rhodeislander

No, but that's interesting and I'll try to look for it when I get a chance. My impression from the language section of the website is the tests are not that hard to pass so long as you're coming in with a basic proficiency.

Indeed, it was getting pretty ridiculous over there. Let's keep this one an MBA-free zone, haha. (Not that I have anything against an MBA, it just isn't super relevant to some of us). I'm pretty sure SAIS offers courses in nonprofit management, but I could be wrong (I've looked at a lot of course listing over the last week, they've started to blend together). Also, according to the website most students intern during the year for about 10 hours per week. My pros and cons are quite similar to yours: I love the idea of living in Bologna, both because, well, it's Italy! but also because I might be interested in using my EU citizenship to work in Europe after I graduate. DC? Meh. But Bologna? Oh yeah, that's exciting. The quant is also a selling point, since as I stated in the previous thread I'm not a quant guy and I like the idea of someone forcing me to "eat my vegetables," so to speak, because no way I'd be doing it otherwise. Finally, the emphasis on language acquisition is a big selling point. The biggest (well, only) con is the price. I'll probably be going to the open house in DC next month, anyone else going to be there?

Thank you, I would appreciate that! And please do keep me in the loop. Not sure if you're flying or coming by train, but if its the latter Chinatown is right next door and has some delicious dimsum...

I'm considering Fletcher vs. SAIS and Chicago CIR. I really like the consortium Fletcher has with Harvard and MIT, which I don't think anyone has mentioned yet. Especially MIT, which has some great East Asian security stuff. I also like how its a little more academic, rather than emphasizing internships and networking (different strokes for different folks). My main complaint about Fletcher, and this is just me, is how they seem to actively discourage language study while you're in the program. Further language acquisition is a real priority for me, so if I end up there I may just ignore them and do it anyway. As far as the location goes, I think I'd be happier in Boston than I would in DC, honestly. I'm not much of a networker, and I have an impression (perhaps unfair) of DC as being full of status-obsessed people with huge egos...of course, Boston is full of Massholes, but that's what I grew up around, so its all good. Boston is a lovely town, despite what The Onion may say (http://www.theonion.com/articles/pretty-cute-watching-boston-residents-play-daily-g,31554/). Of course, I would also really like to spend time in Bologna, and its would be really tough to turn down both SAIS and Georgetown...I too would be interested in hearing what some other people have to say about SAIS vs. Fletcher. As far as housing goes, it looks like graduate housing is significantly cheaper, so I think I would consider that, at least for the first year. Considering I spent much of last year living in a place with spotty running water and a retiree next door raising chickens on his balcony, I think I can deal!

Hey Dani, I unfortunately won't be able to make it on account of Chicago scheduling their open house on the same day, but I might try to make it up there for at least some of the events on the 7th (since I'm only about 30 minutes away with the commuter rail). Depending on when my flight to Chicago takes off I might be able to meet up with you guys to grab lunch or something. Either way, I'd really appreciate it if anyone who goes can post their thoughts/impressions for those of us who can't be there!

How can you make this sweeping value judgement? The kind of lifestyle you want to lead doesn't sound fun at all to me. In fact, it sounds pretty horrible. Socially, something like SAIS seems way more fun...get to spend a year in Europe, do some backpacking during holidays, meet interesting people from diverse backgrounds who have interests beyond cocaine/call girls/the crass accumulation of wealth, etc. Not all of us are paying for two years of club med.

lolololol well, we wouldn't want to miss holidazzle...

Just from these posts I have a strong suspicion you're not nearly as bright as you think you are...for one, you're not self-aware enough to realize everyone on this board is (not so) subtly mocking you. I also have to question the intelligence of someone supposedly so obsessed with connections who has managed, in a very short period of time, to alienate every one of his potential future classmates on this board. I can only imagine what everyone will think of you after two years of dealing with your obnoxious superiority complex/crushing insecurity. I think many, if not most, of the people at SAIS are more intelligent than you in just about every way other than making money (and for all I know, that too). I'm not sure how many down-votes you need to get banned, but when the inevitable happens I have to admit I'm going to miss our little Gordon Gekko wannabe. He certainly keeps things entertaining around here...

Anyone else accepted into Chicago CIR? Also, are there any current Chicago and/or recent alums out there who would be willing to share their thoughts? I'm curious specifically about what concentrations CIR is strongest in and where most CIR grads eventually wind up professionally.

Yep, I bet that's it. If it is, kudos to them for being honest!

