timetomakethedonuts

I didn't recognize anyone, but what did you guys think of it?

So I just sat through the online chat. I'm sold on SFS. They were so nice, informative. What really got me was when they said all your professors will know your resume your interest and want to help you find your dream job. The smallness of the program is a big +.

I don't know. I majored in econ, and worked in i-banking. Can't imagine that SAIS is going to teach me quant skills that are light years ahead this. Although, obviously they do focus on it more. I just think it doesn't make sense to continue to develop this skill set when I don't enjoy doing quantitative analysis. I personally think the #'s in dev and business are hyped, when everyone knows that with the change of one assumption, you can make the results look how you want them. Do you think if you go to the World Bank you are endorsing the Washington Consensus? I would tend to think so.

I really appreciate this info, as I have no familiarity. It seems like a trade-off to say the least. Can you comment some more on travel time from Georgetown to main areas of DC? Also it seems like everybody on this board is pretty pro-SAIS. Do any of you think SFS is a significantly weaker program overall? I mean is there anybody out there who thinks you'd be crazy to go to SFS over SAIS?

Yes, that makes a lot of sense. I also did not get a scholarship. They say only 20% do. I see what you're saying about Middle East focus, although right now in America, that does seem to preoccupy much of our thoughts and resources, so it makes some sense to me. I wish the schools offered more information about their academic strengths on their websites without digging being required. I will ask tomorrow in the chat. I am also curious about the foreign language exams.

Hey Nehagg, Thanks for your response. Here's the data from the schools' websites on diversity. SFS:2010: Students self-reported the following information: the class averages 4.5 years of prior work experience, the average age is 26.7 (age range 20 – 41), 36% of the students are international, and 20% of U.S. students represent a U.S. minority. Students claiming dual citizenship with the U.S. and another country are counted as U.S citizens in these statistics. This year’s international students come from 26 countries. In 2009, 41% International from 24 countries. SAIS:International Students: 34%, representing 70+ countries Total of 600 students at DC campus. So yes SAIS does have more internationals but not by percentage. They also have more Americans! SFS doesn't count Americans with dual citizenship as international. My questions for you are why are internationals automatically at a disadvantage for public sector jobs? What about the SAIS courses do you like more? And can you provide any more information about SFS being Middle East dominated. I have not heard it was dominated by this, only that it was a strength. Please expound if you a moment.

Ok, so here's my take on it right now. These are not facts but my impressions! (subject to change) typos aplenty! Reputation: SFS has better layman recognition, while most people outside the field associate Johns Hopkins with medical. In the field (which is obviously more important), I think the schools are relatively equal with some people thinking SAIS offers better economic training and others thinking SFS is a more well rounded program with a greater ability to shape your concentration. Obviously, this difference can change based on whether someone wants to shirk econ prep, or not at either school. I do think that some people on this board tend to talk about SAIS name recognition and placement without comparing the overall size of the programs. With 300 grads a year, SAIS will simply have more alumni. Size: 600 or so total students for SAIS, 200 for SFS. Obviously this is a preference thing.I go back and forth on it I will say that having so many students start at Bologna at SAIS puts me off because I would imagine that they develop strong bonds with each other and are clique-y upon returning to DC. SFS offers smaller class sizes and less competition with other cohort members for same job postings due to sheer #s. Academic Strengths: I do not know much about either school's respective strengths other than what I've heard from others. Namely Hopkins has a strong econ dept especially in dev. and that SFS is supposed to have a very strong Middle East component. I've heard the IBD Certificate is legit. Any thoughts on academic strengths would be appreciated. Network Strengths: Georgetown seems to have a very strong network that is easy to access because of people's allegiance to the school. Hopkins also has a strong network, I don't think you can choose one school over the other unless you look at placements. Exit Ops/ Placements: To me, this is the decider. SFS seems to have the best placement in the public sector (us and foreign gov'ts) of any school in the country. Looking back at the past 5 years of placement info, I would argue that while both schools do well in this regard, SFS wins. SAIS clearly to me offers better ops in the business sector placing more people in the top consulting firms and i-banks. But the fact that either school does better in one area over another in placement might just be a reflection of student interest rather than placement ability. SAIS seems to have stronger placement at the IMF and World Bank. I think both schools place well at the UN. In non-profits, both schools seem to be relatively equal to me. Diversity of Student Body: I think both schools are very strong in attracting candidates with different experiences, but I think SFS has a higher % of int'l students which I think is a plus. Location: I like that Georgetown has a whole school around it. Opportunities to meet other people with other interests, use a wide array of facilities seems like a plus. I have heard the area is very nice. Grab-Bag: I like that Georgetown is a jesuit based institution (I'm not religious), but some people may be turned of by this. I also read about Paul Nitze and had rather mixed feelings about him. The way I am view the decision: I think if you know you want to go into public sector SFS is the place to go. I think if you know that you want to go into private sector, SAIS is the better choice. I think both schools are great and you can't go wrong with either one, if you are not sure what you want to do after graduation. If you're like me, there is no wrong choice, but no matter what you do, you'll regret it. Hope this helps jump-start the conversation

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Top Liberal Arts Previous Degrees and GPA's: BA Economics 3.64 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 650/650/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): Summer Analyst at Top I-Bank, Two Summer internships at bulge bracket i-banks, Teach For America corps member, Guest Teacher at Chinese University Math/Econ Background: Majored in Econ Foreign Language Background: German (I did the Middlebury Language School, which I would recommend to anyone who is serious about attaining fluency.) French, Basic chinese Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Relations Long Term Professional Goals: Public Sector Schools Applied to & Results:rejected- Kennedy and Woodrow Wilson, which makes sense considering my SOP was tailored to IR focused schools. Accepted-Maxwell, SIS, SFS, SAIS. Ultimate Decision & Why: SFS. First, SFS is what I set my sights on years ago. SAIS is compelling for many reasons, however I feel that the program is more focused on economics and finance skills that I don't really want to focus on. I don't think SAIS will teach me modeling and analysis any better than my previous economics and i banking experience. This is not a knock on SAIS. I like the size of the Georgetown program, as I personally feel I do better in smaller cohorts. SFS also seems to allow a greater amount of electives which is important to me. I feel it offers better exit opportunities in the public sector than any other school. The fact that many students are able to have 3 different internships over the course of the degree is appealing. I don't think any of these schools would be a bad choice, and I may end up changing my mind.

No, I can't go unfortunately. Working in China. If you do end up going to the open house, please post your impressions.

can anyone from either of the school's comment?

So I have been very lucky i nthe admissions process this year. I have narrowed down my decision to SFS and SAIS. Being abroad right now and having never been to D.C. before, I am very curious to hear people's thoughts on each school's strengths and weaknesses. This means academics, but also location, reputation, student life, career services, and anything else under the sun. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I know. I hope we hear today. This admissions cycle has been far more excruciating than any other application process I have ever done! Someone call? I would, but I'm in China.

Bump.. i'd love to see people's thought process.

so, i guess now.. my question is funding being equal for the different programs... how are you making your choice? for me it will be between american sis, sais, and sfs, and i have no idea how to approach the decision. i can see differences in the programs, but i don't know what that means in terms of decisions?

Yeah. i've seen that. i guess i'm asking for conjecture...