American Grad School in Paris

3

I've been accepted to the American Graduate School in Paris for International Relations. Does anyone have any clue to their prestige or caliber? I'm having a hard time finding any kind of ranking for them.

Reply 1

Tcannon

18

AGSParis MA IR is not ranked in influential Foreign Policy and William & Mary rankings. It is little known in European IR community and very niche. AGSParis contributes little in research and scholarship as evidenced by lower impact factor in peer reviewed IR journals. Within Paris, particularly Sciences Po, HEI, IRIS are better known IR programmes. Some US schools have well regarded courses in Europe, the best US MA IR in Europe is JHU SAIS in Bologna.

(edited 9 years ago)

Reply 2

ChloeMB

OP

3

Thanks, that is helpful information. My choices are between AGS and some schools in the US (American, George Mason, Denver). While some of those have better reputations, they are more expensive and don't have the dual program that offers French/EU Law that AGS does. Additionally, I am also a French student and loved living in France last year. As I cannot find anything giving AGS a particularly bad reputation (they just aren't ranked incredibly highly), do you think it's still a wise move to accept the offer from AGS?

Reply 3

Tcannon

18

Depends on your profile and goals. American, Denver Koerbel are well regarded IR programmes, particularly in Security Studies and US Foreign Policy. Obviously, cost is a huge factor as US schools are more expensive without any scholarship $. Your interests in EU law would make AGS appealing besides lower tuition. Is the dual degree with a French uni? Have you spoken to a current AGS student or alum about their experience? Some teaching at French unis can be frontal pedagogy where the lecturer talks and students take notes without interactive discussions you normally find in US schools. Are you fluent in French to take up internship with French organisations? What is the ratio of classes taught by full academics versus adjuncts?

Assumed: If all tuitions being equal, what is your first choice? Also look at factors outside class room such as career office support, network, guest speakers and field treks to federal/international organisations.

Good luck.

Reply 4

ChloeMB

OP

3

The dual degree is with a French university yes, the Université de Cergy-Pontoise. I haven't spoken with any students from there yet. I am fluent in France, and it seems like there is a great professor-student relationship and ratio. I thought that AGS was my first choice but now I'm wondering if it is much much less lack-luster than I thought. Does it have any kind of negative reputation or is it just small in size and caliber when compared to other French institutions?

Reply 5

Tcannon

18

I would not say that AGS has a negative reputation, more a low profile due to its niche and small class. Hence AGS may not be the default MA IR programme for French or European students. Top applicants go either for premier IR programmes in Europe and even US. Other students prefer more affordable (home tuition fee) European IR. I would strongly recommend to contact current students and alumni. Key queries about teaching/accessibility, research work opp, quality of students, student satisfaction, infrastructure, placement, career office support, collaborative learning etc. Ask the programme manager to get you in touch with student ambassadors or use Facebook and LinkedIn to find students.

Reply 6

TamaraE

1

Hello;I just got accepted to AGS for a masters program in international relations and diplomacy. I am still deciding to choose where to go, and I saw your post. I was wondering if you went to AGS or not. It would be very helpful if you could give me some information.

Reply 7

ChloeMB

OP

3

Hi, I DID go to AGS and loved it. I was deciding between American University in DC and AGS (of course as soon as I graduated they created a dual degree for the two lol). Anyway, it’s a small school, which was great for me. I had ambassadors and academics and practitioners for professors. I graduated last year from AGS but am still doing a dual degree with a partner university in the Paris area, and I still keep in touch with AGS and use their resources. It was very academically stimulating, they were very involved and caring about my education and career prospects, I was able to intern at the US Embassy in Paris while there, and they are still helping me get jobs/deal with French banks/ deal with visa procedures. Maybe I’m biased (I ended up being the graduate student association president and the organizer of the school’s annual conference), but I’m definitely glad I chose to go to a small school abroad than get lost in a crowd at a big school in DC. Best of luck!

Reply 8

TamaraE

1

Thank you a lot for your response! I had second thoughts about AGS since I couldn't find any rankings or reviews. There are not a lot of photos of the school either... I wanted to go to Paris and see the school before making any decisions but I don't have any time to do that. I was very stressed about going to a university that is "unranked". But now I feel so relieved... Hopefully, I will have a good experience there just like you did.

