[Current FSO taking questions]

Thanks so much to all the current FSOs following this thread and answering everyone's questions!

 

I have a question myself... I'm going to be in Washington DC and I'm hoping to find some kind of job or internship to do while studying full-time. I've just spent three years abroad teaching English and most of my other experience is volunteer or education related, but I'd like to do something more geared towards the Foreign Service or government. Obviously, the State Department has their own internship programs, but what other jobs and internships commonly available in Washington DC would be relevant for a career in the Foreign Service?

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

I got in, but I didn't get funding. They said they would put me on a scholarship waitlist and tell me about anything between April 20th and May 1st. Does everyone get put on a waitlist?

[Elliott School 2015]

I'm sure their office will get a lot of questions when they open in the morning, but for now, simply the hope that it's per semester is tiding me over for today.

[Johns Hopkins SAIS vs. Georgetown SFS Asian Studies vs. Columbia SIPA-Tokyo GraSPP Dual Degree]

I was accepted into SIPA with no funding like you are. I don't think I'm willing to go 150k into debt, but getting into Todai and paying their tuition for the second year would make it more feasible. You're saying I could ask them and they could simply tell me if I will get in if I applied for my second year? 

 

I'm hoping to get into the Foreign Service so the Todai degree isn't the most important thing (though I considered straight up applying for GraSPP). My primary concern is cost for sure. If I could go to a school like SFS for nearly a full ride, I'd likely choose that without question.

 

My background: Tufts alum, majored in Asian Studies focusing on both China and Japan, current 3rd year JET Program participant

[Johns Hopkins SAIS vs. Georgetown SFS Asian Studies vs. Columbia SIPA-Tokyo GraSPP Dual Degree]

I also am intererested in the SIPA-Tokyo GraSPP dual degree program. The thing that concerns me though is that each GraSPP incoming class is very small (around 30 people) and you have to apply separately. I wonder what would be the chances to get in as an enrolled SIPA student? I'm sure there are no guarantees.

[Elliott School 2015]

Got in, but anxiously waiting for funding information before I can make any decision at all.

 

I looked at the thread last year and it seems like it took a week for them to get their funding decision...

[Fletcher Admits - Fall 2015!]

What are people's thoughts on the importance of "brand-name" and "visibility" ?

 

Everyone I've spoken to who has heard of Tufts/Fletcher can't stop gushing about how great the school is. I live outside the US and it doesn't seem to be as well known as some of Boston's more brand-name schools. But almost everyone I've spoken to in America has only good things to say about it. 

 

Question for any US residents on here: Any idea what the perception of Tufts is within the United States? Other than Fletcher, is the school known for a specific area? ie. From what I gather, Johns Hopkins is known primarily for medicine and not IR, even though SAIS is one of the best programs out there.

 

I grew up in Boston (actually a city right next to Tufts) and I also was a Tufts undergrad. If you're in Boston, then you're almost in the among the echelons of Harvard and MIT. I've had a lot of people from Boston mistake Tufts for an Ivy League school. Despite being a college town though, it is really hard to find Tufts t-shirts and gear outside of the campus (unlike Harvard). Tufts is famous for its medical school and has a medical center (and subway stop) named after it near downtown which would explain its reputation in the city. Otherwise, it might be recognized for its engineering program or biomedical research.

 

Outside of Boston, Tufts is usually recognized in the northeastern states. Outside of those states, you might only get recognition among educated folks and employers in specialized fields. Tufts people are everywhere, hidden all over the place though. I love getting random shout-outs while wearing Tufts gear.

[Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGS)]

 

Hello everyone,

 

 

I'm thinking about applying to the JJ/WBGS, but I'm uncertain whether I fulfill the eligibility criteria. They specifically ask for a bachelor's degree obtained before 2012. I finished all of my undergrad subjects in 2011, but my graduation was in March 2012. I would normally just write them an email asking about it but they say on their FAQ that no exceptions regarding the eligibility criteria are made, and that every applicant should assess if he/she is eligible or not.

 

 

I just don't feel like asking for recommendation letters to apply if they won't even consider my application.

 

 

Any thoughts?

 

 

Thanks!

 

 

I tried looking at Japanese websites to see if there was any clarification, but it seems that all the information in Japanese talks about the requirements for Japanese nationals and not those of developing countries.

 

I think the real reason they list that is because they require 3 years of full-time professional experience in development. The 2014 scholarship mentions that you needed a degree received before 2011. In Japan, the academic and fiscal year ends in March and begins in April, so it's possible that it could be considered for the 2011-2012 academic year. In your case, I think I would really e-mail them and ask for clarification.