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Hahaha most def! I know only one person in England, and he doesn't live in London, so I'll be in the same boat. Tho I'm not 100% firm just yet b/c I need to figure out my finances and gain sage advice from friends/family, it looks like LSE will very likely be my choice.... And I should def look into compiling a list of potential internships opps in London... I heard Rosetta Stone is good, but no matter how good it is, I don't think it'll beat an actual classroom setting. I wonder if taught master students can take language courses on the side while studying. I'm it's poss, esp if the class is only audited.

I did. The program I applied to at LSE didn't require GRE, and it wasn't one of the programs that specified that they'll "consider" it if I submitted it (there are couple programs that don't require it but say they would consider it, if submitted) But it looks like they did take it into account anyways, since in the unconditional offer letter, they told me to send an official copy of my GRE score report. Studying for the GRE is a pretty tedious process, but it's really a SAT upgrade so there's no additional skills required to score well on the GRE, just a lot of sit-down hours preping for the test. I self-studied intensively with this book for about three weeks, just going through a mountain of practice questions and going over the ones I got wrong, and I was able to score slightly above the average of other IR applicants. My last suggestions would be to look for sources of external funding very early on. Schools may or may not offer funding, and it's most likely they won't offer you a substantial sum esp if u don't have a long list of noticeable work exp. And also do an internship that's as directly related to ur preferred field of employment as poss, if you can. Lastly, really think hard whether you want to do a masters before u figure out what u really want to by working for one or two years... In honesty, I kinda rushed into applying for a masters, and I really should have thought longer whether I wanted to commit to this firmly beforehand.

I'm in a pretty similar situation as well. I got into Columbia GSAPP, LSE, GWU, IHEID Geneva and New School Milano. New School I'm ruling out b/c they only offered me partial funding, and the program's reputation is not that great and student feedback seems mixed. It's coming down to choosing btw Columbia, LSE, GWU and IHEID. Just like you have reservations about SAIS, I'm also wary of some negative aspects of Columbia GSAPP, despite its prestige. Elliott seems great to me as well, tho I feel like it's a bit too general for my career goals. It's def a very professional program, but I know that their community is great, and judging from all these invites to open house and meet the almuni sessions and their pretty transparent employment data seem to show that they actually do care about their students and care about whether they're equipped succeed after graduation or not. And just talking to couple of their students and researching about the school gives me the impression that it is very well functioning, well maintained school. Idk in which subject you intend to do ur PhD, but whether you go to SAIS or GWU, you'll have trouble getting advanced standing in a traditional PhD program (i.e. poli sci, sociology, and etc), b/c it's considered a policy degree not an academic degree like terminal masters offered by such departments. They'll likely to ask you to repeat at least some part of the master level study before they let you go on to do a PhD. I'm sure GWU will let you do a dissertation, but prob not in lieu of a capstone project. Having an academic work is obv very important for applying for a PhD. And just b/c you went to GWU doesn't mean you'll be at massive disadvantage in ur PhD application. Research plan, LORs, SOP, and past academic work are much more important than simple "reputation" of your school, and GWU is obv a good enough school. In terms of reputation outside of academia, SAIS is better than GWU, but betting on reputation alone will be dangerous. I've been able to interact with many SAIS students last year due to my DC internship, and many have said they have friends who are still looking for gainful employment after graduation (some also complained about quant and econ courses taking up nearly half of curriculm in some cases) Whether reputation will make or break your chances of getting hired will most likely depend on specific employer's perception of each program. Reputation is important but it shouldn't be everything. Also, you should know that SAIS outside of DC is not as widely recognized as it is in DC For me, LSE is looking like the best bet. It's short, and that could be problematic, but it also makes my life easier if and when i apply for a PhD. And b/c it's short if I wanted to pursue further masters level studies, like do a 1 year degree or get a certificate etc while i work, it'd be better if i spent one yr in a masters program than two. It also gets shit sometimes for using its masters students like cash cows. Big classes, nonexistent student support etc. It's in London, which is good a city as NYC or DC in my opinion to gain internship and part time WE. It has a superb academic reputation in addition to having prestige (tho that's not my biggest concern). It's cheaper than all US schools, esp. Columbia which was my first choice but cost about 52k a year just in tuition. GWU is actually quite a bit cheaper than SAIS or Columbia, so that may be a factor for you, tho I don't think that should be the determining factor

Hahahahahahahaha. Indeed, you have end of the March til September 1, so actually have a very long time for a 10,000 word thesis. Unless I do extensive fieldwork for my thesis (which I don't), that's honestly way too long. Better use that time like an internship practicum or something like that... Hopefully I can get an intern position during the regular term as well and come out of the program having done at least two or ideally three internship, before I come back to the states or try to look for a temporary gig in London... It seems that I'm getting more and more drawn to LSE......

