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Student007

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  1.    Merantau reacted to a post in a topic: Columbia SIPA 2017
  2. Student007
    If you have to take a private loan for this degree, it's really not worth it. I would try to pursue Plus Loans as much as possible. Even with a co-signer, the interest between private loans and student loans definitely make a difference in the long run as it accumulates. I don't know how much an international relations career earns in your country, @Merantau, but you have to consider post-graduate about your possible income when you go back home or even if you decide to stay in the US. If the average person in the field you want to pursue earns significantly less than how much debt you're taking, that's a clear red flag. That's why as ironheart has mentioned, the general amount thrown around in this forum is $60k for an acceptable student debt.
  3.    Student007 reacted to a post in a topic: Johns Hopkins SAIS 2017
  4. Student007
    I understand the apprehension, but I think this is the best time to pursue your studies in this field because of the freeze and possibility of the EPA and other environmental program being less funded or disappearing altogether. By the time you graduate, as 3dender has said, Trump will be sooner out of office. Furthermore, unless you really have your heart set on working for the government, there will be so many more opportunities to gain experience in NGOs, IOs and even in the private sector because they will have to do so much more work without the help of government in making sure we still have a planet by the end of all of this. Gain experience from those areas, and you will build a resumé much more impressively, having worked actively in the environmental field during a time of great need (as cheesy as that sounds). At this point in time and most likely when you finish, if you do by chance find work in the fed/state gov't concerning environmental policy, you will still be an entry-level employee doing mostly writing and briefing superiors that you wouldn't have much influence on policies anyway. I think this article really summarizes this whole situation well, even though the article talks about IR majors and not environmental policy majors. http://www.eagerlydc.com/career-in-foreign-policy-trump/ As far as going for the elite schools or not, I would apply to either and see which ones give you the most funding if any. Don't discount the elite programs just yet because some may be generous at offering funding and may have programs on their own about debt forgiveness. I also wouldn't discount schools abroad that would be much cheaper than in the US and may provide a much better insight on environmental policy. You know, the EU is generally at the forefront for environmentalism internationally, and of course, with the pollution being a daily visible problem in Asia, it would be interesting to pursue that there. Both options would even give you time away from this administration.
  5. Student007
    I would get in contact with alumni if you can, but definitely check out admissions if they have virtual tour videos, blogs or vlogs. I would also say that Youtube is your friend. I think there are definitely past threads here on AU and UCSD of admitted students, so some of them share their summaries of the admitted student days. I'm on the same boat! Fortunately, for GWU for example, they're having an online admitted student day.
  6. Student007
    So basically, it means I have no chance. Hahaha! Program does sound awesome, though.
  7.    nuhanzi reacted to a post in a topic: What did you major in for undergrad?
  8. Student007
    Hello, everyone. We have reps from the Schwarzman Scholars program coming to my school later this month. According to their website, they pay for your tuition for a one year master program at Tsinghua University in Beijing. I know of Tsinghua as being a top university in China (I've heard it being compared to their version of MIT for excelling in STEM), so as far university brand, it sounds compelling, but I've never heard of this program. They have Michelle Obama and previous US Secretary of States all over their page. Any thoughts?
  9. Student007
    Asian Studies. I'm surprised that Regional Area Studies wasn't included as a choice since the majority of Language and Area Studies do end up in IR work.
  10.    Katekm reacted to a post in a topic: Columbia SIPA 2017
  11. Student007
    Curious how this goes. Please keep us updated!
  12. Student007
    there's a lot of threads here that talk about using other schools as leverage even if they're lower ranked. honestly, i don't think it would hurt. they wouldn't rescind an existing offer simply because you asked for more. a little birdie told me that for elliott, at least, funding appeals will be reconsidered in late april. i don't know how much bargaining power you'd have as far SAIS since you initially had no funding, but again, i'd still try. but unless you get funding out of SAIS, i feel like it'd be a throw away just saying goodbye to funding at elliott and korbel. SAIS is top, but damn, it's so expensive plus cost of living in that area is a killer. also, go with the program, not the school. the same idea applies to how IR schools are ranked differently than their university counterpart. if korbel's specialty is security studies, then i'd say it's a good idea to follow the program.
  13.    Student007 reacted to a post in a topic: The Graduate Institute Geneva(IHEID) 2017-2018
  14. Student007
    Personally, I think you get what you pay for, and the opportunities at Fletcher and GWU will benefit you far more than being at Michigan due to the location, reputation and alumni network. Since you say that the ME is your main priority, as much as I have been pushing for Fletcher here, I think Elliott may actually help you more in this in the long run because of the relative strength of Elliott in regional studies and because of the opportunity to study abroad at AU in Beirut. Applying for PhD is a whole 'nother beast, but one of the most important things in going into a PhD is finding an advisor that's willing to take you on, and one that you can create a really comfortable relationship with, which you can gain by spending time there. And even if you do go to AU in Beirut, you can still network there with professors outside that school and find a potential advisor for your future PhD. I think this is especially important as you can introduce yourself personally to these potential advisors--not to mention, PhD programs are more competitive, so having a connection in the university--let alone country--would be greatly beneficial. I think even if you're unsure if a doctorate program is where you're headed right after graduate studies, a regional studies graduate would seem more credible having lived in the area they specialized in rather one that has only studied it in books, so in the end, it will help you with employment relevant to ME.
