Darwinian192

I'm going to sound like a total jackass here, but voila the issue I've run into in "typical" American programs i.e. wondering if it's worth jumping the gun on SAIS (pros: location, great program; cons: expensive, can potential gain entry into a more selective program). Otherwise your description seems what I would expect at best from SAIS, which seems overall like a solid program with good (but not tier 1) exit options. I think I will see how the job goes for now and continue working through the decision as things develop.

Hi all, I've done some posting but have been met with a dilemma that I am hoping others can chime in on. I've recently been accepted to the MAIA program offered @ SAIS Bologna (€50,000 funding) with a research thesis topic in mind. I am 4 years out undergrad. XP: 2 years Fulbright ETA, 1 year Peace Corps experience, work towards MA in German. GPA 3.8 (International Relations/German), GRE 162V 158Q 5.5W. Will be 26 at the start of the Fall 2019 semester. Fluency in German/French, working knowledge Russian/Italian. My dilemma is two-fold: 1) I am facing some some major apprehensions with the degree itself. My quant skills are not strong and I wonder whether jumping into a quant-focused degree like the MAIA is wise. At the same time, I wonder whether my academic credentials may make me more competitive for programs such as those offered at Jackson or Wilson. That being said, I have been focusing on this program for years, am contemplating dual-degree options (LL.M., directly matriculating at UniBo for year 2 to save €€), and in general have just been yearning to return to school and complete my professional studies. This and the European location can't be beat for personal preference and my foreign language goals. 2) This is the tough part. I would suck it up and put down the $60,000 (yolo dude) to fund this degree, if another opportunity were not in sight, namely, a research coordinator position at a top business school (HBS) potentially leading to a full time position within the case writing team. My long term goals? Ultimately unclear, but I lean far, far closer towards academia than policy. Were I to take option #1, I would ultimately...... be seeking jobs quite similar to the one currently offered to me (albeit starting at a higher pay grade and with a completed master's). Option 2 gives me XP at a top business school, a salary, and potentially a shot at an MBA program which may be more in line with my long term career objectives. Thoughts?? What is your dilemma?

You're going to want to bump those test scores up big time. The writing score is always nice, but your essays are more significant. I'm not sure where the doctorate in clinical psychology is applicable, but maybe others can chime in.

Late to the game, but for future reference: I cannot reiterate this more. Without sounding too negative, most of the ETAs in my cohort were extremely disappointed with the program's management, insufficient funding (€800/month in Europe), and lack of infrastructure regarding anything academic. The award will look excellent for your graduate school applications, but is not by any means a golden ticket if this is not backed up my excellent GRE scores etc. Those outside of academia will probably have never heard of Fulbright and instead, you will be explaining to people that you taught English for 12 hours per week rather than received an extremely prestigious academic award.

I am not advanced in the field so I can only offer my limited view, but a few thoughts: 1) If you did not get into your top program choice at SAIS and did not receive funding, Tufts/IHEID might be a better option. 2) I would seriously look into joint degrees @ Fletcher/IHEAD as Fletcher has several cooperative programs with St. Gallen in SWZ, for example. I'm not sure if having a European master's would *hurt* your chances of getting into an American PhD program, but generating a network with American academics for the master's seems to make more sense if your goal is to do your doctoral research there. 3) Based on the statistics provided by SAIS, very few graduates continue onto a PhD immediately after graduation (2%). Especially if you are paying full tuition, I don't really see how that would be feasible.

Hi all, who's going to Bolgona/DC this fall? What are your impressions on the program? My situation: US student, 4 years out from undergrad. €50,000 scholarship from SAIS Bologna campus for two years (MAIA). 2 years Fulbright ETA, short term PC service, internships at UN & Goethe Institut. GPA 3.8, GRE V 162/Q 158/W 5.5. Fluent in German/French, working knowledge Russian/Italian. Age 25. Did not have LOR's in place by the deadline last cycle to ship out a full array of applications. Rejected by LSE/pre-accepted to College of Europe. Uncertain if it's better to take the offer or wait and accept a position as a research coordinator at a top business school (HBS) for 1-2 years before trying for Wilson/Jackson or simply combining said coordinator experience with an MBA down the road (not my dream, but the moneys and security!!!!!!). A life in Europe/European Affairs/maintaining and improving my foreign languages is the dream, BUT I am not huge on quant/IMF/WB work and have gone back and forth on the prospects of entering the D.C. game. Also, this job at HBS just seems too good........... Insight??? Applied: SAIS (MAIA), LSE (Msc International Political Economy), College of Europe (MA EU Diplomacy) Results: SAIS Bologna ($$), LSE Msc, CoE MA (awaiting decision--generally no funding for 1 year program)

US student, 4 years out from undergrad. €50,000 scholarship from SAIS Bologna campus for two years (MAIA). 2 years Fulbright ETA, short term PC service, internships at UN & Goethe Institut. GPA 3.8, GRE V 162/Q 158/W 5.5. Fluent in German/French, working knowledge Russian/Italian. Age 25. Uncertain if it's better to take the offer or wait and accept a position as a research coordinator at a top business school (HBS) for 1-2 years before trying for Wilson/Jackson or simply combining said coordinator experience with an MBA down the road. A life in Europe/European Affairs is the dream (not huge on quant/IMF/WB work), but this job at HBS just seems too good........... Insight? ??

I appreciate your reply. Frankly, I never focused too much on Jackson/Wilson as 1) I assumed I was not competitive with my scores/undergrad institution (run of the mill private lib arts) 2) I assumed I would receive no funding and 3) I was more focused on the SAIS curriculum/location (which I am now re-considering as potentially short-sighted). EDIT: Yes. This HBS job is a godsend. I count my lucky stars and shall sacrifice a figurative goat in some great deity's honor. I'm pumped!

Hi all, Somewhat new here. I'll try to keep this short. I've just been accepted to SAIS (MAIA/Bologna campus) with €25,000 funding per year which comes out to about a solid 50% scholarship. I've had my eyes on this program for years and have essentially been doing my best to keep my life and career in Europe (hence the European campus). I am fluent in German/French with intermediate Russian/Italian. The "problem" is that I'm not sure if I realistically have "better" options long term. Here's a quick look at my profile: GPA: 3.8/4.0 GRE: V: 162/Q: 158/W: 5.5 (I think I can realistically get up to 325 combined with preparation, although I've already taken the GRE twice...) In addition, back to back Fulbright ETA years (Germany/Austria), 1 year peace corps service (Eastern Europe), graduate level coursework in German (Middlebury) and--here's the kicker--a potential research/coordinator position at a top business school (first initial with "H" and includes "B" + "S"). While I was pumped to get my offer at SAIS, I'm feeling a bit of reserve in the event that an additional round of apps (undesirable) might produce offers at schools I simply did not have the time/LOR's in place to apply to this last cycle (i.e. SFS/Jackson). Complicated matters further is that my career plans have become a bit more fuzzy since undergrad. I'm definitely an "academic" at heart and feel somewhat ambivalent towards the Econ concentration at SAIS (I am not envisioning a career in consulting), however I'm not sure that additional acceptances even at Georgetown etc. would yield equal funding while simultaneously setting me back by an additional year (currently 25). Hope this isn't too much info. I'm really just trying to get more insight, so all input is welcome. Thanks!