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Hi, I accepted Maxwell last week and will be going into IR. Are there any other IR grad students who are looking for housing? I'd like to connect with some students and maybe find future roommates, male or female, it doesn't matter to me. please PM me if you are in the same boat! thanks!

I wasn't offered a GA or fellowship, but I've been in touch with admissions and financial aid. From what I've gathered, nothing is guaranteed, but many students secure GA's their SECOND year provided they do well their first year. This doesn't apply to me because I'm only there for the one year degree. Admissions did say that grants were common for students when they do their internships away or study abroad for the semester, but they are typically not large sums (a couple thousand-ish). I've also spoken with Alums and there were 2 of them who accepted Maxwell with no funding but were able to secure funding once they arrived (doing well their first semester, applying for outside help, etc.). I would probably contact admissions and let them know that you're interested in GA's and if any come up between now and the time you have to accept, to please let you know. I've already had one forwarded my way by letting admissions know. If it makes you feel any better, I think I'm about to accept Maxwell with no funding! =) By the way, the size of the loan makes me uncomfortable as well... especially given that I have a cheaper alternative, but the program at Maxwell appeals to me more.

hey BoSox, I'm an admitted student for Maxwell (IR) so I've been getting a bunch of e-mails about housing arrangements. It seems that the average cost of housing for one room per month is no more than 450 and was as low as 275 per month. Not sure if this helps much. Also, I was at another school's admitted student day and two speakers there who are both working in DC at the moment said good things about a few other schools but was clearly against GW's program. They said that the curriculum was "fluffy" and lacked substantive/technical training, based on what their colleagues who are alumni tell them. They said that GW's program was the most overpriced for the product. However, you are getting a great financial package from GW so I would personally go to GW. IF all those things above are true to some degree, they are mitigated by the financial package, if it was me. hope it helps...

I can't go either. Could you please post or PM me your impressions as well? It will be greatly appreciated!

i'm not going to admitted students day because of the $$ as well. however, admissions did tell me that they plan to record some of the panels so students who were not able to go can still see what went on. if money wasn't a factor, i would definitely pick SYR as the program appeals to me more (i am a CA resident so going to a UC will save me quite a bit of money). i like that you can apply for ECON as a second degree, audit language as you've said, and the many study abroad/internship opportunities syracuse has. BoSox: yes the MPA is a one year program http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/pa.aspx?id=646

hey gotmusic, i'm 50/50 between Maxwell and UCSD. are you going to the admitted students day for Maxwell? I won't be able to make that unfortunately...

Thanks Zero. Not that I have a choice, but I'm definitely going somewhere else. haha. I'm guessing that they sent out that last email telling everyone their decisions will be available next week because they don't want to be bothered with all the questions on their status anymore. Seriously, get it together GW admissions.

you know what... I logged on about a month ago to check my app, just because i was antsy, and there was a decision! It was a link to a rejection. So I called admissions and asked if I could have feedback on my letter of recs, and she said that it was a mistake and I wasn't supposed to see that I've been rejected. She took out the link to the rejection letter and told me "technically, you are still in the process and you'll hear from us in late March." YEEAAHHH RIIIGHHT. Just tell me I'm rejected, I can take it, its ok. Just stop playing games with my heart, reeling me in when I stray. What makes it worse is that they've sent out a few emails since then, the type of emails you guys described above.. honestly.. i didn't even read it because I know where I stand in their process. But I'm thinking, if you've made your decision already, why do you bother f'ing with the people who don't know that they are rejected? It's pretty cruel if you ask me, to continue to ask them to check their info or update their contact info, etc. all the while you've already been denied. I suppose the cherry on top is that they say "best wishes" on my result when you know you or I can wish till we turn red the vein pops in our heads and it won't make a bit of difference. The last email was a nice finishing touch to the botched courting/application process, telling me that my decision, which I've now known for a month or so, will be available not immediately, but on Monday the 22nd.

Program Applied To: IR Schools Applied To: Georgetown, American, Syracuse Maxwell, UCSD, Denver Korbel, George Washington, Duke Sanford Schools Admitted To: Syracuse, UC San Deigo , Denver Korbel Schools Rejected From: George Washington, Duke Sanford Still Waiting: Georgetown, American (by now, I'm assuming I didn't get in) Undergraduate institution: University of California Undergraduate GPA: 3.0 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: Criminology, Law GRE Quantitative Score: 700 GRE Verbal Score: 600 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 6 Years of Work Experience: 4 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Other: I filled this out because I wanted to let others who have a mediocre GPA know that it's not the end all be all. My GPA is far below the average of every institution I applied to but I made it up with taking 5 community college courses and receiving all A's. 2 of those courses were micro and macro econ, which I believe helped greatly to mitigate my GPA. In my essays (SOP and Optional Essay) I explained my lack of focus during my undergraduate years and the reason for underachieving ( I got a D in Greek Mythology!). However, my GPA and so-so GRE scores did stop my from applying to the IVY's. In particular, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, Tufts. However, in retrospect, I wish would have applied to Columbia because seems to be quite a few stories of people with similar stats either being accepted or put on the waitlist. Also, I personally have a friend who had GRE scores considerably below mine, but better GPA and got in. I believe it also helped that I've had some experiences since graduating. My experience includes working in International Business, independent international travel for 1 year, and working at a small university that focused on the global community and producing global citizens.

Thanks for your replies. flyers: yeah you're absolutely right. even though Syracuse is expensive as well, my preference has always been Maxwell over Korbel. mmclean: haha you know what's funny, ever since i was accepted to Syracuse, i've been following the team! I PM'ed you with some other questions as well =)

hi everyone, I was recently accepted to Korbel, Syracuse Maxwell, and UCSD IRPS. I'm also waiting on Georgetown and American university, although I'm going to assume that I didn't get in at this point in time. I'm interested in the thoughts of people who are part of this forum on the options I have. While I haven't visited any of the schools yet, Maxwell's program attracts me more than the others. I like the fact that you can audit classes (from what I've been told), that the program is 16 months long, and it seems to have a decent alumni network. There also seems to be more internship/study abroad opportunities at Syracuse. The downsides for me is the tuition. I don't expect to get any funding and I'm kind of grappling with the thought of the debt and if it's worth going that deep into the hole, considering what my earning potential will be when I get out. Im leaning towards economic policy, possibly developmental econ. I'd love to work for an international organization such as the UN, working on economic policy. UCSD appeals to me mainly because I'm a CA resident and will get the resident rates. I'm estimating that when all is said and done, UCSD will be 30 k cheaper than Syracuse. Any insight or thoughts on my current options will be appreciated! Thanks in advance.