InternationalStudent

Oscillated a lot between SAIS and IHEID but ended up deciding on IHEID. Really excited about studying in Geneva and a little worried that Switzerland is vaccinating really slowly.

Coming from: 4 years of work experience in policy. Wanted to do a career switch to more economics/quantitative oriented stuff. Got my BA in IR from American University in 2017. Deciding between: SAIS Master in International Economics and Finance, LSE MPA, IHEID MA in International Economics Leaning: I think the right choice is technically IHEID, as it has an excellent placement record in international organizations, it's significantly cheaper than the other two, class size is small, entry into the program is very competitive, and it lets me keep the academia door open (while the other two are strictly professional programs). That said, I feel like by choosing IHEID I'd be banking on getting into a phd or into an international organization to stay abroad, as IHEID has zero name recognition in my small Central American country. Meanwhile, people here have definitely heard of both LSE and Johns Hopkins..

I've found myself having to choose between these three masters programs. I think the right choice is technically IHEID, as it has an excellent placement record in international organizations, it's significantly cheaper than the other two, class size is small, entry into the program is very competitive, and it lets me keep the academia door open (while the other two are strictly professional programs). That said, I feel like by choosing IHEID I'd be banking on being able to get into an international organization to stay abroad or to get into a PhD, as IHEID has zero name recognition in my small Central American country. Meanwhile, people here have definitely heard of both LSE and Johns Hopkins..

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPA/ID, MPA, MIEF, IDE, MA in Econ, MA in Development, Trade, and Finance Schools Applied To: HKS (MPA/ID), LSE (MPA), SAIS (MIEF), Yale (IDE), IHEID/Bocconi/Barcelona GSE/Central European University (MA in Econ), Barcelona GSE (Dev, Trade, Finance) Schools Admitted To: LSE, SAIS ($$), IHEID, Barcelona GSE (Dev). Invited for CEU interview but turned it down. Schools Rejected From: Bocconi (said they didn't like I was more than 2 years out of college), Barcelona GSE (Econ), Yale, HKS Still Waiting: None Undergraduate Institution: Top 10 IR school Undergraduate GPA: 3.55 Undergraduate Major: IR GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: 168/169/5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 at time of application, 4 at time of enrollment Years of Work Experience: same as above Describe Relevant Work Experience: Internships in DC think tanks, 1 year in political risk consulting, 2 years in financial policy Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I thought they were all pretty strong but they varied a ton between applications, some were fairly cookie cutter others took their time to write (especially HKS that made me write 6 different essays (4 for app 2 for financial aid) that were all fairly specific). Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): 1 from current employer that really likes my work, 1 from past employer that's also a fairly well known Political Science phd, 1 from a professor that I wasn't too close to who taught me way back in 2016. Honestly getting an academic reference 3 years out of college was fairly tough. I didn't get the chance to read any of them so idk how strong they were. Other: I didn't meet the prerequisites for the SAIS MIEF and still got in so I'd suggest everyone talk to admissions to see how flexible they are with these and shoot your shot. Ok so I finally received all my results. It's gonna take a while to get over getting rejected by my dream program (MPA/ID), but I'm also pretty lucky to have good options. I'm struggling a little to decide between the SAIS MIEF and IHEID's International Econ program, thankfully both have webinars next week so that might help.

I did not get in... Huge congratulations to everyone who did! Really excited for all of you!

Aight guys, I'm out. This was all pretty silly. See y'all when I get an email from HKS.

nvm, I can again now

oh oh

neither can I

First post confirming decisions were out last year was at 3:05

Definitely not doing this again lol. Probably blocking GradCafe from my browser until decisions come out if they don't come out today. Can't have another unproductive day like this

What's gonna come first, HKS decisions or the GME squeeze

Hope is a powerful drug

If by 3pm est nothing happens I'll assume it's not happening today. But the appointment dates and the changes in the myfaid portal are pretty suspicious

Both refreshed instantly for me