wasistdas

my final three came down to SAIS vs. Texas A&M Bush School vs. LBJ. The decision: LBJ. Living and working abroad for the past two years, I have met far more people in high profile/paying public and private sector jobs from schools like Michigan, UCLA, UW and LBJ than I have from any of the elite schools. This is not to say that elite schools are not elite, I think they have earned their reputation, but that people overvalue almuni networks. In fact, my final two really came between Bush and LBJ as I don't know how anyone can seriously consider working in public service while taking out the amount of debt required to attend a DC area school.

Both would have been great, but they weren't as interested in funding me, and I am very loan-averse, so the relationship just wasn't going to work. I also think people seriously overplay the value of the name on your degree, so I am not at all worried about either UT-A or TAMU.

My Issues with LBJ: 1. Ability to work/intern during the program. Class times are all over the place, more akin to undergrad scheduling than a professional degree program. This is not only a opportunity loss income but also important experience. 2. Language development support. Not 100% sure of what support is offered to get language skills from good to great. 3. Support for the MGPS program. Most everything seems geared towards the more established MPAff, will the approach be as international as I want, especially when it comes to security studies.

I felt bad for a bit as Georgetown was the only school I allowed myself to become "emotionally invested in," but then realized I was acting like a real a$$hole with the luck I have had. The decision is between LBJ vs. SAIS vs. the dark-horse Bush School. All three are viable options, but very hard to choose from as, like you said, we are choosing for two people as my wife has also been accepted to UT-A, TAMU and a school in DC.

WHAT?!?! If there was anyone on this board I expected a substantial aid package for, it was you. Crazy, Crazy.

The good news: SSP decisions are up and I am done with this whole waiting game The bad news: waitlisted at Georgetown

I don't think you have to report misdemeanors, only felonies.

I am pretty sure the online pre-term econ is $1200

1st world problems I would be happy to have

What else is this board for if not for reading into minute details and gaining or losing all hope?

cool beans, thanks for the info.

financial aid should be included with the letter according to their website, anyone get that info? Is it like American with no mention means no funding? I haven't received anything one way or the other.

Woot woot! Congrats man, that is awesome! Free money is my favorite kind!

SAIS vs. SFS... I believe these are called champagne problems, no?

SSP for me too

the school tweeted that SSP decisions will start next week i believe

It would make sense if it was based on an cost of living index, and the $1k is the average. I hope it works out for you!

in other news, experts are baffled by an unexplainable breakout of stress induced heart failure. all involved belonged to some caffeine worshipping cult, meeting together online on the seemingly benign forum "thegradecafe."

American is an interesting animal. Before applying, I think I read pretty much every thread on gradcafe and American always seems to reject a few people that get in to Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, WWS, etc. This isn't a criticism one way or another, but it would be more interesting to hear the reasons why yes/no from American.

Strange, strange process. I had all but written off SAIS due to having taken only a handful of math/econ courses, and thought I fit the bill perfectly at Fletcher (waitlisted) due to work experience, time abroad, and language capacity and overall program fit. I guess they thought differently.

Do you have to pay rent out of that $1k? If so, almost any metro area in the US is going to be difficult to impossible.

Thank god, I was worried of living in limbo while my admissions letter was used as a coaster for some Turkish mailman's glass of çay.

In at SAIS and waitlisted at Fletcher

woot woot! In at SAIS! Nice email to wake up to!

thanks for the email American SIS, just about gave me a heart attack.