deadhead47

A lot of SAIS ERE students go to the private sector, and I think the program is pretty good. There are a lot of alumni who can support you as well. Indiana seems really good though, and you get to take a lot more econ classes than at SAIS. You also have a chance to take MBA classes as well. My friend got into the investment banking division from the U-I MPA program (not particularly energy related but he was doing energy). That said, as long as you get into a decent program, you will be a competitive candidate. Pick the one that makes you convinced the most.

Of course. But professional schools could provide you with better career services (resume, mock interview, internship, etc etc). Students are also interested in what you are interested in as well, which could potentially help you a lot. If you don't need career services/great networking opportunities, and are confident to be able to get a job in foreign service, then any graduate degree would be ok.

at SAIS, its not uncommon. ive seen many people getting in without taking micro/macro and i was one of them. also, as far as im concerned, a LOT of people took the online course over summer. however, since it IS an requirement, you must pass the online course to be enrolled officially (meaning if you fail, you get kicked out).

I go to SAIS Europe (the Bologna Center) I don't know much about the Nanjing Center, but here's my thought on DC and BC. Pro DC - arguably more rigorous, great internship opportunities, fascinating faculty, more options for the language courses BC - experiences in Europe, close friendship, smaller competition when taking classes, some classes only offered in the BC Con DC - more competition when taking classes BC - limited number of courses (including the language courses) and faculty compared to DC, limited opportunities for getting internships There are many Chinese-speaking people in both DC and BC though, so you get to practice your Chinese skills if not at an academic level. You can't take Asian languages in the Bologna Center though.

for me, school specific threads definitely helped me go through the application process last year.

I think you have a good chance for SAIS, Elliot, and American. You might wanna study a bit of math and re-take GRE though... SFS might be difficult because they only accept a few ppl, but its always worth trying.

My friend from undergrad is actually doing that program. Personally I don't know much about it, but he stood out at my univ. He received many awards and scholarships, and he had Magna Cum Laude when he graduated. He also spoke Spanish and some French I believe (and was from the UK btw). My other friend who studies at LSE (MPA) also had a decent GPA (something close to 3.8), and he had an internship experience at Kosovo and what not. Me and them took many classes together, so I know that they were smart and motivated enough to keep learning at a grad school. So from what I gather, you'd need 1) decent GPA, 2) some international/relevant experiences, 3) motivation (good SoP), and 4) good LoRs (I know that my friends got good ones...and so did I). GRE being not required means other stuff counts more! So good luck! Taking some math/economics courses beforehand would also help! But get a decent grade!

You can also go to an american institution and study abroad. SAIS MA has an option of studying in Bologna for a year (2nd year in D.C.). Elliot School gives you an opportunity to study abroad for a semester at LSE, SciencesPo, IHEDI, Free University of Berlin, University of Sydney, National University of Singapore, etc etc. I'm not sure about other programs, but my point is that gaining international experiences and earning an American degree can go together. It's still gonna be expensive and long (2 years mostly) though.

SAIS China Studies??

Info sessions - recordings March 27: https://connect.johnshopkins.edu/p7e7h536i1i/ March 28: https://connect.johnshopkins.edu/p2ie1vxt8il/

Initially I was interested in Conflict Management, but I think I'll do Strategic Studies instead. I really don't know though, I'm still debating...

They do on a space-available basis, but if you applied to SAIS this Fall, then you have to wait for a year to re-apply. Idk about the one in DC though. http://www.jhubc.it/ADMISSIONS/apply.cfm

SAIS Strategic Studies?

Thank you rhodeislander for sharing your thoughts!

@cckrspnl56 I have one more question: Is it possible to choose two concentrations for MAIR? I'm interested in both Conflict Management and Strategic Studies. If it's too demanding, I would just pick one, but I was wondering.

Thank you so much for your thoughts! I will do it before the Fall semester then! For the summer internship, I will go to the Boston Career Forum (a job fair for Japanese/English bilinguals) in November, so I can probably get one there. I went there once and it was pretty easy to get a job. I think I'm pretty competitive, giving that I have an MA from SAIS (very rare for Japanese ppl).

