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ZebraFinch

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  • Location
    High Point, NC
  • Application Season
    2014 Fall

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  1.    thirdshiftpsych reacted to a post in a topic: Favorite Rejection Quotes from the Results Page
  2.    aco2 reacted to a post in a topic: Favorite Rejection Quotes from the Results Page
  3.    Milyd reacted to a post in a topic: Favorite Rejection Quotes from the Results Page
  4.    samiamslp reacted to a post in a topic: Favorite Rejection Quotes from the Results Page
  5.    ajak568 reacted to a post in a topic: Does anyone know of any "woke" MPA programs?
  6.    N0MudN0L0tus reacted to a post in a topic: Does anyone know of any "woke" MPA programs?
  7. ZebraFinch
    Gently, you'll just have to be very persuasive that you understand what you're critiquing. You're not "holding a discussion", you're asking to be admitted into a cohort of professionals and possibly get funded. The "hoop" to jump through is higher. I'm writing all this as a person who took a similar approach in fellowship/grad apps some years ago and today cringe when I remember what I wrote.
  8.    ExponentialDecay reacted to a post in a topic: Does anyone know of any "woke" MPA programs?
  9.    N0MudN0L0tus reacted to a post in a topic: Does anyone know of any "woke" MPA programs?
  10. ZebraFinch
    I think it could be challenging to criticize the field, while not having much experience in said field, and not be seen as someone who doesn't understand what they're saying because they've been the person outside looking in, if that makes sense. If you're taking a very critical approach, then imo there should be professional experiences in your life that add weight to your criticisms. Perhaps taking a stance more of questioning, curiosity, and wanting to learn different approaches, rather than "this all sucks and here's why", in your SOP would be more beneficial. I read your other post and that's my impression.
  11. ZebraFinch
    This was my thought....
  12. ZebraFinch
    If you want to stick to IR, don't get a JD. I mean, I'm not convinced an MPP/MPA/grad school is an answer for an IR job either, but still better than a JD. I've met two people with JD's only, and they both had a ton of experience elsewhere before getting an IR job.
  13. ZebraFinch
    If your employer will pay for it, why not? I have one and found it to be fairly useless in terms of grad admissions. But, I learned a lot and would encourage anyone who has the opportunity to get one for free to do it.
  14. ZebraFinch
    If you have already decided on MSFS, apply for MSFS.
  15. ZebraFinch
    There's enough course overlap in the various SFS programs, I would say that the academic rigor is about the same (except with the examinations particular to MSFS) in these programs. SSP seems to attract more folks with some military background than MSFS. Given the costs of these programs, between the two, I'd pick SSP. But also, why not the Arab studies MA program? If you're looking at reaching the highest language levels you can, I'd 100% go for a regional program.
  16. ZebraFinch
    There is no question at all when there's a full ride at SAIS vs having to take out loans of some kind at Georgetown. Furthermore, if you're competitive enough to get full funding at SAIS, I think you'll be able to shape your career as you want quite well. State Department, at least for the Foreign Service, also does not care where you went to school.
  17.    PHL City Planner reacted to a post in a topic: Conflicted About GRE Results
  18. ZebraFinch
    I had a hilariously bad Q score, same V score as you, and a high AW score. I got in everywhere I applied, with funding. I had a good econ/quant background from undergrad and work experience. So, I think you have a shot. Re-take if you want as you have time to prepare, but don't lose sleep over it.
  19. ZebraFinch
    Exact same experience here. The lower-ranked school offered almost nothing, while the other programs I applied to were much more generous, and effectively were then cheaper to attend in the end.
  20.    S. A. Yeadon reacted to a post in a topic: Am I on the Right Track to be a Military Analyst?
  21. ZebraFinch
    In my experience, it's extremely hard to get into that without prior military experience, for a variety of reasons. I've yet to meet anyone who managed it without prior military experience, but I'm not going to say it's impossible. If you really want to go for it anyway, I would advise to at least go for a more reputable program that's at least more competitive for other positions in the very likely scenario the military analyst thing does not work out.
  22. ZebraFinch
    Would also include specific programs. Georgetown funding varies by program, for example.
  23. ZebraFinch
    RE: age. Lots, if not most, Pickering fellows are on the older side. Youngest I've ever known was 25 at the time of the interview, and the rest were all at least 27-29 at the time of being awarded the fellowship. This was different, of course, when the undergrad fellowship existed, but not anymore. So, you won't be that much older than the many or most of the finalists. I do believe you can't get a degree abroad with the program, though.
  24. ZebraFinch
    The aid figures are meaningless without the cost of tuition. Georgetown seems like a decent deal, but the cost of living in DC can increase expenses by a whole lot. From these figures alone, I would say Duke looks like the cheapest option. But, as was already said, go for the one with the lowest cost of attendance.
  25.    ZebraFinch reacted to a post in a topic: 100k debt for IR Masters worth it?
  26.    ZebraFinch reacted to a post in a topic: 100k debt for IR Masters worth it?
  27. ZebraFinch
    @ExponentialDecay saying it like it is. I couldn't agree more. I want to yell at people when they say they have no work experience but are willing to take on this amount of debt for a chance to maybe improve their job prospects. I'm also doing a regional program and am pretty happy about it, but still wouldn't have gotten this degree with no/little funding. I think the general degrees are not the best idea. Also, jealous you got into the Harvard regional program... I didn't apply as I was not willing to move again, but have heard amazing things about it.
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