Hi all! Thanks so much!
@IndianLawywer: I am not sure actually. I would love to be a part of IHEID. In terms of its location and also the courseload is sufficient. SciencesPo is very intense as I would end up taking 7-8 courses every semester. So as of now I am leaning towards IHEID but if I dont get in then I am extremely happy with SP also. =)
@Figgamonda: I sent in my application before the Eiffel Scholarship deadline which was around the 13th of November. Got my 'admissible' mail on the 28th and got my admit mail on the 11th of Dec. Though when I asked in the first week of Dec I was told I would receive it on the 18th (same as IHEID). I have applied for the MID program there! Which one are you applying to? Best of luck to you!!
@Tangaroa: Best of luck to you too!! I have applied to the same course as well. I was looking at Copanahgen as well. Am still to make a decision on that. SP gave me a response in 14 days to inform that my application is admissible. and took another 2 weeks after to tell me my final decison.
As for the Motivation Letter I was pretty traditional. I started off with why my familial background exposed me to dev issues. and how that helped me choose my academic life. I went on to say how my studies exposed me to the theory aspects of dev and all. (My major is Econ and minor is Dev Studies). Then i spoke about how apart from theory I was keener on seeing and working with development issues on the ground so I spoke about the relevant work I did. I followed it up with how all this naturally made me look at SP cause of their course. Spoke a bit on their course and how awesome it is. Ended with what I want to do with the degree if I get in.
If i may say so. the trick is to show that you are a rough diamond. you have all the properties they are looking for either in your work on in your passion and by the end of their course you will be a cut diamond. If you pitch your letter like that it sounds better.
If you need any help let me know! Happy to help =)