flyingjellyfish

Yay! See you in Bologna

I took macro and micro econ at my local community college. It was a really affordable and SAIS did accept both courses for its econ pre-reqs. In retrospect, I feel that in some ways taking them this way strengthened my applications, because I took them while working fulltime and doing my other volunteer activities. And I graduated back in 2009, so econ is definitely the freshest thing on my academic record. I'm sure taking them back in undergrad would have been good too, perhaps better since those courses were more rigorous, but I chose to wait to take them later and didn't see any negative consequence from that decision! All of the programs I applied to emphasized the importance of a quantitative background so I think taking them was worth it overall to make me more competitive. Though I initially took the courses knowing that SAIS in particular requires them. In terms of GPA, you'll get a separate transcript from the online course/CC so it will not factor into your undergrad GPA. You'll just provide the programs you apply to with that separate transcript in your applications. I found the courses I took useful for learning the basics of econ, but found the grading very easy. A's in both with no stress. I hope this helps!

Just a follow-up note in case it's helpful for future applicants. WWS notified me on May 1 that they're not admitting me off the waitlist, so they do ultimately contact you with the news! Even with this rejection, I really couldn't be happier with the outcome of my grad school applications and am heading to SAIS Bologna with a spring in my step

Thanks for sharing Dani! When I read your posts, I have to say I was leaning towards Fletcher for you. I think you made a good choice, though both programs are excellent. Wishing you much luck

GRE quant scores are an important factor but not the only one in terms of getting into programs, especially when you have many other strengths. Unfortunately, though, I think they are definitely a deciding factor for funding. I retook the GRE less for improving my chances of getting in to programs and more so for improving my chances of receiving funding. Some (if not all) of the schools I applied to use GRE scores and GPA's for selecting merit aid awardees. Perhaps take a look at the "Government Affairs Wrap-Up" threads to get a sense of people's scores and how that relates to where they got in and how much funding they got? I've already recommended it on this forum, but I'll say it again: I found the Manhattan Prep series REALLY helpful for improving my quant scores on my own (I didn't take a course). Their practice tests are harder than the actual tests, which I found very useful for increasing my confidence day-of. Best of luck! Edit: Wow that was my 100th post! It's probably about time for me to stop writing about grad school and just go already

Oh makes sense now! You're welcome, glad I could help!

I did attend one of the webinar information sessions Nelson and Amina did back on March 27. They mentioned that they did tape the session. Perhaps email Nelson and ask for a copy? There are also a lot very helpful documents located here that answer the main questions (you should have also received the link in your acceptance letter): http://www.sais-jhu.edu/content/incoming-students-academic-year-2013-14 And here's the incoming student guidebook: http://www.jhubc.it/DOCUMENTS/incominginfo.pdf In terms of housing, they have a housing consultant with many years of experience who helps incoming SAIS students secure housing upon arrival. It sounds quick and easy because they basically have a stock of around 70 apartments that SAIS students move into in august and then vacate at the end of the school year. Helpful blog post here: http://saisbolognaadmissions.blogspot.com/2012/08/finding-your-apartment-in-bologna.html @DupontCircle - According to the 2013-2014 academic calendar on the SAIS website (http://www.sais-jhu.edu/resources/academic-affairs-registrar/2013-2014-academic-calendar-washington-dc) the D.C. pre-term program dates are: Monday, July 29-Tuesday, August 27, 2013 Pre-term courses are Pass/No-Pass and do not count towards the GPA. PS: I'm happy to help, but a quick Google search can quickly answer a lot of questions

Good luck with the decision today! Fortunately, at the end of the day you are choosing between two excellent programs. Once you commit, don't look back because it's going to be great either way!

Looking forward to it! Can you believe we'll be in Italy soon? I bought my plane ticket last week.., so exciting! Quick tip- I used studentuniverse to book my flight and got a really good deal. I used to use it back in undergrad when I studied abroad a couple times. It was satisfying to get the student rate again!

Thanks dyavrom, that was really helpful info!

