American needs advice for MSc Intl Relations

Hi,

I am a recent graduate (finished in May) interested in applying for an MSc in International Relations and related subjects at LSE, SOAS, KCL, Oxford and UCL (Human Rights). Also looking at LSE's Gender, Globalisation and Development programme as my passion is women's issues.

I have literally no relevant significant work experience; I initially wanted to work in communications for a political/social justice non-profit, so have a lot of internships related to that. Also lead two social justice related students groups (ie like Amnesty Intl), wrote for on-campus publication devoted to MENA/South Asian issues.

Currently I work in communications for a small charity/semi-political non-profit. I know for many top programs in the US, lack of work experience is a huge hindrance. Is that generally the case in the UK too? Should I apply for these programmes this year or wait?

Some stats:

-Went to UC Berkeley, top public university in the world. Studied Politics with a specialisation in International Relations.
-Got a total GPA of 3.8, which seems to be considered by many Oxbridge programmes as a First-class honours...but not entirely certain. Definitely an upper-second regardless
-US/UK citizen, although obviously don't qualify for the home student fees
-Speak Hindi and some Spanish

Also, I transferred from a lesser university to Berkeley. I developed stronger relationships at my first university, a smaller one, but with not as prestigious faculty like the ones I knew at Berkeley. Which should I ask for references from?

Thanks so much for the help!

Went to UC Berkeley, top public university in the world.

Hi,

I am a recent graduate (finished in May) interested in applying for an MSc in International Relations and related subjects at LSE, SOAS, KCL, Oxford and UCL (Human Rights). Also looking at LSE's Gender, Globalisation and Development programme as my passion is women's issues.

I have literally no relevant significant work experience; I initially wanted to work in communications for a political/social justice non-profit, so have a lot of internships related to that. Also lead two social justice related students groups (ie like Amnesty Intl), wrote for on-campus publication devoted to MENA/South Asian issues.

Currently I work in communications for a small charity/semi-political non-profit. I know for many top programs in the US, lack of work experience is a huge hindrance. Is that generally the case in the UK too? Should I apply for these programmes this year or wait?

Some stats:

-Went to UC Berkeley, top public university in the world. Studied Politics with a specialisation in International Relations.
-Got a total GPA of 3.8, which seems to be considered by many Oxbridge programmes as a First-class honours...but not entirely certain. Definitely an upper-second regardless
-US/UK citizen, although obviously don't qualify for the home student fees
-Speak Hindi and some Spanish

Also, I transferred from a lesser university to Berkeley. I developed stronger relationships at my first university, a smaller one, but with not as prestigious faculty like the ones I knew at Berkeley. Which should I ask for references from?

Thanks so much for the help!

Hi,

I am a recent graduate (finished in May) interested in applying for an MSc in International Relations and related subjects at LSE, SOAS, KCL, Oxford and UCL (Human Rights). Also looking at LSE's Gender, Globalisation and Development programme as my passion is women's issues.

I have literally no relevant significant work experience; I initially wanted to work in communications for a political/social justice non-profit, so have a lot of internships related to that. Also lead two social justice related students groups (ie like Amnesty Intl), wrote for on-campus publication devoted to MENA/South Asian issues.

Currently I work in communications for a small charity/semi-political non-profit. I know for many top programs in the US, lack of work experience is a huge hindrance. Is that generally the case in the UK too? Should I apply for these programmes this year or wait?

Some stats:

-Went to UC Berkeley, top public university in the world. Studied Politics with a specialisation in International Relations.
-Got a total GPA of 3.8, which seems to be considered by many Oxbridge programmes as a First-class honours...but not entirely certain. Definitely an upper-second regardless
-US/UK citizen, although obviously don't qualify for the home student fees
-Speak Hindi and some Spanish

Also, I transferred from a lesser university to Berkeley. I developed stronger relationships at my first university, a smaller one, but with not as prestigious faculty like the ones I knew at Berkeley. Which should I ask for references from?

Thanks so much for the help!