invictus

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Small unknown but relatively strong LAC in Midwest Previous Degrees and GPA's: BA, International Studies, 3.7 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 630/730/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 2 years on Capitol Hill working for Member of Congress; 3 years working for a well known Development firm Math/Econ Background: Macro, Micro, Developmental Econ, and Calc in undergrad Foreign Language Background: Fluent Dutch, Intermediate French, beginners Arabic Intended Field of Study in Grad School: Int'l Development Long Term Professional Goals: Either continue to work for USAID based International Development implementer or State Department Schools Applied to & Results: Georgetown - MSFS - (Accepted) JHU - SAIS (accepted) WWS (waitlisted) GWU Elliot School (accepted with half tuition) AU SIS - (accepted) Georgetown MBA - (Accepted) Ultimate Decision & Why: If I get off the WWS waitlist then I'll definitely attend Woody Woo. If this doesn't pan out (my working assumption) then I'll be attending G-town MBA part time and continue working (I've already put down a deposit). I've already declined AU, GW, SAIS, and MSFS - good luck to those on the waiting list!

Anybody receive a rejection letter yet? I didn't get a call so I'm assuming its a no, but it would be nice to see it in writing.

Any word yet?

I requested a scanned copy of the letter via email since I'm traveling out of the country. Unfortunately, I didn't get any funding from SAIS. I can't say I'm too surprised. They did clarify that I was accepted into the IDEV program.

Leica - thanks for passing that fact along. I had no idea!

I called them today and they said that all decisions have now been mailed. I explained that I'm out of the country for several weeks traveling and need to make a decision soon and asked if there was any way they could notify me by email. They agreed, so I'm expecting to hear something soon.

I'm still waiting on SIS. It's taken them forever considering I submitted my application before the January 15th deadlines. How is it that schools like MSFS and WWS that get 800 - 1000 applicants have a smoother and more efficient system?

anxiouslywaiting - congrats on the MSFS funding offer. That's quite the achievement! You leaning towards accepting?

slothrop99 - i hear you. I'm waiting on Pickering as well and have commented to my SO (and anyone else that will listen) that the timing of Pickering makes absolutely no sense. The freakin fellowship is geared towards people going to these schools. It's not like it's applicable to schools with different timelines. I called the Pickering folks and they said that they'll announce finalists (interview in DC) mid-april. I have no idea how many people applied or what my chances are, but it was worth nagging for extra references and writing another essay for the off chance that I'll get lucky.

Agreed- as well as USAID contractors and project implementers.

Thanks younglions. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everybody else who has to wait the weekend for their packet. The cover letter stated that if funding was included then additional information would be enclosed. Unfortunately, I didn't get any. I even checked the envelope twice to make sure I didn't miss it Oh well, I don't think MSFS is known for their generous funding offers anyhow. Did anybody have better luck?

I've heard from many potential post SAIS employers that the strong econ focus at SAIS is very well regarded. It's obviously not geared towards preparation for those seeking to get a PhD in Economics since the program is designed to be a terminal MA/professional degree. SAIS is one of the (perhaps the single) largest feeder school into the World Bank, IFC, etc. For me this is a huge draw to SAIS. It gives a softer degree a bit of a harder edge. Development firms and think tanks regard SAIS grads as very well-prepared on the analytical and quantitative front, especially when compared to SIPA, SIS, Elliot, MSFS, etc. I think HKS and WWS are in such a different category that its hard to compare.

SAIS and JHU are two distinct entities with two different sets of faculty, courses, etc. Not sure you can make assumptions about SAIS based on JHU.

Sroek - No email and no change in my status online, just a snail mail acceptance

I just got home (DC) to find an acceptance letter from MSFS! Edit: Postmarked March 19 (Thursday)

charleyj - I should clarify my previous posting. I too applied into IDEV and assumed that the acceptance was for our first choice. There was no specific mention of it in my email either. Perhaps I assumed too much! I guess it'll be clear in the hard copy admissions packet.

No mention of funding, presumably it'll be in the snail mail acceptance package

Just got the good news as well: Into IDEV! Edit: Not sure it's IDEV - will find out when the hard copy acceptance comes in the mail

I'm still holding out for snail mail by tomorrow. I live in DC and will be out of the country for the next 3 weeks, so I'd really like to know before I leave!

The waitlist FAQ and letter I received yesterday was clearly geared towards applicants focused on Field I & II. Now I'm wondering how many different types of letters were mailed. Obviously, those more focused on domestic policy received a letter with a different first paragraph. I'm curious if the rest of the letters were similar. They're clearly trying to manage our expectations, but I'm wondering if language differed based on their perception of our chances. Then again, I'm pretty sure that we're not ranked or grouped. It's already a lot of work to process 850+ applicants, much less rank 41 applications, but who knows... Okay, this is my last WWS post unless something interesting comes up. I need to move on and not obsess. It's already going to be a long several months just waiting!

The way that sentence is phrased definitely leaves the door open for email + snail mail

Cornell07 - I agree that there is a certain charm to snail mail, but I think SAIS may email admits. I understand that they will send out all the hard copy letters at once, but based on a short phone conversation I had several days ago I specifically asked if email was a possibility and got a cryptic reply of: 'perhaps for some'

Linden - no ranking. The pool is re-evaluated based on the spots that become available

Agreed. The number don't look pretty. I'm also wondering if the yield is going to be high this year considering the economy and lack of generous funding offers at other schools. I think i have to stop thinking about it so much. Enroll elsewhere and be ready to give up my deposit and make a last minute switch in case the waitlist gods are on my side.

I assume the other WWS waitlisters out there also got the waitlist FAQ letter yesterday in the mail? 41 individuals on the wait list with the numbers in years past ranging from 0 - 17 admits of the list. We should hear by the middle of May. That's only ...two months away! I love the way the letter from John Templeton started: "You deserve more." Hell yeah, so just let me in!