DeepShadeofBlue

Congratulations on your decision! I was also accepted at both Korbel & SIS, and attended American's open house for USFP, so perhaps we met that day! Like you, I had a wonderful experience there. The campus is small, but absolutely beautiful. And you're right, the professors definitely seemed vested in the students. Very down-to-earth. What I really liked is that they specifically set up time for each program to meet with their corresponding academic advisers, where expectations and requirements for graduating are laid out, one by one. The breadth and depth of related courses are unmatched by many other IR programs. I was also impressed with how small the number of students in USFP would be -- around 50. It's amazing that even though American is the largest IR program in the nation, its specific concentrations still have small student bodies. Some of the program's greatest strengths, in my opinion, simultaneously served as its greatest weaknesses. While I liked the idea of the school offering only night classes (so students can intern during the day, and consistently throughout their program), I also felt that the role of being a "student" was secondary. I understand the importance of interning, but one of my biggest concerns with American's program was finding a balance between having to be a student and an intern, and finding work that would pay me. That coupled with DC's high cost of living -- I was very weary of being able to make ends meet. In the end, I actually chose the Bush School at Texas A&M. After lining up curriculum from both schools, I realized the core requirements are nearly identical. And, although less prestigious and without the DC connection, they really do offer a lot to make up for being a school outside DC. Although a little bit off topic, I really do encourage future applicants to apply to a variety of programs AND to actually visit them. American was my dream school -- I didn't think I had a shot at getting in. And when I did, I thought I was going to go there no matter what. A&M was actually dead last on my list, but after visiting, I realized its program was a great fit for me. Anyway, best of luck American, and once again, congratulations!

Hi Ashlee! I think we're basically in the same boat! I was also accepted to SIS and to a much cheaper state school program, and I'm trying to figure out if SIS is really worth the debt. Like you, SIS is is my top choice, but I don't know if I can really afford it. Since you can't attend the open house, I would suggest emailing/calling Admissions AND the Financial Aid office and ask any questions or state any reservations that you have about the program (if you haven't already). Maybe you could even ask if a current student would be willing to talk with you on the phone or via SKYPE. I know that you're overseas, but there might be a couple of hours that would overlap early in the morning for them/late at night for you. I'm going to the open house on the 12th and would be happy to post my experiences/observations.

...so just how minority-friendly is TAMU?

Flyers29 ---> I seem to be a very similar position you may have found yourself in a few years ago. I was recently accepted at my dream school (with no funding, of course), and to a state school. Both programs seem great, but the dream school is nationally ranked and offers some location advantages that the state school cannot. That said, I would come out of the dream school about 80k-100k in debt, versus the state school with about 30k in debt. Knowing what you know now, would you still choose to go to the "good name" school versus your state-school alma mater, if you suddenly found yourself in a time warp?

Hey guys -- I actually called Office of Admissions wanting to know more information about the Grad Day on April 12th, as I would have to fly to get there. They asked me if I received an invitation with the admissions packet, and I said "no." So, they gave me a website address to register for the event. On the phone, they mentioned we should register by April 1st. So, if you haven't received anything regarding the open house, I'd definitely give them a call. CNREVES --> They mentioned that the day would begin about 8:30am and end around 6pm. Some activities that are on the itinerary: chance to meet with faculty members, financial aid, advisors, career services, current students, and information on study abroad programs. There might be more, but that's the information the woman on the phone passed along.

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS. So much of what I've been reading about taking out loans has been very negative. Granted, the issue should never be taken lightly, but reading this post does ease my mind a little, as I am also looking to come out of graduate school with a similar amount owed.

Hey Bilk -- I also applied to the USFP program at American. Perhaps we'll be classmates! Are you thinking of going to Graduate Day on the 12th? I've spent some time in Japan and China as well, and Korea is a vibrant country, quite different from its neighbors. The only downsides I can think of are housing, and as you mentioned, losing connections being away from DC. I can't remember if SIS mentioned anything about procuring housing for you, or if you'll be living on campus at the university. But, you'll definitely need the program to help you get housing since key deposits are usually astronomical. Secondly, I really hesitate to move away from the DC area because of all the internship/research opportunities that are *hopefully* right there. That's one of the main reasons I am heavily considering American versus some other programs; American has prime location, and I'm hoping that advantage is worth the debt I'd have to take on. Have you considered any of the short term programs, like the semester abroad or summer programs? That way you'd still have an international opportunity, but wouldn't have to miss out as much on those experiences in DC. I'm not sure about Sookmyung, but I can imagine the intensity of study would be comparable to that of KU. KU makes up a trifecta known as SKY (Seoul National, Korea University, and Yonsei University) and they are pretty much the IVY-league schools of the nation. The students in Korea, probably much like those in Japan and China, study rigorously as adolescents. In middle school, many study from basically 8:30am until 2am in the morning, as they go to private academies right after their regular schooling. Just to give you a general idea, the students I taught at a public middle school formally studied the languages of Korean, Chinese, Japanese, and English. (These do not include students who will go on to foreign language high schools, where they might pick up another language - Spanish, French, or German.) Kinda insane. I have no idea what student life at the Master's level would look like. I don't say this to deter or undermine your ambition, just trying to pass on as much information to you as possible.

