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I guess then that our acceptance emails would have indicated if we need to take any summer prep courses. I'm happy not to do it as what I can only assume would be a summer tuition fee. My econ skills are lacking, but did complete an introductory course in undergrad and applied to IR grad programs because they emphasize and cultivate such a skill set (which I need!) I see a few others here are familiar with the SD area/are from around that area. Could anyone shed some light on housing? La Jolla seems expensive, and grad housing has long waitlists. I wouldn't mind being a bit socially removed from the campus anyway. Are there any good neighborhoods distinct from the UCSD area while also being within a short drive/biking distance?

Got the official admit letter last week, exciting! But I'm wondering, how does one verify if they need to complete summer prep? I didn't see anything about that in my online application, acceptance emails from IR/PS nor the wider Graduate Division acceptance emails, etc. but maybe I'm Not looking in the right place?

^i have a similar question. My understanding is that the first year is pretty Econ/quant/general degree requirements heavy, and students don't really sink their teeth into their selected concentrations and regional focuses until the second year. No doubt a given MPIA student's desired concentration may evolve or change during the first year of study, so I'm thinking maybe switching away from the concentration applicants initially indicate isn't a big deal? What concentrations are you guys thinking of doing? I'm waiting to hear on other programs, but I'm very excited to have been admitted to IR/PS. I really like their curricular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific region and relative affordability. Sunshine and golden coasts are great too. That said, I do worry about being away from more dynamic IR job markets like DC, NYC, etc. I guess career services works hard to help students out, and my impression is that IR/PS graduates do pretty well after graduation anyway.

Thanks outofspace, randomgal for the insight. I'm really excited by the idea of being "in" somewhere (this is the first kind of admissions notification I've received from the schools to which I've applied), and from what I've seen from other posters such nomination tends to imply admission. Still, the lack of full clarity is tense!

I got an email from UCSD IRPS asking me to check the message center on my online application, where I discovered I have been "nominated for admission" and that an "official admissions notification" will be sent by the UC graduate division in the coming days. I'm not sure how to feel..Does this mean I am admitted? Or is there still a chance that nomination could be overturned? Not sure if I can be celebrating admission yet or still be waiting! Has anyone else applied to UCSD and received a similar email? Or do other schools have a process such as this? What has everyone's experience been with this kind of "nomination" notification?

For the analytic essay component of the SAIS MA application, do you think it's alright for applicants to adapt writing samples they've written previously? I only ask because I've adapted a draft of a blog post I wrote recently for work, and that blog post is now published. My resume alludes to some of my online publications, though not this writing specifically. I'm just concerned that maybe the adcom would look into the blogged publications when reading my resume/reviewing my app in general, and they may find that one particular blog post is similar to the analytic essay I submit.

Thanks for your reply, fuzzylogician. Right, I get the sense that he's not necessarily up for writing the letter. He says he'd be happy to write a strong letter, but then offers the aforementioned considerations. It's difficult to read his tone. I'm confident that if I asked politely, he would submit a strong letter, but to the extent he's feels less confident about it or is busy with other things, then I also don't want to push him. It's just tough because he's been happy to serve as a reference and recommender in the past when applying for fellowships or jobs etc. Coming from a small LAC on the west coast with a liberal arts degree in regional studies and applying to big-name IA schools mostly on the east coast leaves me feeling that any academic/UG recommendation I submit from my UG career won't really be well known to adcoms in any case. I can definitely think of a few other professors who would be happy to write a letter, but they similarly would not be proximate to my intended field of study. I'd like to maybe try to politely inform the desired recommender that I think there wouldn't be any issues with him writing the letter, but that if he is busy or timing is short or he doesn't feel confident writing it, then I'd completely understand. At that point I would follow up with other professors. I'm just concerned as deadlines are within the 6-8 week from now range, so timing is getting tight.

Thanks for your reply, fuzzylogician. Right, I get the sense that he's not necessarily up for writing the letter. He says he'd be happy to write a strong letter, but then offers the aforementioned considerations. It's difficult to read his tone. I'm confident that if I asked politely, he would submit a strong letter, but to the extent he's feels less confident about it or is busy with other things, then I also don't want to push him. It's just tough because he's been happy to serve as a reference and recommender in the past when applying for fellowships or jobs etc. Coming from a small LAC on the west coast with a liberal arts degree in regional studies and applying to big-name IA schools mostly on the east coast leaves me feeling that any academic/UG recommendation I submit from my UG career won't really be well known to adcoms in any case. I can definitely think of a few other professors who would be happy to write a letter, but they similarly would not be proximate to my intended field of study. I'd like to maybe try to politely inform the desired recommender that I think there wouldn't be any issues with him writing the letter, but that if he is busy or timing is short or he doesn't feel confident writing it, then I'd completely understand. At that point I would follow up with other professors. I'm just concerned as deadlines are within the 6-8 week from now range, so timing is getting tight.

