cmoz01

I'm a 2nd year SAIS student and here are some general thoughts to keep in mind. First, the US gov is barely hiring now after not hiring at all for most of last year and that is unlikely to change. That's why most grads do private sector, there are no jobs in government. Second, choose the school that gives you the least debt. If you are going $80k in debt for either school, you are making a stupid decision. The average graduate of these schools does not get an $80k salary by the school's own employment stats which are seriously inflated (I'm sure GU does the same.) Go see if you can even find a job paying $80k that these schools could really help you get. Third, these are IR schools with an econ/fin component, not econ or finance schools. If you don't want to be in the public sector or NGOs, just don't go to these schools, seriously. These schools' networks are in policy positions in government, think-tanks, NGOs, World Bank/development, and everywhere EXCEPT the private sector and business. If you want to do private sector work these schools are not helpful for you! Any 2nd tier MBA program crushes either school in finance/business and usually matches them in non-phd econ positions (those are unusual positions by the way) while econ phds naturally dominate most professional economist positions. Specific to SAIS, I'd say that it has outstanding econ/finance and does amazingly in public sector econ/finance areas like Treasury, World Bank, OPIC, etc. SAIS can also compete -- with difficulty -- for back-office research positions in some finance sector institutions and consultancies. A very special SAISer could cross into banking and consulting; but most likely you are not that special -- get the MBA if that's what you want. Yes, as noted by several here, SAIS career services is godawful. 3 counselors for hundreds and hundreds of students -- a joke.

Go to the ASF application and then click on check application status and it will tell you. I think the APRA sign in thing youre talking about is different but Im not sure.

Acceptance! My letter didnt mention funding either...

Has anyone had their ASF status updated yet?

i checked the website (no email) and they tell me a decision was made yesterday sat the 26th, but that i have to wait 48-72 hours to see my decision on the website...this is ridiculous they cant just write accepted/rejected?.. now im going to be obsessively checking the website every few hours for 1-2 days...why couldnt they post nothing at all until i can see the decision??

A few days ago, one of my old professors who wrote a recommendation got a "contact" asking my math/quant background in coursework and experience. He asked me it and I told him. He wouldnt tell me any more details, I assume it could only conceivably be one of my schools. But its so weird, why would they ask him, he taught international relations to me and is just a professor, why would they even ask, they have my transcript and SOP...the whole thing is strange, its really bothering me. Oh I'm applying as an international student, maybe it makes a difference.