XIII_Gemina

RIP, declined from SAIS. Only program I haven't gotten into so far this cycle ?

Idk if it's different for MSFS but I applied to SSP at Georgetown SFS and the program director said decisions would be released on the 11th or the 14th.

Just updating I was accepted GWU Elliott early decision! Received offer on the 20th and then got funding notification ($10k/year) a few days later. Waitlisted at Columbia SIPA. Stilling waiting on AU, Georgetown, UChicago, and SAIS.

Just heard back this morning, waitlisted ?

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): International Relations (MAIR, MALD, Security Studies etc) Schools Applied To: Tufts Fletcher (MALD), George Washington University (Elliott - Security Policy Studies), American University (SIS), Georgetown (Walsh SSP), Columbia (SIPA MIA), Johns Hopkins University (SAIS MAIR), University of Chicago (Master of Arts in IR), UT Austin (LBJ MGPS) Schools Admitted To: Just got in to Fletcher MALD today! Schools Rejected From: TBD Still Waiting: Everywhere else Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University Undergraduate GPA: 3.77 Undergraduate Major: International Studies with minor in Political Science GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: N/a Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 0 Years of Work Experience: 7 - 8 counting time between first go at undergrad in 2012 a nd my current experiences graduating undergrad Describe Relevant Work Experience: 2 Years in the mid 2010s living and working in Hong Kong as a corporate sales rep for a major Australian-based hospitality firm, Political Internship during 2020 presidential campaign cycle, Campaign organizing position for congressional candidate during 2018 campaign cycle, Internship for local political party (approx 1 year), Political Internship during 2016 presidential campaign cycle Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Fairly strong, I write about my experiences living in NYC during 9/11 as a child as well as my experiences overseas coming together to influence my interest and personal commitment to service to the US and why I'm pursuing security studies particularly. I discuss my specific career goals as aiming for Office of Net Assessment, Department of Defense. Also briefly discussed my first attempt at undergrad in 2012 and how it has shaped my career and academic goals to be much more particular and specific. 600 word policy papers for GWU, SAIS, and Gtown are broadly the same covering strategic realignment in the Indo-Pacific and arguing that the US must further entrench itself via deep engagement to project US power against a rising China and prevent a Thucydides Trap. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): One extremely strong from my undergrad thesis advisor, tenured professor and dept chair, and have taken 3 courses with them previously. One strong from tenured professor I have taken 2 courses with and is a non-resident fellow at Brookings One strong but probably less personalized lor from professor and former representative of Iraq at the UN.

Hey @Sigabayes, the misspelling on here is just an oversight on a forum post, my materials have been proofread and appropriately edited. To be clear, I don't actually specifically mentioned Thucydides Trap but in essence, the rising power attempting to displace current hegemon thread is there so, I think it's appropriate shorthand. And yes I should be able to obtain clearance, I don't have any red flags or associations that would preclude me. Do you think my profile is competitive for my programs?

