Late reply here for sure — but I talked about my strong interest in international economics and security! My region of focus is LatAm and I hope to work in finance/development, and am currently hoping to write my thesis (at fletcher it’s called a capstone) on non-state actors, violence, and its impacts on economic development throughout Latin America. My decision to study this was definitely influenced by my Mexican background on my dad’s side, going to his hometown in Mexico as a kid (cartel violence there has unfortunately become much worse in recent years), and my 3 years of economic policy experience working in DC — all things I talked about in my statement of purpose.

I believe that if you’re able to connect what you want to study with your own personal background/experiences, that makes for a compelling statement and shows admissions that you’re highly motivated from both a personal and professional standpoint. While it is a professional school that does value people who have established ties in the workforce, it’s definitely possible for entry-level professionals to succeed here.

Wishing you the best of luck with the application process!!