2013 Fall International IR Application Looking For Advice

[dqhdly]

Hi everyone,

Below is my background, hope you can take some time to give me some advice on choosing schools, many thanks!

Undergraduate institution: a Chinese university (not famous )

Undergraduate GPA: 3.79/4.00 Rank NO.1 out of 157

Undergraduate Major: International Journalism

GRE Quantitative Score: 800 94%

GRE Verbal Score: 670 93%

GRE AW Score: 3.5 30%

Age: 21 I am a senior now

Years of Work Experience: two internships, one overseas volunteer experience (unfortunately all of them are related to IR field)

Schools planning to apply:

Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies,

Johns Hopkins University,

Science Po,

George Washington University,

University of Washington

University of Denver

MY QUESTION IS: ARE MY OPPORTUNITIES OF GETTING INTO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED SCHOOLS SLIM? SHOULD I APPLY TO SOME MORE SCHOOLS THAT ARE LOWER IN RANK?

I am eager to listen to some advice. Thanks!

[PeterP]

I think you have a good shot at these schools. I had similar GRE scores and a similar GPA and applied to a bunch of master's programs straight out of undergrad. Of the schools you are looking at, I also applied to JHU (SAIS) and GW (Elliott) and was accepted to both. That said, I ended up choosing the University of Maryland, which is located in the DC metro area and tends to be (much) more affordable. So far, I'm really happy with the choice. The faculty (esp. on the international side) are very good and well-connected in DC.

[Lyniee_A]

Hi,

I'm planning on applying to The Graduate Institute (MIA) too among a host of others (Durham, Edinburgh, LSE, Sciences PO... to mention a few, all in Europe though) but I am literally freaking out about my chances. I'm not doing GRE, come from a communications background, schooled in Africa and have no experience in International Affairs. I'm currently interning with an Int'l NGO (Plan) in W. Africa and wondering what other work experience will help level the playing field (E.G working with the government, any embassy etc)

[dqhdly]

Hi PeterP, thanks for your nice reply! I am glad the program matches you.

[dqhdly]

Hi Lyniee_A, so you are applying for the spring programs? In case you haven't noticed, LSE says an unrelated undergraduate program is a HUGE disadvantage, and that's why I don't plan to apply for LSE though its a great school. Not doing GRE is OK for most if not all European schools. I have only taken two courses and is currently taking Microeconomics related to IR. I think your internship definitely helps! If you apply for spring programs and the deadlines are approaching, I don't see any need for other internships. Anyway, good luck! Keep me informed of your results.

[Lyniee_A]

Thanks about the LSE tip...that's awful news.

[jogatoronto]

When I studied at LSE most of my friends in IR didn't necessarily have a BA in IR. International Relations is a multidisciplinary program at LSE. So, I think most backgrounds in the social sciences are somewhat related. LSE also has an MSc in Politics and Communication (http://www2.lse.ac.uk/study/graduate/taughtProgrammes2013/MScPoliticsAndCommunication.aspx), which may also suit those of you with Journalism/Communication backgrounds.

[dqhdly]

Hi jogatoronto, thanks for your kind reply.

[dft309]

My read for SAIS-not accepted by I-Dev due to lack of development work experience, probable wait-list overall, though chance of acceptance. If I were you, I'd still apply, because your grades and GRE verbal score do give you a chance. Do you absolutely need to go to grad school next year? Can you work for a year or two? I'd do that if I were you. It would increases your chances of acceptance and admission. Whatever you do, don't pay full-price for a school unless a) you can afford to do so with minimal debt AND b ) it is your top choice and will give you the greatest possible career boost. If I were you, I'd only apply to three schools.

Edited November 23, 2012 by dft309

[dqhdly]

Hi dift, thanks for your kind advice. I have narrowed down to five: Sciences Po, the Graduate Institute, Denver's Korbel, GWU's Elliot and Boston U. I dropped SAIS out of my list because I don't like their compulsory concentration of International Economics. Please correct me if I am wrong. I got the info from their official website. Also, even if I am a lucky one among the 10% incoming students with little experience, I can't afford the tuition and living expenses. Did SAIS give you scholarship? I know lacking work experience greatly hurt my shots. I will just try. If I fail, then I will go ahead to work a few years.

[dft309]

@dqhdly No, that's a fair point-if you're not willing and don't think it'd be helpful to do the econ, don't go to SAIS. I didn't particularly like it, but I put up with it because it's still the best program for what I particularly want to do. The econ background does tend to come in handy, though I could have done with one fewer elective course.

