IR2015

Where did you get the MSFS stat that only 5% of first year students get merit funding?

Nevermind - I see you applied to the MAIS (2 years in Nanjing) in your signature.

Would you be doing the HNC Certificate / Masters program, or just the one year at Nanjing?

I'm deciding between SAIS and MSFS, and to a lesser degree SIPA and Fletcher... My big question about SAIS vs. MSFS is similar to yours - is SAIS much stronger in private sector? Does MSFS silo you more into diplomacy/public sector only, or does it still provide great opportunities in the private sector as well?

Thanks everyone for the POV! This is extremely helpful. If I go to SAIS, I'd potentially look at doing a year at the Nanjing campus, but am concerned that the academic quality there is not as strong, and that being in Nanjing for the year would make networking more difficult. My concern with Georgetown is whether or not MSFS would limit me more to public sector/government work without the option to pursue private sector, which seems to be more of SAIS' strength. At the end of the day, is there really much of a difference in the opportunties provided? Once the schools are at the level of SAIS/MSFS, I'm assuming neither would shut any doors in the field of IR (either public or private sector)...

Holding cost of attendance equal, could anyone walk me through some of the differentiating factors between MSFS and SAIS? Obviously there's size, but beyond that, what different factors could make someone choose one over the other? Some things I'm interested in understanding more about: Academic focuses Culture (social life, in-class dynamic, etc) Post-grad career paths and opportunities Opportunities for language learning Opportunity to study/intern abroad Anything else that would give one school a leg up over the other Any thoughts on this will be much appreciated!

What does anyone know about how this program compares to SAIS? I feel like between SAIS, SIPA and Fletcher, MSFS has a strong reputation but seems to occupy a slightly different niche? It's a bit more difficult to find information on...

Hey all - anyone have a POV on the SAIS HNC Certificate/SAIS Masters program? It used to be 5 semesters but now they say that it's feasible to graduate in the regular two years and do the first in Nanjing and second year in DC... I'm thinking this could be a great way to improve my language skills and come out with a SAIS Masters with a strong specialization in China. Any thoughts or info anyone has on this would be very helpful!

Anyone have any insight into when MSFS decisions might come out? It's the last decision I'm waiting on...

This is all interesting insight... I got significantly more aid at one school, but would love to see if some of the other schools could come close to matching it so I can make the decision more off of which school and program is best for me long term rather than which is most financially feasible in the short term. Do you just recommend emailing the admissions group with this sort of a request, or is there a more personal way to do it?

I am now in the fortunate position of deciding between a few acceptances for IR Masters degrees, and have been given some funding at a few of the schools. I'm just wondering - what percent of applicants at the top schools usually receive any funding? What are average amounts of scholarship funding? Any insight into this would be helpful. Thanks!