I applied as General IR, but then when I looked at the courses recently I realized that most of the smaller, specialized courses that interest me are in International Law and Organizations...So I think that that's the route I'm going to go. Plus, I took several Internaitonal law courses during undergrad and found them interesting and useful. I spoke with an alumna recently who mentioned that students in a particular concentration get priority for those courses, which makes sense. That doesn't tend to be a problem for less impacted concentrations like Intl. Law (yay for me!), but does make a difference for security studies and IDEV. Perhaps contact SAIS and see if they can put you in contact with a current student or alum in the concentrations of interest to you so you can find out more? The alum I spoke with ended up concentrating in Intl. Law, which wasn't her plan intially, but worked out well with her interests while she was there. Those are the kind of stories that make me relax a little! A couple students I've been in contact with have also encouraged me to take the more specialized, concentration courses as early as the first semester as they are smaller and more interesting than the larger core courses. Since I'll be in Bologna, I'm excited to take some of the smaller courses only offered there, so will definitely follow their advice. My first semester will probably include one core course, macro econ, Intl. trade theory, a smaller intl. law course, and hopefully Italian. I'm really hoping I can test out of French early on so I can learn a new language Congrats on accepting your offer! Will you be in Bologna in the fall or DC both years? Maybe we'll have some classes together!

As mentioned by others, now is not early if you're planning to apply for entry in Fall 2014. This is the time to get started! Or do you mean you'll be applying in Fall 2014 for entry Fall 2015...? I started writing some comments but realized that I was echoing the folks above (good points!). Here are some other thoughts... Make sure to take the GRE in late summer/early fall so it's out of the way before application time/you can retake it if necessary. I recommend taking econ and/or stats at community college. This summer and fall would be good times so you have your grades by the time you're submitting your applications. In terms of work experience, on the bright side the economy has been crap for so many people over the past few years so your situation is not unusual. It really is all about how you tell your story. Filling in the gaps with classes and constructive odd jobs can be a positive. And volunteer!! Great way to get some experience and do some good in your community as well... I'm a bit of a volunteer nut though SIPA and NYU Wagner are great programs, but (in my recent experience and anecdotally) they don't tend to award much aid. You may find yourself in my shoes- getting in but being unable to afford them. So I recommend also considering fellowship and funding opportunities now as well. Best of luck with the move and applications!

Hmm... well I'm headed off to SAIS Bologna this fall and really couldn't be happier with my decision. I'm so excited in fact and am looking forward to exploring DC in year 2. Perhaps it won't be the place for me long-term, but I'm all for trying new places out! I spent a lot of time soul searching and considering many programs before deciding. I certainly don't think SAIS is for everyone, but it's a good fit for me. I'm definitely not concerned with prestige and really hope I'm not arrogant. If anything, I'm feeling incredibly grateful and generally hopeful this week. I just bought my plane ticket, yahoo! I think it's time to stop generalizing and, like Damis said earlier, just be happy! OP- MSFS and SAIS are both incredible programs. I don't know enough about the softer culture aspects at GTown to advise you, but I would say that at least you can't go wrong!

I second ZacharyObama... Are there any summer courses at your local community college? I got micro and macro econ out of the way while working full time and pulling an intense volunteer gig. They were just 3 hours each once a week for a semester, though during the summer might be accelerated. I spent under $100 a class and the workload was cake. Best of luck!

Thanks huerita! Yes it was after I had already accepted. I'll PM you more details.

I just received more funding from SAIS. What an unexpected and happy surprise! I'm over the moon!! And I have no shame admitting that I did a little dance around my office just now Good luck everyone. I hope more of us get some unexpected good news!

I've read through a lot of your posts over the past few months (I completely commiserate on the stress of ruminating over different options!). It's definitely worth thinking things through again with this new information, but I also think you already made your decision on this earlier this month. This news doesn't change the situation too much since SIPA is still more expensive than Fletcher in terms of tuition and NY living expenses. How did you feel when you got the news from SIPA about funding? You mentioned that when you got the news from SIPA you felt excited about living in NYC. Did you also feel excited, happy, even a little relieved that you could study at SIPA now instead of Fletcher? Or did you feel worried, stressed, and perhaps a sinking feeling of "oh no, now I have to rethink everything!"? That initial feeling is very important. Unless you feel excited about this new opportunity to go to SIPA, I say continue on with Fletcher. Not enough has changed to justify derailing yourself from a decision you already spent a lot of time making. And best of luck!

