A.Vandelay

Anyone attend the admitted student's day? Thoughts?

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Large, middle of the road public school (best rankings aren't for academics... ) Previous Degrees and GPAs: BA, International Studies, 3.7 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 168 V / 152 Q / 5 AW Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): pretty much straight from undergrad; one summer interning at the DoD Math/Econ Background: Micro/Macro Econ; regrettably almost no math besides a course called "contemporary math" back in my freshman year Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Spanish since Middle School (maybe limited professional working proficiency); proficient reading level in Russian & German Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Affairs/Security Long Term Professional Goals: analytic work in the IC or at State / FSO / think-tanks / or prep for continuing onto advanced academic study in the field Schools Applied to & Results: Accepted: University of Denver Korbel School ($$), GW Elliott School ($), American SIS ($); Waitlisted at Georgetown SSP Ultimate Decision & Why: Still undecided between Korbel & the DC schools. Getting waitlisted at SSP was a letdown, I thought the internship I had secured and was still pursuing would make up for being straight from undergrad but I guess not. I love Korbel's curriculum and course offerings (especially all the IR theory I can take ), but the opportunities that one has going to school in DC are hard to brush aside. I suppose at the moment I'm slightly leaning towards American or GW over Denver just for the sheer amount of work I could accomplish during the two years of grad school (interning/working/making connections while going to school full-time) but I think there is something to the thought that I'm likely to spend a large chunk of my career - if not all of it - near DC if I go into intel/foreign affairs work with the government, so why not take these two years and enjoy an experience like living out West while I can, while still getting an excellent education in the field. Furthermore there's also the thought of interning or working for a year and just re-applying next year and taking another shot at Georgetown, but outside of a personal interest in chasing supposed prestige and fulfilling a dream of going to Georgetown, I'm not sure there are many benefits to gain. It's going to be a tough choice, but ultimately a good struggle to have to deal with. Advice for Future Applicants: begin the application process early, that way once apps become available you have a clear idea of which programs you want to apply to, why you want to apply to them, and how to tailor your SOPs for them communicate effectively with your LOR writers so that they know what type of letter will make you most competitive for the programs you're applying to take an extra stats/math class or two don't be afraid to apply for internships that you may think you'd never get: the internship I got I applied to on a whim one night at 2 in the morning; I never expected to hear back about it but I ended up getting it, and I don't think there are many other places that would impress admissions committees as much... so just be willing to put yourself out there and take some chances to get some experience under your belt before you apply, even if it's just for one summer initially

I couldn't find anything on the forum, but anyone know of any success stories getting off of the waitlist for SSP?