La Voz

Hi all, As you're wrapping up some applications, or more likely done with them, the long wait begins. Best of luck to all of you, it's not a ton of fun. If anyone has questions about the University of Denver's Korbel School of International Studies, feel free to ask away. I'm in the Global Finance, Trade, and Economic Integration program (I chose it over SAIS, Elliott, Harris SPP, Wisconsin LaFollette, and George Mason SPP).

I did this same thing when it came time to decide between SAIS and Korbel. Sadly, when ranking things based on my perceptions, they came out tied! That said, it was still a very good exercise, and after teasing it a bit, I finally decided on Korbel based in large part to this kind of exercise. For someone that's really torn between schools, try this out.

My fiancee is using Rosetta Stone right now for Spanish and has not previously had classes for Spanish (but did grow up in El Paso, TX) and it has helped her quite a bit. That said, she has also augmented it with some book studying too. For myself, I will be using RS and possibly doing private classes for Spanish, all to be finished off with a 4-12 week immersion in a Spanish-speaking country. This is after having already taken 6 semesters of Spanish years ago and spending 5 weeks in Mexico back then. I think being fluent in another language is absolutely critical so I'll be taking it more seriously than my school requires.

Sorry for the late reply. The students that they had at the event were down-to-earth and engaging. One thing that struck me as different between Korbel students is that they seemed genuinely happy. I only had a chance to catch one student at SAIS for a little impromptu chat, but he was very stressed. Perhaps it was a bad time in the semester or his life, or maybe he's a weaker student, I don't know, but it was interesting. For internships, DC will certainly have the better selection. However, Colorado is not without its internship options as well. There's certainly fewer in Colorado, but you have less competition to get them too. Another thing Korbel does that I really like is organizing networking trips to New York, Boston, and DC. They meet with Korbel alums in those cities as well as large, prospective employers for tours and visits with the HR departments. Also, Denver offers a Fall semester in DC in conjunction with Syracuse's Maxwell School and Pitt's GSPIA. That offers you a good opportunity for the DC experience, internship and all. Personally, I'm bitter at American because they lost my Resume and Personal Statement and never let me know about it until I called them in March. So while it's a good school, I probably won't have anything nice to say about them until they apologize for their error.

I'm making the same DC vs Denver decision here: I'm leaning Denver myself because of the fiancee and dog I'd be bringing along. For y'all the decision is a bit different though because both schools seem to have equally strong Security Studies programs. I'd say if you're single and willing to throw yourself full force into school, American would seem to be the better option because of its location. However, if you think good weather and a bit more outdoorsy fun is a very necessary balance to all the school work you'll be doing, it would seem Denver would be better. One thing I like about Denver's Quarter system over Semester systems is that it allows you to take more classes, which is especially neat if you're a nerd who likes class (which, in grad school, it's assumed you likely are).

I'm torn. Background I was accepted into a few other schools (see my signature), but the choice is basically coming down to Denver Korbel (Global Finance, Trade, & Economic Integration [GFTEI]) versus Hopkins' SAIS (Latin American Studies [LASP]). My goal is to focus on Trade Policy in Latin America. I'll be moving with a fiancee and a dog to Denver or DC and accordingly they factor into my decision (my fiancee has extended family in the Denver area). Price also factors into my decision; Korbel is up to $50k cheaper when you factor in aid I received at Korbel ($30k) with Denver's much lower cost-of-living ($20k < DC). Initial Impressions I visited SAIS last week and had the opportunity to speak with the Associate Director of LASP and sit in on a class taught by the Director. Though a brief visit (2-3 hours), I was thoroughly impressed with the staff and program. By contrast, I visited GWU later that day and was rather disappointed. I just got back from Denver's Open House event this week (1 day of general school info, plus sitting in on one class the next day). While Denver wasn't as impressive as SAIS, it was more impressive than GWU. Where Denver fails competitively against SAIS is in Latin American Studies, which is very new at Korbel. However, what is neat about Denver is the Quarter system they operate on (10 week long course terms w/ 3 terms per year) as opposed to the typical Semester system employed by SAIS (16 week long terms, 2 terms/yr). This means more time off for travel/internships/educational supplements while also being able to take more classes. Specific Factors As mentioned above, Denver is $50k cheaper. That's a lot of money that can be spent on language immersion programs, networking trips to DC & NY (organized by Korbel), and summer courses at SAIS. However, it's worth noting that the remaining cost of Denver coupled with my bit of undergrad student loan debt means Denver and SAIS would cost the same *IF* I had my remaining loans forgiven after working for the government for 10 years (assuming average salary of $75k year, more info here). I do believe my fiancee would be happier in Denver, which is important to me of course, though she supports my decision to go to Denver or DC. Denver is also much more dog-friendly, and it's not completely devoid of internship opportunities in its own right (though my summers would send me to DC for the best internships if I were to attend Korbel). Final Thoughts & Question I'm leaning Denver only because I think it would be a better living situation for my little budding family (no kids) and because I can much more easily justify spending money on language immersion and trips and long distance internships if I know that Korbel is $50k less than SAIS (but again, if working for the govt for 10 years, they both basically have the same cost after loan forgiveness). If you've read this far, thank you. So, any suggestions for solidifying my decision one way or the other?

