PrattIAFF

I can't speak for the Pickering because I don't know how the written part is scored, but I am able to comment on the Rangel process. For the Rangel, the writing part is scored separately from the interview. The score you get on the writing test is factored with your interview evaluation, but it does not influence the interview evaluation. For Rangel, a committee of two people scored the essays, and when all the interviews were finished, the separate scores (interview.writing) were compared. I can only assume that the writing exercise is not seen by the interview panel, but I have no way of knowing. I'm sure asking the Pickering team at the Wilson Foundation would reveal the exact scoring method... anyone want to send that email??

So the questions are random, and pretty specific. If you're still preparing, cast a wide net.

Writing test in 7 hours! Good luck Jrnels and everyone else....

Finalist!! Congrats jrnels. Those of you who were not selected, I hope you consider reapplying!

Thanks all for the advice and encouragement. I think I should just concentrate on getting the Pickering. So I'll be prepping, and my next steps hinge on the email I'm expecting this week

Oh, and of course I would continue with my Foreign Service application. Good thing the FSOT is offered abroad. I've signed up for it several times, but I always think there's more I should do to prepare. So this June I will knock it out for sure. Curious to know who among us has taken it?!?! Any advice?

Good question. I guess I have two options: 1. I'm ready to go to grad school now and I don't know what I would do with another year for the Pickering/Rangel application cycle. I've decided I'm going to GW, and they've given me a have a half-tuition scholarship. So I'm looking for all the aid I can get to make up the rest. For what I can't make up, I suppose I would have to work and take out loans. I don't like the idea, but I really don't see too many other options. 2. I could also choose to defer for a year, re-apply for the Pickering and Rangel, and hope GW gives me a fellowship again. Then I would try to find something to occupy me for the next year (Hopefully related to my career goals, but if not, then teaching English in Korea or China) The downside to this is the possibility that next year I am admitted to GW without a fellowship and I receive neither the Pickering or Rangel. I don't see how my chances would decrease, but it's one of those "known unknowns" Any suggestions?

For anyone who pays attention to rankings of international affairs programs in the Foreign Policy Magazine top 10 schools of international affairs, GW Elliott is ranked #7. One of the reasons I like the Elliott School is that it is a good balance between theory and practice. As Calseeker says, it allows and encourages students to gain practicl experience during the day while attending courses in the evening. Of course, as a student you are limited on the amount of time you can dedicate to work, and the number of part-time opportunities are limited. However, GW advisers have experience with placing students in these positions, and I would imagine that employers would seek GW students for the positions that are available. My question would be, what is the best way to go about seeking part-time work that is relevant to your professional goals? Advisers and teachers would be helpful to an extent, but it seems it would also entail a bit of self-directed searching. I intend to apply for several internships (some paid, some not) and part-time jobs (the State Department has a great program for working students, and it is only an 8-minute walk from Elliott's doors. NGOs and Think Tanks (CSIS, USIP, NED, NDI, WWICS etc.) are a few blocks or metro stops away. Also to support GW's focus on professional development, an internship is required, as are three of their 1-credit "skills courses" which teach skills directly applicable to the workplace. I am planning a career in the U.S. Foreign Service, so State Department internships, as well as skills courses such as "Formal Briefing," "Political Analysis," and "Policymaking" are a nice addition to the full courses (http://elliott.gwu.edu/assets/docs/acad/Fall_2011_Skills_Course_Descriptions.pdf) I am entering the MA International Affairs Program, with a concentration in International Security. My focus area is U.S. interests in security and governance in Africa. This is a very interdisciplinary inquiry, and the flexibility of the MA International affairs program allows me to encompass this. While Elliott does not have an explicit regional focus in Africa (like AU-SIS, or JHU-SAIS have), there are plenty of relevant courses to study conflict analysis and resolution, governance development, energy security (increasingly relevant for Africa), and U.S. security policy and foreign policy. Since I mentioned flexibility, this is really the biggest draw for me. Not only the flexibility that allows employment, but flexibility in curriculum, with few pre-determined core requirements (three core courses and a capstone). The three skills courses, the courses within the concentration, and electives, are up to you. . I found the AU-SIS curriculum to be too rigid (2 required research methods course, too many core requirements). SAIS requires half of the courses to be Econ, which is not a priority for me. Of all of the DC schools, I think MSFS is the one that offers an appropriate broad core, while really allowing some flexibility. It seems like GW really wants its students to determine what courses they take... after all, it's our education, right. Just my two cents.

