Public/Intl Affairs/Relations/Policy Fall 2009

[Dreams]

Just trying to get the ball rolling since it is just about open season. Where is everyone applying?

I am looking at SIPA, WWS, and Maxwell.

[Cornell07]

Most people applying to Intl Affairs/Relations programs seem to have a few years of professional experience under their belts. KSG, for example, says that their average incoming MPP student has about 2 years of professional work behind them. Any ideas about what is considered to be good enough/appropriate/sufficient experience for them?

I have about a year and a half of experience working for a large corporate law firm in NYC on international finance matters as well as post-undergrad experience as a volunteer alumni researcher/foreign affairs guru/adviser for my university's policy debate team. At the moment, I am trying (desperately) to get an internship/research assitanceship position at a number of foreign policy think tanks. I am pretty sure I'd be in good shape to apply if I get a think tank position, but given my background, do I already have sufficient experience to consider applying in the next round of apps?

[IRJunkie]

I've been debating about applying to graduate schools (MA, MPP/MPA and possibly Ph.D programs) in the IR related field for a while and hope to do so for Fall 2009. I am interested in IR and foreign policy, as well as economic issues and the Middle East.

I graduated in 2003 and have since worked in government/politics and right now for a foreign policy non-profit. I'm a bit nervous since I do not have research experience -- I applied to dozens of research related jobs over the years, but many of the entry level positions required a master's degree!

I've made a list of the schools that I am interested in: WWS, KSG, SAIS, Chicago, Yale, SIPA, Georgetown, NYU, Fletcher -- to start.

[Dreams]

I am pretty sure I'd be in good shape to apply if I get a think tank position, but given my background, do I already have sufficient experience to consider applying in the next round of apps?

I think your current background is sufficient for applying to the programs. And your international finance experience and foreign affairs experience is very relevant at that. I encourage you to apply whether or not you get the internship position.

[Cornell07]

I'm a bit nervous since I do not have research experience -- I applied to dozens of research related jobs over the years, but many of the entry level positions required a master's degree!

Well that really seems to be the rub. I too have looked at many researched related jobs but been disheartened due to the requirement of a masters degree. You need experience to get into a masters program but you need a masters degree to get experience! (On a related note, thanks for the encouragement FSIA. I've noticed that Masters in IR degrees very often require or encourage having a solid background in quantitative/economics).

[mhallex]

I wouldn't be too disheartened by the requirements for work experience. I did the application process last year(I've deferred my admittance to GW's security studies program) and did pretty well right out of undergrad. Rejected by MIT and SIPA but admitted to SAIS & GW.

Undergrad at CUNY, good but not astonishing GRE scores, and a smattering of internships at a few foreign policy themed places in NYC. If I managed to get into grad programs then you should be able to pull it off too(granted, I was pretty suprised by the positive responses.)

If nothing else the GRE isn't a huge burden and application fees aren't that expensive. You might as well take a shot and hope for the best. If it doesn't work out then worry about picking up more work experience or some other credentials.

[younglions]

I saw that someone posted an early admit to Fletcher on the results page. Are you around here? Did you get any sort of funding package?

[Dreams]

I'd be interested in hearing from the Fletcher person too. I am also interested in how the application process went for everyone and where they ended up applying.

[Minnesotan]

Topic moved at OP's request.

[younglions]

This is a test post. I noticed in another moved thread that when new posts were made, the thread didn't move to top of the message forum. If that's the case here, maybe it's time to create a new thread.

EDIT: Seems like it made the jump to the top.

[younglions]

Is anyone else hesitant to post their profiles in fear of adcoms browsing these forums? I know it sounds ridiculous, and I can't imagine how it would negatively affect my applications, but that hesitancy remains.

Also, I hope people start using this thread as a "mega thread" instead of posting new ones for every little question. It promotes discussion, and I think we could all use a little bit of that over the next 2-3 months of impatient waiting.

[Dreams]

Is anyone else hesitant to post their profiles in fear of adcoms browsing these forums?

I have already posted my profile here. I do not understand the paranoia about such things. I mean come on, it's not like we are doing anything that would jeopardize our applications to the schools.