Indeed......that's disappointing, but LSE has enough good modules that it won't be the end of the world I suppose... BTW if you don't mind me asking one more question (it's really hard to find concrete info on this matter), it's my understanding is that taught masters (Msc) are divided into three terms, Fall, Spring and Summer. And you take classes during Fall and Spring, and you DON'T take classes during the summer and work on your thesis/dissertation. Am I getting this right? Cuz if that's the case, the program seems to be really short, esp. in the case of LSE which begins in beginning of October and end in late March of the following year.

Congrats? Hahaha Idk what to say after all this indecisiveness from them. Whichever you choose you'll end up in a top UK uni! As for me, it's still between Columbia, LSE and IHEID, but LSE seems more likely by the minute.... It's a financially possible option, it's a world class university, the program is specific enough for my future career, it's in London, it's a degree that would make my life easier when I apply for PhD eventually, it's one year, giving me post-graduation options more than being tied down for 2 yrs...( though that could be a con for many ppl) Columbia just seems like too much of gamble.... 2 years and 100k (give or take couple scholarships and RA gigs) IHEID, I would feel really bad turning down if I do..... It's just such a good program and so affordable......

Yea that's f***ed up.... So is it gonna be between UCL and KCL for you? Also, I heard that you could switch your program once you get in, with permission from the department heard or something. Does that apply to you at all?

@unagi Although I'm in no position to offer advice really, I'll try to give my two cent just based on my exp in this admissions cycle... Overall I think you're in a fantastic position. You hit most of the spots for things schools look in applicants, and more importantly recent grads. You got a good GPA, good quant background (since econ major), overseas exp, proficiency in multiple foreign languages, proven independent research ability, etc. As long as you do well on your GRE, I think you have a good chance w all of your schools, esp w LSE, SOAS, and IHEID since they seem to pick recent grads as well as more exp applicants. SAIS and Georgetown put more importance on work experience, and esp Georgetown is immensely competitive. SAIS requires and looks favorably on a lot of quant work (calc, stat, macro/microecon). I'm not sure which program you'll be applying to, but SAIS as you may know is very very quant heavy. Its IDEV curriculum for example is more than econ, PE, and quant method classes. In terms of alumni network, SAIS and GT are both well-respected and well-represented in DC policy circles, tho GT is usually seen to have quite a bit more prestige. It may be b/c its signature MSFS program is meant to be like an "elite" training program for diplomats and such. I can't tell you much about LSE and SOAS and IHEID b/c I have no direct exp interacting ppl from there (except that SOAS is respected in IDEV circles in the UK and IOs and is usually considered left"ish" and having a lot of left leaning professors). And LSE and SOAS will be tad easier to get in b/c international students usually have to pay a lot more tuition.

WOW that's really deceptive of them But if they're offering you to choose a less quant-heavy course, that means you'll have a very high chance of getting admitted to that tho, right?

I'm not sure yet! I'm giving equal merit to IHEID, Columbia and LSE, for various reasons (reputation, employability, cost, location, length of the program, etc) I'm gonna ask around more and email ppl and try to figure out what to do in about three weeks.... BTW does anyone know if you're allowed to cross-register between UoL universities (like LSE students taking classes in UCL, SOAS, etc and vice versa)

OMFG!!!! I GOT INTO LSE!!!!!!!! SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------------- For future applicants' reference, my application was sent on and became complete on January 29, 2014, and I received my decision on March 26, 2014 (so approximately 8 weeks) The decision was posted on LSE for You (the admissions module), and I haven't received an email from them yet. The letter I got on LSE for You looked like this:

Man I'm doing that right now. I applied to a very small dept with not that many applicants too Congrats again tho!!

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So will u be attending UCL?? And also: Do you mind if I ask you how long it took, total? Did you see your decision on Portico or via email??

Hi guys, I just got accepted to GSAPP's MSUP program, and I was wondering if there are any GSAPP students or alums out there that can give me an insider look into the program. I got couple questions: 1) Are all funding need-based? And what are ppl's chance at landing RA or TA positions? 2) I like the IDEV focus of GSAPP very much. How are the faculty? Do you think it's robust enough, with sufficient number of faculty members (I heard the UP faculty is a bit small) 3) Is career service really that bad at GSAPP?? 4) Overall do you recommend the program? What are the good/bad you can think off the top of your head? Thanks in advance!

