supbla20

I don't want to say where I am exactly because there are so few of us here and I would be easily identifiable. I can say that it is not Tokyo or Singapore. I forgot to mention another downside - we have to write a thesis at my site, which I have thoroughly hated. SIPA has a different capstone requirement where you work with a realworld organization and consult for them. I would have rather done that, but the thesis is a requirement here. Some people may like the thesis, so it depends on your interests. I think some schools mandate a thesis and others have something similar to the SIPA capstone. The only programs that seem competitive and which I heard of people being rejected from are London and Paris. The rest you can basically get into if you have a pulse and can string a few sentences together. You also need a 3.0 GPA to apply, but you need a 3.0 to graduate from SIPA anyway, so it isn't hard to get. I already had a job lined up when I started grad school, so I haven't had to job hunt. That may make me a special case, but my fellow dual degree classmates seem to be applying for and getting interviews for the standard jobs that other SIPA students get, like consulting, energy etc. I don't have stats on where people from the dual degree programs end up specifically, but I would just look at the general stats SIPA has or the stats for universities you are interested in spending year two in. From what I have seen, they are similar to dual degree students. The other thing to remember is SIPA career services doesn't have a great reputation, but career services at the school I am at are much more intimate and helpful, so in some way it may be an advantage being abroad in terms of getting career help. That's just my experience at this school though, so I don't know what the other GPPN schools' career services are like. Of course, it all depends on your personal situation and I am skeptical that a dual degree per-se will make you more competitive for anything. Being abroad may just open up some different opportunities, and will make it much easier to work in the local market post graduation if you are interested in that. In some cases, I if you don't have language skills, being at certain sites could make the job hunt more stressful though. For example, to work in Brazil or Germany you basically need to speak the local language. You should not expect to learn a local language from scratch during your year abroad since your master's degree classes will all be in English. Again, though, while i acknowledge the main downside that you will have weaker SIPA/USA connections if you do this, I don't see that much of a downside to the dual degrees and it really puzzles me that so few people take advantage of this opportunity, which I have found amazing. On the other hand, I know I sound like a cheerleader for the dual degrees - and everyone's situation is different so it might or might not be for you.

I'm a SIPA student currently abroad and doing a dual degree. I don't normally post here, but I realize that there is very little information online about the dual degrees out there and I hope I can clear some stuff up. First of all, it's not a "fluff" thing. In fact I see almost no downside to it at all. You graduate with a degree from two institutions and the standards are basically uniform across schools in the GPPN network - which is what SIPA calls the network of partner schools . I am an American and I have the added bonus of being able to automatically get a work permit in the country I am currently studying at the conclusion of my master's degree if I so choose. Additionally I can immerse myself into the local language here in a way that I cannot at SIPA (although admittedly, the language of instruction at the GPPN schools is English, so that makes a focus on a foreign language a little more tough due to time constraints). Also I am able to take advantage of two university networks and two sets of resources. I have a broader transnational policy perspective due to exposure to two separate learning and teaching styles. Additionally, there are semi-secret SIPA scholarships that offer a very generous amount of funding for students going to several of its partner school sites. These are not advertised, but every single one of the SIPA students where I am currently studying are completely fully funded. At my site that means that not only is tuition funded but so is housing and everything else. Also, you are honestly treated very well as a SIPA student. The relationship with Columbia is extremely important for the other GPPN schools. The only downside I see is if you want to work in the US at the conclusion of your studies, MAYBE you will lose out a little bit on connections in the United States if you go abroad. But I am making my own connections here, so I think the connection argument is a red herring. I can also keep in touch with my SIPA contacts. It is really not that hard with the Internet. I realize that there are other schools that have kind of similar programs like Tufts and SAIS, but in my opinion SIPA is the best option if this is what you're interested in. For instance, I considered going to Fletcher, but their partner school programs were rather badly coordinated and integrated with the Fletcher curriculum, in my opinion. Also, the money thing is huge. Anyway, your experience may vary, but that is my two cents.

Are you nuts? If it's paid for then obviously Georgetown.

Anything from Harvard will be extremely unprestigious and will get you nowhere. I would recommend Walden or Apollo college instead. They also have rolling admissions so you do not have to worry about rejection.

OMG!

Hey I was looking through my admissions essay to WWS and noticed I misspelled a single word in the essay. It is a really stupid word too. I already feel tremendously stressed about this application - do you think it will make a difference that I have a single stupid typo?

I am applying to Harvard and Woodrow Wilson and feel that I am a very strong applicant except for my low quant score. I got a 5.0 AW 167 verbal and 152 quant. Last year the 152 was rated in the 52nd percentile, but now it seems that it is the 49th percentile. I mean obviously my verbal and writing are very good and I hope they offset the weak quant, but can anyone give me a sense on whether the low quant is a deal-breaker or if my other factors could outweigh it. Last year I got into Fletcher and SIPA without problems, but deferred my admission for various reasons, so I know I can get into good programs. It seems though, that Harvard and Princeton are different levels entirely. I am trying to make the case that I am applying to HKS and WWS because I know I have holes in my quant skills and so I am looking for a really rigorous quantitative program. It's true, but I'm not sure if they might think I am too weak. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated since I am stressing out here!!

