Santino

Assuming you got full ride + stipend at WWS and little aid at HKS, then I think it is a no brainer in favor of WWS, as WWS is as good as or arguably better than HKS, depending on your preferences. If HKS is offering significant funding, then it becomes a harder decision. HKS does have an advantage in terms of a greater number of course options, including the option to take courses at Harvard's other proffessional schools. The relatively limited course offerings is really the only shortcoming I can see with WWS. WWS has the edge in other areas, such as smaller class sizes and superior career services (from what I hear), and of course the big one being the ability to graduate with zero debt.

Rather than leave this hanging, just wanted to note that the current student mentioned above apologized for being late to respond and ended up providing some really helpful info.

Yeah I totally get that, I'd just almost prefer that if you don't have the time then don't reach out at all--it has been nearly a week now and nothing. Oh well, perhaps she was unexpectedly busy or had something come up.

I received a nice email from a current student asking me if I have any questions about the program, so I sent a polite and enthusiastic reply, and...radio silence. Hmmph.

How much will the difference be financially then for the two years? If not huge, I'd probably be leaning toward SAIS if I were you for the reasons you mention.

Thanks! Yeah WWS was my top choice, so I was floored when I got in. Considering I didn't get much funding from other schools, that acceptance has made what would have been a very difficult decision much, much easier.

I still haven't heard anything about funding, so I assume I didn't get any. Went ahead and declined the offer.

Happily surprised with a decent sized fellowship, but not going to be enough to sway me. Hopefully that $ will go one of your guys' way.

Congrats! Was the funding info in the "digital admit packet" email or something separate?

I've gotten a few additional emails including the official admission, but still no mention of funding anywhere. It is unlikely that I will attend IR/PS at this point, but still just curious if they offered me funding.

Same here! My decision was just made very, very easy!

Agree 100% with Quintilius.

Unless SAIS is just far and away a better fit for you, and it sounds like it isn't, I would go with the money that Fletcher is offering you. $45k is a big disparity.

Also in at DC campus, also with no funding. I'll pass.

I'm in too!!! I am utterly shocked, particularly after I was rejected by HKS.

Anybody actually got the official admission email yet? I'm wondering about funding...

Dinged too. Damn.

Just a few minutes ago.

In with a small fellowship!

Thanks! Mine was for Comparative & Regional Studies. Congrats IR! The bottom of your letter should have instructions on how to view your financial aid.

I got the same email. It is not my top choice, but I hear good things about the school and it seems it would fit my focus quite well, so I'm intrigued. Will be even more so if they offer some funding...

I was rejected. Oh well, I actually got the sense when writing my SOP that it Goldman probably isn't the best fit for me, and that probably shone through a bit. Still stinks not to have the option though!

I got an email about an hour ago--accepted! But looks like no funding...pfft

I'm also curious if the same people that review admissions applications also review the fellowship applications. Anyone have any insight into that?

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead, but this fellowship application is due today and I was planning on sitting down this evening and grinding out essays for it, but I see on the application that it asks whether you believe in a "supreme being." For an atheist like me, who would answer "no" to such a question, will they simply toss the application? Given my understanding of the freemasons, that seems a real possibility. I don't know why they'd ask it if it wasn't important to them in determining who gets the fellowships, which kind of sucks, but I'm not going to misrepresent myself.