thombo

For what it's worth, I have the exact same decision to make (MSFS, Fletcher, SAIS), and I share the sentiments of most everyone who's posted above. I will say that I have been very very impressed by Fletcher's outreach to their admitted students - to the point where they found an alum who is currently doing what they figured I would like to do and had him call me. Like a poster above, I am also in the LatAm Studies track at SAIS (though not Bologna), but I've decided that I'd rather get a functional area degree and apply it to a region of interest rather than get a regionally focused degree. I'll likely want to focus on LatAm in my career, but I don't want to be pigeon holed there by way of a regionally specific degree. I'll be attending this week's accepted students programs at SAIS and GTown and will make a decision after that, but while I'm almost certain I'll choose GTown. I presently live in DC and don't have much desire to move out of it yet, and the $ Fletcher offered just isn't quite enough to entice me - reality is that I'll be in a boat load of debt regardless of where I go. Any of y'all heading to the accepted student days in DC this week?

First off, I want to say that I am very happy to be providing this information, as I know what a great resource it can be for future applicants. I definitely used last year's data to help me determine where to apply and how to gauge my expectations - so thanks all for your past and continuing input. Program Applied To: IR programs (MSFS, MALD, etc) Schools Applied To: Georgetown MSFS, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Fletcher School at Tufts, GW Elliott School Schools Admitted To: MSFS, SAIS, Fletcher ($), GW ($) Schools Rejected From: None (by some strange stroke of luck) Still Waiting: None Undergraduate institution: Wake Forest Undergraduate GPA: 3.7 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): not really sure who calculates this or why it's relevant... Undergraduate Major: Political Science (minors in Spanish and LatAm studies) GRE Quantitative Score: 710 GRE Verbal Score: 650 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 4 Years of Work Experience: 3.5 (I'm not counting undergrad interships) Describe Relevant Work Experience: Spent first year after graduating living and teaching in Costa Rica; last 2.5 years I have been managing int'l government relations for a large consulting firm (private sector) Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Can't say it was blow anyone out of the water good, but it was effective and efficient. I don't have a particularly interesting story to tell. For me it was about mapping my past experience, starting with my honors thesis research in undergrad, then through my abroad experience and most recent work experience, then linking it all to how it's lead me to this point (applying to grad programs) and to what I want to pursue post-grad school (recommendation: be as specific as you can as to why you think grad school is the right choice and what you want to pursue after graduating). I wrote my SOP, started over, wrote it again, started again, edited down, sent to friends who were already in programs I was applying to, had them edit, edited again, rewrote sections, ad nauseum. This is an important process, especially for programs that appreciate succint, concise writing - so GIVE YOURSELF TIME. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Only read 1 (which was from a colleague, and I helped him write it), but another was from a very highly distinguished practitioner in the IR field, and also got assurances from my professor that his was very good. Overall, I would recommend that you take the time to speak with all of your recommenders about what programs you are applying to, why you are applying, and what you want to do with the degree. It is very helpful for them to be able to speak to specifics in their letters. Plus they will appreciate you giving them some direction. Other: I still have not made up my mind as to where I am going, but I am leaning very heavily toward Georgetown MSFS. I already live in DC and have a network of friends and people in the industries I want to get into after graduation, so I'm inclined to stay (rather than move to Boston for Tufts). For those intersted, I'm looking to get into trade policy and commercial capacity building in emerging markets (looking at WTO, UNCTAD, World Bank, etc). Some say that would lead me to go to SAIS... I don't think I can go wrong with either, and my gut tells me to go to GTown, plus I'm actually looking forward to having the campus/student environment that GT provides (whereas SAIS is just a collection of buildings). Finally, to all those potential applicants, remember: Work experience is your best friend - for SO many reasons. It not only differentiates you as an applicant and improves your chances of acceptance, but it also allows you to get a feel for what you truly do or do not want to do. I cannot overstate the importance of this. When I graduated undergrad, I assumed I wanted to either go to Law School or get an MBA and go into private sector work. My goals are very very different now that I've had time to reflect and get experience in the field. Do yourself a favor, don't be in a hurry, and don't make a huge investment in grad school until you are certain you know what you want out of it.