I don't know much about IDev programs, but it's worth throwing out there that SAIS' IDev Director, Francis Fukuyama, is leaving to take a position at Stanford this July. http://fsi.stanford.edu/news/world_renowned_expert_on_democracy_and_development_francis_fukuyama_to_join_fsi_20090604/

fsowannabe, I visited GWU a week ago and left with a bit of a similar impression. I was content with the administration, not thrilled but not disappointed. However, I sat in on a class I'd have to take as part of my degree path there which was in a very cramped classroom in a building 3 blocks away with what seemed to be an uninterested and unmotivated group of students. I was much more impressed by SAIS, but I think that's because I got to sit in on Roett's class on Brazil, whereas I sat in on an Int'l Political Economy class at GWU. Having a Latin American focus myself, I think it isn't a very fair comparison and I wish I would've had time to go talk to the Latin American Studies program at GWU. All that said, I think MisterCharisma is right, I do still think it is a great school with the great opportunities that the name and area afford it. However, I just got back from Denver and I left there with the impression that Korbel is a stronger progam than Elliott despite what rankings and location might lead you to believe.

My answers to the above questions... What city are you currently living in? San Marcos, TX (just south of Austin) What Korbel program are you going into? Global Financial, Trade, and Economic Integration What was your undergrad major? Economics Have you decided for certain that you'll attend Korbel in the Fall? Not sure If you are not certain you'll attend Korbel yet, what are your other options? George Washington (Elliott School - Int'l Trade & Investment Policy), Johns Hopkins (SAIS - International Economics) What do you hope to learn more about at the Discover Korbel event? Additional aid available to second year students, availability of TA/RA positions, study abroad opportunities, the Latin American Studies dept (I'd be hoping to take some courses from there), student organizations, speaker type and frequency, local work/internship opportunities

We're two weeks away from the Discover Korbel event at the University of Denver, so I figured it'd be neat to see who else from this forum might be going. I'm offering the questions below if you'd like to answer them because I think it'd be interesting to know. What city are you currently living in? What Korbel program are you going into? What was your undergrad major? Have you decided for certain that you'll attend Korbel in the Fall? If you are not certain you'll attend Korbel yet, what are your other options? What do you hope to learn more about at the Discover Korbel event?

Contact them all now. I've already started filling out "Special Circumstance" forms or whatever they call them. Even now, I think it's a bit late because many have already calculated your financial aid for the next Fall semester. If it was need-based aid, then they probably already used your FASFA EFC. But, better late than never to update that info.

sypher2k3, you're right, that study only proves that Georgetown is well-regarded amongst IR profs in 8 countries. Still, it's good for gauging Georgetown's reputation at home and abroad. That said, program fit is more important than reputation. GWU is a much better program fit for me, as is SAIS, over Georgetown. I'm looking forward to visiting both GWU and SAIS next week.

Like quantic said, most of that are still waiting are likely only waiting for rejections. Unfortunately, I'm among those still waiting, heh. That's just how it works. I should know too, in 2009 I got rejected across the board.

For those concerned with Georgetown's reputation, you needn't be. http://irtheoryandpractice.wm.edu/projects/trip/ Download and read the "2008 TRIP Survey of International Relations Faculty in Ten Countries" at the link above. It's a great read for ALL IR students. In that survey Georgetown is rated as the best terminal Masters program in the world for those that want to pursue a policy career in IR. Johns Hopkins and Harvard are a close 2nd and 3rd, respectively. The drop-off between 3rd and 4th is pretty significant, too.

