flyers29

Quant courses are required for a couple of the programs. More a "it's there if you want it, but you don't need to take it" sort of thing.

I can't speak to Duke specifically, but just wanted to address this one point in general. Classroom approaches in undergrad and grad-level classes are very different, so I don't think having the same professors again would be repetitive (not to mention they may teach courses that were very different from what was taught in undergrad). As for your greater question, I don't think it's a problem to have bachelor's and master's degrees from the same place, especially at a very well regarded university like Duke (my fellow-ACC member, large state school alma mater on the other hand...)

Actually Korbel's regional focus is more so on the Middle East/South Asia than anything (we also have courses on Middle East security and terrorism)--so you'd be a great fit in that respect. We only have a couple of developed study abroad programs through Korbel (which is ironic, because DU as a whole has a great study abroad program that sees something like 70% of undergrads studying abroad during their time here), but there's always the possibility of putting something together on your own. Otherwise, I don't really know anything about Maxwell--looks like it's cheaper, but Syracuse is also REALLY frickin cold.

Surprised it took 11 posts till someone replied with this...

I've been told that if you tell them you spoke a second language at home they take your word for it and wave the requirement (obviously, you shouldn't be embellishing this fact). Secondly, while you do have to pay tuition for extra language classes, you can take them through University College (which charges less for tuition)...something like only $200 above what you pay for the semester under the 12-18 credits range.

This is true.

Right--can't really look up the words you don't know. So you're at a disadvantage in that respect.

Agreed on the money. Otherwise, I'd say Fletcher is better between the two. /current student at Korbel

It's just like the sample exam. It's 2 hours and they let you use a dictionary and verb book. No oral component. Not a bad deal unless you're taking it in Arabic or an Asian language.

Work-study is certainly encouraged, though DU limits you to 20/hours a week (except during holiday breaks where you can work up to the full time load of 37.5).

I've heard of them paying you while you go full time, though you owe them a few years in return. It's agency-dependent.

Unfortunately there's not a lot of help outside of those scholarships (if you're eligible, I wasn't). 2 avenues I can recommend: 1) Work study, which gets you $5000 a year (you can also apply for an extension when your funding runs out, don't know how often it gets granted as I didn't do it). 2) Take 18 hours (instead of the usual 15) and you get out a quarter early, saving about $12k total. Also, Denver's mayor has some campaign to eliminate homelessness over the next decade, so don't know how well you'll be able to panhandle.

They have a reputation of being more "applied" than other programs, hence some of the more obvious factors don't quite translate to their reputation in academia.

Yes, two completely different things. And the payscale will depend on the individual state.

I'd say just wait for official word one way or the other.

I meant as in 50/50. Your scores are around the median, no? Admissions work in mysterious ways. Don't let yourself be driven crazy over it.

Seconded. I'd say you should be fine with all of them...SFS and Columbia could go either way, though I'd still feel comfortable with those stats.

I know people who went this route. They seemed to like it. The only thing that might be a PITA is how classes work, given that the law school is on a semester system whereas the rest of DU (including Korbel) is on the quarter system. I was originally under the impression that you did a year at Korbel then did the law curriculum, but it seemed like it was more mixed to me after talking to some people...

Firstly, I'd check out the Government Affairs forum since this topic has been discussed some there. However, I'm in a similar position as you--getting a master's right now from an IR policy school and thinking of doing a PhD a few years down the road. Honestly, the PhD isn't going to be a huge leg up for you career-wise...I think it's just good to do if you're truly interested in being an "expert" in addition to being a policymaker. Not to mention I'd like to jump in between policy and research institutions if I could, but we'll see how that goes. Good luck.

I think the FSU poli sci department was spared though. Just looking at the faculty list, only one of the IR/CP faculty has moved since I finished undergrad in '08, and he did so on his own.

True, but Florida's poli sci department is still about 50% larger than FSU's for some reason.

Congrats! I'm actually surprised how generous FSU's offer is, the university is having pretty bad budgetary problems (though who isn't, lol).

Again, I'm just speaking from the perspective of someone who is a little bit familiar with how the first few years of an FSO's career are (i.e. 3-5 years out of country at a stretch). YMMV. All I'm saying is that if you're going to plan something like this you have to consider the worst-case scenario (such as if it's somewhere he can't move to, the difficulties and sometimes virtual impossibility of moving around with an FSO as your SO without being married to them, etc). But I'm pretty sure Gopher knows this, nor am I going to continue to belabor the point as it's straying away from the original point of the thread.

Might want to re-check that figure, could very well change your opinion.

Yeah, I think the RA thing is going to be tough to pull. There's just not a lot of them as Aunuwyn said. You could potentially apply for one going into your second year (I know they sent out emails last year saying there were some available for this year), and I think they give 10 credits of tuition remission for the quarter. And I don't think international students are eligible for work-study (which is done through FAFSA) unless they're already a permanent resident in the US. I'd suggest that derekwang try and get in touch with DU's International Admissions.