[Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Security Studies 2015]

Just got an email from Georgetown saying that my admissions decision (for MSFS) was available. Rejected  . Sad, but not unexpected.

 

Good luck to everyone else, and congrats to all of those accepted!!

[Real hard time deciding between International Relations/Affairs programs]

^ Just read your second to last sentence about funding not being important. Oops. My eyes are probably a little foggy from refreshing my email and staring at the computer screen so constantly while waiting for admissions decisions.

[Real hard time deciding between International Relations/Affairs programs]

Very exciting-- congratulations! Did you get significant funding for any of the programs?

[How Much to Factor in Funding - Policy/International Affairs]

FYI: This thread on the same topic is also helpful!

[How Much to Factor in Funding - Policy/International Affairs]

Thanks, you guys!

[Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Security Studies 2015]

I called MSFS admissions yesterday to get a better sense of when decisions will be released. The person I spoke with said that all they could tell me was end of March. She didn't give me the sense that it would be happening very soon, although that could be wrong. I expect we have a couple more weeks of waiting

[How Much to Factor in Funding - Policy/International Affairs]

Seeking advice/thoughts:

 

I am in the process of hearing back from grad schools (in the policy/international affairs realm) and it’s going well. I’ve gotten into several programs that I’m really excited about. The problem is I’m not getting offered a lot of funding. I’m not surprised—I had a pretty unimpressive undergrad GPA and I’ve heard that much of the funding is based on academic merit. I received funding from only one of the schools I applied to (it would come to about $40,000 over the course of the two years—combined fellowship and assistantship) but I’m not sure if it’s my top choice.  On the other hand, I am struggling with the idea of being ~130k in the hole if I choose a program that offers no funding. I want to make a decision based on what program will be most beneficial to my career long-term but the money aspect is making the decision significantly harder (or arguably, significantly easier).

 

Is anyone else in the same position? For those of you going into policy/international affairs, how are you predicting ROI on your degree? How are you deciding where the line is between expensive but worth it and expensive and not worth it?

 

I'd be grateful for any advice/thoughts/experiences others could share!

[Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and Security Studies 2015]

Unfortunately not, but I am anxiously awaiting a decision. MSFS is the only program I have yet to hear back from.