LeeLeeLove

No-- I am still Hamlet and unable to make a decision! I am planning on attending both Open Houses (13 and 14 April) and trying to get a better feel for the programs. As soon as I resolve one issue with a program, another one crops up. I just got a new apartment that's blocks away from both the red metro line and Wisconsin so transport is equal between schools. But now I'm worried about SSP's brand value. The program is only 1.5 years and has no language requirement. That has to mean it's looked down at least a little, right? But the course catalogue is much more interesting. Sigh... But thank you for asking! It's comforting to know I'm not alone here. Anyway, I have (sort of) answered my own posed questions by calling SSP today. However, I spoke to two people and they gave me completely conflicting information. First person: Since there was no mention of funding in my letter, it means I didn't get any. Don't worry about the 15 April deadline-- as long we hear from you during the week, you're fine. Second person: No funding decisions have been made yet. Funding decisions will be sent out via e-mail. The 15 deadline is very strict. The Open House was planned before Walsh set the official deadline, so it's regrettable timing. The second person I spoke to is a big muckity-muck over in SSP admissions, so I'm going to take her word for it. However, SAIS's open house is on 14 April and there's no way I'm making a decision before then. So it looks like I might be driving into Georgetown with a check on the morning of the 15th. We'll see. I missed the online chat (dumb) so I feel like my decision will be coming down to the wire. Oh, and the deposit is much less than other schools-- $200. I suppose you won't be making it to any of these open houses from Hawaii? Are you looking at the same programs? Thank you for commiserating with me!

Hi everyone! Two questions for the panel: 1. I got my official acceptance letter in the mail yesterday, but no mention of funding. Does this mean I didn't get any? Has anyone heard about funding yet? 2. The letter says I need to have sent in my acceptance, deposit, etc. by 15 April. However, the Open House isn't until 13 April. Is anyone else confused by this fast turnaround time? To get something in the mail to SSP by 15 April, I'll have to send it on 12 April... before the Open House. Hope everyone is getting beautiful spring weather this week!

Wow, that was really straightforward and helpful-- thank you so much! I'm still nervous about so much math (still seems like a lot to me), but I am encouraged now. I suppose one econ course a semester won't kill me, especially if I take your advice and pester the heck out of the TAs. Thank you!

I say give them a call. What do you have to lose?

Um. This is a dumb question but I don't know how else to phrase it: How hard are SAIS econ classes? I'm kind of dumb. I've always done well in intro econ courses, but they're just that-- intro. None of the classes have required serious math or any out-side-the-box thinking. But the SAIS ones are going to kick my ass, right? I'm looking at Strategic Studies and the required econ courses are: Microeconomics 300.700 Macroeconomics 300.701 International Trade Theory 300.707 International Monetary Theory 300.708 Let's put it this way: I don't own, nor do I ever wish to own, a graphing calculator. IQ of about 95. Should I just go to Georgetown to avoid the econ? Can any current SAIS students speak to this? I'll also take wild speculation in a pinch. Thanks!

Is the SSP program easier to get into than MSFS?

Just wanted to let someone on the waiting list know that I turned down my offer from SIPA this afternoon. Looks like a great school-- enjoy!

Thanks, that helps! That kind of confirms what I was thinking-- that the School of Foreign Service caters more to careers in the public good and, well, foreign service. What I would really love to know about is general quality of life on both campuses. Dating? Extracurriculars? In general, I guess I just want to know which school has happier students. I think either school will help me get a good education and find a good job, but I can't figure out which school is filled with interesting, relaxed people. I hear that SAIS students are snobs, but Georgetown is overrun with undergrads. Who is happier?

