Damis

Ja, thinking about it more, I think I can see your point as well.

International Relations/Security

That's interesting. I was always under the impression (in America at least) that once you start paying a student loan off you're stuck until it's done. Regardless of if you decide to attend grad school again. Is this true?

Guess it's a matter of perspective... Firstly, let us be clear in regards to what we think a signature is. I utilize the signature in my GMail to highlight two Scholarship programs I am currently apart of. This signature, found in options, has text that will attach itself to every email that I send out. Is this what you're taking umbrage with? If so, I think you're taking the email signature too seriously. The NSF Fellowship is, in its own way, a credential. Just because it doesn't personally affect you means nothing. No one is implying anything by having that small tidbit included in their email signature. In stating that the signature is supposed to promote you, I'm only implying that it's supposed to get a fact or two about yourself out there. Why not have a small tidbit of information that indicates you're apart of a select cohort of individuals? Every. Single. Career advice person I've interacted with has advised me to place those two fellowships in my signature. Who wins in that case? It's a personal snippet of you. I can understand if the person is a professional, but for students it's a moot point. You're constantly having to promote yourself. This is an easy, non-invasive, way to do so. Of course, sending emails back and forth using a personal email address would have that information there...and you'd receive it 99.99999% of the time...but what do you want to the person to do? Turn it off? My school address doesn't have that information. I guess that appeases you?

Seems that you've already decided, but don't want to tell yourself what you really feel! As far as prestige, I would guess American is slightly higher in the food chain, but ultimately this is a decision predicated as much by how comfortable you'll feel. If you get to D.C. and struggle to attach yourself to the lifestyle and academic shift, you may in fact struggle. That's no bueno in regards to furthering yourself. It boils down to your goals. In looking at what you had to say in your other thread, it seems that D.C. is more conducive to accomplishing what you want. You say that Denver has the second most federal jobs, but are these the types of jobs you picture yourself pursuing? American would most def give you the leg up, but you'll only benefit if you're willing to get out there and take advantage of your location. No one can make the decision for you, but it seems you would be most happy at U Denver...given what you've provided.

I'm not following why you all think it is pretentious to have fellowships that you applied for and won in your email signature? As much as the signature is about letting people know who you are, it's also meant to promote yourself and to let others know the credentials you bring to the table. Of course you don't put your entire CV in the signature, but something as substantial as an NSF Fellowship shouldn't be buried neither.

Going to add my two cents, as I'd love to see your questions get answered: 1. If you are applying to these schools for their MPA, it's better to take the GRE, not GMAT. For dual programs combining an MBA/MPP or MPA, I believe the GMAT suffices for both, but am not entirely sure. 2. After looking over profiles of individuals that have applied and been accepted to the programs you highlighted, I'd say you stand a very good chance of gaining admittance. There are so many variables at play, however, that one can never be quite sure of anything. WWS is the most difficult out of those schools. 3. The strong quantitative background will definitely help you out, as many folks are often denied admission because the respective programs require strong economic/statistical/mathematical skills. Your masters will help you out anyway, by the way, as they'll see you're capable of graduate level work. 4. I don't think the "pass" mark is, in any way, consequential in this regard. 5. You'll find that your age will be near, or even below, the average of your cohort. 6. I think you should apply for MPA...as MPA2 seems to be offered for individuals with 10+ years of experience. Best of luck!

Ja that varies, and additionally I'd think the respective governments would make an exception to these rules. At the very least IIE likely has an agreement with them showing that they'll eventually ship you out.

Thanks for bumping!

From what I understand, you find out after the medical clearance.

Stipends are not the same from country to country. Nor are they they the same between ETA/Research. Research Fellowship recipients typically receive more.

