How I got into grad school in New York

Dubai resident Sabith Khan, 28, left the glamorous world of public relations this year to pursue a masters degree at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.
The Indian national, who is completing a MA in international relations and public administration, tells Campus Notes why he left his career and how he went about securing a place at the New York-based institution.

What did you do before deciding to go to grad school?

I have over five years’ experience mainly in public relations, public affairs and communications consulting in India and Dubai. I worked for Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Bangalore, before moving to Dubai last year. In Dubai I worked for a local PR and brand consulting firm with clients such as the Dubai School of Government and the Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation. I am originally from Bangalore, having done my bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and management.

Why did you choose to study at the Maxwell School?

I chose Maxwell School largely because Maxwell has a great reputation. The school is ranked number one in the country over the last several years by US News (above Harvard, Yale and other Ivy League schools). The school also has some of the best known and credible professors in the country, some of whom are pioneers in certain fields of public administration or have made a significant contribution to the field.
The international relations programme is also ranked among the top 10 in the country and has great connections with other universities across the globe, [and] has produced some distinguished professionals globally.
I intend to work with a trans-national NGO [non-governmental organisation] or a development organisation and I felt there is no better place to study.

Why the United States?
 

My choice was to study at the best school in the world in its field. Having said that, the United States has some of the finest universities in the world, attracting some of the brightest talents in the world. This was my main motivation to choose USA. I have always wanted to study in an environment where debate, dissent, curiosity and exchange of ideas are actively encouraged.

What were your second and third choices and did you visit these campuses?

My second choice was Columbia University and after that the Harvard Kennedy School at Harvard University. I didn’t visit any of the schools but got in touch with the faculty as well as alumni from all three schools. The work the alumni are doing is clearly impressive, but somehow I was a bit biased towards Maxwell from the beginning.
I had an initial list of five schools, but managed to apply to only three due to several constraints.

Was the application process an easy one?
 

The application process itself wasn’t very hard. I would say that the most critical component to get into a top-notch school is how strong your statement of purpose is and also your recommendation letters. Having considerable work experience definitely helps, but if one has a strong academic background and some internships, then that helps too in the absence of work experience.
I started preparing about a year in advance. There is no entrance exam as such, but the application process itself is quite competitive as one is judged on various criteria.

How are you paying for your degree and living costs?
 

I am paying for it partly through savings, an assistantship at school etc. Tuition cost depends on the programme and number of credits. The information is available on www.maxwell.syr.edu.
The housing can be quite cheap as a graduate student. Most students share an apartment [but have their own room] with the common area shared. One can get such a place in the price range of $250 (Dh918) to $450 (Dh1,652) per month and perhaps an independent one-bedroom apartment further away from campus for about the same price. The total living expenses can be in the range of $800 (Dh2,938) to $1,200 (Dh4,407) per month depending on one’s spending habits.

Did you manage to get a job while studying?

I am a graduate assistant, working for the Middle Eastern Studies Programme. One can work up to 20 hours per week on campus legally on an F-1 student visa. The assistantships are awarded by the department and can be competitive. It depends on what you bring to the table in terms of your work experience.

Was securing a student visa difficult?
 

I would say it wasn’t easy and one insight I can share with Indian students applying for a visa to the US from Dubai or the UAE is to go to India and apply for the F-1 visa from there. It is far easier to get a visa from India than from the UAE!

What is it like living in the state of New York?
 

Syracuse University is about five hours from New York City and also not too far from Washington D.C., so it is a good location to be in. The university campus offers several opportunities such as sporting events, cultural events in the downtown area. The region is also in the vicinity of the Finger Lakes, which offer spectacular holidaying opportunities.

Sabith Khan’s tips for students

- Thoroughly research what you want to study and why. Be clear about your motivation to study and only then embark on this journey, simply because it can be a long and hard struggle and if one is not clear why one is doing it ... .
- Research all possible options and countries. Look at the quality of the programme, talk to the professors, alumni, present students and anyone who you feel is relevant to get as much information as possible.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions and seek clarity.
- Start at least a year in advance. Things take time, and allow for lost time in administrative processes.
- Aim high and don’t think you are not “good enough” for any university.
- Graduate education here can be very rewarding and a potentially life-changing experience. I would highly recommend students thinking of it to go ahead and not shy away for factors such as money and time lost in earnings. It is well worth the risk in the long run.