slothrop99

I'm heading there in August as well. I'll be in the ID program.

Incredible. Has no one heard anything? I would expect more from such a well-regarded institution. WWNFF can suck it.

Didn't get a call, so I'll assume it's a no go. I still can't get over the insanity of letting people know about fellowship info after they have to decide on schools.

See y'all in the Fall. - I'll be in the IDEV program. Won't be able to make it to Grad Day, though.

Anyone heard anything yet? Today was supposed to be the day. This fellowship timetable is so effin' ridiculous.

Hey, thanks for your input. I won't be able to make it out to DC before making a decision, so your description is helpful (although I recognize that it's just one person's opinion). Sounds about like how I imagined it.

I emailed them last week and Sylvia Sheridan told me that finalists would be notified before the 10th (I wonder about non-finalists?). Anyway, the timing is BS! I think you're right in that the actual fellowship decisions won't be made until after the interviews, probably sometime in May. How are we supposed to decide on schools? For example, I have a nice funding offer from SIS and no money from SAIS. If I knew I was a Pickering fellow, I'd go to SAIS. But how am I supposed to make that decision? Throw down deposits at both schools? I honestly don't know why they wait so damn long... P.S. how did you find a phone number? There's nothing on the website.

Sounds like we should hear before Apr. 10

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): UC Berkeley Previous Degrees and GPA's: English major, 3.51 GPA GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 770/740/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): Law firm, Peace Corps Math/Econ Background: none, but currently taking Micro, Macro, and Stats at a local JC Foreign Language Background: Spanish Intended Field of Study in Grad School: IDEV Long Term Professional Goals: USAID/Foreign Service/NGO Schools Applied to & Results: Rejected: Georgetown MSFS. Accepted: American SIS, GW Elliott, UT LBJ, Fordham, JHU SAIS Ultimate Decision & Why: Will attend American due to full fellowship/stipend/work opportunities, plus their ID program is big and strong. Would have considered SAIS had they offered money.

Argh. Still no package, and I'm in California. I feel like they notified me via email eons ago...

Haven't received mine yet, but I'm in California.

Yowch - denied at Gtown! American, here I come...

I got a big package in the mail with acceptance letter & fellowship info.

Here's a link to a thread discussing Pickering: viewtopic.php?f=26&t=14773&p=53555&hilit=pickering#p53555 Sounds like they'll notify finalists in mid-April, which makes absolutely no sense to me. I would LOVE to know if I'm a fellow before I pull the trigger on grad school.

Wow, congrats anxiouslywaiting. That's a huge offer! I'm in California still waiting for my letter...

Man, I hear that. I'm waiting to hear on the Pickering Fellowship, which doesn't even announce finalists until after we have to decide on schools. What's with the timing on these external fellowships? It makes no sense whatsoever.

Thanks, YL. I'm not sure about the lack of funds that these schools have, though. I was just snooping around SAIS's website and counted over 100 fellowships/scholarships available to grad students. This is way more than most schools seem so have. Are you set on WWS? Or are you waiting to see what MSFS throws your way?

Thanks for the valuable input, Leica. I'm still waiting to hear about funding from MSFS and SAIS, so I'll be better able to make a decision next week. I was just wondering if there was a magic number that we could put on that "comparative symbolic worth." In other words, if one gets some funding from SAIS/MSFS, but still has to take out $12,000 per year for living expenses (vs. zero dollars at American), is it worth incurring that relatively small debt just to go to SAIS/MSFS? I have a feeling that Leica's answer is no (but you are a bit biased being an AU student, no? ) . And I would probably have to agree. What do the rest of you say?

I second that. There's no way I'd let my parents go into debt for me, especially with a full-ride to a great school as an alternative.

Impatiens: I can't believe they waitlisted you at Fordham after you got into SAIS! Who does Fordham think they are, anyway?

Or MSFS, for that matter (but that doesn't rhyme )... Here's my dilemma: I have what amounts to a full ride from American, plus a faculty research assistantship, and I'm very excited about their IDEV program. I spoke with the chair the other day, and I feel like I'd benefit enormously from being there. But - I'm in at both SAIS and MSFS. I haven't heard yet on funding, but let's assume (probably correctly) that I won't get much from either program. What would you all do if you were in the same boat? How much would extra would you pay for a SAIS or MSFS education when you could attend American for free? I'm trying to determine the point at which I say, "ok, f*ck it, I'll take out $XX,XXX in loans because SAIS/MSFS is worth it to me." Is it $20k? $50k? What does the board say?

What are you basing this on? Not that I'm doubting it - just that all I ever hear about SAIS is that their econ preparation IS top-notch.

Me too! Man, SAIS seemed like a stretch given I hadn't taken any undergrad Econ. That'll probably affect my funding, tho.

Good question. Anyone snag the Peace Corps Fellowship?

I submitted mine on the 5th as well. No news yet of financial aid/fellowships...