MissRachel

I was listed as an alternate. Does anybody know the chances of alternates getting awards?

I didn't get a budget e-mail, but did receive the dates e-mail. Fingers crossed! When do they let finalists know?

I'd personally go with Georgetown because of the ranking and the internship/networking opportunities. If you're in DC, you'll have plenty of opportunities to do both PLUS additional opportunities for scholarships for your second year. I know some students in SSP and they love the program - they have access to top intellectuals and practitioners in the field and there are so many security-related lectures and events in DC.

I'm in the same situation - for SAIS and Georgetown SFS, that is. What do you want to study specifically? I've heard that SAIS focuses a bit more on human rights (because of the Conflict Resolution program) but that might not be true. I looked into University of Denver's human rights program but didn't apply (although I adore Colorado) because I felt like I would have more job opportunities in DC or NYC for human rights.

First, congrats on SFS! I also got into SFS and am trying to decide between that and a few other schools. I don't know how IHEID is ranked, but I do know that Sciences Po and LSE are considered top international relations schools and have excellent job placement rates. It's possible that IHEID is similar. I think it depends on what you want to study and how the two programs compare with their programs. Also, would you rather be in DC or Europe for two years? Location makes a difference in terms of what you want to get out of the program.

I just found out that I got into my four top school choices and am at a loss as to which one to choose. I want to study a cross between international relations and development, focusing on using public diplomacy to combat gender-based violence and discrimination. I am interested in working for an NGO like CARE, International Rescue Committee, or Women for Women International upon graduation. While I am at school, I hope to build stronger analytic and skills but also would like to have opportunities for practical application of my studies (internships, summer development projects, international opportunities, etc). Any thoughts on which program would be the best fit for someone with my interests? I plan to attend each open house in April.

Eeek - this talk of a correlation between budget e-mails and finalists makes me nervous. I didn't receive a budget e-mail yet and applied for a fellowship to Jordan. Have any other fellowship applicants received their budget e-mail?

I'm in the same situation - I'm torn between domestic programs (Yale, Tufts, Columbia) and JH SAIS (first year Bologna). I've heard mixed things about Georgetown's Conflict Res program - a friend of mine went there and said the program was relatively new and that they're working out some things. I applied to SAIS because I was interested in Conflict Res too - it seems like the program is flexible. Are you going to the Admitted Students' Days?