I reached out to my old undergraduate thesis adviser a couple weeks ago to verify if he had time and interest in writing a recommendation letter for me and grad apps. I hadn't heard back and thus followed up yesterday to see if this was something he could help me out with. He apologized for the delayed reply as he's working on a book, and also alerted me to the following: -he's now retired, having left my UG institution one year after I graduated and then taught at another institution for a year before retiring to focus on writing. He wonders if he's the best person to write this letter then as he is currently without a teaching post. -my undergraduate major from a liberal arts school is different from my intended graduate study (UG: asian studies, grad: intl development) and this professor is much more of an Asian studies kind of guy. As he's thus not close to my intended field of study, he again wonders if he's the best person to write this letter. My logic is that I won't be able to find a professor who is close to my intended field of study anyway. I thought the goal was just to identify someone who could speak to your academic ability as a student, in which case I can't think of anyone else to ask, as this guy worked closely with my on my thesis and I did well on the project. As for his not having a teaching post currently, does this matter that much? I can see how his concerns could be more relevant to doctorate degree applications and/or more "academic" style MAs, but I'm applying to more professional style programs in IR, and my guess is that these programs want to get a sense of academic ability more generally? Any quick insight would me much appreciated, as I otherwise need to identify an alternative professor for recommendations. Other recs are good to go.

I've read that some programs will look at all of your GRE scores and select the best scores from each individual sitting. For example, maybe in one sitting you had a high verbal and low quant, and in another high quant but low verbal, but programs will select the best score from each sitting in assessing your overall GRE score. Is this generally the case? What do we call this kind of approach? "Selective score evaluation?"

Hi lsaiki87, Thanks for your reply to my other thread. I'm very interested in studying IDEV at SAIS and wonder if I could pick your brain a bit: -international economics is a salient component of studying international development, and is of particular importance to the wider SAIS MA curriculum. However, I'd imagine it shouldn't be the only part of worthwhile masters level investigation of international development studies. In your understanding, is the IDEV concentraiton at SAIS especially heavy on economic training? What about classes in grant writing, m&e, csr, etc? It's difficult for me to get a comprehensive view of SAIS IDEV curriculum from the website. -In particular, does SAIS IDEV offer any classes that explore the role of microfinance in sustainable development? -What made you select SAIS and its international development program relative to other schools you were accepted to? -what do you plan to do with your SAIS degree? How do you think SAIS is best armed to take you there?

Schools: Looking to concentrate in international development related programs offered at: JHU-SAIS MA, SIPA MIA, UCSD IRPS MPIA (I welcome additional suggestions) Undergraduate institution: top 60 small liberal arts college Major: East Asian Studies GPA: 3.0 (3.5 major) GRE: 161 verbal; 150 quant; 5.0 writing (am retaking to boost math score) Years out of undergrad: Will have 3 years out of undergrad work experience by matriculation Work experience: diverse, have lived in China for 3 years since finishing undergrad. Taught for two years at a university on a fellowship program while also serving as a research assistant to a partly Chinese govt funded think tank the first year, and a foreign affairs think tank (headquarted in DC, a well-known org) the second year. Currently work as a project manager for a microfinance advisory NGO. In these experiences, I've conducted research and managed projects pertaining to a range of pressing development issues (urbanization, environmental advocacy, climate change, and recently financial inclusion and women's empowerment). Language skills: Mandarin Chinese (professional proficiency), Spanish (professional proficiency), Japanese (advanced proficiency) Quantitative skills: Not much in the way of classroom experience, only took Econ 101 in college. However, have plenty of "real-world" quantitative experience, designing and managing budgets for projects, some light microfinance consulting, etc. LOR: Not really a concern (and also out of the control of any applicant, really). I have two previous supervisors and a former thesis advisor who are all happy to write these. SOP: If there's anything I can do well, I'd like to think it's writing. I'm confident I can write a solid SOP for each program. Concerns: Frankly, in reviewing the posts of others on this thread, I don't find myself to be numerically up to par with other applicants (i.e. GPA woes). I also do not have much of a formal economics background, which most IR programs favor. This all makes me lose hope a little bit. With all of that said, however, I believe my work experience is quite dynamic, and I've worked in fields of increasing relevance to development professionals. I also recently have gained a lot of "field" experience in managing a particular project, and am developing the skills necessary for a career in development (grant writing, m&e, budget design, project management). I'd like to identify a few other schools to apply to, but at the same time, I don't want to be stuck writing a dozen distinct applications while also managing my professional life. I also believe grad school is only worth it if you go to the right school in the right place. DC and NY offer obvious professional benefits given their locations, and are proximate to the kinds of organizations I'd like to work for. San Diego is less so, but their curriculum directs particular focus to the Asia-Pacific region, an area where I have both interest and extensive professional and linguistic experience. It helps that UCSD is cheaper and closer to home as well. So. Am I dreaming here? I would be floored if I could get into SAIS. It is precisely their economics focus that I need to progress in my career. I've had friends and colleagues attend their IDEV program as well, and it sounds like a great program. Does anyone know though why IDEV feels distinctly more competitive than the other concentrations at SAIS? Thanks!

