jhpigott

It looks to me like only the MSFS has made any admission decisions. Could be wrong, but I haven't seen decisions for any applicants of the other SFS programs (regional studies, ssp, etc.)

Any idea about how many they are expecting to enroll in the MSFS? I recall seeing on one of the SSP applicant chat sessions that the SSP had something like 500 applicants and was looking to enroll about 90.

@godlessgael and MYRNIST - Did you apply for the MSFS with a security concentration or to the SSP program?

This from Georgetown SSP Admissions' twitter account - SSPAdmissions SSP Admissions All admissions decisions for Fall 2012 applicants should be released by mid-week next week! ?s email sspinfo@georgetown.edu 15 hours ago https://twitter.com/sspadmissions

What programs did you apply for at Elliott and Georgtown? SPS and SSP?

AU - US Foreign Policy candidate here as well and have not heard anything. It looks like a number of other folks who applied to SIS have heard back though. Nail biting time . . .

I hear you. Just a couple more weeks . . . a couple of slow, torturous, painful, etc. etc. weeks If you happen to get into all your schools, what's your order of preference?

I was able to get on to my VIP admissions page for AU SIS this morning. You are a security studies candidate I see. Which SIS program did you apply to? US Foreign Policy?

GWU Elliott admissions website states - "GRE test scores are encouraged but not required for an applicant who already holds a master's degree (or higher)." http://elliott.gwu.e...equirements.cfm AU SIS admissions website states - "Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all masters applicants, except for: Applicant holding advanced degrees at the time of application (GRE strongly encouraged but not required). " http://www.american....equirements.cfm Georgetown doesn't have any language like that on their website, but was informed by a friend (who also holds a J.D.) that if you requested a GRE waiver from SSP admissions they would likely grant it. I did and they did. All that being said, we'll see if I get in w/o GRE scores.

Anyone hearing from Georgetown SSP yet?

Never did. Just took the LSAT out of undergrad. The programs I applied to have a GRE waiver if you already hold a M.A. or higher (although with GT I had to provide a brief memo as to why I believed I should be provided a GRE waiver). Probably wouldn't have hurt to have taken my GREs, but it's been a long time since I've taken a standarized test and my workload doesn't exactly lend itself to copious amounts of study time to brush up on my test taking ability. Given my J.D. and work experience, I did not get the impression from speaking with the admissions officers at GT, GWU or AU that not taking the GRE was going to hurt my chances of getting in.

I attended an information session at American University (SIS) in early February and was told they hoped to have admission decisions out by the end of February. Don't know if that was just wishful thinking because I haven't seen where anyone has heard one way or the other regarding SIS.

For the security studies programs I applied to: 1) Georgtown - SSP 2) GWU/Elliott - SPS 3) AU/SIS - US Foreign Policy

After researching the job placement reports of those schools, I'm a little more optimistic about job prospects/salary. That being said, I don't expect to get rich either. I realize my age and career change may count against me, but I can only hope my SOP, writing sample and prior pursuit of employment within the intelligence community would evidence that this move is not random or some passing fancy.

CalSeeker - I think living in NVa is the route I'm going to end up taking. From what I have been able to find on-line it is going to be expensive to live close to campus, and that is saying something coming from a S. Florida resident. I have family that lives in Fairfax, Centerville and Columbia, MD so I'm hoping they can provide me with some housing tips/leads.

Macchiato - Thanks for the feedback. From what I've heard, I figured GWU to be the more formal of the schools I mentioned, if for no other reason than proximity to the capital district. I look forward to checking out the GWU campus. Where do most ESIA grad students live? I'm married with a small child so I'll be looking for a 2 bedroom.

