druthers

They require 4 econ plus two econ exams. If you do not have an economics background, you will have to take 6 courses in economics. If you take one during pre-term, then you still have 5 econ courses to study after that. Despite the amount of courses which, given the caliber of students in these programs, anyone with or without economics in their background could handle, I think it sets a tone in the school. Economics matters, yes. But if you care about any additional factors that play into international relations...is this the school for you? That is my concern.

Looks like you are in a very similar situation to me. I am in at SAIS, Fletcher, Maxwell and the Ford school (U of M). I am also a pickering finalist. The website is very vague about its requirements but I have looked at past winners and there have been some from SAIS, Fletcher, Syracuse...U of M? Not sure. I have the online essay exam tonight and my interview in two weeks (over skype! I currently live in Indonesia). Have you heard anything about how to prepare for these? Which school are you leaning toward?

Ok I was admitted to SAIS but am really struggling with my decision. I am not entirely sure why I got in (only two econ courses, not very impressive GRE quant score, no future career focus in economics or financial analysis). Is there anyone on this thread that is choosing SAIS who wants to go into human rights policy/law, development, human security?? I think I might fit better at Fletcher (also in at Maxwell and Ford School), but DC is a good place to be and my husband has a great job offer there. I know I wouldn't be settling for SAIS, but I am just not sure about the strict program requirements. I still think I need time to explore different classes and areas of interest. Instead, SAIS seems to tie me into a course load that offers little flexibility. Is SAIS worth it, even if I feel I fet a bit better in other programs? Will I even survive the econ?

I just got word that I am a finalist for the Pickering. Does anyone know how the Pickering funding works? I have read that some schools only allow a certain amount of funding for Pickering students (SAIS website says that a Pickering fellow gets 2/3 tuition for their second year of study). I cant find this information on my other schools websites (U of M, Syracuse, Tufts). It would be helpful to know if the amount Pickering offers is actually dependent on school's individual requirements. Also, anyone else selected as a finalist? I have to interview from Thailand (I live in Indonesia but am vacationing on the day they scheduled my interview). Wish I didn't have to try to make a good impression over a pixilated computer screen. Any ideas on how to prepare? I read other comments on this forum and they were helpful. Thanks!

I have read this blog pretty regularly since the beginning of my grad school search and yet I STILL need advice! I have been admitted to U of M Ford School MPP (generous $, I am a resident), Fletcher MALD (some $, though not a lot), SAIS IR Southeast Asia program (funding TBA), and Syracuse MPA/IR dual degree (funding TBA). Now that I am trying to compare my options, I am finding that each program is different and has different pros and cons and overall focus. I want to work possibly at the UN, in the Foreign service, or in the non-profit/research world. I do not want to be a policy analyst and crunch hard numbers all day, though I want to be able to engage with policy experts and policies in general. My topics of interest include Southeast Asia (I speak Indonesian), human security/rights, religion, and international law/organizations. Because I do not have a set career trajectory yet (wish I did!), I am going to need to choose a school that allows me to find my niche and develop my specific interests within the field of International relations. First, here is how I see the schools and what they can uniquely offer: Ford School: strong training in a practical skill (policy analysis…perhaps too many quant and econ courses I would not enjoy?), tight-knit international-focused student group, possible dual degree in southeast Asia/further Bahasa Indonesia training Syracuse: training in practical administration skills, flexible IR program will allow me to study many topics, limited religion and regional courses, no language courses Fletcher: flexible curriculum- room for me to study negotiation/policy analysis/administration, no regional or religion courses (too broad??), no language courses SAIS: regional and language focus, practical training (but in what…policy analysis, economics?) Can anyone help me cut out at least one school or two in my decision process? On any given day I find myself wanting to develop policy analysis skills, negotiation and conflict resolution skills, public administration capabilities, regional focus, etc... My head is spinning. Anyone in the same boat? Going a little crazy over here in Jakarta....Wish I could attend welcome weekends. If you have any further insight into the pros and cons of these schools in light of my situation/broad interests, I would love to hear from you!

I received notice that I was accepted to the MPA/IR program on March 1. Exciting that I might get to meet some of you on this thread! I am eagerly waiting to hear from other schools as well. Syracuse is one of my top picks, but I am still not sure about funding or what other schools might offer. Any of you going to the welcome weekend? I live in Indonesia at the moment and so I cannot but I would love to hear what you think of it after you attend.

Did anyone on this thread decide to go to Syracuse for the MAIR/MPA dual degree? I am considering applying for that or just the IR program for the fall of 2011 and wonder what your thoughts are after a half year of study (or less). What do you appreciate about Syracuse? I love their curriculum, but, as someone mentioned in this thread, it is hard to pay for the dual degree without funding and also difficult to pick over schools like Fletcher, SAIS, Jackson, etc... Let me know your thoughts!

Should I be concerned that Boston is not part of APSIA? I like the religion and IR program, but I don't want to attend a school that is considered less than other IR schools I could go to. Why is it that so many schools do not offer religion courses? Is economics all that matters in IR? I am just disappointed that I cannot find IR programs that offer even a concentration in religion. anyways...back to the applications...thanks for the help! I think I have narrowed it down to applying to American, SAIS, U of M, Tufts, Princeton, Syracuse, U of Chicago...and one back up school...maybe U of Pitt or U of Denver... Does anyone else second guess themselves every day about what schools they are applying to?

Thanks for the advice. I visited the schools this summer and am now back in Indonesia, working on my apps. Visiting shed a lot of light on the schools. I was not attracted to the DC schools because they are all night programs. I want to focus on school, not trying to work, study, and climb the ladder of success. That seems to be the goal in DC and I don't want to be in that atmosphere quite yet. I enjoyed Tufts a lot, however they have weak regional studies. I was also surprised that none of the schools offered any religion studies concentrations. How can you study international affairs without studying religion? I don't understand this. I asked every school this question and they all just stared at me. Anyone have any advice on how to find a school that includes this element? I have only found it at the Unviersity of Washington, Jackson School. Thanks!

Dear all, I am working on research and visits to possible grad schools for the fall of 2011. I currently live and work in Indonesia so I need to get a lot of the ground work done this summer while I am Stateside. I am struggling with a few things. I am not sure which programs best fit my interests. I am applying to MPP's, MPA's MAIR's and MAIA's. Basically I want practical training in management and policy while focusing on the content of International affairs, human security, and Southeast Asia. I am currently looking at 9 programs and schools, and while each program seems to fill a few of my interests, I cannot find one that seems to encompass them all. Does anyone have any insight or recommendations for me as I decide between the following schools: SIS, SAIS, GW, U of Chicago, U of M, Tufts, Harvard, Princeton, Syracuse. I don't want to apply to all of them, but I want to be safe as well. I also need to get some funding, and I don't know which of these schools are more likely to give funding. I do not have steller GRE scores but I have a high GPA, 3 years of work experience, language fluency, etc... Any advice? I know I could do a lot of the same jobs, being educated from any of these schools. The programs are so similar. However, I want to also choose a school that wants me, will value me, and will invest in me as a student. I want a reputable program, but have it small enough to care about it's individual students.