wantgrad

Yep received this info two days ago. This link on all the IDs and things is quite helpful: http://portalcontent.johnshopkins.edu/HmwdUG/NewStudent/Archive/idNumbers-original.html

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Small liberal arts (top 30) Previous Degrees and GPAs: Economics and Political Science, 3.78 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 168Q/168V/4.5AW Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 3 years - 1 in DC at a private consulting firm; 2 in India at a development consultancy Math/Econ Background: Econ major; calc and stats coursework Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Fluent Hindi, basic French Intended Field of Study in Grad School: International Development Long Term Professional Goals: Ideally to be involved in economic policy design, either as a consultant or with a World Bank type Schools Applied to & Results: American SIS (accepted full ride), GWU ESIA (accepted $20k/year), HKS MPP (accepted, $0), SAID IDEV (accepted $20K/year), Georgetown MSFS (accepted $20k/year), SIPA (accepted $0) Decision & Why: SAIS. The IDEV programme looks fantastic and perfect for me. Strong econ focus. DC location. Advice for Future Applicants: Use friends, advisers, and of course gradcafe for support, advice, and encouragement. But don't let all the info coming your way overwhelm you. Everyone has their thoughts on the best way to do your application, but it's ultimately your own work so be confident in yourself and your decisions.

Thanks a ton dcenergygirl!

I lived in NE for a while in 2010. There are some sketchy parts, but some parts are really nice too. The two hassles were commuting and buying groceries. Overall though I much preferred it to my 6 months in a fancy chinatown condo, which, other than the convenience of location, was mostly a nightmare (mad expensive and crazy craigslist roommate). thanks for this dcenergygirl. My SO is in DC, looking for places. Are there any specific buildings that you know of? Would be very grateful if you could let me know!

Hi charlotte_asia - not addressed to me, I hope you don't mind my responding. I spoke to a current student and apparently the majority of students do work during the year (except in their first semester at SAIS). The rate for a library job (relatively easy to get) is $10.80/hour. Research and teaching assistantships are more competitive, but paid higher - varies by department but one can expect $18/hour. For me, the extra $150-200 would be very useful. I didn't find out too much about paid work off-campus because I'm an international student and not able to do that, but I know that people are able to do paid internships. I just accepted my offer and paid my deposit a few minutes ago. So excited to be heading to SAIS!

I wanted to write a quick but big thank you to everyone on here. I think I speak for most of us when I say that March was a month filled with anxiety and stress, some joy and some disappointment, but overall it was made so much better because of this invisible community of fellow applicants. I think I would have gone crazy without you guys, so many thanks for all your posts, advice, comments, and (most importantly) humour and good spirits. Best of luck to everyone wherever they end up!

Two points: 1. What you want to study would make a big difference. I want to do Intl Development, but didn't apply for MPA-ID due to a lack of math. The reviews of MPP people going into Intl Dev are largely underwhelming. But for domestic policy and government, my sense is that HKS is definitely worth paying extra for. BUT... 2. I would advice all to think at the margin. It's one thing to ask yourself "Would I pay $150k for HKS?" But the better question is "Would I pay an additional $50k to attend Harvard over SAIS?" I'm giving SAIS as an example here because that's looking like it'll be my choice, and the numbers reflect the relative financial aid situations (SAIS offered me money and it costs a bit less, summing a lesser cost of $25k/year). For me, the answer to this question was a pretty emphatic NO, because the SAIS programme already looked better.

From the messages tab: "It is extremely unlikely that new, additional or increased HKS/Harvard scholarship or fellowship funds will become available to students for the second year of study as all funds are awarded for the 1st year and simply renewed for the 2nd year (unless otherwise noted)"

"The Accept Awards tab provides a list of the financial aid for which you are eligible. Awards can be accepted or declined on the Accept Awards tab. If you do not have access to the Accept Awards tab, we were unable to offer you financial assistance." Didn't have the tab on myfaid. Hello SAIS!

Hi guys - completely missed this thread earlier! SIPA gave me no funding, so it's out for me. I got into Harvard MPP (waiting for $$ news), but the coursework doesn't look very interesting, and it seems to me like the IDEV resources are concentrated on the MPA-ID (didn't apply because I didn't have enough of a math background). I'm leaning toward SAIS over MSFS, but I'm also worried about the brand value beyond DC. Also, is it crazy to not consider HKS more seriously? Are either of you going to make it to the admit day events? unfortunately I'm outside the country so won't be able to.

Yeah SAIS is looking very attractive to me too!

Thanks tingshu! Very helpful. Have you decided on which school to attend?

Waiting for HKS financial aid before making any decisions...but unfortunately not SIPA, which is just out of my price range. Thanks fleetly! And congrats to you too!!

Thanks for the wishes all! Very much appreciated. International student, small liberal arts in the US (top 30), economics and political science major 3.78, 3 years work experience (2 of those in a developing country), 168/168/4.5 GRE erry - SIPA offered me no $$$, so unfortunately will not be attending. but I will still definitely be following this forum! Many sympathies to people still waiting...they really need to admit you guys and give you some serious money.

Received the email at 1.24am India time (just finished some Friday night festivities...good way to end I suppose), which I believe is 3.44pm in NYC