Gosh I'm sorry. If you're looking into private intelligence, it's likely going to be the same story. Every clearance goes through some type of governmental channel. So even though you often find private contractors completing the investigations, they are following protocol provided by the U.S. Federal government. As intimated in the article, if you're able to find someone to move you through the process manually, your problems are abated. You have it a lot easier, as an Irish citizen, in this regard than...say...someone from Pakistan or Afghanistan. Heck, I've even been to conferences wherein the U.K. and U.S. collaborated on analytic methodologies together (4 Eyes). As you mentioned, the process is not very flexible at all...and in many cases quite antiquated. Best of luck in figuring this thing out. Sorry I could not give any good news. Perhaps someone (there are a lot of former military folks...with current clearances) can provide more insight. I received my clearance last Summer...and it expired with the end of my internship.

I'm sorry, but it's going to be essentially impossible to gain clearance: http://www.clearancejobs.com/news.php?articleID=54 Unless something new has occurred in the past year. It's a crap situation, really. That SCI eligibility is what would hold you up. There are plenty of folks that only have Secret/Top-Secret...but they're all eligible to undergo the process in trying to secure SCI. The intelligence community needs more individuals with specialized skill, but shot themselves in the foot with stuff like this. From their perspective, though, they have to be ultra skeptical. As the article attests to, they are in the process of trying to work something else out. In the mean time, so many good folks fall through the cracks.

Well, MoltBe, it depends on where you shall be undertaking your ETA. Most places will have you find your own location, but some countries may set that up for you.

Hey all, Thanks for the words of encouragement. My mind is now at ease. Julian, my forms were in the hands of my doctor. She was supposed to have sent them last week, but didn't because she wanted to get in contact with me first. I'm hoping she sent them yesterday. I've also found out that I've been placed in Hessen somewhere. Which is sort of a bummer because I've been in that area so much already! Oh well. I'm still excited!

The results stated that I had a low WBC along with low iron. The iron is explained due to issues regarding gastritis, but I thought I'd nipped it in the bud awhile ago. Guess I need to follow up on that now. The WBC could be due to a variety of factors, with stressing out about school being at the fore. I don't think it's anything to be worried about neither. She also said there was something weird with my liver. But that's the first I've ever heard anything about it. This was the first time I'd ever visited this doctor, as I usually am attended to by my family physician in Mississippi. I'm as healthy as a horse...I don't remember the last time I had even a cold. Argh! Why would these abnormalities show up now!?

My results came back a bit abnormal. I think most of it stems from nerves and gastritis, but I'm generally concerned moving forward. While the doctor noted that it appears to be nothing serious. She did indicate that the results were weird. I wonder how Fulbright will approach the form?

I'm sorry, but no way in Hell is that worth it. Either wait another year (while retaking the GRE/reengaging yourself in extracurricular to strengthen your application/taking additional coursework to improve your application) or work for a year. If you're really set on going to school this year...you may have to include those other schools in the equation. Even if you were able to finish with the debt and "have to go into finance/consulting" those jobs don't necessarily grow on trees neither. Best of luck with your decision.

Jeez! I only had to pay for the PPD test. Smooth 50 bucks. Sucks that they don't reimburse for these tests. Especially considering that they likely give the form a once over and then throw-away recycle the paper.

Flights, yeah. The Commission actually sent an STA Travel form to me when they told me they were trying to place me earlier. With the Visa, there will likely be forms for you to fill out, but that will also likely come through Fulbright. How do things work with the language course? I'd like to take it just because, but didn't really look into it beforehand.

Haha. Don't stress yourself and raise some other vital sign! Something minute as a slightly raised cholesterol level shouldn't effect you. I'd think this medical exam is both precautionary on their end, in regards to whether you suddenly fell ill abroad under their purview; along with a simple protocol that their lawyers had them check up on. Bureaucracy is crazy like that. You'll be fine! Congrats again.

You're a great Mom!

Same, although IIE did send snail mail stating that they're still trying to place me.

E-Mail Fulbright2011.2012@gmail.com and they'll update it for you.

Hey, my info is correct! The Germany ETA group is dead, like Fred, so perhaps someone should just start a group for 2011-2012 Germany Grantees?