6speed!

Not too long to wait now! Look, you're just stressing yourself out re-reading your essays. Stop that! You've put your best foot forward and prepared your application well - nobody's application is perfect, mine included. Re-reading essays will drive you crazy, though - I've made a point to not do that since there's absolutely nothing that can be done about them now and it just induces pointless anxiety. Go workout and "enjoy" your last few days of waiting

I too applied to the Global Politics and Security concentration. It does sound like the other programs with a broader selection of relevant energy classes or related concentrations fit your academic/professional goals a bit more clearly than the MSFS and that particular concentration. The allure of Georgetown is very real, however, as you keenly note! Are you interested in working in the public or private sector? Is your focus on electricity energy issues related to security policy in any way, or more so the political and economic development arena?

Hey all, As we get closer to admissions decisions being released I thought it might be useful to have a thread dedicated to Georgetown's SFS and its MSFS program. I have applied for Fall 2016 admission and would love to hear from others who have applied for this cycle, as well as those who have applied in the past and those who are intending to in the future. I'm hoping this can serve as a general discussion of our decision making processes and a place to flesh out the nuances of MSFS and make informed comparisons to rival schools/programs. For me, the MSFS program is my number one choice out of the many schools I have applied to (SAIS MA, SIPA MIA, Fletcher MALD, etc). I find its practitioner oriented curriculum appealing, the faculty and resources are impressive and it seems like its reputation in the DC area, network and connections to government jobs are nearly unrivaled. My goal is to work in American foreign policy, particularly conflict resolution and arms control. For current applicants, why have you chosen to apply to MSFS, and where does it fit within the range of schools you're looking at and your career trajectory in general? What factors are you considering and which do you put the most weight on when comparing MSFS to other programs you've applied to? Which are you leaning towards right now, and why? For past applicants who were admitted, why did you choose the MSFS program - or not? What variables informed your decision? If you attended/are attending, tell me about the program and your impressions of the curriculum, networks and career services? What do you like or not like about it, and are you happy with your decision? Best wishes and good luck to everyone!

Yeah, I'm trying to just stay realistic. I think I'm competitive for both, but at the same time they are extremely selective programs. They reject dozens upon dozens of competitive, quality applicants every year. I think the best attitude is to be prepared for rejection - almost to downright assume it - so that, as you say, it hurts less and being admitted feels extraordinary. If one is rejected, life goes on. The fact that we're sitting here debating about if we might get into top notch policy programs is an elite conundrum - these are wonderful "problems" to have, after all.

That's how I'm interpreting it too. It's a very thoughtful touch and leaves a positive impression in my mind, to be sure. However, I'm not going to read into it too much at this point - I don't want to get my hopes up!

Many thanks for the AMA! I was wondering if you could comment perchance on the pros and cons of SAIS' Dupont Circle location and its lack of a traditional campus. I am looking at and weighing these factors in comparison to, say, Georgetown. Is it a major plus to be in the heart of things in DC, close to so many internship-offering organizations? Is it a drawback in terms of atmosphere to have classes isolated to a couple of buildings without the coherence of a "university" experience/campus? Is there any impact, for better or for worse, on socializing with and building friendships with classmates and fellow SAIS'ers due to the Dupont location? I realize that any school in DC is going to provide invaluable connections to the various institutions based in the District, but you do hear a lot of cross talk coming from both camps regarding the downtown vs. campus dynamics. Any and all thoughts would be appreciated! Thanks for your time.

Agreed. I would say it took less time than my standard resume or a typical app essay, but like you I made sure to follow their sample formatting and include as many pertinent details from course descriptions and related materials as possible.

I've applied for Fall 2016 MPP, and I gave myself plenty of time by starting the essays in July 2015. I applied to eight schools and consequently had quite a few essays to put together! I put in many hours of work each week, and if you are applying to numerous programs like I did I can't recommend enough the value of having ample time to write, edit and re-edit your essays. It keeps you sane and results in significantly higher quality work! This may seem obvious, but its easy to underestimate just how many revisions the essays and statements of purpose end up requiring as you go along the application process, and the worst thing you can do is rush yourself.

