Leica

SIS gets 2,200+... that would explain the "smoother and more efficient system" elsewhere

I'd like to contest this statement for the sake of the original poster - plenty of people work at the World Bank with MAs.

I fully recognize my bias , but I wouldn't be as eager to convert you if your interests were in international trade/finance or national security policy or something. Also, keep in mind that $12k for living expenses is a pretty conservative estimate for DC.

Slothrop - Since your interest is ID, I would take the AU offer and not even worry about it. The ID program is exceptionally strong at SIS and they bend over backwards for their students. I haven't seen a single ID student not get a job they wanted (World Bank, NGOs, etc) and they're all obsessively in love with their program. This has been mentioned on this forum before, but I think it may bear repeating - the comparative symbolic "worth" of SAIS/MSFS over Elliot/SIS inside the Beltway is virtually nonexistent for a lot of employers.

No problem I'm not quite sure what the study abroad options are if you go through an external agency... I know SIS used to have a summer program in Italy (last year) and they might be re-running it next summer (this summer they're doing Brussels instead), but you could probably ask an academic adviser to clear that up for you. 1) I know people who have switched, so it's not entirely impossible, but I think each case is evaluated separately. I'd recommend talking to an adviser about that as well. ETA: You could always have development be your related field, so you'd still be able to take 9 (possibly more if there's some overlap) credits of development coursework. 2) Yes, most classes are held between 5:30 and 10:40 pm. There's the occasional 2:10-4:50 class here and there, but some of those offer several sessions to accommodate students who work.

Yes, they would. However, you could still do USFP as an international politics student - you'd take 12 credits of international security coursework and 9 credits of USFP coursework, which is effectively not much of a difference at all, considering some USFP classes (such as those on national security policy/strategy) could be counted as international security classes, essentially meaning you'd have classes that cover both count towards one or the other.

Oh, there's nothing to apologize for, these types of things are hard (impossible?) to pinpoint, so you kind of have to piece together information as you go along. You're welcome!

Congratulations, firefly! As for your questions: 1) I had only really given serious consideration to schools in DC/NYC because I wanted to intern/work throughout the school year, and I ultimately chose SIS specifically because I would be able to study exactly what I wanted to study and set up my degree the way I wanted it set up. Before I applied, I looked at the course requirements/schedules and made a list of classes I was interested in at each school, and SIS ultimately won. I only applied to SIS, actually (talk about all of your eggs being in one basket) because after all of that extensive background research, I didn't really feel I'd be happy or comfortable at any other school. 2) With the way the programs are set up (substantive area + related field + second methods requirement + research paper/thesis/internship), you can pretty much design your degree around anything you want to study from all the fields offered, so if you want to do, say, human rights and development or communication and foreign policy or whatever else, you can do that. Alternatively, you can design your own related field, so it's a really flexible program. 3) Aside from my research-based coursework, I've worked with a group of students on a project under the supervision of an SIS professor, and I've had the opportunity to work one-on-one with another professor on a different project. Both have been great, but there are also opportunities to be an RA (in certain cases, a TA) for professors throughout the school as well. 4) Yes, they are, and all of mine have been great thus far. All of my professors have been really helpful, always willing to engage their students, share insight about their research, provide references and become mentors to their students. If you actually make the effort and reach out to them, they're always willing to provide guidance and support.

I'm a current student at SIS and I would be happy to weigh in on the matter while trying to be as objective as possible. I'm happy with the school and with my program, and (in response to irishpg10's comment) I wouldn't say SIS loses out to the Korbel School in terms of think tank placement at all. In terms of resources, the website doesn't do it justice, really - the career center is great and yes, it's a well-respected name and the job placement within my cohort has been solid. I've had a great experience here, all of my professors have been really eager to help out in any way they can and I've met a lot of people downtown who think very highly of the school (the alumni network is very strong). A definite pro is the ability to design your degree around your exact interests and goals.

AU's alumni network is indeed active and effective, and the career center works pretty hard to make sure students get the most out of it.

