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!

That's what I'm thinking. I suppose it all depends on how close they were at the time of the closure.

Thanks for the input, it's appreciated and helpful!

Many thanks! You certainly have some wonderful schools to choose from, even if you decide to go with your head and not your heart. Best of luck to you wherever you decide to attend!

I wish they had an admissions blog like the other schools and were a bit more transparent throughout the application process, especially while the applications are under review. I have received quick, helpful responses from the admissions department every time I've contacted them, however. The decisions, while slower than the other IR schools, aren't so late for that to affect my decision making. The funding situation is unfortunate for sure, as half funding still leaves an incredibly expensive program. What other programs did you apply to and where are you thinking you're going to choose at this point, with SFS off the table?

I'm pretty sure that it just stays as "Submitted" and does not adjust to indicate that the application is under review. Like everyone else has said, mine also simply states that it has been submitted. I'm confident they are all under review right now. I really feel like they are going to release decisions tomorrow or Friday, but that's just a hunch.

That's what I'm thinking based on prior years - Thursday or Friday. Another weekend (or more) of waiting would be brutal!

I wish I could make it - I'm relying on y'all to come here with some good feedback!

Agree with this 100%. Gradcafe is, quite plainly, a terrible sample. The average SAIS (or grad school in general) applicant does not post on gradcafe, or any grad school forum. Those who do represent a very particular subset - overachieving, attention to detail , semi-neurotic, ambitious, etc

What Georgetown program did you apply to?

Many thanks for offering to do this! I have asked this same question in two other SAIS threads and haven't received a response yet, so I'll put it to you as well. I have been accepted into the SAIS MA program in DC and initially indicated that I wanted to pursue the General International Relations concentration. I'm having major second thoughts about that concentration, however, the more I read about it. It seems like there is no cohesion within the concentration, that it's very decentralized and independent and lacks funding, resources, etc. I've read it has great flexibility in terms of the courses you have access to in order to satisfy the concentration requirements, but other than that you lack many of the networking, professional, social and resource-based benefits of the traditionally 'stronger' concentrations. One of these 'stronger' concentrations (or so I've heard), Strategic Studies, interests me greatly, as does American Foreign Policy. I was thinking about doing Strategic Studies initially and would likely angle a majority of my courses in support of a General IR concentration towards the security and diplomatic offerings, but I was enticed by the immense cross over flexibility of General IR initially. Can you comment on these three concentrations and their pros/cons, in your opinion? Of the three, which in your eyes seems to have the most satisfied students, academically speaking? Which provide the most perks, like resources/activities/events/networking? It seems that not taking advantage of a concentration with strong cohort cohesion, a plethora of resources, trips and networking activities and a sense of community would be missing out on an important and influential part of the graduate school experience, not to mention potential professional benefits in the future. Any insight is greatly appreciated and thanks again for your time!