Hi everyone! You may have noticed me lurking around these forums the past few months. My waiting game seems to be over, and I have narrowed my decision down to two schools: Georgetown SSP or Johns Hopkins SAIS. I'm coming to you now and asking you to help me make my decision because I live alone on a farm with three dogs-- there is no one around to give me advice on school choices. Sure, I'm sure I'll get lots of information at the open houses, but I am really looking for opinions on the two programs from my amazingly anal-retentive peers on gradcafe. No one can slice apart a program like you guys. About me: I want to start my masters in Fall 2010, and eventually get into private security. AKA: making enough money to pay off student loans. Which do you think is a better program for someone interested in getting a masters to work in national security? Security Studies at Georgetown SFS or Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS? Georgetown has a prettier campus, but no metro access. SAIS doesn't require a thesis, but does require a lot of econ, which is not my strong point. Would a larger class at SAIS give me more opportunities to network, or simply drown me out in class? I really respect all of your opinions on the subject because I know how closely you all have studied these programs. Any advice would be much appreciated (and heeded).

Just got a very nice acceptance e-mail from Daniel Byman, director of SSP. I'm surprised they sent me an e-mail rather than just sending me to the website like everyone else. Financial aid to follow in the next two weeks (I've heard that before). I guess I had a pretty good year, because this means I got into every school I applied to: SIPA, Fletcher, Elliot, SIS, SAIS, and Georgetown. I haven't gotten any serious cash from anyone, but am waiting to hear about financial info from Elliott and Georgetown. I suppose that big $$ would sway me to either. If I still end up without any decent offers, though, I think I'll be heading to SAIS. Just wish I could finally have this whole process over with, because I think it's going to come down having to make a big decision.

Ouch! Just got my financial aid information, and no money for me! Just $20K in loans. This hurts.

Really, GW? REALLY?!?! You're going to send out a mass e-mail on 17 March titled "Elliott School Admission Decision Availability" and then have that NOT be the decision letter? JESUS CHRIST WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU. I've already decided I'm going to GTown or SAIS so GW is completely off my radar, but this really riles me up. If I were waiting seriously for a GWU decision, I think I would be having a heart attack right now. This admissions office has absolutely no idea what it's doing. Sending out an e-mail like this so late in the game is a dumb (and cruel) mistake. Also, I think waiting around so long so make their decisions is really going to bite them in the ass. So many students have already heard from other schools, and those students are starting to make emotional connections with the schools who have accepted them. When GW finally gets around to accepting them , they'll have already decided to go somewhere else. At this point, if it were down to GWU and another school for me, this dumbass e-mail would have sent me running to the other school. Come on.

Thank you, I was surprised and flattered by the acceptances. And thank you for your response! I was thinking that SAIS might be a better fit, but it always feels better to get confirmation from someone else. In my mind, Georgetown is more for diplomats and SAIS is more for people interested in policy and private firms. I know this isn't how the schools describe themselves, but in my mind that's what it seems like. I am definitely more interested in just getting my MA and entering the private sector. I think corporate security abroad could be an interesting field. Plus, I like the fact that SAIS doesn't make students write a Master's thesis. My undergrad thesis was a huge waste of time and I don't want to repeat the process. My stats are probably pretty similar to everyone else's. Graduated in 2006 from top-5 liberal arts college after studying abroad in Turkey. After graduating, worked abroad doing grass roots political work in Mongolia and Azerbaijan. Worked in several NGOs in DC and just got back from doing a Fulbright in Georgia. My GPA was completely average (3.5) and my GRE scores were not good (700/710/4!) so I think this really illustrates that they are looking more for work experience than straight numbers. I've met so many SAIS students who seem eager and proud of their program, and I think the location is great. Brookings and the best gay bars in D.C.? Sign me up!

I just wanted to add that I have exactly the same question. I'm not interested in being a diplomat, so does that mean I should choose SAIS?

I am so sick of waiting for grad school acceptances, it is unbelievable. I wouldn't wish the past couple of weeks on anyone. So far I've gotten into SAIS, SIS, SIPA and Fletcher. I think that SAIS would be my first choice, but still haven't heard from SSP. If I got into Georgetown, do you think I should choose it over SAIS? Is the Security Studies program that much stronger? I know it sounds totally ridiculous, but one reason I am leaning towards SAIS is because it is metro-accessible and I hate taking the bus all the way to Georgetown. Is that a stupid way to pick a grad school?