Pinkman

Always carry your passport with you?! Are you serious? Anyway, no harm in getting some of your money back especially when that can be re-used towards application fees.

@Gradschoolalibi Great. I'm going to email you my piece tomorrow. Thanks!

Thanks! My inclination was something similar. Although I did tailor it to most schools, I think with the added focus I gained, something more succinct will clearly be of benefit. How did you do in your reapplications, if you dont mind me asking (unless this is the year of reapplication?)

Thanks for the obvious, I was actually hoping to hear how people perhaps phrased their new achievements especially considering they (or me in this case) was largely happy with my SOP but feel I didnt get enough aid because I didnt have a professional recommendation. Or how people tackled it

Sent you a PM dft. Thanks

I'd be interested, if you're still looking!

So, reapplicants, how are you approaching the reapplicant essay? I feel a little stuck. Most of the things I wanted to convey (i.e. my motivation, experience) was already on my initial essay so I'm not sure what to add and remain within the word count. My experience counts for itself and is clearly identified on my resume, whilst my initial essay showed my motivation, explained what I'm doing until matriculation (which I subsequently did) so I'm stuck lol Any help would be appreciated. What did former reapplicants do? What are current ones doing?

As the title says, I'm reapplying, primarily because I couldnt secure enough funding. Although, I got into a few good schools, it was a lot to take on, money wise. I'm reapplying to the same schools this year, as well as, a few more and had a question in relation to my LOR. I've done a lot to improve my profile this past year (more w/e, diploma in Economics, Arabic lessons, internships on the side, etc) and I think I make a very strong candidate. However, I know LORs are a major part of the application. So I ask, aside from my own SOP, how can my attributes be shown to adcoms?

So I did email the CEO in the end. Not a particularly terse email. I merely relayed my concerns and addressed what I feel he misunderstood. And explained what he should do with interns in the future. Guy blew up on me in his response, stating why I hadnt done this, and that, being very condescending in relation to how employment works (hey jackass, I've had several jobs before), etc. Wow. Quite shocked. I dont think he appreciated my candor and certainly didnt appreciate how to help interns in the future. What an absolute tool he turned out to be. Interesting how while working for him, he hardly ever responded to emails but as soon as an email hits his inbox that challenges him a little, he responds immediately. Hopefully there's no ramifications for me on the back of this.

Thanks (again!!) TakeruK, pretty much what I thought but just figured I'd put it out there in case someone had success with this in the past. I suppose I'll get down to some rigorous studying! I will say, however, I do think most schools permit (indirectly) a delay in scores because they applications are assessed some weeks after the deadline.

Ha, thanks for your wit. I actually was hoping to hear from someone who may have had a similar situation, as is always the case when someone makes a post requesting information about a particular aspect. I asked about the average GRE scores because any other info I have found tends to fluctuate. Again, the reason was to hear from a SAIS alum/applicant/current student, which I presume you don't fit...?

Bump

Thanks. I have the Manhattan books and the official GRE test book so working my way through those. Did you use any particular strategies for studying? I find it incredibly easy to get distracted!

As title says. Although, I can take the test earlier, I want to afford myself the maximum amount of time to really nail this down. I feel its a massive part of my application and needs to be given its proper weight. Therefore, in your experiences, would taking the exam say late December and finish applications with scores for early January be OK? Considering it takes about 10 days for officials scores to come through, I would imagine my official scores would get to schools about a week after the deadline. Although, I will check with individual schools, I was wondering whether anyone else has ever done that?

Is there any point when applying to PhDs to not seek out the best programs? Considering you make the cut of course. I would retake and work extremely hard to improve your scores. Anyone with any tips how to do so? I'm in the process of studying right now, and aiming to take the test just after Christmas.

I bought the 8 pack of books for the Manhattan series and was wondering about something. The online resources, are they tailored to each individual topic (i.e. algebra) because all I have found is the welcome page and the six practice tests that are offered for free. Strange that they have a specific code for each but then not offer specific additional resources. Am I right in thinking this or am I doing something wrong? Thanks!

Consider Denver Korbel, American, GSPIA and Maxwell. Great schools.

What would matter more to SAIS adcoms; a graduate diploma in Economics (which I am studying for) or a top GRE score? Incidentally, what are the average GRE scores for SAIS?

Yeah, I suppose. Its just so frustrating. I don't understand how someone could really be so difficult and resort to these levels that it could have repercussions in my future. I might try the terse email and delete tactic. Hopefully it does the trick.

Yeah. The reason I felt it was the CEO because I was always got on well with the project manager so disappointed. I suppose the only thing left to do is give a piece of my mind to the CEO.

Thanks. I'm thinking that too. However, it doesnt bring back the past 6 months, a period crucial because I could have used it to solidify my application with other areas. I have 3 recommendations already for most programs (FT manager will give me an amazing recommendation so happy about it). Will make another post about the general problem being that I am a re-applicant (accepted at most schools but with poor aid) and how another job/internship will affect me considering I have no recommendation from them.

Thanks for the posts guys. I emailed her this morning to explain the basis of our Skype chat, following from the advice I got. She responds by saying that its the company rules that someone who had a tenure of less then a year to not get recommendations. Now, I know a person who worked for the company and left within 10 months. She got a recommendation. Thsi absolutely sucks. I think the CEO probably put a kibosh on it. Shall I just cut my losses or appeal to my project manager to perhaps write a personal one, simply discussing my suitability for grad school on the basis of our brief interaction? Again, I have never met her in person. Is there anything I can do? I feel the past 6 months have been a waste.

Great advice thanks. I havent made my intentions clear as of yet. Would you suggest for me to email her and explain and then Skype? I thought the opportunity to Skype immediately gives the advantage that it will be difficult for her to say no. Really worried that the CEO may get involved and put a stop to it.

Thanks again. Agreed about Skype being disruptive but the project manager has a habit of not answering my emails for days on end, even when I worked there, so I would rather use this method. I got in touch with her today but she mentioned how she had a full shift of work to do today and to get online tomorrow to talk. Although, I didnt mention in our initial IMs that I need a recommendation. Onto your second point, I agree. I've refrained from giving the CEO a piece of my mind for this precise reason. Perhaps she doesnt agree but I made her abundantly aware that I am making sacrifices (I even offered to reduce my hours in my paid job to make this work). I think the best course of action is an honest conversation. I felt we've had those before about the CEO in particular, as he's peculiar in his demands. I think she is aware that I was given a difficult task, expected to be completed in a unrealistic amount of time.

Anyone with any suggestions? Would really help a lot. I was at the NGO for about 6 months.