It seems like most SAIS students intern during the year, judging by their career services website. The million (or at least, several thousand) dollar question is...are the internships paid? If they are, that would be great and would be huge for my finances. If not, excuse my utter ignorance of how things work in DC. Is anyone able to chime in on this? If I do SAIS I'll likely be doing the pre-term, both for economics (since I have zero economics training and have to learn it anyway), and maybe Italian, since I'm a big believer in being able to speak the language of wherever you are living and can't stand it when people don't bother at least trying to learn. Its a pet peeve of mine. Yeah, I mean, I'm sure there will be people out there who tell us we're doing it wrong, and how dare we even THINK about grad school without a specific career in mind, but I already have a few things in mind and am looking forward to this as a way of figuring out where my true passion lies, then developing that passion. Actually, feel free to shoot me a pm sometime (or I will when I get a chance), since we're both in the same place and deciding between the same schools, I'd be happy to exchange notes. And I too am very interested about what obscure languages you speak! I studied some Uyghur last year (which along with my location will immediately out me to any of my acquaintances who may happen to read this in the future, haha), which was so obscure that none of the schools I applied to had it as an option to check off. Esperanto, yes. Uyghur, no. On the unrelated issue of private-sector salaries, one curious thing I noticed is that both Georgetown's and Fletcher's are significantly higher, in the mid-80s. I'm curious as to why that is, since I consider the three basically the same when it comes to student body makeup and post-grad employment.

...because I find this a way more interesting discussion than the MBA stuff....I'm mainly interested in either certain aspects of the public sector or academia. Or really, anything that pays a living wage and doesn't keep me cooped up in an office, and preferably allows me to be down on the streets getting my hands dirty...so I guess I should include NGO/non-profit in there as well. I really do prefer the "human" aspects of IR more than the quantitative. The only exceptions where I wouldn't mind being cooped up in an office are if I was accepted as an FSO (travel!), or if I got to work in Europe with my EU citizenship (I realize I can't do both, since I assume becoming an FSO means giving up your dual citizenship, alas). Both of those would be lovely in their own right. Anyone else? I am a little worried that I don't have my career goals spelled out as clearly as some other people (if you couldn't tell from the rambling nature of the above paragraph), but I do have a general direction I want to go in and figure I'll have a much clearer picture of what I want to do after a year of grad school. My meandering approach to life has served me well thus far

Riverguide, if we both end up at SAIS we'll have to trade crazy living abroad stories, although yours put mine to shame! Well, all results are in save Syracuse aid info, and here are my initial thoughts: I've all but ruled out G-town, unfortunately, since I feel like it doesn't offer anything SAIS doesn't and will cost me about $25,000 more. Seems like a class program, but I don't think its gonna work out. I think I've mostly ruled out Syracuse as well, barring some kind of miracle offer, since while good I don't think its in the same class as the others. That leaves SAIS, Fletcher, and Chicago. SAIS is $20,000 more than Fletcher, but I also like it much more. Being in Bologna, more rigorous quant training (I'm not a quant guy, so the idea that someone is going to sit me down and force me to eat my vegetables is attractive to me), and the ability to master another language rank it higher in my book. But Fletcher has the sweet consortium with HKS and MIT, and I would walk out with an extra 20 grand in my pocket. And really, I think they're basically a wash in terms of career placement. Then there's Chicago. The main appeal there is its the cheapest by far, being only one year, and it seems like a great program...from an academic standpoint. From a professional standpoint, I honestly have no idea, which is why I'm eager to check out their open house (they offer all their acceptees a stipend to come visit them, which is very cool). If I come out assured that I will be just, or at least almost, as viable on the job market as a SAIS or Fletcher grad (who I already know will have no problem finding a good job), I think its going to be Chicago for me. PLUS it will be great if I do decide to go the PhD route, which is a real possibility. I would have possibly the best academic IR degree there is, great LORs, and enough money in hand that I won't be eating ramen noodles every night into my mid-30s. Heaven! Yes, because IR people neither party nor travel. We live out our days poor, bored, and undersexed. Give me a break dude. In addition to reinforcing every negative stereotype that exists about business school students, this is quite possibly the saddest, most insecure thing I've ever heard an adult say. Please, please, please do not go to SAIS, because perversely curious as I am to find out what you're like in real life, I seriously don't want to be around you and your weird issues for two years. PS Not that I'm an expert, but if you're the kind of person who lists "ability to get laid" as one of your criteria for grad school, I'm pretty sure your utter lack of self confidence is going to keep you from getting laid no matter where you end up.

I'm in as well, but didn't see anything about money on my letter, so judging by what others are saying I guess that means no funding? Awesome, congrats on your (tentative) decision!

Well, to be fair, the words they used were "end of the month." Interpret that how you will.

There are def some advantages to studying in DC if you want to work in DC (mainly internships), but plenty of people go to non-DC programs and end up working there. Yeah, like I said, if your GPA improved over the course of college and your grades from your junior/senior years are significantly better, than that helps! Be sure to point that out. You could even turn it into a positive, overcoming adversity, etc. I think the Rutgers idea is good. I would suggest checking into where your future colleagues went, and take that into account. If we're talking New Jersey politics, I would bet more of them went to Rutgers than anywhere else. The Rutgers faculty will probably be able to help you in ways a more prestigious program couldn't (local knowledge and contacts), and may also give you more time and effort than, say, some bigshot at NYU. So I think that is the way to go.

Just received: Dear MSFS Applicants, Thank you for your interest in MSFS! We know you are eagerly awaiting your decisions, and we plan to start releasing our first round of results this week. If you don't hear from us this week, do not assume that means you haven't been admitted. We will be rolling our decisions out from now through the end of this month. Thank you in advance for your patience as we give all of your applications the careful review and double-checks they deserve. We will be in touch with you all again over the next few weeks. Best wishes, Tara Campbell, Director MSFS Admissions Sooo....we could hear tomorrow, or we could hear in two weeks? Oy vey...

