crisisdiplomacy

The loans will be worth it. It's the #1 IR program and difficult to get into. The location and opportunities are unbeatable. I'd say go for it.

This is a better link for rankings: http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/03/top-twenty-five-schools-international-relations/ Not sure if international policy is what you're interested in, but nonetheless a variety of schools on this list offer MPA/MPP programs that are highly regarded in the public sector. This is a good link for comparisons on top programs: http://portal.publicpolicy.utoronto.ca/en/MPPMPAPrograms/Pages/index.aspx Of course you'll wanna look at the top dogs - HKS, Cornell, Princeton, Michigan, Columbia etc. Syracuse/Maxwell program is pretty good as well. If you're looking to go back to India after graduation a big name will obviously be good. In the U.S. you also really can't go wrong with a top school / Ivy League. It all of course, depends on your career goals, where you want to live etc. Hope that helps!

I don't think so. I've tried looking and haven't found any for incoming F 2015 / class of 2017. One should definitely be created though!

SAIS seems to have very good job placement rates. I spoke with a current student recently who told me that they send out employment surveys, where students write the most desirable firms/organizations they want to work fore and SAIS Career Services brings in recruiters from those firms to speak or hold workshops at SAIS. Again, this is just what I've heard. I'm starting at SAIS in the fall so I don't know for sure. Additionally, it depends on what you want to do. According to the charts SAIS places a significant portion of graduates into private sector jobs, and many in World Bank/IMF. I'd recommend checking out this link: http://www.sais-jhu.edu/sites/default/files/SAIS_EOR-2014-Final.pdf

Makes sense -- thanks for letting me know!

Has anyone that submitted their deposit to SAIS received any post-acceptance info yet? I submitted my deposit 3 weeks ago and I've heard nothing, and I'm getting kind of antsy!

It was the fact that they had such a versatile curriculum that didn't only focus on theory but actually is practical and applicable. the ILAW concentration seems like it offers a lot of interesting courses and opportunities, and I like that, you get to take ILAW courses plus courses in a few other areas as well. But I also like the strong economic and quantitative component the program provides, which I believe is extremely important and can open a lot of doors. That's just my reasoning! Plus being in DC you have huge access to humanitarian NPOs etc. SAIS and SIPA are pretty much the only two prestigious schools I've seen that offer a variety of courses in human rights / humanitarian action etc.

Do you have any international experiences, even as an international student in the U.S.? Also, don't freak out so much about your GRE scores. It's really a holistic approach. This forum makes it seem like you need a perfect scores on the GRE to get into any top program, but it's not true. You should try to get your scores up but don't kill yourself over it. It's good that you've dabbled in a lot of strategic languages and that you have the business certificate, which means you'll be able to handle the quant coursework. What are your goals after completing the MIA degree?

I'm interested in those topics as well, but the iLaw and Organizations concentration seemed to have a lot more courses related to refugees etc. than conflict management. But I don't go there yet so idk for sure!

Definitely, plus, look at what you are borrowing as an investment. It's better to go to GU and come out with a great job, than to go to UChicago for free and struggle to find a job in your field later on..

I'd pick Georgetown. D.C. has so many advantages and opportunities that you could really get a leg up on and experience in what you wanna do in the future. I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on Harris and their program seems to be doing a lot of restructuring, plus I've heard their employment outcomes aren't necessarily all that great. I'd definitely choose Georgetown and being in Washington. D.C., it's the pipeline to everything. Plus, Chicago (the city) is great, but not all that great. And definitely not as great as D.C. Take it from someone who did undergrad near Chi-town.

Can anyone that attended Admitted Student Day today share some insight on their experience?

According to the Foreign Policy Rankings, SIPA is much higher ranked than Syracuse, coming in at #5: http://foreignpolicy.com/2015/02/03/top-twenty-five-schools-international-relations/ SIPA seems to have some really good opportunities, but I've heard its large and impersonal and can be a bit of a cash cow program, but it has a lot of prestige just because of the name/ivy league. I don't know much about Syracuse, but a full ride is a full ride! SIPA is very very expensive.

What do you mean by SAIS's student body "is very uneven?"

Your profile looks really strong and competitive. Yeah could retake the GRE once more but I honestly think you'd be fine applying with the scores you have and not doing PC! You have a strong quant background and international experience. Good luck!

I've heard that most people attend SAIS Pre-Term and that this is the main way people make friends, especially in the first year. Will I be at a disadvantage if I don't go? I landed a pretty good internship for the summer, and it doesn't end until mid-August so I wouldn't be able to go to pre-term. But I'm not sure if groups will be formed by this time and it will be tough to break the surface. Thoughts?

Does anyone know how many students attend/are admitted to the SAIS DC campus? Is it a small cohort such as GU MSFS (less than 100) or larger?

With the funding that you received from CMU and Duke, what would the total cost of attending be?

I will be declining soon, so keep your hopes up

There will never be a time that is 100% right, the job market will always be difficult and competitive and there will be challenges and burdens that you're gonna have to overcome. Everyone is right here but you, yourself know what you're capable of. Not everyone's life moves in a linear way. Ultimately you know what's best for you at this time in your life. Take a leap of faith, or don't. But whatever you do work hard at it. It is rare that circumstances are you fully ideal but that's life. Some will take the debt, some wont. Good luck to all.

I'm right there with ya'll OneLove21 ad DCB. I'm GOING FOR IT. I'm straight from undergrad and my GRE scores could definitely improve, which probably explains why I didn't receive much funding but I don't care. This process was long and expensive, and cost around $1,000, not to mention the time I spent stressing out studying, and re-writing and emailing etc etc. and there's no possible way I am going through it again. I will take my no-funding at SAIS and try to obtain a paid internship/job and then be happy taking my loan forgiveness from the government. Not that I'm not being financially cautious, but jobs are scarce with JUST a Political Science degree. And I'm not going to get a job out of my field just for the sake of money, because that's not even going to help a future application. For some people money matters the most but for me that's not the case. I'm taking my loans and I will pay them off happily.

Is it better, in terms of getting a good feel for a school if you go during Admitted Student Day or just a visit on a non admitted day?

Hey guys, So I'm wondering everyone's opinions. I'm trying to decide between the MA at SAIS (DC Campus) or the MIA at GWU Elliott. I like Elliott because you can work full time and still go to school full time and also there is not a quant overload. But... I love SAIS not only because it's an elite program but they have been the most personable and proactive school since I started the application process. They have contacted me personally, had students contact me and kept in touch etc.up until I received my acceptance. It's nice because it makes me feel like I'm not just another fish in the pond. (But maybe they did this for all applicants, who knows?) But the MA is a pretty quant heavy program, and I'm also not sure if working full time while at SAIS is even an option. I want to be an FSO, but SAIS is a bit more lucrative because I wouldn't be opposed to working in the private sector for a few years so I can gain some funds... Neither are offering funding, so I can't make a decision based on that. What do you guys think? Any help would be appreciated!

I second this ^^^

Can you work full-time while at SAIs (DC Campus) or are classes mostly during the day, only leaving time for internships?