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Haha, I'm sure Georgetown folks don't appreciate this perceived reputation that they are somehow econ illiterate because they don't have an explicit econ requirement . Regardless of how difficult the econ curriculum is, I'd encourage you to give it a shot. You'll probably notice that the SAIS mantra has gotten to me, but I honestly think it's kind of impossible to intelligently navigate today's world without a solid understanding of economics. More importantly, these classes teach you fundamental skills that are useful and indispensable to ANY profession, like interpreting numbers, organizing data and reading a graph. The adjustment period differs for everyone, but if you can get into any of these top IR programs you're smart enough to take these classes. Sure, you might not get a flat A in them, but you'll be learning, which I think counts for something. As for specifics. The classes are technically first year graduate level courses, but I didn't find them too difficult and I NEVER took econ as an undergraduate. Sample micro syllabus: http://www.sais-jhu....term%202009.pdf Yes there is BASIC calculus but they don't expect you to learn more than a couple derivative rules. No integrals or anything fancy. Macro can be tougher, because there's so much to cover in 13 weeks. A lot of it is solow growth, AD/AS model, etc but some people think it's way easier and more interesting because of the real-life applications. Trade is really straightforward provided you understood micro (concepts like efficiency, dead weight loss). Monetary covers balance of payments concepts, trade balance; exchange rates and foreign exchange markets; interest rates; capital flows, that kind of stuff. Bottom line: you'll be fine. You don't need a graphing calculator but having a TI-83, or anything that lets you see line by line calculations will make your life easier. If you take anything in finance please do yourself a favor and buy a financial calculator or face death by menial pencil and paper computation. Final point: all econ classes have TAs who run great tutorials if you need the extra nudge, guidance and structure to keep you up to speed. This includes "let's get you back to thinking about numbers, shall we" type tutorials in the first week of preterm for people who "fail" the basic math test given out in the first day of preterm (don't worry, there are really no consequences for failing it and honestly you should pass if you scored more than 600 on GRE math). Don't pass up SAIS because of it's econ reputation. I know a lot of people came here deathly afraid of it and they're the ones who ended up going way over quota on their econ classes, or pursuing a non-required econ specialization, because they found out they were actually kind of good at it and that it was a beneficial skillset to have.

Actually, I was under the impression that Canadian studies was quite well-funded because there are so few students in that program. Or are you concentrating in something else? It sucks to have your options limited for financial reasons, but I'd agree that taking on 100K+ in private loans to go to SAIS is not worth it especially if you know you want to work in the public sector after graduation. I think you're right in thinking you'd have more networking opportunities in Canada. Provided the programs offering you a free ride are decent, I'd take up those offers.

I have no idea, since most people don't openly discuss how much they're getting from SAIS. However, I once walked into the Financial Aid office and saw an award for 10K that was some kind of Korea Studies Fellowship. They seem to give out a few (though strict numbers are unknown) under this initiative: http://www.sais-jhu.edu/academics/regional-studies/korea/fellowships.htm My guess is the majority of awards fit in the 5K-20K. Yep, SAIS students gets a Masters in International Relations. International Econ and your regional/functional specializations are concentrations.

I have to say I haven't really experienced the Wharton joint degree guy's observations. People at SAIS work hard because the econ courses can be challenging if you don't have the background. However, I find the workload at SAIS to be completely reasonable, such that most people can take on 10-30 hr internships while keeping up with the academics. And compared to my undergrad, I think SAISers are much more outgoing. Happy Hour is a good start, and there always seem to be a bunch of parties going on. Also disagree with the lack of career clubs. There are quite a few, and they are among the best-funded at SAIS.

' http://www.sais-jhu.edu/bin/a/l/SAIS_EmpOutlk09.pdf "95% of the graduating class reported that they had accepted employment or a fellowship, or had gone on to further study." 2008 was also 95% and it was 93% in 2007, so the recession hasn't had an impact although more people go into the public/multilateral sector now.

Trust me, we are not snobs!

Forgot to add that HNC has a very strong alumni network in China. However, the Center itself lacks a career services, so I've heard the folks there gripe about how it's annoying to have to go through DC in order to access career services. Not 100% sure about this.

Oh wow, sorry about the lack of spacing in my previous post. Formatting is all messed up and I can't edit it anymore. Hi Ashtangi, I do in fact know a lot of classmates who came from HNC. I've heard that the number of people who did a year at HNC coming into SAIS was exceptionally high this year. If you do China Studies you'll get to know each other, and a lot of people take post-proficiency Chinese for their language class since HNC folks generally have pretty solid Mandarin skills. I've also visited the Center and although I wouldn't really want to spend a year there (not so much because of the curriculum itself but because I can't really justify spending American tuition in China, no matter how good the program is) it's a very modern building with an excellent library. I have heard that you don't have much privacy because you get roomed with a Chinese student at the center and, well, everyone has to live in the dorm so word gets around. Having sat on one or two classes, there's definitely hit or miss professors, but that's the case in every school. My other issue with the program was that I wasn't sure if I wanted to be boxed into doing just China. For language-immersion purposes, however, I think it can be a great experience provided you and your roommate come to some kind of agreement about the balance of English and Chinese that ought to be spoken amongst yourselves. Nanjing is a great town. Close enough to Shanghai that you can get away on the weekends, although I presume you'll be very busy at the center unless your written Chinese is good since you'll be writing a thesis IN CHINESE! For a town its size its got a fair share of "western" restaurants which is important for quality of life in the long run. Some people can survive on Xinjiang noodles for a year. I can't. If you want more info send me a PM.

