LCAlum

Hey, I'm a current student at SAIS, although not an idev concentrator. You have to pass intermediate micro in their pre-term session, which runs from the end of July to the end of August in DC, or pass the waiver exam. You can't use your undergrad credits to place out. From what I'm told, they are very strict about this and do not make exceptions. Since you were an econ major, I'd try to take the waiver exam (which you can take online) as soon as it's offered, which I believe would be in the beginning of the summer. If you pass it, then you're home free. If not, take pre-term micro. If you look around on the SAIS website, they should have an overview of what topics are covered. They cover a lot of this on their website, so just poke around there. If you still have questions, just e-mail or call the admissions people. They're probably super busy right now, but if you keep harassing them, they'll eventually get back to you.

I can't personally speak for Stanford, as I didn't apply there and didn't really research their program, but I do know that to get into Fletcher, you generally have to have at least very good conversational skills in a foreign language (upon applying, I didn't for the record). According to their admissions blog almost everyone they accept can speak at least two languages. If you think you're lacking in this department, I would suggest putting off applying for a year and taking some classes. The foreign language you come in with doesn't necessarily have to be the foreign language you study when you're there. I'm currently at SAIS (which has similar, although in my opinion less strict foreign language requirements for applicants) and I know a number of people who are going to take their language proficiency test after a semester or two in a language they've previously studied and then work on an entirely unrelated language.

I think you can't go wrong with the country director and one of your undergrad professors. I just went through the grad school application process last fall/winter as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ghana and I used my CD and two undergrad professors (I'm starting this fall, and COSing from PC in about two weeks). Do the programs you're applying to state where they would prefer the recommendations to be from? For the MA programs I applied to, most wanted two undergrad professors in addition to a work supervisor. I don't know how much the CD being an alum from the school you're applying to would count, since he/she graduated with a different degree, but it's probably a better bet than the manager (I'm assuming APCD?). If you feel significantly closer with the manager than I would go with him, otherwise I'd stick with the CD. Just out of curiosity, what country are you in?

Grad plus loans also count under the Loan Forgiveness for Public Service Employees, although I believe the interest is a bit higher. I'm in a similar situation to the OP, in that I didn't get any financial aid anywhere. I talked to the fin aid office at SAIS and they told me that 80% of students receive some kind of assistance in their second year (given out based on grades). I think the numbers are similar at Georgetown, and probably other schools as well. While nothing is guaranteed, you at least have a shot at some money your second year. I would still make your decision based on not getting any money, but keep in mind that's more of a worst case scenario.

Thanks for setting up the group! The link works fine, I sent my request to join.

Hey, I'm thinking I'm going to try to do both intermediate micro and macro econ in DC. Are you going to Bologna? I wanted to take the intensive Italian there and to do so I think I need both micro and macro out of the way. Supposedly micro and macro econ during the preterm is kind of intense, but since it's only for a month, I figure it's bearable.

I had the same thing happen to me. I received an e-mail saying that I had been "awarded" financial aid, only to find out after two days of battling the Johns Hopkins computer system that my "award" was a loan. Awesome. Bankruptcy here I come! Since we're on the subject, does anyone know if there is more financial aid (fellowships, scholarships, grants, etc.) available to students entering their second year? I remember reading something from the Georgetown website saying that while only 20% get aid for the first year, 70% get it the second year. I don't think I saw anything like this for SAIS but my internet connection isn't the best right now. I did e-mail them a few days ago but no one has replied yet.