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Please help me choose

IR Acceptances in, and can't choose! please please help
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/06/10
Fletcher or SAIS or screw it.
Honey-headed property death wish
  03/07/10
those weren't even on my list, and I just asked if you were ...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/07/10
what are your plans after graduation? i'm not sure if there'...
Harsh frozen elastic band cuckoldry
  03/07/10
I am hoping for the private sector specializing in internati...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/08/10
if that's the case, i'd probably attend one of the DC school...
Harsh frozen elastic band cuckoldry
  03/09/10
Research their historical employment statistics and internsh...
vengeful bateful den
  03/07/10
is american SIS not always in the top 10?
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/08/10
In such a small and competitive field, being in the "to...
Honey-headed property death wish
  03/08/10
It's something I partially regret now. I did it because my ...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/08/10
Can't you seek employment now and go later?
Honey-headed property death wish
  03/08/10
I have seeked employment and I cant move up anymore. I'm a ...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/09/10
Thank everyone who responded. I have to say though, i didnt...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/09/10
Most people who read this forum don't know much about IR, my...
Honey-headed property death wish
  03/09/10
Apply next year
Zombie-like boyish space potus
  04/04/10
Maxwell is frequently listed as #1 - ahead of Princeton and ...
Wonderful philosopher-king base
  04/12/10
Don't go and get work experiance.
Beta greedy puppy
  03/09/10
Do Maxwell. First, it's the strongest program in the group....
Electric milk menage
  03/19/10
do/ did you go to maxwell? if so can we chat?
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/25/10
I honestly didn't mean for that last line to sound like some...
Electric milk menage
  03/19/10
thanks man. i think i'm leaning toward maxwell :) pitt jus...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/25/10
The correct answer is E -- none of the above. Those schools ...
talented cobalt box office pozpig
  03/21/10
i assume you are at one of those 5 schools and are guarantee...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  03/25/10
I got into SAIS years ago, but turned it down anyway. Even S...
talented cobalt box office pozpig
  03/26/10
As someone who has been actually working in IR for 5 years (...
Cheese-eating White Codepig Jew
  03/29/10
wouldnt that be 300 thou? lol no its okay, i understand wha...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  04/03/10
WHY THE FUCK IS THIS IR SHIT SO POPULAR? what are you ev...
chestnut principal's office boiling water
  04/08/10
well, i'm doing a duel degree with an MPA so i'm gonna try t...
Shimmering bossy legend pit
  04/10/10


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Date: March 6th, 2010 11:54 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit
Subject: IR Acceptances in, and can't choose! please please help

I got in to Maxwell's MAIR program, Pitt's GSPIA (global political economy), George Mason's International Commerce and policy, and am still waiting for American's letter and notifications of scholarships from pitt and Syracuse. I received a nice scholarship for George Mason. Otherwise, I cant say whether I will receive funding from the others. I am BAFFLED at where to go. Please dont tell me not to go and to get work experience because I have worked and I am ready to take a step to higher levels of employment. If possible, please rank where you would go. you can include American University if you want, but most importantly please rank the rest and tell me why. I need all the input i can get because i can see myself at all of the places and am having a rough time choosing. PS did anyone else hear about maxwell or pitt funding?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14318524)



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Date: March 7th, 2010 1:46 AM
Author: Honey-headed property death wish

Fletcher or SAIS or screw it.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14319351)



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Date: March 7th, 2010 10:53 AM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

those weren't even on my list, and I just asked if you were to rank the mentioned universities, how you would rank them. What is your experience with this major that makes you blieve only two schools will yield me a happy life?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14320445)



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Date: March 7th, 2010 7:57 AM
Author: Harsh frozen elastic band cuckoldry

what are your plans after graduation? i'm not sure if there's an appreciable difference betwen Pittsburgh and George Mason to justify paying for the former if you have a scholarship at the latter. Maxwell is obviously the best of the bunch, but it depends on your career plans. I'm not sure if I would pay money to attend any of those schools, to be honest--especially in this economy.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14320161)



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Date: March 8th, 2010 7:06 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

I am hoping for the private sector specializing in international relations and communications. I have worked for a major MNC in the CSR department helping to coordinate international projects and helping to find what projects would be suitable for areas of subsidiaries. i hope to continue in such departments and eventually in consulting, but was told by my boss that they and most departments only hire people permanently when they have an MA. I'd be interested in international relations/ economics/ communications consulting after a master's and further experience.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14334935)



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Date: March 9th, 2010 2:22 AM
Author: Harsh frozen elastic band cuckoldry

if that's the case, i'd probably attend one of the DC schools if for no other reason than the fact that you can network 24/7. that's one added advantage you'll have over WWS or KSG kids--make the most out of it. you'll probably be at a disadvantage if you attend a secluded school like Pitt, Denver or Maxwell

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14339598)



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Date: March 7th, 2010 4:57 PM
Author: vengeful bateful den

Research their historical employment statistics and internship positions. These are big factors, at least for me, in choosing any program.

Why didn't you apply to any of the top programs like SAIS, Walsh, SIPA, Fletcher, etc.?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14323702)



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Date: March 8th, 2010 5:07 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

is american SIS not always in the top 10?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14333706)



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Date: March 8th, 2010 5:56 PM
Author: Honey-headed property death wish

In such a small and competitive field, being in the "top ten" means virtually nothing. It's not like law school circa 2005, where the top-14 virtually guaranteed a biglaw job.