I have a bit of an unusual situation. I applied to grad school IR masters programs this cycle and got in everywhere I applied (Georgetown, Fletcher, SIPA, American, Yale). But for various personal reasons I decided to hold off for a year reapply for scholarships, plus fully funded programs. I am looking for some feedback on what my chances for the following programs are and how I should approach this. Program Applying To: Will reapply to Fletcher and Columbia and also to Princeton and UT-Austin (I heard these two often fully fund people). Undergraduate institution: Elite bigname east coast university Undergraduate GPA: 3.4 Undergraduate Major: IR GREs: 168 Verbal, 153 Quant Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 6 Years of Work Experience: 6 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I was in journalism, writing for major news organizations in US and abroad before deciding to switch to government service. I have since done some paid internships/scholarship at the European Parliament and a national parliament in the EU. I also have a Fulbright fellowship and several smaller minor fellowships. Languages: German Negatives: I feel a little bit like I have been all over the place in recent years - I have done some seriously prestigious internships and scholarships and have written for some big-name news organizations but I still feel not focused enough. Plus I have no idea what I will do for the next year. I am thinking of traveling to South America to perfect my Spanish. What do you guys think about this? Do you think I might have a serious shot at WWS? I also really want to apply for Pickering and Rangel but they rejected me last round and I'm not sure how I can improve my app other than improving my Spanish. Thanks in advance for your insight!

I ended up going with Fletcher. In the end, there was just too much about SIPA that bugged me. Maybe it was a huge mistake, I don't know. I know my mom is upset that I am no longer going to be an Ivy Leaguer. Oh well.

I think you were awarded the money I gave up at SIPA . They tried to induce me with big scholarships and access to special programs, but in the end I chose Fletcher. It is a much more flexible program, overall higher quality (in my opinion), a more engaged alumni network and a tighter community. The only area where SIPA conculsively beats Fletcher, in my personal opinion is the name. I admit that this is a big one - and thinking about that doesn't make you a shallow person. My parents and some friends seem disappointed that I chose Fletcher over SIPA, mostly because they wanted me to go to an Ivy League institution. But if you look at things objectively, outcomes at Fletcher are just as good, if not better, than at SIPA. I for one know that I thrive on a more personalized environment, thus the Fletcher choice over SIPA. I admit that I will question a bit whether I should have gone to the Ivy League - but I feel that I will have a better time, less pressure and a similar outcome at Fletcher (for one thing there is no mandatory 3.4 in order to maintain a scholarship). IF, however, you think your outcome for some reason will be better at SIPA or you just feel better there, then you should go there. I am a firm believer that you should go where you feel most comfortable unless there is a question of outcomes. In that case, I don't care how much I would torture myself over the next two years - I would go where I know the ultimate career result will be the most beneficial for me. That is really the whole point of this exercise anyway, isn't it?

And which program was that?

Can I ask you why you turned that down? I have a similar offer...

Fletcher isn't budging on the scholarship offer and is implying that second year funding opportunities and its loan assistance repayment program after graduation may make up for some of the funding shortfall from my first year. I am somewhat sad given all the love I have tried to show them.

My logic is that if I could take a beginning class for credit, I could have it be one of my four courses each semester and would thus not feel so overloaded with work. I worry that if I am taking a fifth class not for credit (which a beginning language course at SIPA would have to be) I would feel overloaded and would not do well in class - I understand your logic that if I am not taking it for credit I wouldn't need to care about grades or my performance, but I would want to do well to get a good recommendation from the professor, since this would be important in order to receive the language scholarships. Does that make sense? At Fletcher I can take two language classes at any level as electives so it could be part of my standard course load each semester. I also worry that with all the quantitative stuff you have to do at the beginning of your studies (which I am not very good at) it would be hard to balance a language course.

Guys crazy stuff is happening. I excluded Georgetown from consideration and was deciding between SIPA and Fletcher (leaning toward Fletcher) when I got an email from SIPA sweeting the total funding for the first year to $28,500. As far as I can tell, this is a crazily high amount of funding for this program and along with being offered admission to IFP, it seems like I would be a fool if I gave this up - unless Fletcher matched or exceeded which I have asked them to do (although they have told me repeatedly that there is no more money for me). I will be honest: My key problem with SIPA is the language issue and this is why up until now I was seemingly trying to find a way to exclude it. I seriously doubt that I will be able to get started on Turkish there - you can only get credit for languages at intermediate and above. And although it is theoretically possible to audit beginning languages, their intensity seems incompatible with the rigors of the MIA program. Has anyone had any experience with this? I feel that grad school is one of my last chances to learn a new language because there are all these scholarships like Boren and the critical language scholarship that fund these endeavors (but they generally want people who already have some language experience) so I really fear that I am giving up this dream by going to SIPA. At the same time, the offer is almost too good to be true. If anyone could assuage my fears, it would make the decision a lot easier. I am still tempted to take Fletcher just because it is a lot easier to get credit for beginning languages.

