homesicksub

Hi there, I was admitted into the M.A. International Affairs and M.A. Asian Studies programs today! Congrats on getting in. The MIA is my current top choice out of the programs I’ve been admitted to. Still holding out for Columbia SIPA or Georgetown MSFS though!

Yeah, I got the email shortly after my post! Congrats! No info on funding for me either, which is strange. I assumed the same as you. I'm glad it's not just me seeing no mention of it – I thought it might mean I didn't get any funding. Edit: Now that I think about it, given that both the email and the letter appear generic, they probably will send funding info separately on a case-by-case basis. That's my hope, anyways.

FYI - for anyone who applied to GWU's Elliott School, check the application portal. Decisions should be up. No email though, which is odd.

Congrats! I’m happy you’re able to lock in your top choice so early. Yeah, just given my career interests, it’s hard to argue the case for Tokyo over DC. That said, I am far from making a final decision, and I would love to spend time in Japan. Tokyo is a beautiful city and I wish I had all the time in the world to be there! And I never looked into MEXT, but perhaps I should have - did you? Can we also talk about how strange the application process was for MPP? I thought the portal was oddly designed, and some of their deadlines (like giving you a week to send in official documents or requiring recommenders to submit letters before you can submit the application) were strange. Maybe I’m just spoiled as an American applying to all American schools otherwise...

Yes, I did! Did you apply? If so, congrats on being the first person I’ve met who did. I’m a little torn on whether I’ll be going. While being in Tokyo at such a great school for two years would be an incredible experience, I’m worried that building a robust network in the sphere of U.S. government and policy will be difficult in Japan, especially when compared to programs in DC or NYC. EDIT: I applied to the Public Policy program, by the way

Oh, funnily enough, I applied to SAIS' international program in China (1 year there and 1 in DC). I'm sure their international offerings would be a great experience for both of us! I think MSFS is my top choice, just because it checks all the boxes for the master's program I want: it's a well-known program in DC with strong academics and networking opportunities, and I just personally feel at home on their campus (my undergrad was a Jesuit college with almost the same exact campus environment). That being said, it's also probably the toughest of mine to get into. If I can get into MSFS, SIPA, or SAIS I would be beyond excited. I too applied to Fletcher, but I am a little hesitant to get excited about it despite its academic credibility. I've been in Boston my whole life, and I'm just not sure what I could do to build up a network down in DC when spending most of my time in Massachusetts. They do say their alumni network is strong, but to be honest I'm not sure what career outcomes that can actually lead to. I hope I'm wrong though – would be interested to get your thoughts on the advantages of Tufts vs. the other programs you mentioned as serious considerations.

Congrats! I got the same news via email yesterday from a POI. I saw on the first page that you have a great selection of acceptances - if you don’t mind me asking, what’s your top choice at the moment? We applied to a lot of the same programs it seems.

No problem! Yes, I heard surprisingly early, I believe it was February 13th. I was really shocked that the results came so early, but I also submitted the application about 2 weeks before the deadline. This was for their M.A. International Relations program, by the way. I should have specialized that in my original post. Good luck with your applications @worldleader2018 !

Hi everyone, just joined the forum. I applied back in January, and I expect to hear from all of my schools from now until around March 15. Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MIA/IR/MPP Schools Applied To: Georgetown University, George Washington University, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Columbia University, New York University, Tufts University, University of Tokyo Schools Admitted To: George Washington University (M.A. International Affairs), New York University (M.A. International Relations) Schools Rejected From: None yet, but it's still very early. I don't expect to get into the MSFS program at Georgetown and the MIA program at Columbia SIPA given a lack of professional experience in the IR field. The rest are probably 50/50 odds if I had to guess. Still Waiting: Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Columbia University, Tufts University (Fletcher School), University of Tokyo Undergraduate institution: Medium-sized New England liberal arts school, well-known (I think, at least in academia) Undergraduate GPA: 3.79/4.0 Undergraduate Major: Political Science and Asian Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 162 GRE Verbal Score: 167 GRE AW Score: 6.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 1 year Years of Work Experience: 1 year since graduation, about 3 years cumulative since my first year of college Describe Relevant Work Experience: Legal industry and ESL teaching Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Took a while to get it right, but with the help of professors and advisors, I think I did the best I could in spite of a lack of relevant work experience. Still, I think I got the point across in my statement: identified academic background and goals, how my professional experience tangentially relates to the field of international policy, reasons for studying at University XYZ, and career goals in public service. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Most programs required 3 letters. 2 of my references were from professors still teaching at my undergrad, who I was particularly close with, one being my academic advisor. The third was a former professor who went on to work in academic administration, but her and I are also very close. They've recommended me in the past for other opportunities, and I think they've done a good job for these grad schools, given the positive results so far. One professor was particularly hard to manage, I really had to stay on top of him to make sure he got letters in on time. Other: I also applied to a Fulbright grant. I'm a current semi-finalist, and if I get that, I'll absolutely do that before grad school. Not only would it be a great life experience, but it would also enhance my application the next time around and possibly make me more desirable to tougher programs at Columbia SIPA or Georgetown's School of Foreign Service.