Original post by ChloeMB

Hi, I DID go to AGS and loved it. I was deciding between American University in DC and AGS (of course as soon as I graduated they created a dual degree for the two lol). Anyway, it’s a small school, which was great for me. I had ambassadors and academics and practitioners for professors. I graduated last year from AGS but am still doing a dual degree with a partner university in the Paris area, and I still keep in touch with AGS and use their resources. It was very academically stimulating, they were very involved and caring about my education and career prospects, I was able to intern at the US Embassy in Paris while there, and they are still helping me get jobs/deal with French banks/ deal with visa procedures. Maybe I’m biased (I ended up being the graduate student association president and the organizer of the school’s annual conference), but I’m definitely glad I chose to go to a small school abroad than get lost in a crowd at a big school in DC. Best of luck!

Reply 9

ChloeMB

OP

3

Oh I totally understand that. I ended up skyping with a professor before I made my decision to make sure it was legit lol and yeah they definitely need to update their website. But if you email one of the email addresses under Contact Us on ags.edu and tell them Chloe B directed you to them, they can either skype with you or give you my personal info if you have further questions. I can give you more pros and cons, or just general moving-to-France info. They (the main point of contact is a lovely woman named Marinella- she will be the one answering any email you send) have directed prospective students to me before.

Reply 10

TamaraE

1

That would be great. I just emailed her, and I will contact you for more information. I also have some questions about living in Paris and renting a place. I'm so GLAD you replied, this helped a lot!!

Original post by ChloeMB

Oh I totally understand that. I ended up skyping with a professor before I made my decision to make sure it was legit lol and yeah they definitely need to update their website. But if you email one of the email addresses under Contact Us on ags.edu and tell them Chloe B directed you to them, they can either skype with you or give you my personal info if you have further questions. I can give you more pros and cons, or just general moving-to-France info. They (the main point of contact is a lovely woman named Marinella- she will be the one answering any email you send) have directed prospective students to me before.

Reply 11

fonsecafel

1

Hi,Would you have to be fluent in French to be able to find a job related to IR in France? I am thinking of doing this Masters with the hopes of staying abroad to work. However, my French is very minimal. I did a semester abroad in France during my undergrad, but I was not able to learn as much of the language as I wanted. I know the masters' programs is two years, so I am hoping that I will be able to pick up some french.

Reply 12

ChloeMB

OP

3

Original post by fonsecafel

Hi,Would you have to be fluent in French to be able to find a job related to IR in France? I am thinking of doing this Masters with the hopes of staying abroad to work. However, my French is very minimal. I did a semester abroad in France during my undergrad, but I was not able to learn as much of the language as I wanted. I know the masters' programs is two years, so I am hoping that I will be able to pick up some french.

Hi there, it really depends on a lot of factors. If you stay in Paris, you have a better chance of not needing much French at all. It depends on the organization though. If you are hoping to work for a large intergovernmental organization, you can probably get away with just English and minimal French. If you are hoping to work for a smaller NGO, you might want to work on your French. Either way, there are a lot of factors to finding a job in IR after you graduate. Attending AGS would get you your student visa with the possibility of staying to work afterward though. I attended the school and liked it, and I know other students who were fluent in French and others who didn't speak it at all, and some of both who found IR jobs and some who didn't. I recommend making an effort to learn the language though, because it makes other aspects of life here much easier.

Reply 13

RishabhJain

1

a broad range of careers in international affairs, local governance, foreign affairs, international development, human rights advocacy, global communications, international business, and many other areas involving interaction with different countries and cultures.

Reply 14

seeshell92

1

I am applying for the Fall 2022 IR program plus french courses. Does anyone have any updates for AGS? It's very difficult to find new comments and reviews anywhere.

Reply 15

Ines Marie

2

Original post by TamaraE

Thank you a lot for your response! I had second thoughts about AGS since I couldn't find any rankings or reviews. There are not a lot of photos of the school either... I wanted to go to Paris and see the school before making any decisions but I don't have any time to do that. I was very stressed about going to a university that is

Reply 16

Ines Marie

2

Original post by seeshell92

I am applying for the Fall 2022 IR program plus french courses. Does anyone have any updates for AGS? It's very difficult to find new comments and reviews anywhere.

Hi! Did you apply to ags ?
How was it ? I have two days left to decide and i wanna know if their diploma is well recognized in the us

American Grad School in Paris

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