With regard to aid, no, I did not. In your case, your best chance for aid would have been applying to departments that tend to have large amounts of funding, like Korean Studies, Canadian Studies, and I believe Japanese Studies. Students in the first two get full tuition scholarships, IIRC, if not funding for living expenses.

[dqhdly]

Hi dft, thanks. I am not interested in the aforementioned programs. What made you stand out from the applicants last year? Your scores or an impressive PS? I am struggling with my PS.

[dft309]

I had high GRE scores, I think I did a good job on the current events analysis paper SAIS required when I applied (for the Fall 2010 cycle), and probably my languages-I had Arabic and Persian when I applied. I applied to Middle East Studies, then immediately switched concentrations to Global Theory and History upon acceptance and switched again to Strat after visiting SAIS at the open house.

Should have asked this earlier-what specifically are you interested in?

[dqhdly]

Impressive switches. I had never thought of that before. I am interested in International Development or International Studies.

[dqhdly]

Impressive switches. I had never thought of that before. I am interested in International Development or International Studies.

[dqhdly]

Impressive switches. I had never thought of that before. I am interested in International Development or International Studies.

[dft309]

If you want to work in development, you're going to have to do a lot of econ.

What do you mean by International Studies? Do you mean you want to focus on traditional diplomacy?

[dqhdly]

Sorry for the duplicate replies, my university's network is driving me mad... I browsed the courses of the development programs that I am applying to. Not too many econs. How many compulsory econs of SAIS? No, just interdisciplinary one. I want to do programs with an area focus rather than Japanese, Middle East and etc. Studies programs.

[grad20121979]

I am a current SAIS student, please feel free to private message me.

[av260987]

Hi,

I'm in the processing of applying to MAIR programs at JHU SAIS, Syracuse Maxwell, Elliott GWU, SIPA Columbia, Korbel Denver, SFS Georgetown and SIS American.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone could tell me whether I have a shot at any of the aforementioned schools.

Here are my stats:

Previous University: University of Mumbai, India (highly regarded in the country)

Undergrad Degree: Bachelor of Engineering(Information Technology)

UG GPA: We don't have the GPA system in India but from what I gather mine is a little below 3.0

GRE: 600V, 740Q, 4.0 AWA

Math/econ background: Five semesters of math including statistics and calculus, no econ background except a basic course in Industrial economics

Other education: After my undergrad degree, I changed tracks and got into journalism. I received a post-graduate diploma in journalism from one of the top 10 journalism schools in India, top of my class with a GPA of 3.7 or so

Work exp: By the time I enroll, I will have 2 years experience working with two of India's top national dailies The Indian Express and Hindustan Times as a reporter writing on environment, wildlife and civic issues. While in undergrad, I did a three month internship with a youth magazine and wrote on lifestyle and entertainment.

I don't have much in the way of international experience other than reporting on a two-week international meeting of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in which about 170 countries participated. I wrote on sustainability, biodiversity governance with an international perspective.

I've traveled abroad to the UK, France, Singapore, Thailand and Turkey but haven't lived anywhere other than India.

Languages: Fluent in Hindi and English. Did three years of French in school but don't remember much. Planning to take a Spanish class over the next year.

Field of interest for grad: Foreign policy, comparative and regional studies

Work in future: I want to continue in journalism but write on regional issues with an international perspective

I would be so grateful to anyone who can tell me if I stand a chance at all.

Also, how is the IR program at Boston and the public affairs program at UT Austin and Mizzou?

Thanks in advance!

[av260987]

I'd really appreciate if anyone can give me some feedback! The dominant feeling I have nowadays is self-doubt!

[dqhdly]

Hi av260987, you should feel much more confident when seeing my profile(with no working experience). I believe the best way to assure yourself is do now rather than wait. I am also very anxious about the application deadlines and an interview now. I have been trying very hard to calm myself down by concentrating on what I am doing. So build up your applications as best as you can. I am not in the position to give you suggestions on choosing the programs. But If you really want to get admitted into one of these programs, then try. If you want to make sure you have an offer, maybe consider some programs that rank lower. Best of luck!

[av260987]

Hey dqhdly, thanks for the pep talk. You're right! All the best to you too!

However, I'd still appreciate if a current student or alumni of any of these schools can give me some feedback! Please

[pnb24]

Hey all,

 

I have been accepted in Georgetown for the MA in Conflict Resolution (government department) and in the MA Global Affairs  at NYU. I am still waiting for the MIA-SIPA.

 

I know that Georgetown is the best place for studying IR, what do you think? What would you do? I need some advice.

 

Thank you!