope to eventually join the US Foreign Service
  • BA in Comparative Literature from the U of Chicago; 3.6 GPA with departmental & college honors
  • took the GRE in December 2009 (V 720 Q 550 W 5.0) but didn't study then and could probably improve my scores
  • currently on a Fulbright year in Austria
  • very little social sciences coursework
  • fluent in German & conversational in Italian

Thanks!

Edited March 24, 2011 by raychurr

[flyers29]

I can't comment as to how receptive specific schools are to people who don't have a social science background (though they generally are on the whole). I think a lot of big IR schools discussed here fit the bill perfectly for what you're looking for though. Only issue might be the funding--many schools do give out $$ to top applicants, but it's not really something you can bet on until you apply and see what happens.

[Dreams]

I know this is a weird time of year to be posting this question, but can someone help me decide which IR MA programs to apply to for Fall 2012? I have heard a bit about most but am mostly ignorant to the strengths and weaknesses, selectivity, etc. of each program. Beyond what they claim on their sometimes labyrinthine websites I have very few resources.

The program I'm looking for:

• is more practical than academic
• includes or will be very helpful in incorporating a practical element (internship or work experience)
• starts with the basics of IR theory–my BA is in the humanities
• will be cool with the fact that my BA is in the humanities
• gives pretty good financial aid packages (obviously the more the better)
• is highly regarded and/or will leave me with a really good professional network
  About me:
  
  • hope to eventually join the US Foreign Service
  • BA in Comparative Literature from the U of Chicago; 3.6 GPA with departmental & college honors
  • took the GRE in December 2009 (V 720 Q 550 W 5.0) but didn't study then and could probably improve my scores
  • currently on a Fulbright year in Austria
  • very little social sciences coursework
  • fluent in German & conversational in Italian

Thanks!

Don't sell yourself short. You have some great post grad experience and skills which will be an asset in any IR program. My question is have you taken classes like economics and statistics in undergrad? If not you may want to complete those at a community college or something to show adcoms that you can at least handle those types of classes. I come from a dual natural science and humanities background and had no problems. In looking for more information about the schools, you might want to search this section of the forum, as questions of practice vs theory orientations, finaid, and such have been discussed a great deal and might help you in making a decision.

[raychurr]

Don't sell yourself short. You have some great post grad experience and skills which will be an asset in any IR program. My question is have you taken classes like economics and statistics in undergrad? If not you may want to complete those at a community college or something to show adcoms that you can at least handle those types of classes. I come from a dual natural science and humanities background and had no problems. In looking for more information about the schools, you might want to search this section of the forum, as questions of practice vs theory orientations, finaid, and such have been discussed a great deal and might help you in making a decision.

Thanks FSIA, I have not taken econ or stat and there is very little solid proof that I actually know how to do anything with numbers so that's a great idea.

[Carthage]

A great place to start looking is at the following link: http://www.apsia.org/apsia/index.php

Check out the member school lists - link near the top left of the page.