Funded MA/MPP or apply to PhD? Advice on applications

[fenderpete]

Hi all... well it looks like this application cycle is pretty much over for me. I applied to Political Science PhDs this time around, with the exception of WWS PhD in Public Policy and have heard absolutely nothing from anyone so I guess I'm toast.

I know that I want to work in policy after my degree, and I want to work in the USA. My main interests are conflict, terrorism, diplomacy and the Middle East - basically everything foreign policy! The problem is, that as an international student (from the UK) it's pretty much impossible for me to get MA funding and my department has been a bit lousy at advising me.

Ideally I'd want to be based in Washington DC so I could get some summer experience - what are my options in terms of places to apply with funding (i.e. tuition and enough to pay rent and put food on the table!)?

A brief rundown of my stats:-

3.9-4.0 GPA equivalent in undergrad Politics and IR BA from a good UK university (Russell Group, top 20 university)

GRE: 610Q, 690V, 5.5 AWA (I'm assuming I should work on this for next year...)

Extremely good extra curriculars including student representational bodies

UK delegate to British Council UK-China 400 Young Business and Political Leaders conference (1 of 100)

Spent last summer working in a refugee camp in Palestine

Currently learning Arabic

So that's me... I'd really appreciate some advice as to whether there are any programs out there that can fully fund me, or whether I need to continue to look at PhDs to get full funding.

Also - seeing as I now have a year in which to try and accrue some experience, what sort of things do you guys think most worthwhile? The plan at the minute is to try and get 6 months of office/NGO/community service based experience and then take 6 months out in the Middle East to improve my Arabic - does that sound alright or are there other directions I should be thinking?

Thanks a lot for any advice

Pete

[clover123]

There are quite a few schools that will fund you with scholarships and grants.

Keep looking around. My friend just got accepted to Harvard MPP with a full scholarship. And he had 2 years work ex.

Make you personal statement mindblowing! That's the main advice he gave me.

[fenderpete]

Wow, real blast from the past there Looking at this shows a pretty good example of knowing what you're doing vs. not having a clue. Looking at my original states and my current stats I know who I'd rather admit It also shows what you can do to improve your app.

Edited September 5, 2011 by fenderpete

[clover123]

Mocha! your app/stats sound so great. I'm almost jealous of your GRE score. lol

I did pathetically in GRE, so I'm giving it again next month, and hoping it goes off okay. And like you, I haven't taken a Quant class ever, except for years ago back in India for which I don't have the transcripts