redraisin

Major lurker here, happened to check this thread today and thought I'd share.
I was an alternate for the SAFLI fellowship, and I got a response back the day after people were supposed to make decisions, I think May 1st or 2nd. Note, this is only my experience with the SAFLI fellowship program, not the scholarship. Since they got back to me quickly, I'll be going to convocation in DC.
Me going is still dependent on if I can get my letter of matriculation in time, but that's a whole other story... ? 
Good luck to other alternates! 
 

I can personally vouch for MAPSS for political science. I mostly know the theory results, but I think my entire poli sci cohort did well in PhD apps. For example, I know a comparativist who's staying at Chicago, one who's going to Brown, and another who's going to Princeton. 

Don't listen to the unwarranted vitriol-- if you put a lot of effort into MAPSS you can get a lot out of I'm (I'm starting at Yale this fall.) 

I think Chicago CIR would still be the better pick; I've heard great things about it, and nothing good about Columbia