If you're interested in a diplomatic career in the UK, why not complete your postgraduate studies there? That would seem to be the logical course of action. A PhD from an American institution wouldn't set you on that track.

I'm not sure whether this is something you'd be interested in, but St. Andrews (UK) has a strong International Security Studies program - http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/intrel/post ... study/iss/. That particular focus is offered as an MLitt, but as a PhD student you'd obviously have direct access to the program as well. The MLitt could be a backup amongst your applications next year. St. Andrews is a good school and seems to have a particular American appeal, so it might be worth looking into.

American SIS for a terminal MA in International Politics. It was the only school I applied to because it was the only school I wanted to go to. I perused all the relevant department websites extensively before narrowing down my choices, and in the end only ended up with one because I fell in love with the department.

Congratulations everyone, I was rooting for you guys! :mrgreen:

Is your country an EU/EEA member? You could always take some time off to work in the industry and reapply next year to schools in the US/UK/Europe. I don't know if you know any other European languages besides English and your native one, but even if not, apply to UK schools - you'd have a decent chance of getting funding AND you'll be allowed to work (I'm guessing, though this would depend on your citizenship, of course).

Oh no, you've been very helpful, thank you so much! I'm sorry for being such a newb, I had no idea what Nellie Mae was! I guess I'm just unnecessarily angsting right now out of pure inertia - now that the wait is over and the decision is finalized, I need something new to worry about. At any rate, thank you very much once again!

I have a question about Sallie Mae, actually (I'm assuming you mean Sallie? ) - I got from their website that there are Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS, Signature Student and Tuition Answer loans. Now, let's assume that in the worst-case scenario, I'll need about... 25k a year for two years. I have good credit (though not much of it) and my mom can be a co-signer (she has excellent credit) if needed. Which of the options is better/cheaper in the long run? I'm assuming it'll probably be entirely paid off by the time I graduate, maybe within 6 months of graduation, so grace periods aren't too important, but prepayment penalties (or the absence thereof) are. Also, if I apply online, what sort of documents should I have on hand? Also, it's my understanding that my school should get back to me with the FAFSA stuff in... May? Or is that something not all schools do?

I'm so glad I'm not the only one! I sent off my acceptance form & a deposit check yesterday and I spent the evening worrying that I might have accidentally checked off "I decline" instead of "I accept" or something... It was delivered today and I'm kind of wondering whether it would be okay to call right now and double-check? Just to make sure everything's okay? They did say to call if I had any questions... hm... This thread made my day, thanks!

I'll take a stab at this, but take my suggestions for what they're worth - definitely not professing to be an expert!

Ah, understandable. I know that SOAS has superb language training programs, by the way, but yes, the cost is an issue, I completely understand. My undergraduate thesis was on francophone Africa, so I briefly considered doing a graduate degree more focused on Africa than anything else, but I chose the MAIP program at SIS because it would give me the flexibility I wanted while still letting me take classes on Africa. The best of both worlds, so to speak. I'm extremely giddy, I can't wait to start!

If you're interested in a terminal MA, American (SIS) has a Comparative & Regional Studies program within which you could focus on Africa as your region - the core classes focus on IR/Int'l Pols/IPE and the rest are up to you, you can mold your focus whichever way you'd like. However, anav is absolutely right - the UK in general is stronger within the focus.

http://community.livejournal.com/applyingtograd

I can send you mine if you'd like, but I'd also recommend posting it on the LJ community applyingtograd - that's where all the SOP gurus hang out I was too shy to post mine over there, but I read over the critique a lot of people received and it helped tremendously.

I filled out my FAFSA about a month and a half ago and my EFC was 0, but that's pretty much all the information I got from them - I got a confirmation email directing me to the finalized EFC and... that's it. I was expecting some sort of huge information packet to arrive on my doorstep (maybe it's on its way?), but I didn't get anything other than that email. I'll bring it up with my finaid department at the admitted students' day, thanks

Oh, thank you! That's very good know, I didn't realize they had a tab system set up...