There are too many advantages to getting some work experience between undergrad and grad to list (ESPECIALLY if you have a job lined up in your intended career path). Yes, it will certainly make your future applications far far more attractive (most top schools as you know only admit a select few straight from undergrad). Beyond that, though, you will have so much better of an understanding of what you want to do and why if you take a few years to work. Then, not only will you stand a better chance of getting into better programs, but you will be able to get more out of them once you are there. Oh and finally, I know plenty of people that went straight into MA programs from undergrad and upon graduating they were fighting it out for the same entry level, low paid, paper pushing jobs that undergrads were fighting for. You are infinately more attractive to grad schools and employers if you have that work experience. Of course nothing is black and white and everyone has their own personal circumstances to consider, but speaking from my own experience, I am VERY happy i got the work experience I did before applying. Hell, when I graduated I didn't even think I wanted to go into IR programs in fact I'd never even considered it (I was leaning toward MBA or Law School), but after getting experience in the field, working with people in the private and public sectors, I came to realize what truly interests me, and I am now confident that I won't be going into debt by going to a grad program I will ultimate not like (ahem, law school).

Thanks - and yeah I'm definitely not complaining about the decision I have to make; I am very fortunate. I will say, though, that what SAIS lacks in campus evironment, it at least partially makes up for it by being in an amazing location in DC. Very accessible, great part of town for bars, restaurants, living, etc.

Got my admission packet in the mail yesterday and, as expected, no funding (guess I'm not in the top-20% of accepted students... no surprise there). Leaning very heavily toward GTown right now for a variety of reasons, but am I alone in including as one of those reasons being a part of a larger student/university environment (with a campus, facilities, clubs/intramurals, etc)? I'm not expecting an undergrad-esque experience, nor do I want one, but those resources seem to sweeten the deal and set GTown apart from SAIS which is just basically 3 office buildings. Is anyone else taking those "student life" factors into consideration?

I have not, sounds like indication comes via email then you check a site. Just waiting on that email.

Yeah, it is kindof unfortunate that there isn't a real campus, but SAIS' location within DC cannot be beat. Dupont Circle area is probably my favorite part of the city, and while it's still exorbitantly expensive, you can find places to live within walking distance (whereas at Georgetown, its prohibitively expensive AND there's no Metro access which means you are kidof cutoff from the rest of the city). In terms of location I definitely prefer SAIS over Gtown and American, but I'm with you on the lack of campus (the edge there definitely goes to Gtown).

Seriously, this is getting ridiculous. No other school sends out an "admissions" email at this point unless its because the decisions are ready. Anyway, thankfully by now I'm admitted other places and no longer have any interest in GW, so I'm not too concerned.

psh - I'm in the same boat. Got into Gtown Sais and Fletcher, with Fletcher offering some dough. GTown was always my #1, and also not expecting any funds from them, but I've got to decide now if $12/year is enough to move me out of DC... Congrats by the way.

I'm in DC and got the email.

MSFS Email just arrived! I'm in there, which comes as a surprise considering how incredibly competitive it is. Needless to say, I'm happy and releived to have a) gotten in and be done waiting (now I just have some decisions to make).

I'm in as well! I will be very interested to hear re: funding. On the funding thing, though, it says in the letter that if you "have submitted their SAIS financial aid application and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15 will be given online access to their financial aid award by the end of this week." I submitted the SAIS financial aid form, but did not submit a FAFSA form because I will be financing via a private loan at a better rate than Federal loans... did I just knock myself out of contention for aid from SAIS? Now just waiting on Gtown.

Thanks for the tip on checking the system absent an email. I got into the MALD program with a $12,000 scholarship offer! Best of luck to everyone else with Fletcher and other programs.

I don't know and details, but I think they were beginning to stuff packets yesterday which would suggest that decisions (admittance at least) have been made.

Not much help but a friend of mine volunteered at MSFS admissions this year and as of 10 days ago they had finished reading apps and were in the process of inputting data/decisions into the system. Of course that gives no indication of when they'll actually send out decisions.