InternationalHopeful

Previous School Research University Previous Degrees and GPAs BA Accounting and Finance, Minor in Italian Studies / 3.5 – Overall; 3.6 – Major GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing) 166/166/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type) 2 years – Accounting Consultant 2 years – Healthcare Mergers & Acquisition Studied Abroad in Italy during undergrad & personal travel in Europe, Africa and South America. Math/Econ Background Initially a math major, so Multi-variable Calculus and Linear Systems are on my transcript. I also tutored Calculus. Foreign Language Background Italian Intended Field of Study in Grad School European Studies; International Finance Long Term Professional Goals Working for OECD or the World Bank influencing international trade policy, specifically in US-Euro relations Schools Applied to & Results UT LBJ – Accepted; JHU SAIS – Accepted; GWU Elliott – Accepted; Georgetown MSFS – Waitlisted Princeton WWS – Rejected Ultimate Decision & Why I’m a Texas resident, so applying to schools in DC was really an effort to see if I could pull a full ride out of my experience. I was accepted at SAIS and GWU. That is good news if you come from a business background and are looking to make a switch. Funding was not near as available as I was hoping. I think my switching career paths is definitely more of a risk, so a large amount of funding didn’t come my way. It could also be my average GPA that pulled me down. All in all, I was very happy to be accepted to the LBJ School and will be matriculating there in the Fall. My total cost will be $12K per year, which is a steal for the degree and connections UT has. Since UT is starting its DC program, I anticipate there will be more and more opportunities to network going forward. Another opportunity that I’ll likely pursue is getting a joint degree with McCombs and walk away with an MBA as well, all in three years. Advice for Future Applicants: Start early, and study hard for the GRE. That exam is not a test of intelligence, it is a test of how well you know the format of the questions. Magoosh was a wonderful program if you’re willing to study on your own. Only apply to schools you’d actually see yourself going to. I wanted to either get full funding at WWS or work in DC if I wasn’t staying in Texas. I did not see myself living anywhere else, so I didn’t apply anywhere else. An application is a lot of effort, so don’t waste your time, your recommenders’ time, or your money on a school that doesn’t fit in your goals. Good luck, make goals and follow through.

You should reach out to Kathryn Knowles, the Associate Director of European and Eurasian Studies. I skyped with her in January and she was pushing for me to transfer from DC to Bologna. I similarly was planning on majoring in European and Eurasian Studies, and was also accepted in DC. She informed me that for European Studies specifically, it would be pretty easy to make that switch. She wasn't clear on whether funding would transfer between the two campuses. I'd reach out to her for more information.

Me as well. 0/3 on the funding. This is going to be a hard decision if Georgetown comes out the same.

I'm not a current student, but I followed up after being notified that I wasn't going to be receiving any aid. I got a thoughtful note from Cathy White explaining how the Fellowships are determined and the limited availability of funds. She also explained that many students attempt to secure graduate research assistantships to help fund their education. She said they aren't available your first semester, as professors would want to know you prior to hiring you for the job. Those positions provide a stipend and fund a portion of tuition. There are other jobs available once you enroll. I think it's safe to say if you established an early rapport with a professor, you might be able to secure funding by your second semester.

I was accepted for ITIP and asked that question directly to the admissions office. The reply was that Fellowship information would be coming out "soon". I think it's safe to assume more people will be getting money and eventually those who will not will be notified. Yet again, "soon" is pretty vague.

Me as well. I think the batches thing sucks, but glad to be in!

I just looked back to last year and they definitely released them all at once. It seems like there are enough of us here that they aren't holding rejections only. But, we will just have to wait and see.

Went to dinner so I would stop checking the page. I was admitted sometime this evening! What a pain, but still no email about funding.

I'm starting to get really nervous. Has anyone been rejected yet? I hope they aren't holding out on rejections and I'm going to keep refreshing all weekend.

Did anyone who was accepted Early Decision get an email yet?

I'm starting to wonder the same thing.

From the SAIS Bologna Admissions Blog: http://saisbolognaadmissions.blogspot.com/2015/03/admission-to-sais-words-to-think-about.html

I'm trying to get pumped up:

Also, MPAff or MGPS?

And now the panic sets in!