jpa

I'm honestly really surprised by the number of responses on this topic. Maybe b/c it doesn't really matter? Just read what's relevant to you. Anyways, I vote no just cuz... :-D

I completely agree on your list of schools and your "last bit of advice." The intell community, for example, is known to actively recruit MBA candidates as well. They're basically looking for people with analytical/quant skills. And yes, they do indeed have a wide range of professions. Those who are more technical tend to make more money as well. Basically, my advice is research the career services center and professors. I had several friends, who have been there/done that and they said the key people who will help you with connections are your department's staff. As for career center, what do the have to offer? Where do they place (region and employer)? SAIS has a "SAIS 200" most loyal list of employers. Check that out. What's the average salary (if that's important to you...it is to me considering the high cost of school)? I'm always wary of schools with poor employment stats. Other important questions: Look at the job req for those positions on the employers' website. How well will the school prepare you to excel in the field? Alumni network? And what I did to research was look at those who are in the positions you want in 10-15 years? What did they do? You'll be surprised at how wide-ranging their backgrounds are...with that said, do what you think feels right for you.

Sorry for being rude,but is it just me or is anyone else wondering why your friend doesn't ask the forum herself?

Someone just sent me an email, but I don't know who it is. It didn't even have the username. Please send me one again, and I can add you to Linked In. Thanks!

I'm a huge proponent of work experience to not only increase your chances but also you'll gain so much more from the experience. There are so many things that I see more clearly now after studying in Australia, London, and working in both Thailand and China (4 years of work experience in int'l business). I was an IR and econ major in college, but I felt like the work experience significantly enhanced my undergrad education. My GPA wasn't stellar (3.2) at a top 20 school. Your stats are great! But with that said, why settle for less and go for it in a few years? I'm sure you'll get into most, if not all of the top schools. I think what got me into several schools was my SoP, stellar LoR's and work exp. Don't get me wrong, some do get in straight out of undergrad, but they (some schools) are called professional schools for a reason... That's my 2 cents. Good luck! PS great to see you researching now

Hey, A college friend of mine, who's now a 2nd yr was an econ major. She highly recommended that I take Micro during pre-term and try to test out of Macro, saying that Micro was really hard to test out of. She said it helped her get back into the school mode, especially being out of school for a few years. She told me not to take both, because it'll just kill me before school starts and I should make an effort to make friends as well during that time. Another friend, who will be entering his 2nd year, told me to attend pre-term and not to test out of the econ as it'll help me later, because I have been out of school for the last 4 years. He majored in econ as well. I'm not sure if it really matters if you had an econ background or not (I majored in it), but I think the consensus is that it'll free up hours later, so you can take other more interesting classes and it'll help you with the adjustment. I also plan on taking languages classes every semester, so it's nice to get rid of one requirement. Oh and they both said that SAIS designs the econ classes so that everyone succeeds, knowing many people didn't have a background in econ. Hope that helps?

Actually, sorry. Let's do Linked In instead. I just sent you an invite from my account. I was just thinking about deleting alot of "friends" from FB, b/c of the annoying twittering-like messages "I just ate a pbj sandwich" that are taking up my newsfeed, so nothing personal!

yeah, it's a good, no-nonsense website, though not many people are on it yet http://www.linkedin.com/ some of my friends have gotten jobs/biz/connections out of it

I think that's a great idea. I personally use Linked In for my professional networking and of course, like everyone else, Facebook. I'd be happy to get connected through either one. I'm going to SAIS and will be concentrating in Strat studies, though there may be a chance I may switch to Chinese studies or American Foreign Policy.

That's great for her! She should definitely do the Nanjing program. I have a number of friends, who is living/have lived in Shanghai/Beijing who did the certificate and MA programs, and they said employers in China were knocking on their door. Mostly because their Chinese has to be really impressive. Besides that, they're amazing, outgoing people. They're very helpful in finding fellow alumni jobs or even friends of alumni, at least that was true in my case.

that's a pretty good list for IR. I would place Fletcher in front of GTown, though. Many people who I have spoken to in IR (pretty senior people--not necessarily famous --in, state dept, defense and intell) in DC say G'Town doesn't even come close to SAIS. But whatever, honestly, I think all of the aforementioned schools are great. I think it's based on the individual and what he/she takes from the experience. However, I have to say that what made me choose SAIS was how much emphasis is placed on its students' professional development (that's why I'm paying a shitload to go to a professional school, right?) and solid alumni network in Asia (China and SE Asia, where I lived for 2 yrs each). Even people who are not in IR have heard of SAIS and held it in high regards as a top school. I honestly have run into more SAISers than SIPA, Fletcher and MSFS alumni combined, which played a major role in piquing my interest in SAIS.

Hahaha...actually, when I first read Cornell07's post, I thought "typical Ivy League mentality"...even my sis and her husband, unfortunately, are the same way

I agree that UCSD should be higher, esp. because of their strength in Asian studies.

Ditto...well said. I have 13 (yes, I counted) friends (all located in Asia and SE Asia, where SAIS has a very good reputation and solid alumni network) who went to SAIS and they all were placed in their "dream jobs," which are not limited to finance/econ focused fields. The quant focusonly helps graduates become equipped with strong analytical skills needed in many IR related jobs. Also, as an econ. and polisci major in college, I can say that I received a well-rounded view of the world.

Haha oh well, I guess I'm the only one who didn't get an email from my department, then...I guess we're not that special? I don't even remember what I put as my 2nd choice.