AONomad

Yup, I applied! I'm not sure if I want to go there though, not being in DC is a huge downside I think. It's what, like 7 hours if you take the Acela Express or something like that?

Replied on the SAIS thread since it's more relevant over there:

@PupCakes Replying over here since we were getting off topic on the other thread: Eh, at least for my program, the 2018-2019 class's middle 50% GRE quantitative score range was 151-160, so I think the econ/quant background thing is overplayed.

Yeah honestly I can't believe I didn't think of it, I'm figuratively smacking myself. I even did 2 years of undergrad at GW! The only other places I applied were SAIS and Fletcher-- but honestly despite Fletcher's slightly better ranking, I think being in DC is a huge advantage for networking, at least for what I'm interested in I can see Elliott being way better. I'm not even sure I'd go to Fletcher if I'm accepted there, I'd probably just prefer to get a job instead. Ahhh oh well lol. I'd be curious what the fellowship/scholarship situation is like at Elliott. Keep us posted!

Oooh damn, I should have applied to Elliott as a backup actually.

Oh nice! Where were you accepted, if you don't mind sharing? Is Walsh your top choice?

I didn't, but I submitted my application like 4 hours before the deadline, lol. I did get e-mails earlier suggesting that I could sign up for a Skype interview, but don't think it was from the program or concentration director. Don't recall exactly. Only contact with my concentration director was concerning language requirements.

I ran across a post from a few years back and it seems probably on the day they listed (March 6 for this year) after 6 p.m.

Oh wow, congrats on being admitted early!! That's so exciting.

I applied to MASIA but figured I'd post here since I doubt there's enough applicants for that to sustain our own thread, lol.

An HNC alumna told me these programs have a much higher acceptance rate than you'd think since it's a pretty niche degree that doesn't necessarily increase earning capacity, so people who apply tend to be committed and passionate. So I think we probably all have a pretty good chance, if that's true!

@KyleR: I called and they asked me to e-mail the financial aid department instead of speaking on the phone. I sent them a bunch of questions annnd... their only response was "The Priscilla Mason Fellowship is not awarded to those going to the HNC. I would recommend connecting with the HNC office in DC to answer the specific questions you have." heh Their e-mail address is saisfinaidinfo@jhu.edu if you want to reach out yourself. I think I'm just not going to apply for it. If you only do 2 years or less of federal government work, the PM Fellowship only pays 13% of tuition... so I'd rather take my chances and cross my fingers that I get more than 13% scholarship tuition, lol. HNC guarantees partial scholarships for all applicants, so hoping that's the right call, at least in my case. Best of luck with getting it if you decide to apply!

Yeah of course, I'll let you guys know what they say. And yeah, I think I'd prefer a 20-30% scholarship without restrictions over a 50% one that locks you into a particular career path (even if that's a career path I'm considering). 20-30% might be optimistic, but looking at past years, a minority of people got 50% and up to full rides... so hope springs eternal haha In any event, we might be overthinking things since it seems the PM Fellowship is only awarded to "a student," singular. I'm sure there's someone really qualified and passionate who's going to snatch it up, lol. I'll post tomorrow with an update.

Hmm, the Priscilla Mason Fellowship (covers 50% of tuition) deadline is this Friday, but it says it "will replace any financial aid currently being received from SAIS as well as any loans currently being used for tuition." I'm going to call them tomorrow and ask if it would invalidate full or partial tuition scholarships if those would have been awarded but for the PM Fellowship application. The way they worded that is a little scary.