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Blake091

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Posts posted by Blake091

    Are distance and weather legitimate game-changers?

    in Decisions, Decisions

    Posted

    1. You'll make new friends. It's life. It's not like your old friends disappear just because you're farther part.

    2. Always choose funding. Seriously, especially for a masters, it's not worth spending $100k when you could get it for free. 

     

    I agree with you 100%. I weighed out my own options and traveling cross country for a relatively free Master's degree just made sense as opposed to more 'local' schools that offered little to no funding for a more broad program. 

    Ottawa GSPIA 2013

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted

    Same with me! I got an email an hour ago. So weird as I wasn't even checking my infoweb on the weekend. Haha.

     

    I'm also accepted into the Master of Public Administration. 

     

    I hope we hear about funding soon!

     

    I didn't get any funding. It would have been detailed in the pdf attached to the email they sent you. 

    I already declined their offer, best of luck to everyone else! 

    Ottawa GSPIA 2013

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted

    My "registration information" tab appeared on March 28 and disappeared today. It's the only change that's occurred so far on my infoweb account. I'm totally antsy and paranoid now!

     

    Mine disappeared and then came back when they updated it for the acceptance. So hopefully you'll hear soon!

    Government Affairs 2013 Wrap Up - Final Decisions!

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): University of Western Ontario 
    Previous Degrees and GPAs: BA - Honors Specialization International Relations; Major Sociocultural Anthropology - 81% Average (~ 3.4GPA)
    GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): N/A
    Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 2010-2013 I worked in a Non profit on Campus initially in an administrative support role and then worked my way up to director of on campus fundraising. Also Completed an International Development Internship (3 Months) in rural Kenya through this Organization. 
    Math/Econ Background: Intro Micro/Macro
    Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Intermediate Level French 
    Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Affairs & International Security 
    Long Term Professional Goals: Either Private National Security Firms OR the Canadian Government (DoD, DFAIT, etc.) 
    Schools Applied to & Results: University of Calgary (Master Strategic Studies); Carleton University - NPSIA (MA International Affairs); University of Ottawa ( MA Public & International Affairs); University of Western Ontario (MA Canadian American Relations) 

    Accepted to all, but still havent heard from Ottawa (its not near the top of my list)
    Ultimate Decision & Why: University of Calgary (Master Strategic Studies) - I chose this program over the others for several reasons. First, it is extremely specific to the field I would like to study; Second, the program is quite small which I think will benefit my personal ambitions in the long run; Third, a paid Co-Op is possible once course work is completed; and lastly the funding package was PHENOMENAL, $18,000 for the first year with money also available by application for conference/research related travel. 

    NPSIA, was initially my top choice however, I was placed in an International Development stream, which didn't align with my overall goals, and they also did not offer funding. Furthermore, on the website they did not specify a specific grade needed to fulfill the Economics requirement - had I known my grades from my first year of undergrad were not sufficient I would have retaken them at an earlier date, and at this time I am not in a position to do so. 
    Advice for Future Applicants: Be in contact with the graduate advisors/administrators for each of your programs, they're there to help you through the application process and may tip you off to some hidden requirements of the program! 

    NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted · Edited by Blake091

    Hi everyone,

     

    I'm struggling to make a decision and was trying to think of the pros/cons of going to NPSIA.

     

    If anyone wants to chime in, why did you choose NPSIA/why would you accept the offer from NPSIA over anywhere else?

     

    Thanks!!

     

    For me it all came down to Funding and Specialization. Although I've had my mind set on NPSIA for a while - the realities just didn't make sense for me right now. NPSIA didn't offer me any funding nor did I get my top choice of cluster. After the combination of these disappointments it did not make sense to accept an offer for something I'm less interested in and would have to pay a lot more for. 

     

    That was my scenario, but I'm not sure what yours is like! 

    Hopefully I helped a bit! 

    NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted

    I see someone posted on the results search page that their University of Ottawa account was updated with admission info for GSPIA. Anyone else? Mine still says "We have received the required documents..."

     

    Mine hasn't changed either! But I'm assuming they must be in the middle of actually making decisions now? 

    Calgary or Carleton... Decisions, Decisions.

    in Decisions, Decisions

    Posted

    Having lived a number of years in both Calgary and Ottawa (and being from neither town), I have to say that city-wise alone, I much prefer Ottawa.

     

    NPSIA's reputation precedes it, and from a number of students in the program, it appears that there are plenty of conference and other opportunitites there.

     

    That being said, U of C is no slouch program-wise, and $18k is nothing to sneeze at... If you're thinking you'd like to go more the academic route anyways, I'd say take the money. For someone going into strategic studies or international affairs, a bit of travel experience is always an asset, no? Gotta get out of your comfort zone!

     

    I'd love to put a face to the name and start at NPSIA with you and the other familiar names on the board in September, but I'd be tempted to say that UofC is the better fit based on the information you provided...

     

    I Decided on Calgary! 

    Maybe we'll still cross paths eventually, since our fields of study are still quite similar! haha :) 

    NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted

    I'm probably (like 80% at the moment) going to be declining my offer in favour of the Master's of Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary.

    But congrats to everyone that got in! 

     

    The lack of funding / International Development stream is what swayed me to consider my other options. 

     

    Best of Luck everyone! 

    NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted

    @Blake091, did you ever end up hearing anything back about those cluster changes?

     

    Yes! She just responded this morning: 

     

    "

    NPSIA  has reformatted the program and clusters to better suit  the needs of the students.  I will be sending an email to all admitted students  later this week outlining the changes.   HSD has changed to DPP and while the names are not similar, the same classes will be available with a few additional courses."

    Calgary or Carleton... Decisions, Decisions.

    in Decisions, Decisions

    Posted

    Hah, your decision was basically the same as mine, except I'm applying for straight political science and my funding was equal for both. I ended up deciding on Calgary, if that helps, because from talking to my potential supervisor, there were a lot more opportunities to go to conferences and work on publications at Calgary so it was a no-brainer for me. You should call the department and ask about that kind of thing?

     

    Thanks for the input, I may call them depending on whether or not I get an e-mail back from NPSIA tomorrow or wednesday. 

    NPSIA Fall 2013 Applicants

    in Waiting it Out

    Posted

    Does that mean they're making you take it again?

     

    I'm still waiting on an Email back from Tabbatha to clarify. 

    I'm hoping they'll waive it considering it does not say anywhere in the requirements that we needed a specific grade, if not I'm going to have quite the dilemma on my hands. 

    Calgary or Carleton... Decisions, Decisions.

    in Decisions, Decisions

    Posted

    Hey All, 

     

    I was hoping to vent/get some input here. 

    I've been admitted to both programs I applied to at the University of Calgary and Carleton University.  

    At Calgary I applied to the Centre of Military and Strategic Studies for the MA in Strategic Studies, and Also the Norman Patterson School for International Affairs for their MA. 

    I was inclined to accept Carleton based on reputation and location, however they did not offer me funding and may require me to retake  introductory economics over the summer.

    Calgary's program is also of high quality and is offering $18,000 in funding. However, I'm from Ontario and a little worried about travel, and the fact that the program is less well known. 

     

    I'm so conflicted! 

     

    Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

     

    Thanks 

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