I imagine the LBJ school has a pretty good reputation domestically, but the Global Policy Studies is pretty new, less than 5 years old. With that in mind, I imagine it's not well known abroad. Depending on where you're looking to work though, UT will have a good reputation. Their Latin American studies program is very strong, so I imagine their reputation in Latin America is strong as well. UT is just so strong across the board, so the school will have a strong general reputation. Also, the graduate network is immense, at least domestically. It's a growing program whose reputation will be better 10 years from now. The new dean is also internationally-focused, so that's good for the MGPS students.

lol, I live in Austin, TX and haven't received squat.

I'd make the decision based on program fit, which sadly only you can judge. For instance, $5k from Georgetown is worth less to me than no aid at SAIS because SAIS's program is a much better fit for me (fwiw, I haven't even heard back from G'town on acceptance, much less funding).

For what it's worth, I received a non-renewable $5k fellowship that is for the first year and only the first year. I assume there's a significant amount more in aid available to 2nd year students. That typically seems to be the case at graduate-level programs.

Yep, I've seen that FP article, and I've read the associated TRIP study from William & Mary. It was quite influential in my selection process. But now my questions are less about which program is the best and more about how the h3ll I'm going to pay for these programs. Oy. Daunting, to say the least.

My concern is the same as mpp_applicant's. I really want to attend SAIS based on program fit, but the lack of fellowship aid means $80k in tuition & fees after two years (plus another $10k in interest that'll accrue in that time), assuming no additional aid in the second year. 1) At SAIS, do a majority of 2nd-year students get some form of 'free-money' aid? Are there teacher/project assistant positions that pay for some measure of tuition, and if so, how common are they? Are there other ways that SAIS students pay for their education beyond loans? 2) Another big financial concern is cost of living in DC. Where do SAIS students typically live (if there's even one typical place), Alexandria, College Park, DC, other? 3) Do SAIS students typically work during their semesters, and if so, which semester do they begin working in? Thanks for being willing to take the time to answer questions. Hopefully I can be in the position to do the same next year.

Hmmm, it seems like you're drawing some assumptions from information I didn't post. Please let me clarify: The minimum commitment to the Armed Services is, in most cases, 4 years. With that, you are eligible for the GI Bill ($70k in tuition expenses, I believe) and perhaps an Enlistment Bonus (up to $40k). That could cover most or all of my expected $100k - $120k student loan debt, hence the temptation.

I'd be on it if it applies to SAIS. As it stands, because of the massive debt I'd be incurring by going to JHU or GWU (both cost of living and tuition), I'm considering delaying matriculation and going into the armed services now for the GI Bill and Enlistment bonus. On top of my undergrad debt, coming out of a MA program with $100k - $120k in debt is terrifying.

Wow, I thought the exact opposite of many of y'all, I was rather pleased they were sending out status updates. Sure, the e-mail title could have been better (I thought they were available based on the title as well), but at least they're giving updates. That's more than you can say for most of the other schools.

Schools Applied To: Denver (Korbel), American (SIS), Chicago (Harris), Georgetown (SFS), George Washington (Elliot), George Mason (SPP), Johns Hopkins (SAIS), Wisconsin (LaFollette), Texas (LBJ) Schools Admitted To: Denver ($15k/yr), Wisconsin ($0), Johns Hopkins ($0) Schools Rejected From: None Schools Waitlisted At: Texas Still Waiting: American, Chicago, Georgetown, George Washington, George Mason Undergraduate institution: Texas State University Undergraduate GPA: 3.81 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.82 Undergraduate Major: Economics GRE Quantitative Score: 670 GRE Verbal Score: 780 GRE AW Score: 5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 0 Years of Work Experience: 10yrs full-time (in Information Technology) Describe Relevant Work Experience: Just began internship for Microfinance non-profit Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Hard to be objective, let's say middle-of-the-road Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Good (3 letters from professors I have some kind of project experience with) Other: Study Abroad to Mexico for a 5-week semester. Only two other international trips (one to Guadalajara, MX and another to Paris, each for one week). 6 semesters of Spanish, though only a rudimentary grasp of the language at this time (if you don't use it, you lose it). An undergraduate thesis on creating an online student resource for Economics. Model OAS experience. That about sums up my application.

Thanks for the reply, flyers. Is working the first year discouraged, or is it fairly feasible assuming you limit yourself to part-time (<20hrs/wk)?