I would recommend checking out the neighborhoods directly south of campus. Since you're a fan of 'quiet', look south of 1st street around the Bryan Park area. There are many nice, affordable houses and apartments there to rent, and you shouldn't have trouble finding places looking for a roommate if you are not intending on living alone. Bryan Park is a relaxed little spot and the area is no more than a 20 min walk or 5 min bike ride to campus. The atmosphere is leafy, residential and quite nice.

Hey, so I am by no means an expert on this topic, since I'm in the same boat as you are - applying for Fall 2016 entry to IR and MPA/MPP programs, PCV experience, etc. I can only give my opinion on what I'd do in your particular scenario, as I'm in the midst of making the same decisions myself. I'm applying to Georgetown SFS, Johns Hopkins SAIS, GW SIA, American SIS, Columbia SIPA, Tufts Fletcher, Princeton WWS and Harvard KSG. I think you should consider taking the GRE again, in my opinion, if quant heavy (read: econ, empirical analytical models, international trade, etc) IR programs are at the top of your list. It looks like the only one you're applying to that would possibly fit that category is SAIS. Then again, Georgetown and Fletcher are very competitive programs, and while GRE definitely isn't the most important thing that adcomms will look at, I do think a sub 150 quant score might give them a little bit of pause. Korbel and American seem quite a bit easier to get into and this might not matter as much for them. Basically, if you're not dead set on SAIS, or even SFS or Fletcher, a retake might be unnecessary. However, if you have the time, patience and money, and are more interested in those programs (particularly SAIS), it can't hurt to retake it. I do think the rest of your application details are strong, especially for these programs. Just my two cents, best of luck!

I would like advice on how, if at all, SOPs might vary for terminal masters programs such as those I am applying to - International Relations, MPPs and MPAs. Obviously much of the information, the "story", the trajectory from your past experiences, your current interests and your future goals, etc, will be the same as that for other types of programs. That said, it seems that a lot of the quality advice I have found on SOPs tend to trend towards traditional humanities degrees, with PhDs being the end game and research alongside a professor a critical component of the process. Can anyone with knowledge or experience regarding SOPs for terminal masters programs offer any advice on the key things that may make these SOPs different? I have been writing my first drafts and have been trying to incorporate the universities' cultures, faculty, specific courses, etc into my SOPs, but I feel like I am struggling to clearly and uniquely differentiate the letters based on the schools and programs, as many share a lot of characteristics. These programs are more practical/skills based, and less purely academic research oriented. Any advice is appreciated! Thanks.

I plan to start Fall 2016, so I'll be 26. Since undergrad I've done 3 internships over the course of a year and a half, then the last 2 years have been Peace Corps service and I plan on extending my service for a third year. A few years of work experience after undergrad seems to be critical these days, in my opinion, though not absolutely necessary.

I can't comment specifically regarding pursuing ethnomusicology, but let me briefly add my 2 cents given that I'm currently serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer and have been for over 2 years. 1) bsharpe269 is correct - serve because you have a desire and a will to - not for the application. 2+ years is a long time - it becomes your life, your day to day, and it can't and shouldn't be compartmentalized/boxed into a resume/application point. If you are doing it for something to put on your application it will be a long and difficult 2 years. 2) I personally can't recommend serving in the Peace Corps enough. It has been the most rewarding, productive and incredible experience of my life, hands down, both professionally and personally. I can attest to the fact that the skills you learn both in the work place and in terms of your personal development as a human being are unrivaled and can be utilized and leveraged in a variety of different ways. You will end up doing so many different things at your work site (this is almost universally the case no matter what project plan or program area you serve in) that inevitably you can spin some of them in effective ways to apply to nearly any grad school program. In short, it can and will be useful on your application, regardless of if you are pursuing ethnomusicology or something else, and despite the fact that the work you will likely do in Peace Corps will not necessarily directly relate to the exact academic field you are looking at. Its a versatile, well rounded experience that is ultimately what you make of it. Just make sure you are committed and invested in being an effective volunteer and are certain you can fulfill the 27 month obligation.