Great post! Ok, this is going to sound like a bit of an ad, but I also thoroughly recommend Manhattan. I used their series of books and practice tests to study on my own when I retook the GRE last year. I previously found that most prep materials teach how to take the test rather than teaching the concepts, which is what I needed help with. Manhattan's basic principle was more that you won't need to resort to tricks if you KNOW the concepts to begin with. This approach really helped me, and I know my score improved because of it. Plus I found that their practice tests were harder than the actual test, which gave me more time and confidence on test day. Another GRE tip that I didn't do the first time round but found helped on my retake- write down a lot of notes as you tackle problems both verbal and quant. It helps keep your brain focused, prevents panic from setting in, and keeps you on track. Oh and the new GRE that was imnplemented in 2011 was easier for me than the old one because I could move around and skip questions as needed. Make use of that!

I'm a bit late on this, but the other thing to consider is reapplying to this school and others next year if you are able to fill that year with activites that boost your application. Examples: getting more work experience, volunteering for something related to your field, retaking the GRE and getting better scores, etc. You might then get more funding. $150k is just so much, I would be very hesitant taking out that much in debt. I would also communicate your dilemma to this school... who knows, maybe they'll offer you more funding once it's clear that they'll lose you (that really depends on the school though). And perhaps ask if there will be second round funding available in the next months as students who declined offers free up those funds.

Hi Waltlaa9, thanks for the response! I feel exactly the same way. At this point, I know I would be equally happy at SAIS or WWS, so would just love to know yes/no from WWS so I can make plans. It does seem like a longshot to get into WWs off the alternate list, but without more information from them it's hard to judge how likely or unlikely it truly is this year. I visited the campus last September and had a very good experience. I have friends currently in the program, so they showed me around. I also met with the Director of Graduate Admissions and met a few other MPA students. So I got a decent sense of the program and community and feel that it would be a good fit for me. I did follow up with them right away when I found out I was on the alternate list expressing my interest and then followed up again with my scanned card accepting a spot on the list. I otherwise didn't ask any questions, since the info they provided was very helpful and I didn't want to bother them too much. I actually haven't had any specific communication back from them besides the alternate list letter and generic emails. I understand that they must be very busy with admissions, but I have been a little disappointed to not even receive a short email confirmation back from them. SAIS has been incredibly attentive and responsive along the whole process. If I do happen to get into WWS, I will feel a huge sense of loss not going to SAIS after all their help and considering how good a fit their program is for me. Perhaps follow-up and express your interest again? It couldn't hurt!

Any other waitlisted folks here? Now that April 15 has passed, I'm wondering if/when we'll hear anything. I did contact the admissions office this week with a polite email asking if they envision drawing from the waitlist this year, but no news so far.

I totally agree on this. I didn't realize how much this would influence my thinking, but it really did.

I have to say, choosing which grad school to attend has been one of the most challenging decisions of my life and I've been at several crossroads before!! Good luck this week! Also, to follow up, It's important to determine what your threshold on costs is. For me, an overall $20k difference over two years made it worth considering the more expensive program. Any more than that and I probably would have gone with the cheaper school.

You labeled this post as prestige vs. happiness. I'd pick happiness every time and sounds like your gut is telling you to go with school #2. I'm a firm believer that if you are truly happy at what you're doing, success will follow in the long-run. Also, a school's name and network will only get you so far... Even without knowing all the specifics, my vote is for school #2 where you have more potential for happiness and success at a lower price tag.

@cckrspnl56 - Thank you for the very helpful insights! I'm planning to take the more typical courseload of micro-econ and survival italian in pre-term in Bologna. What are your thoughts on that? Is that still a huge amount of work? I want to try to get one econ class out of the way while getting some italian under my belt, but also don't want to sabotage myself early on by taking on too much. It's very important that I maintain at least a 3.4 GPA to keep my 2nd year aid award. Do most Bologna students choose to intern in the US? I'm potentially interested in interning in Geneva in the sumnmer between Bologna and DC. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again!