Byrek

Thanks to everyone in this thread! It’s really helpful. Coming from US, but recently served in the peace corps until a month or so ago. Deciding btwn American SIS (coverdell, 29k) GW (in off waitlist, no word on funding yet) SAIS MAIAA (2 hrs bologna, awaiting reconsideration) Fletcher (15k/yr) Waitlisted at Georgetown but probably not getting in nor would I get funding I believe. Leaning toward it’s btwn SAIS and Fletcher for me. The MAIA program is cheaper than the standard MA program. I would spend both years in Bologna so the cost of living is less. MAIA would require a fewer Econ courses and is a create your own MA while also doing a thesis/research paper. This is attractive to me because as someone who isn’t 1000% what they want to do and as someone who has multiple interests it would allow me to gain more knowledge in different areas while still finding an in depth focus area. I want to get up to speed on the different sectors I could work in in order to have a more complete education entering the work force as I am not coming from an IR background. being in bologna is a big plus as I am not really interested in working within the US, and being abroad for two more years establishes me an international and the career events SAIS offers would open more doors for me to work abroad. That said I would have the option to transfer to DC if I desired. Based on the open house, SAIS feels like they’re a little more interesting in helping you find what you want to do. Fletcher on the other hand tugs at me a bit bc I have heard great things about the Fletcher community. The areas I would go into I am really interested in (human security and conflict resolution). I know if I went to Fletcher I would be fine and happy, whereas Bologna feels like a risk reward. The one thing I’ve gathered from this forum is that Fletcher is better if you know exactly what you want, and I’m not 100% (I’ll probably try to the NGO/Public/IGO) route). The panels I have seen for Fletcher tend to reflect this (most answers were “do you own research or “once you know well help you”). Their career panel also seemed slightly more domestic/government focused. The amount of networking opportunities is less than SAIS Europe (and the sais opportunities are more interesting to me) Currently Fletcher and SAIS cost the same. Once I heard about funding from SAIS that might change things. It’s hard for me to evaluate GW without knowing aid. Americans curriculum just doesn’t do it for me. I probably won’t have to borrow for cost of living unless I live in DC. I also have lived in DC before and moving back isn’t a huge draw (though I do like dc).

So I got an email at the beginning of March saying my application “couldn’t be recommended for admission” but then ultimately I was waitlisted. Confused how that works, I was denied but they changed their mind? I might ride the waitlist to see what happens in the next month or so just to keep options open, but that’s really weird to me.

Thanks for that. I’m in at the 2 year bologna program and fletcher. Honestly I will probably be fine regardless of which I go to, but it’s still hard to come up with reasons. I can’t decide if the Econ focus is a plus or a non factor. As a person it would round me out, as a professional I’m not sure. With my aid package at fletcher they come out to roughly the same costs tuition wise, however, being American I could work while attending fletcher whereas in Italy I am not sure that is the case. I am also unsure of the internship opportunities provided by the europe campus. not really sure what to make of the impact of the virus on this as well. Virtual classes would defeat the point of either of these schools, but especially bologna.

Curious to hear your thoughts on SAIS europe VS. fletcher. Same boat tho I have no funding at sais Europe

How’s everyone feeling about Fletcher as a whole?

In! With some money, enough to make the decision harder for sure. This was my sweetheart school and school I was most excited for, but it’s not a cheap one.

Welp is today the day? I’m gunna be glued to my email all day ?

Oh no sorry I realize that was vague, that’s just based off coursework as I took Econ and Stats in UG. I was advised in my interview to study on my own to prep/refresh for non intro courses but they didn’t mentioned anything about the exam itself.

I also called admissions before applying and they said you could change things after acceptance. Later I was told in my interview that this was possible and it didn’t sound like a huge deal, so if you’re considering it doesn’t hurt to ask

Yeah SIS gave me a coverdell scholarship. SIS is cheap if you’re comparing dc schools, but about the same as the MAIA program I was accepted to. Hopefully this give me some leverage.

https://sais.jhu.edu/admissions/pre-term/tuition-sais-europe-pre-term looks like it’s here. I’m most likely going to preterm (I passed the Econ requirements, I would go to help get settled/ learn Italian )

I actually used to live down the street from their dc building! It’s a good location but I think the move to the newseum will be even bigger, you’ll be having lunch at pret a manger with all sorts of interesting people

Oh man this is a heck of a week for me. Getting all my results in the span of 10 days

In! To the MAIA. No email yet I just started refreshing when I say that was a thing. In my interview they did say they try to release funding in different emails the same day as acceptances, so stay tuned. Incredibly happy. This is up there for my choices for sure.

Well this is optimistic for today then Good luck everyone!

I’m also Bologna applicant! Were you all planning on going to the open house day?

I spoke with the director of admissions and asked if it was “‘optional’ optional” or “actually optional” and she laughed and said “yes, very much optional. We judge you on the basis of what you submit”. I don’t have consistent internet which would allow me to upload a video like that so I didn’t do one.

Yeah I’m waiting on Fletcher too. Probably my #1 but it’s kind of a 3 way tie. I applied Jan 10 so I’m not sure when to expect a reply. I would love before April 1 though (and certainly not on April fools day!)

