International Relations Graduate Application

[JohnMason]

I am graduating form a international relations undergraduate degree of the Australian National University in (obviously) Australia.

 

Because i plan to do a PhD in the US (Political Science/ Government), meanwhile only had a undergraduate degree, i was advised by my American professors and some US universities to strengthen my future PhD application by doing a Master in the US. 

 

Via some preliminary researching, i plan to apply the following programs (ranked by preference):

1.       Harvard (MPP-IGA) (I assume this one is super competitive)

2.       UChicago- CIR, MA International Relations 

3.       Georgetown. Master of Science in Foreign Service 

4.       GW Elliot MA Security Policy Study, MA International Affair

5.       Duke University , MA Political science

6.       Columbia, International Affair

7.       University of Pennsylvania (I am not quite sure which program i should apply, the MBA/MA international study? ).

8.        NYU(i have not find the program yet..)

9.       UCSD, (Pacific - M International Affair)

 

ps: Rand Public policy school, they have PhD program, how is it?

 

Any comment on the listed places? especially the likelihood of admission?

Any other programs you guys would recommend?

 

[Espoir2015]

Most important question: Do you have the money l to afford a MA in the US?

[JohnMason]

Most important question: Do you have the money l to afford a MA in the US?

Assume i can pay for a MA, especially if some minor financial assistance is available.

[cooperstreet]

If you want a PhD in political science, why don't you focus more on applying for MAs in political science rather than professional degrees?

[irfannooruddin]

My two cents is that this is poor advice and a poorer use of your money. If your grades and GRE scores are high, and you have strong letters of rec and a compelling research statement, you should be competitive right away for a place in a good PhD program. And, if not, well, a MA degree is not going to help all that much. Put differently, apply to these programs if there's an intellectual case to be made (e.g., you studied math as an undergrad but now want a poli sci background before going to the PhD), but, as much as these programs might wish you to believe otherwise, these MA degrees aren't a straightforward leap pad to a PhD program.

[JohnMason]

My two cents is that this is poor advice and a poorer use of your money. If your grades and GRE scores are high, and you have strong letters of rec and a compelling research statement, you should be competitive right away for a place in a good PhD program. And, if not, well, a MA degree is not going to help all that much. Put differently, apply to these programs if there's an intellectual case to be made (e.g., you studied math as an undergrad but now want a poli sci background before going to the PhD), but, as much as these programs might wish you to believe otherwise, these MA degrees aren't a straightforward leap pad to a PhD program.

Thanks for the advice, since i have relatively sufficient time (i ll be free from June 2015, i will probably preparing apply for PhD program at the same time as some of the MA program i really liked, such as the Chicago CIR. However, my concern is the different academic system in the Commonwealth. Australian Undergraduate degree (like those in the UK) is a 3-year program. I am thinking whether this would put me in a less than competitive position.

[JohnMason]

My two cents is that this is poor advice and a poorer use of your money. If your grades and GRE scores are high, and you have strong letters of rec and a compelling research statement, you should be competitive right away for a place in a good PhD program. And, if not, well, a MA degree is not going to help all that much. Put differently, apply to these programs if there's an intellectual case to be made (e.g., you studied math as an undergrad but now want a poli sci background before going to the PhD), but, as much as these programs might wish you to believe otherwise, these MA degrees aren't a straightforward leap pad to a PhD program.

In addition, although i am doing very well in my home university, as the ANU does not calculate GPA, i don't really know how my scores gonna look like when translated into GPA. I asked US admission offices about it, and they more or less just tell me "don't worry about the GPA, just apply (Georgetown)".

[JohnMason]

If you want a PhD in political science, why don't you focus more on applying for MAs in political science rather than professional degrees?

I have not fully understand the distinction between professional and academic MA in the States yet. But i guess i pick places like Security Policy Study at GWU because it fits my strategic/defense research profile quite well.

[AuldReekie]

In addition, although i am doing very well in my home university, as the ANU does not calculate GPA, i don't really know how my scores gonna look like when translated into GPA. I asked US admission offices about it, and they more or less just tell me "don't worry about the GPA, just apply (Georgetown)".

 

There is a good blog by Dan Nexon (also from Georgetown) on applying . You might find parts of it useful.

 

 http://duckofminerva.com/2012/08/applying-for-phd-in-political-science.html

 

• Many admissions-committee members cannot make sense of foreign transcripts, so ask your recommenders to contextualize your academic performance.

 

Nowhere I applied go asked that I attempt to fit my grades into a GPA. You're unlikely to have to worry about that. My grades would have looked awful if converted straight into a GPA! I know fair few people from England and Wales who have started PhDs without a masters. The degrees might only be three years but that's all you need if you're focusing almost exclusively on Political Science. Unless - as has been mentioned - there is some compelling reason that means you need to do an MA beforehand you should seriously consider applying straight for PhD programs. 

 

FYI if you apply to the Chicago PhD program you can ask to be considered for the CIR program if you are unsuccesful. 

Edited March 13, 2015 by AuldReekie

[JohnMason]

There is a good blog by Dan Nexon (also from Georgetown) on applying . You might find parts of it useful.

 

 http://duckofminerva.com/2012/08/applying-for-phd-in-political-science.html

 

 

Nowhere I applied go asked that I attempt to fit my grades into a GPA. You're unlikely to have to worry about that. My grades would have looked awful if converted straight into a GPA! I know fair few people from England and Wales who have started PhDs without a masters. The degrees might only be three years but that's all you need if you're focusing almost exclusively on Political Science. Unless - as has been mentioned - there is some compelling reason that means you need to do an MA beforehand you should seriously consider applying straight for PhD programs. 

 

FYI if you apply to the Chicago PhD program you can ask to be considered for the CIR program if you are unsuccesful. 

Many Thanks for the advice, i ll certainly asked to be considered for a CIR as i apply. While my recommenders have quite divided opinions, One of them believe i have a strong chance of getting PhD directly, while the other urges me to be cautious about the international difference and thinking about MA. So, i think i will bet-hedging and apply Both PhD and MA if applicable. 

 

PS: Yup, my grade could be awful if using some methods of GPA translation.

 May i asking where r you apply from? and how's it going?