I realize the SIPA offer is very good relative to what most people get, but is it really as great as it seems in the scheme of things? I mean after one year I would have way more debt than I would at Fletcher or SFS (high cost of living in NYC). And the second year funding situation is extremely unpredictable. If for instance, I do not maintain a 3.4 GPA, I will not be able to retain my renewable scholarship. Then I am really screwed. Also, I know the International Fellows Program seems prestigious, but its actual utility is unclear. Is there more to it than a seminar and the trip to Washington DC? Like is there personalized attention fellows receive from SIPA? Does membership in the program create some sort of advantage when scholarships are allocated for the second year?

Would it be crazy to defer for a year? I am weighing so many possibilities right now that it is making my head spin. I was rejected for Rangel and Pickering fellowships and would welcome the opportunity to study up on languages and then reapply for them. But I will have a serious shortfall of money (although my parents say I could live with them, it would be hard to find a job in my area of expertise where they live). Plus there is a very real risk that when I reactivate my application next year SIPA, Georgetown and Fletcher could offer me much worse financial aid packages depending on the strength of other applicants. If I got a national fellowship, I would be set financially. But if not, I could end up being seriously screwed.

Hey Guys, I am deciding between Fletcher, SIPA and SFS and having an almost impossible time making a decision. Can you please help me think this through and give me advice? Goal: I am trying to make a career change from the private sector to public service. Particularly interested in one day working for the State Department or some other policy career. I want to do a Boren and/or critical language scholarship while in grad school - possibly to learn Turkish. SIPA: One of the lucky few to get some first year funding (13K scholarship), but the program seems insanely impersonal and unnecessarily competitive. Also a little worried by the extreme quantitative emphasis. Unclear what second year funding could look like and I have never had a chance to visit the campus. Also got into the International Fellows Program - does anyone know if this is really a big deal or not? Does this mean I will get more personalized attention? I am skeptical. I would think SIPA really wants me since they gave me money and let me into this "special" program. But I find them very noncommunicative. Seems hard to learn languages at SIPA due to time issues. Fletcher: Gave me 13K scholarships for MALD program and there are options for more money second year, but this is very uncertain. Love the community and how flexible the program is. Interested in languages though, and the options seem very lacking - I could not take Turkish there which I assume would make me less competitive for language scholarships I want to apply for. But they allow up to two language classes to apply toward the degree. Also there is no chance to do internships during the year due to the crappy locations and crazy amount of studying Fletcher students do. Insanely awesome alumni network. SFS: Offered half tuition scholarship. But due to cost of living, in the end the price tag will be similar to Fletcher. Would get half-tuition scholarship second year, but no options for additional funding. Got into tight-knit regional studies program that is extremely flexible and offers outstanding language options and extensive help to get language scholarships. Super-low student to faculty ratio. But the program is very new and has a tiny alumni base. Worried about being pigeonholed by employers. Already did undergrad in DC, so not sure I want to be here again. I think it is really coming down to Fletcher and SFS, but I cannot make up my mind. There are things going for both like better language options at SFS but possibly lower pricetag second year at Fletcher. I am not necessarily so excited about being in DC and the outcomes seem equally positive at all three of these institutions since they are all top-tier programs. Funding is a serious issue for me and I feel lucky to have gotten money for a master's program. I have thought about deferring for a year and applying to programs like Princeton, which offer fuller funding packages. But I have nothing concrete that I would do for the year, so I am not sure that is the best option. Don't know what to do and feeling overwhelmed. Please help me!!

What about that question to the career office guy when a girl asked whether Fletcher was members of various minority recruiting "networks" and the guy had no idea what she was talking about? I also had no clue what she was talking about but am wondering if that is something career services should be familiar with and if I should know what she is referring to? I am not sure what to make of the career services presentation, but my impression is that none of the top-tier IR graduate programs have problems placing people (I am thinking SFS, SIPA, Fletcher etc.), so I am not sure that worries about career services are terribly justified. I mean the career services guy said that 90 percent of Fletcherites are employed 6 months after graduation, and he talked about the problems with the numbers, so it didn't seem like he was trying to falsely inflate them, although one can never be certain. If I go to Fletcher, I will be your friend DaniCM! I certainly hope I didn't meet you and appear to be a weirdo, but I didn't leave with the same impressions as you did. In fact, I found the other prospectives to be fun and I got the sense that this whole sense of "community" is not a scam, but is actually very much a reality. I SERIOUSLY doubt that you will end up barren and friendless at Fletcher. This seems like the one place where one is almost guaranteed to have good friends. If there was any problem with the admitted students, it is that there were not very many people whose cuteness met my standards. In a group of future diplomats, I was expecting more attractive people.