javajava

Also - did anyone else visit both/either Fletcher and/or SIPA? I'd love for more feedback as I'm overseas.. thanks heaps

Zourah, Thanks for taking the time to write up about your visit to Fletcher. Am I reading "I'm in love" right? Did you choose Fletcher then, over HKS?

Hi guys- Like some of you all I am deciding between Fletcher and SIPA. Did you know that at Fletcher (as a MALD student specifically) you can only take four classes per semester (this includes cross-registered courses)? You can audit a 5th, but that's the limit. Beyond that you have to pay for each additional course. Meanwhile, at SIPA you can take a maximum of 18 credits...and since classes come in 3-credit, 1 credit and 0.5 credit sizes, you could conceivably take 6 (or more but then that would start to get crazy) classes. While I'm leaning towards Fletcher, I do wish they'd allow me to take more classes like Columbia. I happen to want an intensive curriculum experience and want to do as much as possible (and they have a great selection of classes). I think its not cool to ask me to pay for each class over 4 though...

Here are consolidated insights from my conversations with current Fletcher students. Aurora - sorry this ended up being later than planned, but the upside is that I got to speak with one more Fletcher student in the meanwhile so her answers are reflected here too. Fletcher Pros - Breadth and depth of alum. you truly appreciate Fletcher's brand once you get there. In all top program graduates recognize and respect each other, but Fletcher grads seems to really reach out. - Internationally no rival to Fletcher's brand in IR space, particularly public sector/gvmt sector/grass-roots/intl orgs. - Not a cutthroat, competitive environment (no fighting to get into classes) Small, amazingly tight-knit community, everyone looks out for each other. - Fields of study are not onerous. Curriculum built to give maximum flexibility. - Ability to take 1/4 classes at HKS, MIT, HBS. For those who want to do it, they do and face very few barriers. Most are pretty satisfied with accessibility. - Good career services office support and career services is specialized (they have a coach for only us government jobs, another one for international orgs. etc.) Treks to DC and NY that they arrange are very useful. Fletcher Cons - Flexible curriculum doesn't do a lot to help you focus. You'll need to make the calls on what you want to do and how you want to get there. Once you begin, tons of resources to help shape/refine your path. Otherwise you can easily float through 2 years in a somewhat unstructured way. - "MALD" is a signature degree, doesn

I just heard from Wagner - I'm in! Those who are waiting, take heart...I think they have finally gotten to the last wave of decisions. My admission is also proof that they aren't just saving rejections for the end. It's a pity the decision comes this late. I have done a lot of research and thinking about Fletcher and Columbia. I really respect the institution and the faculty, but it's going to be hard to play catch-up as far as I am concerned (unless there is big money involved...what's the latest on when we will hear about funding - anyone?)

I'm out. So Fletcher or SIPA it is for me. Congrats to those who are in - nicely done. Good luck to all, wherever it is you end up!

I have still not heard back either..submitted on Jan 14.

Wow - sounds like some of you got some nice funding packages. Congrats! While I'm grateful for mine, it's a small sum - more a goodwill gesture, really Getting penalized for saving like mad is no fun. What's the consensus on trying to "negotiate" for a bit more - is that tacky/will it get me anywhere? Also - aurora, I'm happy to tell you what I heard. Hope you don't mind but it will have to be the weekend though - I didn't have time to type up my learnings from all those convos and I've got two days of fieldwork ahead of me in some rural areas with no internet access.

Aurora, a word of sincere thanks. I am debating fiercely inside my head about Fletcher v. SIPA, and to have someone share the results of their research on this same exact issue is great. If it would be useful to you/others that I do the same -- summarize what I've recently heard about both -- I most certainly will (although since you have decided already, perhaps less relevant?)

I'm inclined to agree with Linden. While I respect that schools need time to make their selections, there are many decisions that cascade from our choice of grad school. The whole world unfortunately does not grind to a halt while schools ponder whom to admit - we have other people, deadlines, and other aspects of our lives to think about. I personally don't feel great asking other people to put their lives on hold while I wait for mine to come together..

What's going on with Wagner? I've yet to hear back too. At first I thought only those who applied way ahead of the deadline date were hearing back, but someone on the NYU strengths/weaknesses thread has unfortunately proved me wrong. I thought my fit with Wagner was perhaps better than with any of the other schools I applied - perhaps it was only obvious to me. Meanwhile, the others have responded affirmatively! Go figure.

Well, its finally Monday for all you slackers on the other side of the world. I need company wringing my fingers.

Hello - to all those who were admitted, can you chime in with when you submitted your application? I haven't heard back (either way) and am wondering if it because I submitted my application the very last week (and I'm aware that it's rolling admissions). Thanks..

That's what I'm trying to figure out too - help!

I'm about to strangle my "source", that's all I can say! Good thing I slept like a baby last night regardless, and forced myself to check email in a leisurely fashion this morning. Sorry guys for my contribution to the Mar 13 misinformation mayhem. I like the new theory being tossed around but know better than to "validate" it with the quack I know in HKS