[linden]

younglions:

I understand your concern. I'm hesitant to post much about my profile for that same reason. And, yes, FSIA is correct: logically, there should be no problem with posting information about our profiles here. I'm dying to post my first acceptance on the Results board, but that same crazy fear is holding me back. :wink:

Linden

[policy_applicant]

Good. Let's get some discussion in here. The wait is killing me.

I've had most of my apps complete since late October, but just finished the last one at the beginning of January. Now there's nothing to do but wait...and fill out my FAFSA. I'm waiting to hear from:

WWS, GPPI, GSPP, USC, UCLA, LBJ, GW, NYU and Rutgers

I'm praying to get an acceptance or two in February since I applied back in October, but won't start holding my breath until March.

[Cornell07]

Good. Let's get some discussion in here. The wait is killing me.

I've had most of my apps complete since late October, but just finished the last one at the beginning of January. Now there's nothing to do but wait...and fill out my FAFSA. I'm waiting to hear from:

WWS, GPPI, GSPP, USC, UCLA, LBJ, GW, NYU and Rutgers

I'm praying to get an acceptance or two in February since I applied back in October, but won't start holding my breath until March.

Judging by the results board, the earliest we should hear back is the second week in March.

I unsuccessfully did history PhD apps last year and our megathread was a collective insane, hyper-stressful experience, especially as the first results started trickling out.

[policy_applicant]

Judging by the results board, the earliest we should hear back is the second week in March.

I've seen some acceptances as early as the second week of February for NYU and, I think, GW. But I'm not counting on it. The bulk is definitely in mid March.

[Dreams]

I unsuccessfully did history PhD apps last year ...

What led you to switch fields this year?

[younglions]

About 60 more days until we first get word of acceptances and rejections! Certainly better than the 90 that remained when I submitted my applications a month ago, which by the way, have still not been marked as complete by some schools. I hope that doesn't mean that applications are up this year.

[mpp2011]

Younglions - Frankly, I'd be shocked if you didn't get in to any of your programs. I expect applications will be way up this year, but your profile puts you in a very select group.

[linden]

Well, if younglions ( who puts us all to shame ) can make the leap...

I am going for MPP programs. I have a 3.8 undergrad gpa. My GRE scores are decent: 770 Q / 700 V / 6 AW. I have about 10 years of work experience in private industry, non-profits, and the government, including work experience domestically and overseas. (Yes, I am old.)

I have already been admitted to one of my schools, and I am waiting to hear from four other programs. I honestly don't know what to expect. One minute I think I have a decent chance at most of the schools to which I applied; the next, I am convinced that I will end up with only this acceptance.

[younglions]

I'd be more confident with your profile than my own. That 10 years of work experiences goes a long way. Plus your stats are better than most.

[Dreams]

I'd be more confident with your profile than my own. That 10 years of work experiences goes a long way. Plus your stats are better than most.

I second that. As it seems, both of you stand a much better shot than me.

[policy_applicant]

Linden, are you the American U acceptance listed on the results page?

I'm also applying to MPP programs. My stats:

3.6 at west coast catholic university with 3.7 in econ (major).

740V/750Q/5.5AW on GRE.

3.5 years work experience in public finance (private company).

I am cautiously optimistic.

[linden]

policy_applicant:

No, I am not that acceptance. I still have to list my first acceptance. But, I terribly superstitious at this time, and I am convinced fate will punish me for including that first admission before decisions are in. (Yes, this process has made me crazy. )

Your profile is in line with what others have posted so far on this thread. I think you should be okay for most of the schools you listed. (By most, I mean that no one can be assured of anything with WWS.)

Nevertheless, it is a nerve-wrecking wait, isn't? I guess we might hear from GW in the next few days/weeks. But, from early February to mid March, it's going to be a long wait.

Good luck!

Linden

[policy_applicant]

The wait is killing me. And I've become superstitious like you. My coworkers keep asking when I'm leaving or saying, "When you're gone in August...," and I just have to cover my ears and tell them not to jinx me.