Sophia Eliana

I loved how personalized the SSP process was. Payton Tanner, then-Assistant Director of Admissions, was super friendly and answered my many application questions so many times. She made it very apparent that the program is a tight-knit community--and she was right. Beyond that, SSP seemed to have more practical and hands-on classes that directly prepared folks to work in national or international security. I ended up getting into cyber threat analysis, and took some amazing classes within the Tech & Security concentration. SAIS is an amazing program too, but SSP was the right fit for my interests and my personality. IMO, you can't go wrong with either.

Hey folks--2018 SSP admit here. SSP admits who receive scholarships receive informal offers early. I received a small scholarship, so I got a phone call on (Monday) 3/12/18 at around 12pm EST from the Director of Admissions. I received my official acceptance on (Friday) 3/16/18 at around 5pm EST. That said, just because you didn't receive the informal acceptance yet doesn't mean an official acceptance isn't coming! Still very much a possibility. SSP (and all of SFS, for that matter) has limited funding for scholarships.

Hi! I'm headed to SSP after applying to both programs, and I'm really glad that I chose it. I didn't realize when I was applying that MSFS has law school-esque curves in all their classes, so the students tend to be more competitive. Also, MSFS curriculum is designed so that everyone is a full-time student, whereas SSP students often have part-time internships or research positions. For my personal pursuits (intelligence and security analysis), this turned out to be the perfect program-- even though I have 0 military experience coming in.

Hi, I can confirm. Jessica called me Monday at around 10:00 AM PST to let me know that I've been admitted with funding, and will get an official decision letter saying so today (Friday) by 5 PM.

I'm also curious. I'm very heavily leaning towards SSP, but I also worry that it might not have as much name recognition as SAIS.

Program Applied To: MIR/MIA Schools Applied To: Elliott, SIPA, SAIS, Walsh MSFS, Walsh SSP Schools Admitted To: Elliott ($), SAIS, (0), Walsh SSP (?) Schools Rejected From: SIPA Schools Waitlisted From: Walsh MSFS Still Waiting: N/A Undergraduate institution: USC (#21 in US) Undergraduate GPA: 3.72 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): approx. 3.8 Undergraduate Major: International Relations, concentrations: foreign policy analysis, European regional relations GRE Quantitative Score: 162 GRE Verbal Score: 157 GRE AW Score: 5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2 Years of Work Experience: 1.2 years full-time, 1 year part-time Describe Relevant Work Experience: 1 year combined part-time IR research during undergrad; 6 months field organizer on Clinton campaign in battleground state. Since then I've been working as a clerk in corporate law, which is not particularly relevant. That was my biggest fear during the application process- that I wouldn't have enough relevant experience. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I focused on my relevant experience in research, especially while studying abroad at Sciences Po Paris during Charlie Hebdo. I then spent the last paragraph specifically addressing aspects of the program that I appreciated and would utilize, should I be admitted. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I didn't get to read any of them, but the writers were very strong. 2 were former professors-- one was the Vice Dean of our College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences (and is very well-known in the IR field for his publications). Another was a French professor who helped me conduct research on Algerian non-state actors in the aftermath of Charlie Hebdo. My final LOR was from a former advisor when I did summer research at a Brussels thinktank, which I considered my "professional" LOR. All 3 knew me very very well. Other: I can't believe I got into SSP, and with funding! It was by far my first choice, especially given how personal and kind they were to me during the application process. Since I want to work for a 3-letter agency one day, it's perfect for my career. I'll find out Friday how much funding I get, which is critical.

Thank you! I'm specializing in international security. I haven't applied to external fellowships, but I'm going to look into which ones are still open once I find out what my funding looks like. I can't wait until I get the official email on Friday!

I just got a phone call from Jessica today telling me that I'd receive an official email admission to SSP with funding on Friday! I couldn't be happier! I was waitlisted at MSFS, but I prefer SSP anyways. In my personal experience, they were far kinder and open during the application process.

Hi! I'd love some input while I wait for decisions. I really don't know what my chances are. Thus far I've been accepted to Elliott, and deferred from SAIS EA to regular admissions. Program: Master's in IR Schools Applying To: Georgetown Walsh SFS, Georgetown Walsh SSP, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Columbia SIPA, GW Elliott Interests: Security studies, conflict management, etc. Especially cases with colonial histories. Undergrad Institution: University of Southern California. Studied abroad at Sciences Po Paris for 5 months Undergraduate GPA: 3.72 overall / 3.9 major Undergraduate Major: IR, foreign policy analysis concentration, Europe regional emphasis GRE: 162 V / 157 Q / AW 5.0 Age: 24 Languages: English (native), Greek (conversational), French (conversational), Italian (basic) Nationality: US Quant Experience: International Political Economy, no macro/micro Work Experience: 6 months working on Clinton campaign in Virginia, 9+ months thus far working as a clerk at an employment defense law firm. I handle quite a lot of Excel data analyses, but not much related to IR. I also spent a combined 1.5 years in research assistantships throughout my undergraduate career, including a stint at a think tank in Brussels LORs: 1 from undergrad IR professor who was also Vice Dean of our College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences. He's an important guy and knows me very well, so that should be a good one. 1 from my advisor at the think tank in Brussels, who can speak to both my academic and professional background. 1 from my French professor in undergrad, whose class sparked my interest in modern conflicts with colonial pasts (e.g. la Francophonie). SOPs: My experience studying abroad immediately after the Charlie Hebdo terror attack made me appreciate foreign policy from a new perspective, outside of my usual American framework. The attack fascinated me because of French-Algerian relations post-colonization. X school has X programs that relate to international crisis management, and X professors are researching x about colonial history. I ultimately want to put this knowledge to use with an analytical position at a government institution, e.g. DoS/DoD/CIA. Concerns: Relatively little work experience, especially experience that's IR-related. My scores are ok, and my GPA is good, but I honestly don't know if they're enough to compensate for my lack of work in the field.

Mine was "Tell us something that makes you excited and happy." I loved it! I got to talk about my dad's immigration story, and seeing life in the US through his eyes.

I believe I saw somewhere on the website that we'd hear back on April 1st.

Does anyone know when SIPA is sending out fellowship decisions (not early admit)?

Yes, I applied to two programs this cycle. It's a bit of a pain-- you have to create a new account and submit a new, separate application. I applied to MSFS and to SSP, which are related but distinct enough.