Applying to NPSIA for 2018

[Irwi]

Nice to see the topic up. I applied to NPSIA last year, and graduated in May. I was waitlisted and eventually rejected, but I am definitely reapplying this year. Just wanted to share my perspective. To warn everyone, there are sometimes glitches with the Carleton Central system. I was waitlisted but I had to actively seek this out, as I didn't receive any email informing me of such. As it was I received my official rejection letter only a couple of weeks ago, well after the semester had started.

One question I have: are applications open already for this year? I see the deadline, but are we able to submit applications this early? I cannot see that listed anywhere.

Thanks!

[Delidas]

Man, lots of "NPSIA or bust" folks from the looks of it. I only applied to two Canadian schools, but I took a shot at a few international ones too, just for shits and giggles I guess. Realistically, I won't be able to attend without full funding, so I might as well be NPSIA or bust, too! Like most people here, I'm thinking GAC after graduation. I'd like to work as an FSO, pretty cut and dry. Probably the political-economic stream.

@Irwi you should be all good to apply. I've finished most of the stuff on the portal, registered my references, and just need to send it all off, really. Committing to sending it off is the hard part though, and knowing then that it's all out of your hands....  

[Chuupa]

@Delidas I think that's why I'm reluctant to do it so soon ? It's kinda scary to just let it go and wait... I'm sure I'm gonna send it near the deadline (not sure if it's a good idea, though)

Someone knows how many places there are for NPSIA ? 

[sandradee]

@Irwi I have fully applied already, references in and everything, as of end of October, so you are good to go. Once I uploaded everything, I thought there was some big "submit application" button, but there isn't. Checked with Tabbatha and she said as long as everything is in there, then we are all good to go. Sorry to hear about your rejection but very cool to see you are reapplying! I know some people who have solid applications who got denied over the past couple of years and just goes to show the level of competition! 

@Delidas I also need a significant amount of funding to be able to consider going (as this is my second masters, I refuse to take out anymore loans). Where were the international schools you applied to?

@Chuupa Last year, if I am not mistaken, there was about 400 applications for 91 places. (Could be wrong, but I remember reading this on one of the previous threads).

[Delidas]

@sandradee You're right to say that the competition is fierce; hopefully we all manage to make the cut! With roughly a twenty-five percent chance, I think we probably all have a decent shot. 

As to my selection of international programs, I applied to Sciences PO for a dual degree with Munk in Public Policy and Global Governance, Oxford for the Msc in Global Governance/Diplomacy, and IHEID for the MA in International Affairs. Pretty standard stuff insofar as IR schools are concerned; I think I hit all the big ones except for LSE, but I'm not independently wealthy and so have no false pretenses there. Domestically I've got applications all but submitted for NPSIA and Balsillie, but I'm starting to consider Queens' MPA as well. In the end I'll follow the money, as they're all pretty good schools. 

[Sagnik_G]

Hey everyone!

I'm really glad this thread got started. It was through Gradcafe that I even came to know of NPSIA when I was scoping out a good Intl. Relations degree in Canada last year. I'm from India myself, but I'm applying to mostly Canadian institutions and the NPSIA is my first choice.

Bit nervous really being an international student what my admission prospects will be, I have solid grades, and letters of recco. and one foreign exchange program and one publication in an online journal, as well as some social work as experience, I'm still an undergrad so not much work experience to speak of. I've recently finished uploading all my documents (and pushing my referees to upload their letters) so all I'm left with is that infernal Statement of Intent which I've been picking at pointlessly for the last 5 weeks but I keep thinking I could improve on it someway or the other.

Oh well. It's good to meet you guys, the grind begins here but hopefully it all works out well!

- S.

[Chuupa]

@Sagnik_G Welcome here ! 

I would say that you have a pretty strong profile ! I think having a publication in a journal is really something that will make you stand out. I don't really know how it works for the international students, though.

Otherwise, I asked my professor if he could give me the contact of one NPSIA student and he did. She told me they are 130 in it, but they are only 15 in her field (economy). Also, she didn't really like the program at first but that it's fine now. She got in with a TAship + scholarship and  her friend got in with 3.5GPA without anything. 

[Sagnik_G]

@Chuupa Thank you!

Well, it's good to hear that at any rate. It's interesting to hear the class size is 130, I was given to believe it was closer to 80 or so. But the more the better. I had been considering applying to Queen's University as well, the reputation of their Pol. Sc. program is good, but the Chair informed me their class size is 25 overall and they only accept 1 or 2 international students. I was pretty disheartened by that so I gave up on applying there. I'm applying at McGill, Concordia, SFU, Alberta as well. Couldn't really apply for other great IR programs like GSPIA or Munk because they're either too expensive or they want international students to already have a MA degree before applying which isn't viable for me.

For international students on this forum, based on a webinar I attended (you guys probably did also if you had applied by then), scholarships are unlikely for us, but TA/RA-ships are a more common means of getting funding. Let's see how it works out.

My field would probably be Global Institution and IPE. Anyone have any idea about the faculty? All I can find is from Ratemyprofessor and the posts are really varied there. 

[Sagnik_G]

By the way, is anyone referencing or using any citation-worthy material in their Statement of Intent or is that a bit of an overshoot? 

[Delidas]

@Sagnik_G I didn't include any citations in my personal statement. I wrote it as more of a personal essay, and structured it like a narrative. I talked about what my research interests are, obviously, but didn't go so far as to write the thing like a flat out research proposal. 

[ZayyQs]

Hi everyone.

Long time lurker here, this is probably my third cycle.. but I'm finally applying! Looking forward to grinding out the wait with y'all.
Happy to introduce myself and share my stats. Would love to hear what you guys think. 

