MGA @ NYU!!

[vismaya]

I'm an Indian girl presently studying engineering (electronics and communications) from a well-known university in India. Im in my final year now. I don't have a great gpa (6.5/10), have a 610v, 730q GRE score and I should get my TOEFL result sometime within the next two days(it went really well)!. I have a couple of summer internships in Telecom companies.My high school record is brilliant, always in the top 5 in class. Otherwise good credentials -Head Girl of school etc.

The masters I want to go in for is Global Affairs. I have a LOT of experience doing Model UN conferences and its something I am really really passionate about. I have learnt French upto the 10th grade and Economics till the 12th grade. I'm not applying to the top schools (Columbia, JHU etc) because they usually require work exp. But I am applying to NYU's Global Affairs Masters program @ SCPS and American University. I know the NYU course is relatively new but it seems interesting!!

So. Chances? *looks around hopefully*.

Would really appreciate the feedback!!

[vismaya]

Also, suggestions for IR colleges that are not very strict about the gpa requirement?

[kmita]

I would not apply to CGA @ NYU. It is a relatively new program and has little brand recognition. The less work experience you have, the more you will be wasting your money attending NYU. The program is not stringent enough on the quant side and professors are not well networked in the internship community. Both of my summer internships were found independently.

Professors here are still in the early stages of their career and some do not possess a doctorate. Since IR is a research-oriented discipline, I consider this to be a major problem. With your GMAT or GRE scores, you have other options. I would do comparison shopping among different schools and attend the best school you were admitted to.

I am in my last semester and I have been quite disappointed with the quality of this program. Please do not make a bad investment. Choose your school wisely. I hope this helps.

Kaz