Thank you cckrspnl56 for the info! I have a question for you if you don't mind. Right now, I'm taking intro-level French and intermediate-level Macro Econ. This summer, I'm gonna take an online course which covers intro-level Micro/Macro Econ which SAIS offers. My question is, should I take Micro during the pre-term, and take the exam for Macro so that I can take other Econ classes instead during 2 years at SAIS? I'm thinking whether I should challenge myself by finishing Micro/Macro requirement prior to the Fall semester and taking intermediate-level French, or take an easy pass of taking intro-level French and take Micro/Macro during the first year at Bologna so that I can boost up my GPA. Any suggestions? Something about me is that I'm not a quantitative type but not bad at math. I don't have any scholarship right now so getting some funding for the 2nd year helps me a lot. Also, I'm thinking about getting a job at an investment bank or consulting firm after SAIS (at least for a few years).

My friend is going to CIPA and he seems to be doing really good. He's had some internships, and he said he wants to work for McKinsey. Frankly, I think he can. Though Fletcher is really good, CIPA has the Cornell name. But really, at the end of the day, it depends on what you wanna do after the MA.

It's a website for Japanese ppl who seek to study abroad. The website says that the info comes from each university but it doesn't say how or in what way. It also says that it does not guarantee the accuracy and you should get the latest info from each university by yourself. Idk how accurate it is but it doesn't differ much from Peterson's reports...just saying. In any case, if you search the univ names it shows like links below (you can use google translate --> http://itools.com/tool/google-translate-web-page-translator): Tufts Fletcher http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/35761 HKSG http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/49956 JHU SAIS http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/38480 Columbia SIPA http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/26416 American SIS http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/48968 Yale MA in IR http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/33437 Sorry, as for GWU, I mistakenly put the date for MAIA only, which is 47.38% (781). http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/22872 For Elliot School in general, it says 47.49% (2,152). http://www.ryugaku.com/graddb/home/data/id/42144 Again, most candidates are self-selective so the acceptance rate doesn't really mean anything. Also, the info is from 2011 so it could be out-dated.

Yeah, at least in Japan, most employers don't expect/require you to have any work experience. Having MA first is a smarter option since you can get a better job without wasting a few years of your life earning $2,000 a month. Then when you feel like quitting your job, you have some work experience already and can get a job elsewhere...but probably not in Japan since they tend to dislike those who quit their job.

The year 2011 (the acceptance rate and # of applicants): Yale IR - 18.56% (334) Harvard JFK - 27.55 (3,129) Columbia SIPA - 39.26% (1,908) Tufts Fletcher - 41.07% (1,875) JHU SAIS - 42.16% (1,753) GW Elliot - 47.38% (781) (Source: http://www.ryugaku.com/ *Japanese) Note that top schools are self-selective.

Undergrad: Top 50 LAC (Top 10 in California) GPA: 3.673 (expected to rise) GRE; V: 150 Q: 156 AW: 4.0 WE: No work/intern experience. Some part-time jobs. Econ Background: Intro to Econ; currently taking Macro Language: Native Japanese, fluent English, intermediate Spanish, and beginner level French and Chinese. Field of Study: International Econ and International Relations (Conflict Management or Strategic Studies) Professional Goals: The private sector first to earn money and then to the multilateral. Decision: SAIS MA Bologna - Quantitative skills and the location attracted me. Advice: Make sure you have strong recommendation letters.

Going to SAIS Bologna. I'm excited to meet you all there or in DC

Hey guys! Since I got into Johns Hopkins University SAIS, I do need to take a micro econ course before fall semester. One thing that I realized is that I can take it through SAIS...except it costs about $1,200 and lasts from May 1st still the end of July. It seems like GWU Elliot has a similar option. I'm still looking into the community college option just because its cheaper, but I'm gonna have to ask SAIS before I do it since they require me to do so.