Re: mpp_applicant "The biggest question for me right now is the price tag. I wasadmitted to the IDEV program, DC campus. I have no doubt it's the best programI've been admitted to, but I received no grants, only federal loans. Do SAISstudents worry about their debt after graduation, or do they seem confidenttheir job placement will be strong enough to justify the cost? Any thoughts onthe matter are greatly appreciated!" Congrats on getting into IDEV. It’s tough to get into that one,although I don’t know how the program’s dynamics will change given Prof. Fukuyama’sdeparture to Stanford. Sorry to hear you didn’t get any grants. That sucks. I wasfortunate in that I received a good deal of funding from my former employer topursue my MA. Here’s the thing—and this applies to La Voz’s first question aswell—while the majority of first year’s do not receive much funding (maybe 5K,10K fellowships thrown out here and there, but certainly nothing approaching afull ride) there are A LOT of named fellowships you can apply for during theyear and going into your second year. This list http://www.sais-jhu....cholarships.htm is a good start. One thing is that your chances of receiving a fellowship alsodepend on your concentration. Some are known to be better funded than others(i.e. SEA, Korea Studies because the USKF is very generous, Japan Studies becauseit's a very small group and there’s more money to go around). My concentration also seems to be getting new scholarships established althoughthe size of the department probably means it’ll be tougher to get second yearfunding. But in general, I’d say your chances of getting something your secondyear are very good, given that you maintain decent grades. SAIS students definitely do worry about the debt their amassing(especially if they’re coming in with undergraduate loans) but generally studentssatisfaction is very high. I don’t hear people griping about money too much,but that’s probably because it’s a private matter. I do know many students dointernships, some unpaid, or part time jobs during the year. Others carry onwith their old jobs in a freelancing capacity. People are pretty resourceful. La Voz’s questions about TAships and the like: Yes, theydefinitely exist. You’d be in better shape if you’re good at Econ, because theEcon department is always looking for people to TA their classes. There arealso pre-term/summer session positions. Salary, I believe is close to 18 anhour, but don’t quote me on that. Also, there are Federal workstudy jobsavailable at the SAIS library, language and computer labs but I think you haveto be eligible for workstudy to get those positions. Wages are not as good.Think 10-11 an hour. Final thing about getting money from SAIS: certainextracurricular leadership positions get you a stipend. I’d recommend thisarticle http://www.saisobser...paid-positions/ for starters. Obviously, it’s no good to join a club just becauseyou want the stipend, but just saying. Not many people are aware of this. Living in DC: Yep, Dupont Circle is very expensive. You can geta 1000-1100 dollar efficiency at the “SAIS Dorm” aka 1500 Mass but you get whatyou pay for. A nicer one bedroom, studio or efficiency in the area costs closerto the 1300-1400 range. There are, however, several group houses where you’d beable to get away with cheaper rent. Think 700-900. Anything cheaper than thatand you’d have to think beyond the box. Mt Pleasant, Columbia Heights, and Shaware good options and within biking distance. I don’t know too many people wholive much further away because the Metro is notoriously crappy (and DANGEROUSTHESE DAYS!) but one or two people do commute from the burbs. It is notimpossible. One final thing: summer is time when students who are interestedin the private sector make money, but a lot of people also take unpaidinternships. That’s just how it is for certain fields like nonprofits anddevelopment. However, SAIS, and the academic programs do offer small stipendsfor people taking on these types of internships. The takehome is that SAIS is very supportive, and while you mayfeel poor at times, the financial aid people (more like person) is veryhelpful. I’ve certainly never felt that I was being abandoned in a big sea ofbureaucracy. It’s a small, tight-knit community and removed from the JHUmothership, so things get done a bit differently. Hope that answered your questions.

I'm biased since I'm current student at SAIS but if I were you I'd definitely go to choose SAIS. I know a lot of Germans who went to SAIS and trust me they fare EXTREMELY well getting placed in the private sector. Every year there seems to be a German SAIS grad who goes to McKinsey. Plus, SIPA won't get you better private sector placements. Sure you can take B-school classes but take a look at SAIS' international finance program, it's pretty solid. If you really want the Ivy League brand name on your resume and you're interested in B-School classes/private sector, I'd suggest you look at doing a joint degree. Wharton would be a good one that's compatible with the SAIS MA. And while it's not an official joint-degree program, I know someone who is doing a joint degree with SAIS and Columbia GSB. If you're thinking of foregoing the 100K+ from SAIS (and that's what it's going to be since you're getting full tuition plus a stipend), I'd funnel that money into an MBA. There is absolutely no guarantee you'll get anything from SIPA, and it's especially the case for first year funding. They're notoriously stingy dispensing that.

Current SAIS student here. Congrats to everyone who got admitted. I like SAIS enough that I'm willing to answer any questions you might have about the program. Swamped with work this week so I can't guarantee I'll answer every question or write that much but fire away any pressing questions! Cheers, SAISer