Posting again to see if there's any additional feedback or advice from anyone, I've applied to, or have applied to a number of programs for Fall 2022, mostly in the security studies field. My primary career goal is working the DoD Office of Net Assessment or somewhere similar in the US security field. Schools Applying To: Georgetown Walsh Security Studies Program (Top Choice); JHU SAIS MAIR (Security, Strategy, Statecraft Concentration); GWU ESIA Security Policy Studies; AU SIS MA Int Affairs (US FP and Nat Sec Concentration); U Chicago MAIR; Tufts Fletcher MGA; Columbia SIPA MIA; UT Austin GPS Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University Undergraduate GPA: 3.77, planning on graduating with academic honors, as well as honors undergraduate thesis. Dean's list last 5 semesters of current institution. My only concern here is I am a nontraditional student (27 and about to graduate) and have a very poor semester and a half back in 2012-2013 dragging me down (think bad, really bad, I stopped showing up to classes and didn't withdraw) although I think I've overcome this through recent coursework and my personal statement. Undergraduate Major: International Studies, Political Science Minor GRE/GMAT: Did not take Languages: English, Chinese (fluent), German (fluent), French (some) Years out of Undergrad: 0, planning on graduating in May 22 Quant Background: Research Design course (A); Political Quant Analysis (A-); Microeconomics (Currently in, expected B+); Macroeconomics (Planned Spring 22) Years of Work Experience: 7-8 counting time between first go at undergrad in 2012 and now including my internship experiences Relevant Work/Internship Experience: - 2 Years in the mid 2010s living and working in Hong Kong as a corporate sales rep for a major Australian-based hospitality firm -Political Internship during 2020 presidential campaign cycle -Campaign organizing position for congressional candidate during 2018 campaign cycle -Internship for local political party (approx 1 year) -Political Internship during 2016 presidential campaign cycle Leadership/Extracurriculars: -Leadership role in university's model UN team, have received distinction awards at last 6 conferences over past 2 years and highest distinction award at 1. -Leadership role in my department's honor society Letter of Recs: 3. -One extremely strong from my undergrad thesis advisor, tenured professor and dept chair, and have taken 3 coures with them previously. -One strong from tenured professor I have taken 2 courses with and is a non-resident fellow at Brookings -One strong but probably less personalized lor from professor and former representative of Iraq at the UN. SOP: I'm not sure about the strength of it as I'm having second doubts but it's been reviewed by my thesis advisor professor as well as several colleagues who have expressed enthusiasm with it. I write about my experiences living in NYC during 9/11 as a child as well as my experiences overseas coming together to influence my interest and personal commitment to service to the US and why I'm pursuing security studies particularly. Also briefly discussed my first attempt at udnergrad in 2012 and how it has shaped my career and academic goals to be much more particular and specific. 600 word policy papers for GWU, SAIS, and Gtown are broadly the same covering strategic realignment in the Indo-Pacific and arguing that the US must further entrench itself via deep engagement to project US power against a rising China and prevent a Thucydides Trap. Overall I guess I'd just like some feedback on the strength of my application. I have pretty severe anxiety and self-doubt over how my horrid performance at my first try at undergrad will be seen by application committee and am worried about my lack of quant although my transcript does reflect I'm trying to reflect that. Thanks for your time all.

Anyone?

Am definitely interested in this

I just submitted my SAIS MAIR application for the early notification deadline. So not an alumn, but would definitely be interested in exchanging SOPs for feedback.

Hey everyone, just joined and would greatly appreciate your feedback and advice on my profile! I've applied to, or have applied to a number of programs for Fall 2022, mostly in the security studies field. My primary career goal is working the DoD Office of Net Assessment or somewhere similar in the US security field. Schools Applying To: Georgetown Walsh Security Studies Program (Top Choice); JHU SAIS MAIR (Security, Strategy, Statecraft Concentration); GWU ESIA Security Policy Studies; AU SIS MA Int Affairs (US FP and Nat Sec Concentration); U Chicago MAIR; Tufts Fletcher MGA; Columbia SIPA MIA; UT Austin GPS Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University Undergraduate GPA: 3.77, planning on graduating with academic honors, as well as honors undergraduate thesis. Dean's list last 5 semesters of current institution. My only concern here is I am a nontraditional student (27 and about to graduate) and have a very poor semester and a half back in 2012-2013 dragging me down (think bad, really bad, I stopped showing up to classes and didn't withdraw) although I think I've overcome this through recent coursework and my personal statement. Undergraduate Major: International Studies, Political Science Minor GRE/GMAT: Did not take Languages: English, Chinese (fluent), German (fluent), French (some) Years out of Undergrad: 0, planning on graduating in May 22 Quant Background: Research Design course (A); Political Quant Analysis (A-); Microeconomics (Currently in, expected B+); Macroeconomics (Planned Spring 22) Years of Work Experience: 7-8 counting time between first go at undergrad in 2012 and now including my internship experiences Relevant Work/Internship Experience: - 2 Years in the mid 2010s living and working in Hong Kong as a corporate sales rep for a major Australian-based hospitality firm -Political Internship during 2020 presidential campaign cycle -Campaign organizing position for congressional candidate during 2018 campaign cycle -Internship for local political party (approx 1 year) -Political Internship during 2016 presidential campaign cycle Leadership/Extracurriculars: -Leadership role in university's model UN team, have received distinction awards at last 6 conferences over past 2 years and highest distinction award at 1. -Leadership role in my department's honor society Letter of Recs: 3. -One extremely strong from my undergrad thesis advisor, tenured professor and dept chair, and have taken 3 coures with them previously. -One strong from tenured professor I have taken 2 courses with and is a non-resident fellow at Brookings -One strong but probably less personalized lor from professor and former representative of Iraq at the UN. SOP: I'm not sure about the strength of it as I'm having second doubts but it's been reviewed by my thesis advisor professor as well as several colleagues who have expressed enthusiasm with it. I write about my experiences living in NYC during 9/11 as a child as well as my experiences overseas coming together to influence my interest and personal commitment to service to the US and why I'm pursuing security studies particularly. Also briefly discussed my first attempt at udnergrad in 2012 and how it has shaped my career and academic goals to be much more particular and specific. 600 word policy papers for GWU, SAIS, and Gtown are broadly the same covering strategic realignment in the Indo-Pacific and arguing that the US must further entrench itself via deep engagement to project US power against a rising China and prevent a Thucydides Trap. Overall I guess I'd just like some feedback on the strength of my application. I have pretty severe anxiety and self-doubt over how my horrid performance at my first try at undergrad will be seen by application committee and am worried about my lack of quant although my transcript does reflect I'm trying to reflect that. Thanks for your time all.

