jeteast51

I was accepted to LSE with a 3.41 - so it certainly doesn

The decision that you make ultimately depends on several factors - namely did the school give you any funding and what area of IR do you plan on focusing? If the school that you got into gave you money, and they are fairly well known for what you want to study (ie IDEV at American) then its a no brainer to accept and go this year. However, with a solid extra year of international work experience supporting a strong SOP that ties your diverse background together you could have a good shot at a tier 1 school, and at the very least squeeze some money out of the school you already got into. I would also see about trying to raise your quant score on the GRE a little if you are shooting for an econ heavy program like SAIS. Maybe, you could accept at your school and look for a good int

Pika & Escincau, Do you mind if I ask which programs at SAIS are offering you department-specific fellowship funds? Thanks!

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): George Washington Elliot School (Undergrad) Previous Degrees and GPA's: BA International Development Studies, GPA 3.41, Major GPA 3.7, Senior year GPA 3.98 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 700/700/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 1.5 years private banking experience @ Morgan Stanley, 1 year development fellowship at grassroots microfinance NGO in Nicaragua. Math/Econ Background: stats, micro, macro, intl trade and finance theory, development economics Foreign Language Background: Spanish - fluent Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Development. Long Term Professional Goals: Development consultant / microfinance consultant. Schools Applied to & Results: Accepted: London School of Economics (MSc Political economy of late development), GWU Elliot School w/$ (International Development Program), Johns Hopkins SAIS (IDEV Program). Waitlist: Columbia SIPA. Rejected: None Ultimate Decision & Why: I will be enrolling at SAIS next year because of the location and the quality of the program. I am also impressed with its econ requirements as I feel that strong quant skills are key to differentiating yourself from the crowd when applying to IR jobs.

Thanks to everyone for your input / advice! I think I am going to end up at SAIS or SIPA (depending on whether or not Columbia decides to let me in off the waitlist). As far as LSE vs the other schools goes, I think it just comes down to the fact that a two year master's is more comprehensive that a one year program at LSE. Plus, they don't have the quant component that SAIS and SIPA offer.

I am in!!! Very pleased to hear it... Take that SIPA wait list!!

Yeah, I got waitlisted at SIPA as well. Any suggestions on things I could do to improve my chances of getting in off the wait list or insight into how the wait list process works at SIPA?

Anyone???

Hello, I was hoping that somebody on this forum would have some insight into a dilemma that I am facing. I currently hold an offer to LSE for an MSc in International Development Studies and I am waiting to hear back from MA programs at SIPA, SAIS and Elliot. I am confident of getting into Elliot and feel pretty good about my chances of getting into at least one of the other programs based upon my GPA, GRE scores and work experience. I am wondering what you guys think about how these programs in the US stack up to the LSE program (I have a pretty good sense of how the US programs compare to each-other)? I am most interested in international development, although I am passionate about all aspects of international affairs, and would most likely pursue a concentration in development studies at any of the US programs. I also intend to apply for joint degree status and try for an MBA. Although I am unsure if I will have a shot at the top-tier business schools with my work experience (1.5 years private wealth management experience at Morgan Stanley and 1 year working with a microfinance NGO in Nicaragua). Please let me know what you think of how LSE compares to SAIS / SIPA / Elliot in terms of overall quality of education, 'brand recognition', and post grad-school job prospects. Thanks!