Worth trying for IR? Any advice would help.

[lechat]

I am getting my BA in Psychology, but want to go in a different direction for my masters. Originally, I was going to go for a MA in criminal justice, but after further research found out it's limiting and useless for what I want to do. I am mainly considering MPAs because I eventually want to work in government/with an agency, and I feel like I can probably get accepted even with a BA in Psychology if I communicate exactly what I intend to do and score well on the GRE. My GPA is 3.7 out of 4.0 and as this is my last year, I expect to top out at 3.8. My GPA in my major is a 4.0, which will hopefully hold.

My main interest is in International Relations, but I'm not sure if I should apply to IR programs. The problem is that I was financially unable to study abroad throughout undergrad. I attend a fairly pricey private college (35k/year) on nearly full scholarship, but the intl scholarships available still required me to pay $2000-3000 out of pocket to study abroad. That would have essentially meant that my disabled mother had no lights and no food. Even with jobs, as a full time student also supporting my mother - I was unable to even afford a plane ticket. Applying to IR programs is tempting for me, but doing that means that I would have to choose between MPA and IR programs at the same schools. I don't have any coursework in IR (though I will be taking a class in my last semester) because it is a recent addition to my college.

Have you heard of anyone getting into a program like this WITHOUT international experience? Should I just go for the MPA? Does a degree in IR really make me any more of a "better" candidate career-wise? The only school I've run into that looks like it has a good MPA program (that allows IR specialization) is UT in Austin (MPAff), and maybe i'm selling myself short but I'm concerned I'm not competitive enough. Though, I do have very strong verbal skills and I expect to do well on the GRE in September (my earliest application dates are January 1-5, so I feel like September is safe.)

I just feel completely lost and I would appreciate any little bit of direction or experience anyone would be willing to share.

Edited July 9, 2011 by lechat

[palabared]

If you keep your grades up and get good scores on the GREs, coupled with a compelling SOP and references, I think you would have a great chance at some good programs. I am going to the Maxwell School at Syracuse next fall, and when I went to the welcome weekend I met a couple people that came straight from undergrad without international experience. Most of them had some sort of at-home experience whether with Habitat for Humanity, soup kitchens etc, but I would say you have a good chance. I don't know if it would interest you, but check out their dual degree program MPA/IR. I am just doing the IR program though. Hope this helps.

I am getting my BA in Psychology, but want to go in a different direction for my masters. Originally, I was going to go for a MA in criminal justice, but after further research found out it's limiting and useless for what I want to do. I am mainly considering MPAs because I eventually want to work in government/with an agency, and I feel like I can probably get accepted even with a BA in Psychology if I communicate exactly what I intend to do and score well on the GRE. My GPA is 3.7 out of 4.0 and as this is my last year, I expect to top out at 3.8. My GPA in my major is a 4.0, which will hopefully hold.

My main interest is in International Relations, but I'm not sure if I should apply to IR programs. The problem is that I was financially unable to study abroad throughout undergrad. I attend a fairly pricey private college (35k/year) on nearly full scholarship, but the intl scholarships available still required me to pay $2000-3000 out of pocket to study abroad. That would have essentially meant that my disabled mother had no lights and no food. Even with jobs, as a full time student also supporting my mother - I was unable to even afford a plane ticket. Applying to IR programs is tempting for me, but doing that means that I would have to choose between MPA and IR programs at the same schools. I don't have any coursework in IR (though I will be taking a class in my last semester) because it is a recent addition to my college.

Have you heard of anyone getting into a program like this WITHOUT international experience? Should I just go for the MPA? Does a degree in IR really make me any more of a "better" candidate career-wise? The only school I've run into that looks like it has a good MPA program (that allows IR specialization) is UT in Austin (MPAff), and maybe i'm selling myself short but I'm concerned I'm not competitive enough. Though, I do have very strong verbal skills and I expect to do well on the GRE in September (my earliest application dates are January 1-5, so I feel like September is safe.)

I just feel completely lost and I would appreciate any little bit of direction or experience anyone would be willing to share.