6speed!

In general, I would say MSFS job outcomes are equal, or superior, to those of the more specialized, field-specific programs. It all depends on what you want to work on and what your professional experience is prior to graduate school. MSFS concentration chairs and professors are extremely well connected and proactive at setting up connections, networking, and other professional opportunities for students. The other seven programs at SFS are great, and their narrow focus is part of their appeal for the students they are intended for, but as such they are not really comparbale to MSFS. MSFS students are not cross shopping the other seven programs, but are looking at other generalist IR programs like SAIS, Fletcher, SIPA, etc.

I would have to disagree with a couple of your points. The strength of the fed job market ebbs and flows - the current downturn is not going to affect the long term cachet or reputation of MSFS, because the downturn is not permanent. 40% of MSFS grads go to the private sector, while another 10-20% go international org/multilateral. While government jobs may have been its bread and butter in the past, I can say with certainty that isn't really the case anymore. Second, I don't doubt the strength of Jackson School, but it is simply too new for it to have the same degree of reputation and reach as MSFS. The Yale brand is undoubtedly stronger than the Georgetown brand, but in IR and policy circles I see very little imprint by, or awareness of, the Jackson school. It's just too new. I would agree with your point about Georgetown's disgraceful funding opportunities - that's the truth, unfortunately.

Bumping this. Did anyone attend the admitted students open house on 4/7? Any impressions, thoughts, if so?

If anyone is attending the open house tomorrow, I would really appreciate any thoughts or feedback you may have about it. I unfortunately won't be able to make it and I would be thankful for any input from any of you guys who attend. Feel free to DM me if you don't feel like posting your reactions on here! Thanks.

I applied to 8 schools and it worked out perfectly. That said, 8 is a decent number and it definitely required a lot of time to make sure I was putting the highest quality content forward for each application (statements of purpose, essays, etc). For me, 8 was great because it allowed me to cover my bases and ensure that I got into a number of high quality programs that I knew I would be happy and comfortable with attending. I didn't want to short change myself in any way shape or form - attending graduate school is a major decision and investment in time, money and energy, and I did not want to have any regrets regarding not putting myself in the best, most versatile and flexible position possible in terms of having programs to choose from. In addition, nobody can be certain how the admissions process will work out since the applicant pools and priorities of the adcomms inevitably vary from year to year to some degree. Consequently, I refused to be presumptuous and assume I would get accepted at any school I applied to - even if I was wholly confident that I was competitive for admission at many of them. So, I covered my bases. I applied to 2 reach schools, 4 core quality upper-tier options and 2 fallback options that I would be willing to attend with no regrets if it ultimately came to that. I was accepted at all 4 of my core quality options and both fallback options, wait listed at one of my reach schools and rejected at the other. Despite it not being a "reach" program, I got into my #1 choice. If I hadn't I would still have quite a few great options to consider, which, given the magnitude of the decision at hand, is the position one wants to be in.

Speaking of which, does anyone have any idea how many Wolcott awards are given out each year? Furthermore, what proportion of the awards end up being for full tuition? I read on the Wolcott website that the maximum award is full tuition, implying some awards are smaller. Any thoughts? Basically, unless I receive a full tuition Wolcott I'll be going to Georgetown MSFS. This is the last element that I am considering in my decision making process.

True, but as I've mentioned elsewhere on this forum I don't think Grad Cafe posters are a representative sample of your average applicant or admitted applicant pool, by any means.

I believe it means you did not initially get awarded any funding, because those who did received admissions letters that clearly stated as much. However, some people were placed on a funding wait list and were informed of this in an e-mail they received subsequent to their admissions notification.

Congratulations! Acceptance + funding for MSFS is still an amazing achievement. AU is a great program too, so best wishes with whatever you decide!

Yup same!

I'm wondering the same thing!

Same here about funding. Hopefully we hear soon!

They are on the portal. I didn't receive an e-mail - I checked the portal once I saw @coffeeandtravel post that decisions were up.

I'm in!!! Beyond ecstatic to get into my dream program. I hope some of y'all get off the wait list and best of luck to everyone!

I like the way you think!