  15. Student007
    Sorry, I'm really trying to avoid mentioning them as I am 100% I would be identifiable if I reveal them.
  16. Student007
    Even a quick rundown through this forum shows that when anything IR-related is in question for programs, the first ones mentioned are SAIS, SFS, SIPA and Fletcher. Within the DC community, sure, people know GWU, but outside the US, people just confused GWU with GT because they don't know GWU. I say that from experience. So sure, if OP wants to stay in DC, GWU is great, and I agree that GWU feeds into the State really well. I also agree that GWU is doing quite well in regional studies these days. I actually think that's a real strong point. But if OP wants to go abroad, Fletcher I think is definitely more recognized. But this would matter less if OP wants to go into the public sector. Still, finances considered, Fletcher still wins in my book. Internships wouldn't be a problem either, I'd say, because I reckon OP will be too busy with his/her thesis during the semester, so breaks will be open for going to DC or even NY from Boston.
  17. Student007
    Hello, all! I'm currently an IR grad student at an APSIA school outside the US. As an American, I didn't really want to pay exorbitant tuition fees for a graduate program when I can gain international experience at a lower cost to boot with my masters abroad. I'll be finishing my requirements in the middle of this year, but I have the option of continuing my studies for another year at a top 10 FP school to gain a dual degree in IR. So, basically, I'll have 2 IR degrees from abroad and in the US. My concern is this: For my IR degree here, I basically paid roughly ~$10k/year for my 2 year program. The partner institution will rake me about ~$37k/year for a 1 year continuation of my program. That's almost 4x the price of my degree here. Is it worth having 2 IR degrees--from one being abroad with most likely very, very, very little name recognition and from one being a top 10 FP school? I'm afraid of being viewed as a "degree collector", which is not really my intention. I just feel that the US school would help me get my foot in the door. To be honest, my current school isn't really doing much for networking as they leave us to fend for ourselves. I should also add that I'm not completely solid about staying in the US for work and would be very open--maybe even prefer--to working abroad.
  18. Student007
    It depends on your financial background. I think SIPA full tuition PLUS NYC's rent is just outrageous. The ROI would not be worth it if you're planning to work in public service. IR/PP are fields that don't particularly result in very significant salaries unless you work up the private sector ladder. I have heard that SIPA is more generous with funding after the first year. Someone can correct me on that.
  19.    Student007 reacted to a post in a topic: Columbia SIPA 2017
  20. Student007
    I'm curious how you researched your programs and what specifically brought your to these three. It seems more logical to go something along the route of a Global Communications program. Putting the Ivy League brand aside, I think USC would be a really great fit if you can take classes at Annenberg while at Sol Price. Also, it's nice that you're thinking of a HGSE alum to feel inspired about a program, but I'm not sure that's the best way to consider what best suits your career goals. Anyway, excellent choices to have. I think they'd be all great whatever you choose.
  21. Student007
    ^^^ I have to agree with Ella16. Based on your funding, it seems that it's Tufts vs. GWU, and if I were to be completely honest, I think Fletcher as a program is a leg up from Elliott if we put the location aside. I think reputation-wise, Fletcher is slightly more highly regarded. That said, you're also getting a much higher fellowship $$$, and if you're getting any type of loans, Fletcher has a great Loan Repayment Assistant Program (LRAP) if you pursue public service. Elliott does not have that type of program. In comparing rent, I'd say it's cheaper to live around Fletcher than it is around Elliott, which is smack-dab in the middle of DC, so unless you like again, how Ella16 put it, "hustle and bustle of DC", go for it if you can afford it, but it's probably that you'd have to live in Northern VA or in the MD side and will have to commute. Fletcher will feel more like a traditional campus. Personally, I would prefer the Fletcher setting if you want to focus on your studies while still having a strong network and that brand name IR school. Again, I think Fletcher is a little bit more known than Elliott, even internationally, so it would help post-abroad. It helps that Fletcher students can actually take classes at HKS and other schools plus the option of doing dual/joint degrees with other universities (even abroad). If you're worried about internship options and really want to work in DC, Fletcher's network and reputation can definitely take you to DC during breaks. Elliott's DC advantage is being able to work/intern WHILE taking classes at night DURING the semesters, but I wonder if this will be really helpful to you since you'll be writing a thesis and would most likely not want to work anyway while doing your research (?). During the break, it's really a competition for all, and you shouldn't have a problem being on equal footing as DC kids at that time. This is my opinion, and I'm planning to go to Elliott, but my circumstances are different than yours. Personally, I think Fletcher seems to be the best option in your case.
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