It's been sometime since I've attended school (graduated law school back in 2003) and was looking for a little advice or feedback regarding an upcoming trip I am taking to DC to visit ESIA, AU and Georgetown and their respective security studies programs. I have applied for the 2012 Fall Semester for each of these programs. During the applicant review period, Georgetown is not doing any formal informational sessions but ESIA and AU allowed me to sign up for their sessions. Generally speaking, what is the dress code for these events - suit and tie, business casual, wear whatever you want? Are these sessions more about the school walking us around the campus and telling us about their programs or are there opportunities to discuss/ask questions about the programs, classes, professors, financial aid, career resources, etc.? Even though I do not have anything official lined up with Georgetown, I would still like to check out the campus and poke around the Walsh School buildings and maybe stop by their career resource and financial aid centers to speak with someone. Is this bad form? For anyone that has recently attended one of these information sessions at either ESIA or AU - what can I or should I expect out of these visits?

fenderpete - Thank you for the feedback. The more I research what qualifies as a "strong profile" for security studies programs at the top-tier schools the more I tend to agree with your assessment. There doesn't seem to be any one particular profile they go after. In other words - it's a crapshoot

New to the forum. Brief bio - Graduated from Univ. FL w/ BA in Business Admin (3.6 GPA, w/ honors) and from Univ. FL Law School w/ JD (3.1 GPA, which was top 25% of class). Have been practicing law for 8 years, 4 with a medium sized firm and 4 out on my own. Wide range of civil law practice (no crim law practice). Never took the GRE. But did very well on the LSAT and the FL Bar exam. Because of my JD, I have been told by the different graduate admissions offices that a GRE is not required. 3 years of HS Spanish and 1 year college level Spanish. Have always had a strong interest in international security related studies. Contribute to a number of security related blogs. No military experience. Did have a conditional offer of employment with DIA right out of law school but turned it down due to relocation and family issues (still kicking myself for that one). No LORs from professors as I have lost touch with them being out of school as long as I have. However, all LORs from professionals with security related work experience. Strong writing sample regarding DPRK provocations in the Yellow Sea. Based upon my review of these kinds of forums, I realize I am not your "typical" applicant. I have applied to SFS (SSP), ESIA (SPS) and SIS (US Foreign Policy). Very anxiously awaiting admissions responses from these programs.

I think American and FP Magazine would take issue with that characterization given the recent rankings But I do understand the gist of what you are saying and was thinking along the same lines myself. I look at American as my back-up to GT and GWU. I do like the thought of studying and living in DC. I'm looking for programs that are going to maximize the likelihood of obtaining employment within the security establishment (whether that's within the IC, State, Defense, on the Hill in some kind of advisory capacity or with a think tank) and I believe being in DC is going to provide opportunities that may be otherwise difficult to come by at some of the other programs you mentioned, despite their prestige, simply due to location. This is going to be a 2nd career of sorts for me. I've been practicing law for 8 years, am 34 years old with a wife and young daughter. Quickly running out of time (IMO) to switch gears and want to make sure wherever I end up getting admitted I will be positioned to network quickly and efficiently with the community within which I ultimately seek to be employed. Location, location, location as the real estate folks like to say.

MYRNIST - I've applied to both GU's SSP and GWU's Security Policy Studies M.A. programs. Any thoughts on American University's US Foreign Policy M.A. (which I've also applied to) as it relates to a specialized degree in security studies and prospects for employment within the public security field (State, Defense, 3 letter agencies) compared to GU and GWU's programs. I get the impression from my research of AU's USFP program that it is not quite as "specialized" as the other two but that it's location provides similar networking and employment opportunties.

K.Ash - Congrats. That is early. New to the forum. Brief bio - Graduated from Univ. FL w/ BA in Business Admin (3.6 GPA, w/ honors) and from Univ. FL Law School w/ JD (3.1 GPA, which was top 25% of class). Have been practicing law for 8 years, 4 with a medium sized firm and 4 out on my own. Wide range of civil law practice (no crim law practice). Never took the GRE. But did very well on the LSAT and the FL Bar exam. Because of my JD, I have been told by the different graduate admissions offices that a GRE is not required. 3 years of HS Spanish and 1 year college level Spanish. Have always had a strong interest in international security related studies. Contribute to a number of security related blogs. No military experience. Did have a conditional offer of employment with DIA right out of law school but turned it down due to relocation and family issues (still kicking myself for that one). No LORs from professors as I have lost touch with them being out of school as long as I have. However, all LORs from professionals with security related work experience. Strong writing sample regarding DPRK provocations in the Yellow Sea. Based upon my review of these kinds of forums, I realize I am not your "typical" applicant. I have applied to SFS, ESIA and SIS. Very anxiously awaiting admissions responses from these programs.