Hey everyone, just joined and would greatly appreciate your feedback and advice on my profile! I've applied to, or have applied to a number of programs for Fall 2022, mostly in the security studies field. My primary career goal is working the DoD Office of Net Assessment or somewhere similar in the US security field. Schools Applying To: Georgetown Walsh Security Studies Program (Top Choice); JHU SAIS MAIR (Security, Strategy, Statecraft Concentration); GWU ESIA Security Policy Studies; AU SIS MA Int Affairs (US FP and Nat Sec Concentration); U Chicago MAIR; Tufts Fletcher MGA; Columbia SIPA MIA; UT Austin GPS Undergraduate Institution: Indiana University Undergraduate GPA: 3.77, planning on graduating with academic honors, as well as honors undergraduate thesis. Dean's list last 5 semesters of current institution. My only concern here is I am a nontraditional student (27 and about to graduate) and have a very poor semester and a half back in 2012-2013 dragging me down (think bad, really bad, I stopped showing up to classes and didn't withdraw) although I think I've overcome this through recent coursework and my personal statement. Undergraduate Major: International Studies, Political Science Minor GRE/GMAT: Did not take Languages: English, Chinese (fluent), German (fluent), French (some) Years out of Undergrad: 0, planning on graduating in May 22 Quant Background: Research Design course (A); Political Quant Analysis (A-); Microeconomics (Currently in, expected B+); Macroeconomics (Planned Spring 22) Years of Work Experience: 7-8 counting time between first go at undergrad in 2012 and now including my internship experiences Relevant Work/Internship Experience: - 2 Years in the mid 2010s living and working in Hong Kong as a corporate sales rep for a major Australian-based hospitality firm -Political Internship during 2020 presidential campaign cycle -Campaign organizing position for congressional candidate during 2018 campaign cycle -Internship for local political party (approx 1 year) -Political Internship during 2016 presidential campaign cycle Leadership/Extracurriculars: -Leadership role in university's model UN team, have received distinction awards at last 6 conferences over past 2 years and highest distinction award at 1. -Leadership role in my department's honor society Letter of Recs: 3. -One extremely strong from my undergrad thesis advisor, tenured professor and dept chair, and have taken 3 coures with them previously. -One strong from tenured professor I have taken 2 courses with and is a non-resident fellow at Brookings -One strong but probably less personalized lor from professor and former representative of Iraq at the UN. SOP: I'm not sure about the strength of it as I'm having second doubts but it's been reviewed by my thesis advisor professor as well as several colleagues who have expressed enthusiasm with it. I write about my experiences living in NYC during 9/11 as a child as well as my experiences overseas coming together to influence my interest and personal commitment to service to the US and why I'm pursuing security studies particularly. Also briefly discussed my first attempt at udnergrad in 2012 and how it has shaped my career and academic goals to be much more particular and specific. 600 word policy papers for GWU, SAIS, and Gtown are broadly the same covering strategic realignment in the Indo-Pacific and arguing that the US must further entrench itself via deep engagement to project US power against a rising China and prevent a Thucydides Trap. Overall I guess I'd just like some feedback on the strength of my application. I have pretty severe anxiety and self-doubt over how my horrid performance at my first try at undergrad will be seen by application committee and am worried about my lack of quant although my transcript does reflect I'm trying to reflect that. Thanks for your time all.