dannybhoy

Sure, but SAIS DIA and SAIS PhD are very different animals drawing (in the main) from very different applicant pools.

Sorry for the delayed reply. I decided not to proceed with the SAIS DIA application. I wasn't confident that I could find a faculty member willing and able to supervise my thesis topic, which unless you were career FSO up the ranks, you wouldn't give a toss about. Anyway, I'm hoping to branch out into other non-FSO but related government IR positions that might give me additional topic ideas. So, I'll take a look at SAIS DIA in another few years if it's still running.

What still no joy after a week and 90+ views? Are there even any mid-career IR types on this sub-forum?

Anyone applying for the Doctor of International Affairs programme?

I'm thinking of applying for the SAIS Doctor of International Affairs programme. I meet the relevant work experience (roughly equivalent to the 2020 class profile) and I'm aware that the degree is for applied policy research and not intended to be equivalent to an academic PhD. Is there anyone who is able to provide more info or perspectives about the following: GRE: "Encouraged but not required". But how advantageous is submitting GRE scores? I'm in my late 40s and would *REALLY* want to avoid standardised testing. I've a previous grad degree from 15+ years ago (Georgetown MSFS, roughly 3.5/4.0 average) and am completing a second graduate degree (non-US but in an English-speaking country, better grades than before), so it's pretty evident that I can cope with graduate coursework. Faculty: Are there diplomats-in-residence in the SAIS faculty who are able to supervise applied research? My preferred research topics may require the supervision of those with actual foreign service experience, perhaps even career diplomats who have come up through the ranks. Details about DIA Thesis requirements: length, originality, policy relevance etc. Financial Aid: How is financial aid decided? Is GRE significantly advantageous? I understand from the SAIS FAQ that financial aid for DIA is only for the full-time coursework portion of the degree. I would especially appreciate input from those who are already in the programme.

Thanks. Would you be aware of other programmes analogous to the SAIS DIA that has a substantial applied research component emphasising policy issues relating to foreign affairs/diplomacy? Doesn't have to be a "doctorate" award like the DIA, which in any case is not an academic PhD requiring original research. The only one I can think of that comes close is the 2-year Oxford MPhil in IR which requires a 30,000 word dissertation in addition to coursework. My concern about Oxford is that my research topics are often overlooked in academia (very little if any IR theory) and it would be surprising if there were academics able and keen to oversee them; same goes in fact for SAIS too.

Considering applying to: Ideally, SAIS (Doctor in International Affairs); Alternatively, HKS (MC-MPA under Mason Programme); Oxford (MPP). Interests: Policy research relating to foreign affairs/diplomacy; applied policy relating to foreign affairs/diplomacy. Nationality: Asian country Undergrad Institution: University of London (exact college not relevant) Undergrad degree: BA in Modern History (second-class honours upper division) Previous Graduate School: Georgetown (MSFS) Previous Graduate degree: MSFS (GPA about 3.5/4.0; GU doesn't provide GPA "Quality Points" on graduate transcripts). Years since last completed degree: 15+. Current institution: non-US Western university, Top-50 maybe even Top-40 worldwide by most rankings (THE, ARWU, QS). Current degree study: IR focusing on Asia (averaging *roughly* A-/Merit/Distinction by US, UK or Australian standards respectively) GRE: Not planning to take (I'm in my late 40s and SAIS DIA encourages but does not require, nor does HKS for MC-MPA under Mason) Econs/Finance Background: Not necessary for SAIS DIA. Took intro micro and macro econ theory (requirement for entry into MSFS); took International Trade, International Finance, and Stats (MSFS core); took International Corporate Finance (SAIS Summer School) and assorted international banking and finance subjects as part of MSFS IBD Honours Certificate. Relevant International/Work Experience: 15+ years in diplomacy/foreign policy; studied, worked and lived abroad in 7 countries (15+ years total) Strength of LOR: Maybe average or better than average amongst peers; Hard to say as it depends on the applicant pool too. While I'm reasonably confident of getting accepting at SAIS DIA (don't know about HKS, probably less so), Financial Aid is likely to be a crucial consideration.