Background: Middle Tennessee State University - 2010 BS International Relations, BA Political Science Minors: African Studies, Geography Professional Experience: Policy Intern, Constituency for Africa (3 months - Washington, D.C.) Program Intern, International Bridges to Justice (3 months - Kigali, Rwanda) Horn of Africa Intern, Human Rights Watch (6 months - Washington, D.C.) International Experience Kenya, Senior Year Abroad - United States International University (8 months) Rwanda/Burundi, Internship - International Bridges to Justice (3 months) Zanzibar, Swahili Language Study (3 months) Tanzania, Research, Language Study (8 months) Why I chose GW: I have been looking at APSIA schools for the last four or five years. I knew I wanted to study in the Washington, D.C. area because I love the city and all the amazing opportunities outside of the classroom. The access you have in Washington is unparalleled, especially if you are considering a policy career. GW always boasts about its location, for good reason. Out of all of the DC schools, its proximity to agencies and institutions is unbeatable. Georgetown and SAIS are always ranked #1 and #2, and for good reason. They have some of the most outstanding faculty found anywhere. They know how to attract and retain the top talent. However, there are some amazing profs at GW, which I really think is underrated as an institution. They often are constantly between the revolving door between practice and academia. My two draws, since I'm focused on African Security and Governance, are Dr. Paul Williams and Ambassador David Shinn. Georgetown may have Chester Crocker, and SAIS may have Princeton Lyman, but try getting some quality face time with either of them... go ahead... try. Price: GW is 25% cheaper than SAIS or Georgetown, and if they give you aid on top of that, it's a bargain.

For those of you who have decided (or who are leaning toward) GW Elliott School of International Affairs, this thread is intended to get the dialogue going about the enrollment process, fellowships, financial aid, advisers, course selections, extracurricular and employment opportunities. GW's location and faculty make for some of the best professional opportunities of any f the DC schools, In my humble opinion. So let's talk!

Just for Reference: February - March: Eligible applications reviewed Late March/early April: 40 GFAF finalists selected, all applicants notified April 9-10th: GFAF finalists' online writing exams April 19-20: GFAF finalists' interviews (held in the DC area, Skype interviews available for overseas candidates) Late April: 20 new Graduate Pickering Fellows selected, all finalists notified June 3-7th: Mandatory new fellow orientation (held in the DC area)

I believe attitude is the most important in such a process... No matter what the outcome. Good luck!

Seconded well I'm pretty sure I'm going to take GW up on their offer. But congrats to all you MSFSers and good luck to the hopefuls out there. At least I'll see you in DC.

Have not received an email, but I just checked ApplyYourself and my decision is ready... Waitlist That makes my choice pretty easy now.

Typically, the award yuo get automatically from the school is merit-based. These fellowships/scholarships/assistant-ships come from the department that administers your degree program. It sounds like you've heard all you are going to about funding from the degree program itself. There is a separate process for applying for need-based aid through the University's financial aid department. They can offer help with grants, loans, federal work-study, etc. So now it's time to visit, call, or email financial aid to determine what your options are.

Ha! As much as I'm dying to know, I don't necessarily want to be the one to ask I keep telling myself "good things come to those who wait." I'm just thankful I already have a great $ offer at another awesome school already. Even rejection from MSFS can't get me down

This is what I was trying to determine because perhaps releasing earlier admissions decisions without aid is a way of weeding out those who cannot afford the pricetag... It's sad to think about it like that, but my decision really does boil down to my bottom line... Affordability is usually high on most people's list.

Yes the extra waiting, after having expected a decision on the 15th, is no fun. But I seriously doubt we will hear anything this weekend. Just try to enjoy yourself this weekend, or do something productive to take your mind off of it. Personally I'm using the extra time to decide what my options will be when I do have notification (acceptance with/out funding, waitlist, or rejection). It's best to brainstorm about how each scenario will allow you to leverage your position vis-a-vis other offers. It's a good exercise, and it will make the wait seem worth it if you're prepared for every possible scenario. Happy St. Patty's

Well, it seems that we still have St. Patty's day to summon the luck of the Irish...or at least keep us occupied looking for our keys next week rather than clicking refresh every five minutes (because we don't trust auto-refresh with these matters) Signing off...

I admire your enthusiasm, and indeed it would be a pleasure to meet you. But if I am a finalist, I would do my interview from abroad. Thank goodness Pickering accommodates finalists who are overseas because I really couldn't afford to come back to the U.S. for another interview '

Thank you for validating my neurosis.

Just a thought. If you are waitlisted, it does not necessarily mean that your application was considered to have less merit than those who were accepted initially. In some cases, the admissions committee considers the likelihood that someone would accept an offer based on the probability that they will be offered admission to a school that is higher on the candidate's list, or that is ranked higher. When you apply to these schools, they usually ask to which other programs you are applying, and they can reasonably assume that, if they think that you will accept an admission offer from another university, that they would waitlist you in order to offer admission to someone who is more likely to accept the offer... does that make sense?

To those of you who have received a letter of acceptance, I have a few Q's: 1. What time was the letter sent to you (Note if your email program shows time it was actually sent from the source, and adjust for Eastern Time) 2. Was there a funding offer of any amount?

Waitlisted at AU-SIS (MA International Politics) In at GW Elliott with 15k/yr Waiting patiently for Georgetown

Congrats to the lucky 20 newly-minted Rangel Fellows! Sorry to say I am not counted among you. However, there is still the Pickering. So let it begin