1.) The website offers plenty of information, but in your opinion as a current student, how does the MPA differ from the MIA? 2.) I see you were accepted at SAIS, Georgetown SFS, and Columbia SIPA. These are all pretty fantastic programs (kudos and congratulations, btw!) What led you to choose SIPA over the other schools? 3.) What was your profile like as an applicant (GRE, GPA, work experience, etc., if this is too invasive a question, then don't feel compelled to answer.) 4.) How is the Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy concentration? It, along with the Economic and Political Development concentration, seem to form the "development studies" options available to MIA students. I gather you're doing the MPA program, but from what you understand, how does Columbia's study of this field differ from SAIS vs Georgetown vs elsewhere etc? 5.) What is your least favorite thing about the program? Put another way, what is one thing you wish you knew about the program before enrolling full time? Thanks!

Hey all I’ve been browsing these forums for a while, and am struck by a neat community of motivated individuals all discussing applying to and attended grad school. I wanted to join that conversation, and hopefully gather insight from people. I’m wondering if some folks could help me clarify my search for the right program and also assess the likelihood of my acceptance to some more “top-notch” programs. I’d like to maintain a degree of anonymity, but for some background: I have been living in China for three years working in the non-profit sector. I’ve worked for grassroots, national (one that was partly govt funded), and international NGOs (some based in DC), working mostly on issues related to environmental advocacy and climate change mitigation. This past year I’ve changed gears a little bit and currently work for a microfinance NGO, working on issues ranging from financial inclusion to women’s empowerment. While admittedly a bit all over the place, I believe my work experience if assessed collectively demonstrates a professional interest in a career in international development. While I’ve had some positions in which fellow colleagues already have masters degrees, thereby not necessitating on my part the need for advanced study, I’ve also met peers working on projects I’d like to participate in. And the majority of those particular peers have indeed pursued advanced study, usually in things like public policy or development. I believe my experience is rich and diverse, but advanced study would enable to “connect the dots” between different topics in development and navigate sustainable solutions to those multifaceted topics. I’m applying this Fall for enrollment next year in a IR program with a development concentration, but I’m having trouble expanding my scope beyond two schools: JHU SAIS and UCSD IRPS. Friends, former colleagues and peers have attended SAIS for the development concentration, and the program sounds fantastic. It’s also in a good location for career mobilization, and I appreciate the quantitative and economic focus (essential to development work, and something I need to improve to realize professional goals). UCSD would be a bit closer to home, and less expensive, and their program delivers particular focus to the Asia-Pacific region, which is of interest to me. Part of me believes the logic of having reach, match, and safety applications may not be so salient when it comes to grad apps. Only specific programs match my interest, and have the resources and reputation necessary to secure a career with a worthwhile employer/organization. While I probably should include a couple other schools, I haven’t found any as resonant as the above two, and I also don’t want to be stuck writing a ton of applications while also tending to work responsibilities. Ideally, I’d like to be in DC or NY (near interesting organizations). SIPA comes to mind for NY, but I've heard mixed things and don't know too much about their development concentration. Question 1: What other programs should I be considering? Keep in mind I’ve exhausted the APSIA site and have already done a lot of homework on worthwhile IR programs, but finding good IR programs with strong international development concentrations is difficult. Question 2: I’m especially drawn to SAIS. It would be a dream to attend. The issue: my undergraduate GPA is a 3.0 (less competitive, wasn’t too focused freshman year, had some extenuating issues one junior semester). Major GPA is closer to 3.5 though. My GRE verbal and writing are around the 90th percentiles, while math is 60th percentile…Re-taking this Fall to improve math. Would these numbers significantly decrease my chances? I’m confident I could write a strong personal statement and get some good recommendations. Question 3: On the subject of personal statements, would any current grad students or alumni (especially those from SAIS!) be willing to read and offer feedback? Thanks for reading!