waltlaa9

Hi flyingjellyfish, I''m still waiting on the alternate list results too. I hope we will hear soon, I really want to start moving forward with planning my summer and move. Have you visited campus or been in touch with profs/admissions at all beyond the email you just mentioned? I haven't but am wondering if I should make a move to show I'm still very interested... I wish they would at least let us know how many opted to accept a spot on the alternate list. On the bright side, I did meet one person at an open house who was initially accepted, and she said she was declining their offer.

I plan to talk to GWU this week.

Interestingly, Duke Sanford's invitation for the admitted student open house specifically stated there was room for a plus one (partner or spouse). Seems to suggest that if a school did not include that as an option, then it would be unusual to bring someone along to the actual events.

Hah good to know

No problem

I'd be interested in a spreadsheet for housing/roommates too. I was looking at available rooms on Craigslist and was really surprised at the prices, they aren't as bad as I had expected. Dorm housing averages about $600/month over nine months, so I think I may be willing to pay a little more for a better space. Does anyone know what a reasonable public transportation budget might be? I think the smartest thing would be to get a bike if living in Somerville or Medford. I wonder how that would work in the winter though, I've never attempted to bike in the snow. Seems dangerous, possibly not even feasible.

I got the email too. My reasoning is that although the uncertainty may persist, there are two upsides: we should know by mid to late May, and it's completely ethical to decline an offer after the deposit was submitted. So I'm going to move forward with choosing a school, and even put a deposit down, but if Princeton accepts me afterwards, I'll cut my losses on the deposit and change plans. The caliber and funding at Princeton are too good an opportunity to pass up if the chance presents itself.

I haven't decided yet either way, but I am currently leaning towards Fletcher over Elliott for several reasons. First, I would like to focus most of my time on my actual studies than on a semester internship. I need the additional education and skills training, and I think an intensive summer internship will be the more valuable experience anyway. I'm also excited about their human security program and the ability to complement it with security/defense courses. Second, I'd like to have the community environment that a place such as Fletcher offers. I plan to talk to current GWU students about what their experience has been like -- my initial expectation is that it can't compare since people primarily work/intern during the day . I'm not naturally adept at networking, so I think it might be easier for me to build connections in a more collegiate environment. Third, Fletcher is considered a notch above GWU in rankings and I have been offered a decent scholarship. It pains me enough to have to turn down SAIS and SFS for financial reasons. I keep wondering if going in the 90k+ for those schools would be worth it, but if Fletcher is in the same tier as SAIS and SFS, it makes more fiscal sense to go there. And on a personal note, I don't see my future in DC. I'm open to it, but it's highly unlikely that my significant other would ever be able to find work in his field there. Those are my main reasons, but several are subjective and wouldn't convince others.

MALD -- are you at Fletcher now? Do you know what kind of semester internship opportunities are available in the Boston/Cambridge area?

Oh, Pinkman, Elliott gave me a fellowship also. Since it is a less expensive program, tuition is going to cost me the same at either school.

Thanks for the input. My gut is telling me to go to Fletcher and it seems fairly obvious that it is a notch up than GWU, based on its reputation, community and course offerings. I've been debating whether the DC location is worth choosing GWU over Fletcher, so it's helpful to hear others' perspectives. I do want to incorporate economics into my courses and I think it is certainly feasible at Fletcher -- I took the time this afternoon to put together a spreadsheet of courses I would like to take over the four semesters there and managed to get a good blend of econ, security and conflict resolution. And I love the research they are doing over at the Feinstein International Center on humanitarianism and counterterrorism.

Iskawaran, what makes you say their network is stronger? Are you referencing the close-knit community I keep hearing about? Do you believe that's lacking from GWU? I am facing too many options (a good problem to have, at least) but, due to finances, I am attempting to narrow it down between Fletcher, Duke and GWU since they gave me aid/fellowships. Leon32, similar to you, I'd study SSP at GWU and security & human security at Fletcher.

Thanks and same to you! I just booked my flight so see you there!

Hi DaniCM, I got their offer for a reimbursement to the open house this afternoon. I hadn't planned on going but now I am seriously considering it. I've visited their campus for a couple of hours before but didn't have the chance to sit in on a class or anything, so I am excited to have the chance now.

Legallyproper, congrats on your fantastic offers and thank you for your note about not accepting -- I'll be hoping there are others like you. fenderpete, thank you for your advice and the encouragement. Sounds like it might be a crap shoot depending on who declines/defers, but it does provide hope. I'll wait for the mailed letter from the school about the waitlist process.