DaniCM

Hi! I was wondering if any prospective or committed Fletcher students are planning to attend the admitted students day on April 7th and 8th? I was hoping to fly into Boston early April 7th so I can spend the day exploring Boston and some of the surrounding neighborhoods...such as Somerville, Medford, and Cambridge. I would love some company during my mini Bostonian adventure and I think it'd be a great opportunity to get to know some of my potential classmates. Let me know if you're interested in making arrangements to meet up!

I'm definitely Fletcher bound! I'm nervous for Boston winters, but I think it'll be a good change of scenary. I was trying to figure out if I wanted to live on or off campus, too, and a Fletcher rep told me that mostly international students live on campus (about 86 students total) while everyone else lives in the surrounding neighborhoods. My friend from Boston told me that all the young people live in Somerville, which is between downtown Boston and Fletcher. He said it has a great social scene...I think that lifestyle would be more suited to what I'm looking for. I don't want to be in a "bubble," but I don't want to be isolated either. I have a cat, too! I hope it wont be hard to find pet friendly housing...especially since I also have a dog!

Same here...I got my hopes all up for nothing. ) : But definitely a big congratulations to all those selected as a finalist. I wish you all the very best!

Man, they just sent me an invite to a google + event on diplomacy...which I take as another "good sign," but it sure would be nice to get an official notice either way! I'm going nuts over here. All my app decisions are in, and without the Pickering my choice is easy...but if I were to get it, a whole new realm of choices is posisble. I guess I'll keep my fingers crossed a few more days...

hahaha. fair enough!

I'm sure that's true to a certain degree. Since Fletcher and SIPA are so closely ranked, I'm surprised I heard so much from one and not at all from the other, although SIPA did contact me and suggest I apply to a number of named fellowships. I just think, generally, SIPA has a reputation for being more hands off and impersonal with their MIA students...small fish in a big pond sort of scenario. That said, there's tons of opportunities in NYC and at SIPA, it just seems like you're more or less left on your own to figure those opportunities out.

Actually, Fletcher contacted me several times after I applied, simply to update me on the process. The very person that read my application wrote me to say how much she enjoyed reviewing my materials and offered to answer any questions I had throughout the process. The school mailed me a hand written thank you note for applying, and the same woman that wrote me after reviewing my application, later wrote me to congratulate me on my acceptance. They're very hands on. So, while it may be standard for IR grad schools to be more reactive in their interactions with prospective students, some take a much more proactive approach, and it really stands out.

I feel the same way. The more I've read about SIPA, and the more I've interacted with the admissions office, the more turned off I've become of the program. I'm not sure that living in NYC and having an Ivy League tag makes up for those negatives. It especially doesn't without aid to offset the huge cost. Congrats on your other admissions!

Just admitted! When I began the grad application process, SIPA was the top of my list...with dreams of NYC living. However, SIPA offered me no funding, and both the school and that NYC living are phurettty costly. Unless I get Pickering, I just don't see how SIPA is finacially feasible. That said, Fletcher offered me 19K/year, contacted me numerous times throughout the decision process to update me, and just offered to pay for my plane ticket to Boston for their open house. They've made me feel like the prettiest girl at prom. haha. I guess I need to start thinking about life as a Bostonian...and maybe spend my summers in NYC. Congrats to everyone who was admitted! And good luck to all moving forward making decisions and starting school this fall!

Aw, thanks a lot, Damis. I know I shouldn't worry. And I'm lucky to have been offered generous funding from Fletcher, so I have options regardless, which makes waiting for the decision a little easier. But, intuitively, it definitely seems like a good thing to be asked for additional info late in the process. I think we all find out soon, so you'll likely see this topic blow up a bit in the coming days. ( :

I'm also about 80% sure about Fletcher. Their student outreach and generous aid has really impressed me. I'm not sure whether I'd want to live on campus at Fletcher or off...I was attracted to the cheap rent of the grad dorms, plus the fact they're furnished and you're not stuck in a year lease (i.e. summers away will be much easier....). Does anyone have advice on whether most grad students live on or off campus, or on how the experience might differ either way? Thanks!

Congrats on all your admits, Watlaa9! You should definitely go sit in on a class, and you can stay the night with a student, so you can get a real feel of what it'd be like...and all for free. Hopefully I'll see you there! ( :

Damis, do you think being asked for our photos so late in the process is a good sign of being chosen as a finalist? I'm really excited to hear back, but I've also worked myself up about it so I'm nervous that I'm not a finalist and all this worrying and excitement is for nothing. / :

Wow, Fletcher keeps getting more and more amazing. They offer such amazing services to their students. I was admitted with $19K/year AND they just offered to pay for my plane ticket to go to the open house. Now I learn about this loan assistance program. I am beyond impressed with them and very excited to visit the campus. Anyone else going?

Decisions are out! I got in with 19k/year! I'm beyond thrilled, as Fletcher is the only school to offer me funding thus far...and 19K/year is a significant chunk of change! I never imagined living in Boston...but I guess that may be a reality in a few months. (I wish it wasn't so cold up there...haha!) Good luck everyone!!!!

Thanks...I'll probably do the same!

I just logged in to check my status, and I was admitted! With $19k renewable for the second year! Huge surprise to get so much funding, seeing as I haven't been offered any from SAIS or SIS... I have huge decisions ahead of me. Good luck to everyone, and sorry for those who got dinged.

When did you hear from Fletcher, Taidan? I'm very sorry to hear you got dinged. Best of luck with MSFS and SSP!

For those that got the additional information emails, what kind of pictures did you send? I don't know if it should be more candid or professional...since I don't know what they're using it for. I can't find anything that seems appropriate.

I just called admissions and they said that the Office of Fin Aid will be sending out letters in about a week with funding information, including non-named merit-based scholarships for select admitted students. I mentioned that some students already knew of fellowships/scholarships from their admissions letters and I was told those were likely for named fellowships/scholarships that the prospective students applied for after applying for admissions. Can anyone who already received funding information confirm that it was for a separately-applied, named fellowship or scholarship? I would love to hear I received funding...without at least 20K, maybe 15, I don't see SAIS being a financially feasible option...but I'm still psyched to have been admitted.

I'm in Bologna and my last name begins with S. But I'm a US student...? Good luck to everyone waiting and congrats to those who got in! Hopefully I can pay for this..... / :

Thanks, Legally Proper. Thats really good to hear. I just thought I was a bottom of the barrel applicant, which was devastating given how much work I put in to my application and the fact I had a great recommender. On the bright side, I did just get one of the emails from Pickering requesting additional info. Since they're supposed to announce finalists any day now, I am cautiously optimistic they are requesting this info from those selected, or at least those being highly considered as finalists. I can't imagine them collecting this information from everyone so late in the game otherwise. Can anyone provide any information on the written test and interview process?

International Peace and Conflict Resolution. What about you? Let us know what the Fin Aid office says!

For those that didn't hear anything about funding, including me, that "welcome to sis" slide show link thing says in the financial aid section that if your acceptance letter didn't mention a scholarship or fellowship, you didn't get one. ) : Sorry....bummer. I was really really hoping for something.

Just got my acceptance email! No funding, though. ) : Congrats to everyone! Check your emails!