IRgrad2012

Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/think-tanked/post/vali-nasr-middle-east-expert-becomes-new-sais-dean/2012/03/27/gIQAPboMeS_blog.html The Johns Hopkins University’s Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) has announced that Middle East expert Vali Nasr has been appointed dean of the school. Nasr, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, has been a professor of international politics at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. “The nature and focus of education in international affairs are changing as global challenges require innovative approaches, greater attention to technology and addressing new demands in the job market,” said Nasr in a released statement, adding, “SAIS has a very important leadership role to play in shaping the future of education in international affairs.” Nasr has served Republican and Democratic administrations, including as a member of the U.S. State Department’s Foreign Policy Advisory Board. For two years he served as special adviser to Richard Holbrooke, who was then the president’s special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. “Vali Nasr is a distinguished scholar and teacher, an adept policy analyst and adviser, a highly regarded public intellectual and an accomplished administrator,” said Ronald J. Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins, who recommended the appointment to the executive committee of the university’s board of trustees. SAIS was founded in Washington, D.C., in 1943 to prepare students to take on major roles in foreign affairs in the postwar world. Nasr has advised or briefed presidents and vice presidents, cabinet secretaries, congressional committees, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other military leaders. Nasr succeeds Jessica P. Einhorn, who is retiring after a decade as dean. Before Einhorn, Paul Wolfowitz served as dean from 1994 to 2001, when he became Deputy Secretary of Defense under Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Nasr will begin his new post July 1.

Sorry, this doesn't answer you questions, but I noticed that you were admitted to Fletcher as well. Is that still in the mix, or are you trying to decide between Georgetown and SAIS?

First off, congratulations to all on the great outcomes I've seen on the board over the past few weeks. Since Admit Days are coming up, I thought we could collectively brainstorm some "must-ask questions" - including those to ask to both admissions departments and current students. Also, for anyone who has been through the admit days already, any tips or advice? A few admit day questions to start: (Asked to a current student) What is your usual schedule? Describe your day. What is the student-professor ratio? How accessible are facility outside of class? How difficult is it to get face time? How would you describe the student-faculty relationship? What is one thing about X school you wish you knew before you arrived? How easy is it to get funding for extracurricular activities? (E.g., are resources available to start a club, put together a dinner with a guest speaker, attend a conference?) (Asked to a current student) Where do you think X school could improve? What has been the most frustrating thing for you while at X school? (If applicable) Can you describe the RA/TA positions available? How do students pursue these opportunities? Are they competitive? Describe some of the weekend adventures/trips that students go on together. What fields/topics/concentrations are perceived as "strong" or "weak" within the school? What would you say the most popular class at X school is? Do you have any difficulty in registering for a class? Is class registration competitive? Since you have been here, has a class ever been canceled/not offered for lack of enrollment or lack of faculty? (If applicable) What are some examples of research that current students are working on? Are students competitive with each other? How much do grades matter? (Asked to a current student) What event at X school has been your favorite so far? Who was the best guest speaker at X school this past year? (If applicable) How difficult is it to find housing? Where do most students live? Average rents?

Thanks for the updates! Very helpful! Good luck everyone!!