Ah, thestudentroom..... Their discontent towards foreign students is quite palpable and disturbing....haha Can't blame them tho honestly.... Many of my Irish and British friends gave the middle finger to UK unis and decided to do their masters in the Netherlands, Belgium or Germany, etc, where tuition is either nonexistent or extremely low, precisely b/c UK unis are a bit too much eager to attract cash cow non-EU tuition students.....

Word. They said 6 weeks. And it's okay if they take a little longer like 8 weeks, but I'm already on my 9th week and they haven't even looked at my app? I can't escape the feeling that, even if i get in, maybe i'm just a cash cow.

Damn, so sorry to hear...... SFS is indeed insanely competitive........ Def stick around, and I second @mych. Def let us know if there's anyway we can be of help in the future! Well, I guess that means I can say, screw UCL. I submitted my app and all my references mid/late January, and they confirmed through Portico that they received all materials. It's been over 9 weeks, and now they tell me, uh, they haven't even started looking into my app? F***ing unbelievable, these ppl. (sorry for the profanity.... just so frustrating) EDIT: It looks like I actually received an identical email confirming that my references have been received right after I submitted my app. Now they send it to me again. WT* is going!!!!!!!!

Hey guys, I just received an email from UCL saying: "We are pleased to be able to inform you that both of your references have been submitted for your application to UCL. These will be attached to your application then forwarded to the relevant selector for consideration. Please note that it may take up to 12 hours for this to be reflected in the applicant portal." WTF? According to Portico, my references had been received since end of January....Why are they telling me this now!!!!!!!!!!!!! (RAGE) This better be a sign that the department's reviewing my app....

Almost there, guys!! D: the last stretch...................................................D:

I got accepted into GWU as well... Looking at their employment data for alums, it seems to be a pretty well-performing masters program, w/ almost 90% of grads getting some form of employment, post-grad. Also, the alumni network is vast, and their presence in DC is very prominent. If you want to work in DC, you def won't have problems of ppl not recognizing/respecting you But the size of the program also means you're not "unique" in the sense that there're many others with a same degree as you. And esp in DC, there's gonna be a lot of Elliott grads you'll have to go up against. SAIS grads have this same problem as well... You also have to worry about ppl not recognizing how good GWU Elliott is outside of DC... It certainly doesn't have the same brand recognition as Georgetown and SFS.

Hang in there a bit more! Hopefully good news will come!! Damn, mine hasn't even gotten beyond the "assessing" phase...... the wait.....

I wish that were true..... As for GT's reputation, in DC, GT is respected A LOT. GT as a university is a fairly well-known institution even abroad, and I doubt any person who has the authority and power to shape your career prospects will not appreciate the academic reputation of GT (unless you go way out of your intended field) Also, DC is cheaper in terms of housing on the surface, but it's still a hellhole for ppl trying to find a decent enough housing w/o being robbed blind. It occupies a relatively small geographical area, so unless you want to live way out in NoVa or Silver Spring and commute (which is hell), housing is not much cheaper (esp if you want to live in an area that's fun) Plus the sales tax in DC is over the top, and everything in general is so expensive. As for SIPA being impersonal b/c it's so big, I think I read in some other post that, according to a SIPA student, it's still a nice community of like-minded ppl.

By being "assessed", do you mean you're getting this message from Portico?: Your references have been received and your application is being assessed. We may need to contact you by email if we require further information about your application. You should receive a response approximately six weeks after the application became complete.

On Portico it says 6 weeks, but I highly doubt that. I've seen on this forum ppl waiting up to 8-9 weeks for their results. Hopefully it'll be less than that tho.... I submitted my app and it became complete about 7 weeks ago... still no word..... Urgh... the wait continues... For me it looks like funding from the schools is out of the question....except for may be GWU I was so happy when I got into Columbia for MSc Urban Planning (IDEV concentration), but no funding the first years at least (I can apparently get up to 13k by working as a TA or a RA, which I'm interested in doing... but it's an if, not a definite). This makes IHEID look really viable, despite the lower name recognition in the states.... Not yet,,,, I really don't know what to do between the US schools and IHEID I'm hoping I could get into LSE or UCL and that could be a viable middle ground.... but that's still up in the air....fingers crossed

Just hang in there a bit longer! I'm still waiting to hear from LSE and UCL.... I'll keep you company Did you end up applying to KCL?