You seem like a competitive applicant, why didn't you thrown down more applications?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14334136)



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Date: March 8th, 2010 7:04 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

It's something I partially regret now. I did it because my adviser said he didnt think i would even get in anywhere. Well apparently I did something right when three schools (maybe 4) wrote back. I actually like the idea of all of them and see employment opportunities afterwards. I have a choice between three schools and am asking (please) for help to choose between them.:)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14334906)



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Date: March 8th, 2010 7:39 PM
Author: Honey-headed property death wish

Can't you seek employment now and go later?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14335418)



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Date: March 9th, 2010 6:34 AM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

I have seeked employment and I cant move up anymore. I'm a bit frustrated hahaha. I have a list of schools that i will go to next semester. I just need help choosing.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14340277)



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Date: March 9th, 2010 9:06 AM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

Thank everyone who responded. I have to say though, i didnt expect it to be so difficult to receive a straightforward answer :-P

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14340462)



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Date: March 9th, 2010 8:48 PM
Author: Honey-headed property death wish

Most people who read this forum don't know much about IR, myself included. I only know of the top programs since I have some friends pursuing the field.

I think the differences between the programs you got into are slight, so if you must go just choose whatever one seems like the best fit. Or consult a different grad forum.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14345448)



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Date: April 4th, 2010 9:56 PM
Author: Zombie-like boyish space potus
Subject: Apply next year

You should get more work experience and then apply to top schools, or better yet, got to business school!! Perhaps a joint degree MBA with IR.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14603776)



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Date: April 12th, 2010 10:23 AM
Author: Wonderful philosopher-king base

Maxwell is frequently listed as #1 - ahead of Princeton and KSG. Consider that their connections are part of what renders it so robust. I don't think there is any question but that Syracuse is where you should be headed.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14685393)



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Date: March 9th, 2010 12:37 PM
Author: Beta greedy puppy

Don't go and get work experiance.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14341327)



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Date: March 19th, 2010 9:54 PM
Author: Electric milk menage

Do Maxwell. First, it's the strongest program in the group. Second, despite the fact that you aren't in a major city, you still get great networking opportunities (a) because of the Maxwell Mafia in DC and (b) the Federal training programs at Syracuse (e.g., National Security Studies, Defense Comptroller Program, etc.). Third, if you really want to bring in a communications aspect, you can cross enroll into some of the communications classes at Newhouse. For what it sounds like you want to do, Syracuse is for you.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14439204)



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Date: March 25th, 2010 12:39 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

do/ did you go to maxwell? if so can we chat?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14496895)



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Date: March 19th, 2010 9:56 PM
Author: Electric milk menage

I honestly didn't mean for that last line to sound like something out of a recruiting catalog. My bad.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14439222)



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Date: March 25th, 2010 12:39 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

thanks man. i think i'm leaning toward maxwell :) pitt just sent me a letter of a full tuition waiver though... but i agree, its probably the lowest ranked of the listed.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14496887)



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Date: March 21st, 2010 3:19 PM
Author: talented cobalt box office pozpig

The correct answer is E -- none of the above. Those schools are terrible. Pitt for IR? I mean sweet Jesus man. There are only 5 schools or so that could be worth it for IR. If you just want some job that requires a master's, then sure, but those are some terrible schools if you're seeking anything remotely competitive. SAIS, SIPA, Fletcher, etc.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14453670)



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Date: March 25th, 2010 12:43 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

i assume you are at one of those 5 schools and are guaranteed a job after? I think i'm leaning toward maxwell due to its high rankings for my selected field of employment :)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14496933)



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Date: March 26th, 2010 5:05 PM
Author: talented cobalt box office pozpig

I got into SAIS years ago, but turned it down anyway. Even SAIS wasn't worth it in my opinion. I can't understand the $100k investment for a $45k job. The math doesn't make sense, and I think an MBA is far superior to the IR degree.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14509458)



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Date: March 29th, 2010 11:23 PM
Author: Cheese-eating White Codepig Jew

As someone who has been actually working in IR for 5 years (without a masters), I think that Timothy is absolutely correct.

With rare exception (UN job, chichi consulting firm, etc), unless you are wealthy, I just don't see how it would be possible to pay back 100k loans. Hell, loans like that might even keep you out of the nonprofit sector.

Your life is going to suck if you have to pay 10k/year in loan payments for 30 years and you make 45-55k (at best). I have a few friends in this situation now and it is not pleasant for them.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14543095)



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Date: April 3rd, 2010 7:30 AM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

wouldnt that be 300 thou? lol no its okay, i understand what youre saying. i got pretty hefty scholarships as it turns out however so the debts are not really a problem. I have chosen Maxwell and will apply for the joint degree MPA program which I think will help job prospects as well as future income :)

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14586464)



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Date: April 8th, 2010 6:21 PM
Author: chestnut principal's office boiling water

WHY THE FUCK IS THIS IR SHIT SO POPULAR?

what are you even learning/training for?

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14647805)



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Date: April 10th, 2010 3:31 PM
Author: Shimmering bossy legend pit

well, i'm doing a duel degree with an MPA so i'm gonna try to go into the gov. IR is analytical and MPA is management so together it kinda makes for a good mix. dunno about people who go just for IR

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=1243381&forum_id=3#14666141)