I don't want to argue, but just be aware that some of your posts can really come off the wrong way, maybe without you realizing it. Sorry if I came off as overly harsh, and best of luck with your business schools. Like the person above said, if you really don't think SAIS is for you I would call them up asap and let them know, so they can give that money to someone who wants it. Also, I don't know what you've heard, but so far as I can tell their private sector placement is generally excellent! Aaaaanyway, just waiting to hear back from Georgetown now! Happy to have had a highly successful app cycle so far, but damn is this decision going to be tough (ahem, firstworldproblems)...Do I go with the higher cost but proven excellence that is SAIS or Fletcher, or the much lower cost but less well known quantity that is Chicago? Or does Maxwell come through with full tuition+stipend, making all of this irrelevent?

Sorry to hear you had a tough admissions cycle, HomeGrown. Its far from the end of the world though, and there is a lot you can do in the next year to improve your profile. First, don't worry about being too old. You'll be 27 next year, which is right around the average age for most of these programs. So you're right where you should be now! Not gonna sugar coat it, the GPA is going to make it tougher for you, but one negative on an otherwise solid profile is not insurmountable. Like others said, just spend the next year polishing your profile to make yourself a more attractive candidate: take relevent courses, work/volunteer somewhere relevent to your career goals (and start looking out right away for people who can write you LORs!). Study hard for the GRE and consider doing a course like Princeton Review (it was pricey but it improved my quant score by 8 points, ymmv). Just remember: the more you give the adcoms to like, the less they'll look at that GPA. You'll come back next year with a better GRE, fresh LORs, and more work experience. And, having done it once before, a presumably better SOP. You could also address your low GPA in your SOP or elsewhere on your app (some schools give you a place to address any perceived definciencies), and talk about why it isn't reflective of your abiltiies. If your GPA improved over the years, or is better in relevent coursework, point that out. I would also definitely consider applying to more than three schools next time, to broaden your chances. There are some great programs out there that don't seem to get as much press and are probably a bit easier to get into. For instance you never see Seton Hall's Whitehead School mentioned in rankings, but my friend there raves about it and is currently interning at the UN. I don't know where you're from, but for what you're looking to do, (local government), you may actually be best served doing a polisci program at your local university. If you want to work in South Dakota (hypothetically speaking), I think you'd be well served doing a program at University of South Dakota. It obviously doesn't have the name recognition of an NYU, but I bet the faculty there knows local politics much better and have a lot more contacts in your local government than than the faculty of NYU! Just a thought. Actually, now that I think of it, you mentioned a certificate in nonprofit management. Maybe you should look into whether this would be sufficient to get your foot in the door and do what you want to do, without having to spend all that money on a masters? I know you're frustrated now, but as long as you do what people here are suggesting you're going to be just fine!

My thoughts exactly. Its apples and oranges.

My god man, I don't mean to be unpleasant or turn this thread into the cesspool of negativity that the HKS thread has become over the last few weeks, but so far as I can tell you have contributed absolutely nothing here or in the other threads other than to complain about how crappy/awful/pointless you think an IR degree is versus an MBA. If you really think an MBA is better, why did you even bother applying to programs like SAIS or HKS? Why not apply to some business schools, since that's clearly what you're interested in? I'm just confused as to why you would apply to IR schools if you're so intent on slagging them off. Look, we realize our earning potential is probably lower than someone with an MBA, and that attending a program like SAIS is a huge financial decision. You may notice we've all been talking about just that. Please realize some of us are in this not to make the most money possible in our careers, but because we have a genuine interest in international relations. Furthermore, not all of us are interested in what an MBA offers. I, for one, am interested in a field that has nothing to do with business, and would not be well served at all by a business degree. Again, I apologize if I'm being rude, but you've really become a broken record and its very tiring. Try being positive sometimes!

I'm in with 11k/year!

Oh jeez, that was presumptive of me. Apologies! It was late last night and I wasn't thinking. But either way, congrats! I've got zero quant experience beyond an intro to stats course from undergrad, which is why I'm so surprised. I basically made it clear in my interview that econ isn't going to be my thing but that I was excited to learn more about it. I don't think they expect everyone to be a stathead, and I guess my perceived strengths in other areas made up for it. Congrats! Our stats are actually very similar, save for the fact that you've got more quant exerience. We'll have to brainstorm together over the next few weeks, haha. One thing which kind of irks me is that the scholarship is only for one year (which I guess is because Bologna and DC have different systems for that?), and DC seems to be much stingier. If I knew the scholarship was guaranteed for both years that would make my ability to plan financially a lot easier, but alas.

It's official, I'm into Bologna with a 15,000 euro (~$20,000) scholarship! Still might be too expensive though, unfortunately...I'd still be looking at $100,000+ over the next two years, and as someone who might be interested in further graduate education post-SAIS loans aren't really an attractive option...hmm. Some tough decisions coming up, but I'm glad I have them!

For real though, can anyone tell me why they don't just send out everything at once? How hard can that be in this day and age?