Thanks for the great information guys! A friend of the family's is actually a financial aid counselor at university in Illinois. I spoke with him on the phone for a little while, and he seemed to think that it was reasonable to take out Stafford and PLUS loans. As in, I, or any other applicant, wouldn't be completely insane for coming out of a master's programs with anywhere between $50,000-80,000 in debt, AS LONG AS it was a good program fit.

Hey! I can't offer any insight on the dual program at SIS, but I just came from a year in Korea, and was also thinking of applying to the dual program. If you are really interested in going to Korea, I'd definitely make every effort to go! Plus cost of living there is so much more affordable than in Japan (at least city wise). Korea has great public transportation - from subways, bullet trains, and an infinite number of buses (that will seriously take you everywhere). A couple of my friends have even bought their own motorcycles/scooters to get around. Since the nation is geographically small, it's extremely accessible. You can go from Seoul to Busan on a bullet train in just 2-2.5 hours. And, in the metropolitan areas, you don't need to know much Korean (if any...although I'm sure you will want to learn, just it's comforting to know that if you don't pick up Korean quickly, you won't be completely lost). Do you think you will switch over? Which program at SIS have you initially applied for?

oops!

I've heard the same about Korbel. Its security program is currently ranked 12th by Foreign Policy Magazine. http://www.du.edu/today/stories/2009/05/2009-05-05ranking.html But that's about all I've heard about the program. It's in a prime location too...and cost of living would be significantly cheaper too.

I've been browsing around this forum, but I'm not quite sure where to find an answer for this question. I know that Stafford loans cap out at $20,000 a year, but are there other federal loans I would be eligible for? I just spoke with the Financial Aid Office at the school I hope to be enrolling in, and they mentioned Graduate PLUS Loans. Does anyone have any advice on when to fill the PLUS loan application out? As in, wait for information regarding Stafford Loans first, and then apply? Or go ahead and do the PLUS application now? If it makes any difference, I know for a fact that the Stafford Loans will not cover all the tuition ($1,300 per credit --> 2 year program of 39 credits = 50,000 +) And course, there are other expenses: housing, for one. Does anyone have any advice in general?

Definitely agree with the above post. Think about which program is the best fit for you. If you're not enthusiastic about the program, you won't be enthusiastic about the work, or even job prospects. Whereas, if you go to a school with a program that you really believe in, you won't be angry/upset/frustrated when paying off those loans each month. At least that's how I'm looking at it. I'm on the reverse side from you -- I got into SIS with no funding, but it's the dream school. So, even though expenses are going to be astronomical in DC, I'll make it work somehow. Good luck as you make your decision!

Hey Scytheye -- The previous writers make some great points. You've really got to know what you want to go to graduate school for. You will be asked that many times during the application process. That said, I also studied English as an undergraduate. My father was an English major as well, and he sternly warned against pursuing it. (But, we love literature, and sometimes we can't help loving the things that we do). In my father's case, he went on to become a minister. Being able to communicate, and communicate well, is essential to his job. He utilizes his communication skills during sermons, hospital visits, funerals, weddings, counseling sessions, even in what he writes for the monthly newsletters. So thinking along those lines, you could pursue an advanced degree in journalism, communication, or media studies. These are pretty difficult fields to get into without previous experience, as in internships or publications, but it is feasible to find opportunities around your area. Like you, I also struggled with the question of "what to do with an English degree?" After graduating, I went abroad to Korea and taught English for a year. It combined the opportunity to "use" my degree with the chance to "see the world," and really invest in another culture. When I came back, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to pursue in graduate school - International Affairs. In the Fall, I will be attending American University in DC, studying US Foreign Policy. Any English major will be able to find a decent job because the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and written, is an imperative skill that every employer seeks. If you're truly serious about graduate school, you need to sit down and define your interests. What do you enjoy doing? What do you not enjoy? What kind of job setting can you see yourself in? Where can you not see yourself? I'd suggest thumbing through your university's course catalog, and looking at which courses interest you the most. What are some of the other majors and minors at your university? Graduate and Professional Programs look for individuals from diverse backgrounds, so don't be afraid to apply to a field outside of English. What they want to know is do you have potential, can you do the work, and are you a good fit the program. And, those are the kind of things that can be explained in your Statement of Purpose and with Letters of Recommendation.