Graduated this summer from U of T with a PoliSci specialist and Public Law minor. CGPA: 2.7, last two years GPA: 3.4. I have a plethora of executive campus community engagement experience (mentoring, student life, tedxutsc, frosh, student's association). I have also worked as a research assistant for a well renowned professor for almost two years - subject areas: jihadist financing and jihadist normative change. I was involved in the production of a book and two scholarly articles. In addition I worked in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario as an usher for one parliamentary session. Currently I've been working in Ontario's Ministry of Tourism, Sport and Culture as an Assistant Policy and Program Advisor since graduating. My interests include: security, conflict analysis/resolution, and foreign affairs. I am also fluent in Uzbek, Farsi/Dari, and Uzbek. 

I'm really worried about my marks, and I'm not sure about using "i volunteered and worked 2 jobs to feed myself through uni".. but yeah. I'm really hoping I'll write a good letter of intent and have strong reference letters.

Edited December 2, 2017 by ZayyQs

[ZayyQs]

On 11/30/2017 at 11:56 AM, Sagnik_G said:

By the way, is anyone referencing or using any citation-worthy material in their Statement of Intent or is that a bit of an overshoot? 

@Sagnik_G I think it'd be a good idea to use something once at least! I have yet to write my letter lmao.. but I plan to.

[Sagnik_G]

@Delidas yeah that's what I've done too. I'm on my third draft of my statement, want to get it a bit memorable yet covering the bases.

@ZayyQs Welcome! What I decided was not to shoehorn a reference in there. After I'm done, if it feels like I can smoothly insert a reference somewhere then I'll do it. 

You've got a strong extra-curricular background and your last 2 years GPA is good, so I think you don't have to worry immensely more or anything. I mean most graduate programs tend to look more towards the later year results anyway. 

[ZayyQs]

@Sagnik_G That's a good point. Good way to go about it!

And thanks! I dropped the ball on two courses (low 60s) but other than that I have high 70s and 80s. One can hope.

[ZayyQs]

Can someone please speak to this requirement for the program? Are applicants required to be fluent in French and pass an examination? Or can it be any language?

"5. Successful completion of second language proficiency examination"
Students must successfully complete an examination in second language proficiency administered by Carleton University's School of Linguistics and Language Studies, or meet the equivalent standard as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies. There is an administrative fee for the standard test (provides a certificate of language proficiency). Students are strongly encouraged to take the opportunity to improve their language skills during their studies, including during their summer terms. Details of the language requirement are provided on the School website.

 

[Sagnik_G]

@ZayyQs I was wondering about that as well. I'll write to Tabbatha and see if I can get some clarification on this. If anyone else has already written to her or is going to, please do share what her advice is!

In the mean time, I guess this page provides some more information. https://carleton.ca/npsia/current-students-2/current-ma-ma-jd-students/language-requirement-policy/

[Delidas]

@Sagnik_G @ZayyQs The language proficiency test, from what I gather, is something you only need to worry about once you get into the program. I think sometime in the second year you need to sit a test to prove proficiency in a second language of your choice, and you'll have the entirety of your first year to practice knowing this. I wouldn't worry too much/let it dissuade you from applying.  

[ZayyQs]

@Delidas That makes sense. Thanks for the info!

[Sagnik_G]

6 hours ago, Delidas said:

@Sagnik_G @ZayyQs The language proficiency test, from what I gather, is something you only need to worry about once you get into the program. I think sometime in the second year you need to sit a test to prove proficiency in a second language of your choice, and you'll have the entirety of your first year to practice knowing this. I wouldn't worry too much/let it dissuade you from applying.  

Thank you so much! I'm a basic French learner anyway, but I haven't formally embarked on any course. 

[Sagnik_G]

So the Instructions PDF mentions mentioning faculty members you'd like to work with. Are any of you guys actually emailing the respective faculty members? I'm not so sure if I should and the internet is awash with conflicting opinions on this...

[Delidas]

@Sagnik_G A lot of people recommend contacting/listing profs, but I didn't do it myself. I'm still not entirely sure whether I'll be doing an MRP/thesis or not, and so didn't want to pester a prof just to possibly bolster my application. That being said, if you have a firm idea of what route you'll be taking once admitted, and have a strong idea as to what you'd like to research, contacting potential advisors can be a great way to figure out if you're a good match for the program. 

[abibret]

I am a current NPSIA student heading into my final semester in January. If anybody has questions, feel free to send me a private message and I'll do my best to help out. Good luck with your applications!

[Delidas]

@abibret Thanks for stopping by; I'm sure you'll receive a few PMs in the coming months, as we all roll over to the waiting period!

[sunshine18]

I'll be applying within the next few weeks and I am pretty nervous. My CGPA is an A- and my GPA is an A-. This semester was pretty shaky so I think my CGPA will be a B+. I studied abroad in Europe, have experience with the provincial and federal government in an area related to global affairs/policy, currently volunteering with an organization in the international organization field, and I am a fellow for a NGO related to peace and social justice. Do you think I have a shot with NPSIA? I am interested in the Global public policy stream.

[Chuupa]

@sunshine18 It really seems to me like you have a strong application ! I would say that you have a shot at being accepted, yes. If you can have strong letters from your referees and a good letter of intent, I wouldn't be too worried.

On my side, I am having some 'issues'. I got an internship this summer to make a documentary in the Philippines. It is part of my degree, which means I would only really graduate at the end of september (I have to hand in a report). I am not sure I can start a master without having my bachelor... Even though I will get it, just later. Also, since I've always been to french schools, I think I have to translate my grades. What do you guys think ?

I wrote to Tabattha 2 weeks ago. She is probably overwhelmed by emails,  I got no answer.