This is brutal! I didn’t get all my materials in till after the deadline (though I submitted my app by the deadline) due to the application not recognizing Pages so I’m hoping that didn’t affect my decision ?

Also MAIA and my stuff is gone too! Man I love reading tea leaves I’m so ready for a decision.

I like how schools said “mid March” and I’m taking that to mean I need to be refreshing every 5 minutes. In February. Heard back from American SIS pretty fast and that fueled the fire. Applied Jan 7 heard back last week.

In my MAIA Bologna interview they said theyre “shooting for the 6th” and that acceptances and finaid offers would be same day, which is super exciting. Since were posting about interviews (and for future applicants who are looking for info on it) mine was very relaxed and more informative/getting to know me. In one of their blogs they mention that the key thing they’re looking for is a solid reason for attending SAIS Europe and that you understand how it fits into your career goals. Once I articulated that it seemed like a good interview. I was challenged on my GPA but that’s fine. I had a zoom interview and she was reading through my application and asking direct questions from it which was kinda cool as it gave me a chance to elaborate. The interview definitely increased where I rank this program, to me it’s a very exciting option and if the money works out I could see myself going.

Also a Europe PCV. Reaching the point in service where I have to actually think about the future and i don't like it. I want grad school (same as you, IR focus) I need to take GRE and start preparing applications, but I am also in the point of service where I am just exhausted mentally. I have really lost focus/ stock my skills and abilities and career desires. Really tempted to apply for a fulbright bc I feel some extra work exp (gotta make up for GPA a bit) would help my app and idk if im ready to apply now.

How did you like the Kaplan Verbal stuff? The more Magoosh verbal I do the more holes I see in their explanations and questions, so its kind of nice to see others echo this. Ill probably go through the ETS tests after I finish my magoosh course to get a better baseline

Hi everyone! Thanks a lot to those who post in here, there is a large amount of info which is incredibly helpful. I am a currently serving Peace Corps Volunteer in Albania and intend to go down the MPA/MPP/MAIA route once I finish my service. I haven't quite narrowed down which programs specifically yet. GPA: My degree is in Business administration with emphasis in International Business, Management with a focus on Organizational Behavior, and Business Law. GPA is 3.3. I had one bad semester where I suffered a concussion during practice for my sport and my GPA suffered as a result of that. GRE score: Haven't taken yet. Once winter sets in here I will start studying and I intend to take it in June 19. I have a high LSAT score, so I am hoping that that somewhat transfers over to the Verbal side. Quant is a crabs shoot, but I will grind to try and get at least 160. Work experience: Current PCV, I work in a local government helping (or will help with) with tourism development, EU integration projects, youth development, and kinda whatever comes up. Before PC, I have some work in law firms and coaching high school sports. I interned in Spain for 6 weeks post grad in a management consulting firm which was working on a study for the EU on gender inclusiveness in ICT, and on how to increase the participation of women in the field. I helped create and draft a "best practices" labeling scheme which sought to motivate companies to implement policies to help women to enter and remain in the ICT field. Language skills: English (native), Albanian (intermediate mid/high), German (3 years, intermediate but rusty), French (7 years, very rusty) Quantitative requirements: Micro/Macro Econ, Finance, Stats, Business Pre-calc and Calc. These are all intro classes. I don't have good grades in them, but hey, I took em. Overseas experience (work, study and teaching): Peace Corps (7 months in, will serve for all 27 hopefully), previously mentioned internship in Spain, study abroad in Germany, special studies course on business culture in Asia which then travelled to China and Korea. My degree's curriculum was formatted so that "all Business degrees are International Business Degrees". I have a lot of specifically internationally focuses classes, and those that are not deal with international topics. I don't know if travel matters, but I am very well travelled. Statement of Purpose: Basically I am going to try and establish that this is a logical path for me to pursue based on my background (shocker I know). PC helped remind me what like and want to be, whereas before service I had convinced myself I should take a different path (law) which was less satisfying. I will avoid asking the argument "omg I did this and I never realized this is what I wanted" as I think it ignores what good experiences/skills I have. LORs: I will get a couple Albanian PC staff to write letters (one works for USAID here), they love me. I will also get a letter from my German professor. I might reach out to my Business professors as well. I am thinking that having strong, well educated foreign nationals write letters will demonstrate my ability to work well in other cultures. I figure everyone has LORs which speak well about a person's technical abilities. Career: After my masters, I want to work for development NGOs or USAID, and then try to transfer over to foreign service and try to use my experiences to get into policy work later on. I really like what I am doing in PC, and I want to continue doing this, but with more resources. Notes: I will be applying in 2019. I haven't locked down which programs I want to apply to yet, but I am thinking SAIS is a good start (I lived around the corner, and DC is great for RPCVs). I think this will depend a lot on how my GRE goes. Obviously, my GPA is not that great. I anticipate issues with the Quant section of the GRE, but I have a lot of time to study. I am wondering if I should consider getting more work experience after service (probably with an NGO abroad). I am not sure what schools I am a good fit for, or if maybe I should get more experience to make myself more competitive. Obviously all suggestions about specific programs are very helpful! I am new to this, and don't really know where I fit in yet. Thanks all!