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verdigris

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  1. While I'm no expert on the security clearance process, given the amount of time that it takes from taking the initial written FSO exam to even reaching that step of the application process, I would certainly recommend that you take the first step and make a go of it. Don't self-select yourself out of the service if it really is your dream to pursue a FSO career; go ahead and make your application with no regrets and let the government decide for themselves. In any case, you can expect to wait for months or even a year to reach the security clearance phase if you pass the exam, so it gives you time to gain other skills and pursue other opportunities while you wait, so at least you can have a Plan B.
  2. @strangertimes: I think I will almost certainly apply for an apartment through Residential Services, but I'm also looking at other private apartments in the Hyde Park area just to satisfy my curiosity. Of course, if something better comes along I'm always ready to keep my options open. @McMuffin: I may have misspoke, what I meant was to look at lower positions maybe as a research assistant, grader, tutor, etc. since I am not a PhD student. There's a section of the student employment website for UChicago that lists these positions alongside postings for lecturers, TAs, preceptors and such but it requires a network ID to sign in. I'm definitely hoping to find some sort of job for the year if possible.
  3. Good to hear that we're all set for next year! I haven't received mine as of yet and it's been about four weeks, although I wonder if they're waiting until the acceptance deadline to give them out. I do look forward to setting up a network ID, however, to take a look at TA positions when they start to become available. I'm also looking at the graduate housing options as well. The I-House looks interesting, but at the same time it seems a bit pricey for a dormitory. Hehe, I agree--it's nice to have things furnished and ready before you arrive.
  4. Thanks for the recap! That seems to more or less match with my expectations and I'm already brushing up on some of the recommended reading from the CIR website since I am relatively unfamiliar with some of the Realist IR "classics" as it were, and I'm glad to see that there is at someone balancing the department with a qualitative viewpoint. That being said, however, I suppose it might be useful to take some statistics if there's time, though I don't necessarily relish the prospect. Overall, I'm glad that the visit left you with a good impression. Hopefully there will be some information about registration and orientation in the near future!
  5. Good choices! I liked the AU program although I did not ultimately apply there myself. As for CIR, I dropped by the department on a whim while I was visiting Chicago last year (with very little notice) and was able to meet with the staff, one of the preceptors and a faculty member. For lack of a better expression, I felt a very "genuine" atmosphere at UChicago given that most people whom I spoke to were not expecting me yet were able to take the time to chat at length about the program and how my interests might fit in there. While this might not necessarily reflect upon all of the CIR faculty, I found this experience very telling by comparison to some of the Washington schools I am familiar with. The program is also very well-suited to my academic goals since I want to keep my PhD options open, come out of the program with a strong thesis and have the freedom to choose my own curriculum to a large extent. Plus they're offering me a fair bit of cash and the prospect of emerging from school relatively debt-free is an appealing one as well. I think the one thing about the program that gave me pause is the 1-year length, but I guess there's always the 2nd year specialization option to consider.
  6. McMuffin and strangertimes, I'd certainly be interested to hear your impressions of the campus day (since I cannot attend myself) once you've returned and sorted things out if you've any fresh insights on the department. Have a good visit!
  7. I'll be attending CIR next fall, however, I live overseas so I will not be able to attend the visit day. Fortunately, I had the chance to visit the department several months ago while I was in Chicago, so from my perspective I already feel like the place is a good fit. Have you accepted your offer, or are you still thinking about it?
  8. As for myself, I ultimately rejected my offer from IHEID in favor of University of Chicago due to better funding and what I perceive to be better prospects for doctoral work in the future should I decide to go that route. However, it wasn't an easy decision for me, and I'm pondering what jobs, internships or other possibilities I might pursue in the next few years to spend some time in Europe to make up for it.
  9. It's interesting to hear everyone's perspective on the matter, although ultimately I myself have decided on Chicago since I am now receiving funding. Looks like I'll have to find another way to make it to Europe for a year or two, but that should be quite manageable after graduation.
  10. I applied as well but have yet to hear any reply. It's unlikely that I will attend as it is since I have funded offers in the US, but I'm still curious to see how my application fares in the LSE system.
  11. I've recently been accepted to IHEID as well (without funding) yet it is still cheaper than my partially funded offers in the USA. I sometimes question how much of my interest in the program is predicated on wanting to live in Switzerland versus some of the more academic arguments I have seen outlined here. Do you suppose that a European MA would be useful in the event that I want to do a PhD in the USA at a later date? Or would that hurt my chances?
  12. You should be able to check the status of your scholarship on the Application Follow-up website, though as I said I myself was rejected. However, despite this fact the low tuition in Geneva (discounting the cost of living for a moment) still makes it a competitive choice from a financial perspective.
  13. Greetings one and all, Now that the season for making tough decisions is upon us, I thought I would solicit the community's advice in choosing between some of my top choice programs since I myself am at a bit of a loss. So far, I have been accepted to two programs--Chicago's CIR and the Graduate Institute's MA in International Affairs. CIR is offering me a two-thirds tuition scholarship versus nothing in Geneva, although the low tuition rates in Switzerland balance out in the end making the cost of attending both programs roughly comparable. I may be interested in pursuing a PhD in the long term, and both programs seem to have a robust thesis component although U. of Chicago definitely has the edge as far as I know insofar as its overall academic reputation in the United States. Still, I wonder how valuable it might be to attend school in a more professional environment such as Geneva with access to so many international organizations as well as the chance to improve my French. Besides faculty, are there other factors that I am overlooking? Any advice would be much appreciated. Also, would it be a laughable suggestion to send a polite letter to the Graduate Institute in an attempt to negotiate their funding? I'd be very interested to hear people's opinion of these programs as well as any personal experience they might have. Thanks!
  14. I went to Indiana as an undergraduate and took several classes through CEUS. They do offer some AI positions for doctoral students and a very limited number of other fellowship opportunities as I understand it, although I expect there is some fierce competition depending on the number of grads they employ. I seem to recall they were somewhat well known for Tibetan studies as well as offering a wide array of relatively obscure Turkic and Central Asian languages, so there might also be the chance to secure a FLAS if you're lucky. Overall, IU is a really great school and the city of Bloomington is a good place to spend a few years.
  15. As the title of this thread suggests, I was wondering if anyone on the boards could help me establish the pros and cons of studying for a master’s degree in IR at a school in East Asia such as Ritsumeikan University, Yonsei or Korea University. All of these schools are APSIA members and maintain dual-degree programs with prominent schools such as American SIS and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business which I assume must count for something. Clearly, the reputation of these schools may not match top-tier institutions in the US, but on the other hand I wonder whether or not the international experience gained by going to school in East Asia as well as the chance to improve my language skills would outweigh any negative consequences (to say nothing of cheaper tuition)? As for myself, I am an American currently living abroad in East Asia on a language study fellowship. I believe my statistics are strong enough to be admitted into a good university here in the States, but on the other hand I would prefer to remain in East Asia since it is my area of specialization if I can come to the conclusion that it will not harm my long-term career prospects. Any thoughts?
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