africagirl

Yes. Hong Kong is definitely a foreign country in the minds of graduate admissions councils. It's not the US.

I would try to talk to those in hiring positions in your future career path and get their input. I spoke with someone in mine and he said it that Georgetown and George Washington were both looked upon with equal respect in hiring circles. Thus, I chose the less expensive one!

I would suggest that you decide whether you just want to do the professor thing, or the government advisory thing as well as the teaching. It might determine where you go to school. It seems to me that if you want to do the government advisory role, you need to pick a school in DC and do IR or Public Policy (I know some people on this forum might disagree with the geographic location of schools in this regard). However, if you want to teach straight history at any college/university, your school choices should be based on the quality of the program (i.e. I know UNC-Chapel Hill has a well respected PhD history program, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for IR). Just my thoughts.

Thanks, USAF Applicant...it looked like very interesting reading...plus they have cool stuff on Africa and terrorism. I look forward to following the discussions.

I have a question for all those Security Studies types: I've gleaned so much information about grad school from this discussion board, I was curious if a discussion board existed for security/intelligence professionals. I do realize that given the nature of the job, it is likely that no such discussion board exists--but I thought I might ask. Anyone have any leads in this direction?

Yes, cram your head with vocab, but practice enough with the analogies to make sure you understand the relationship that is given. As for math, eat, sleep and breath math...and make sure you pace yourself and don't run out of time. When I would pace myself, I always got higher than when I focused on trying to make sure it was right, instead of just admitting when one was too difficult and simply moving on to the next one. And don't forget to practice the writing section either. Writing under that sort of time restriction is quite different from what one is usually accustomed to.

Have you checked out the cityguide on here? There are quite a few recommendations there. From what I understand, NW and SW are safe, although can be very pricey, while the NE and SE are not safe. However, if one isn't from DC, it's a little hard to figure out where the boundary lines are exactly. I've also found more specifics concerning safe boundaries in DC on City-Data.com. I hope to live in northern Virginia, but I have yet to find anything. Best of luck!

Yes, that's what one would think, but when one compares the course offerings for both, there's a lot of overlap. I think the main difference I can see is in core classes. I compared econ differences, as that's important to me (to avoid!), and they both require the same. As for language, SPS requires a tools component which can be either statistics or language. But from what I understood Jeff to say(for either SPS or IA, as there were people doing both in the meeting), the language is completely separate--i.e. you can take language classes at a community college while you're at GW, just as long as you pass the exam that last semester. And, yes, I may try to switch programs. It seems like Elliot is pretty fluid with that. Not like GU's MSFS and SSP. Maybe I'm misinformed? Then again...I didn't get to go to the visiting students day. I'm basing all my info on what I've read on the website and meeting with Jeff when I was there. I could be totally off base on all the above, and I would appreciate someone who was at the Visiting Students Day to set me straight.

Yeah, I briefly looked at housing on craigslist last week, but all the good listings were snapped up in a few days. I live in NC and couldn't get up there to see them. I'll be up in DC the first week of June. So, that's when I'll be looking too...just hope I can find something good (i.e. a place to live alone for less than $1000...wonder if that is feasible, or if it would take a miracle). I'm trying to line up internships as well. I called the Elliot School Career Office today and they said they couldn't help me do anything until the end of June...not even talk with a counselor. So, yes, I'm pursuing outside opportunities. I would like to find a job, but am in a quandary as to what to look for--stay with my old career (i.e. teaching/tutoring), or try to break into my new field if possible. As for the classes filling up, I noticed that too...but I figured that since all the new students have to take core classes, they won't fill up anytime soon. Besides...I'm still trying to figure out if I wanna do an MA in IA with an International Security Studies concentration, or if I want to get an MA in Security Studies...and what's the difference anyway???? I haven't been able to get in touch with the prof who overseas both programs.

Thanks for your response...I'm not sure it is comforting. I was hoping I was just out of the loop. I actually had to DIG for the acknowledgment of my deposit. I went to the apply online page and signed into my original application; that's where I found the cryptic letter from Mr. Miles. It wasn't sent to my regular email. Yeah, I requested the same amounts from Stafford and PLUS...haven't heard anything except for some confusion from the Customer Service Center (aka Sallie Mae) about my correct social security number....?????? That's slightly scary. As for registering, speaking with an adviser, etc., I guess that will have to wait. So much for getting things started early!

I am going to the Elliot School this fall, but I wasn't able to attend the Prospective Students Visiting Day last month. After sending in my decision letter, I got one very cryptic note from the Admissions office acknowledging receipt of my deposit, but I haven't heard anything since. I called the admissions office today to see when I would be hearing from them (i.e. concerning registration, adviser info, orientation dates, etc...all the info new students need), and they replied back that from here on out, I wouldn't be hearing from them, I should expect to here from some other office. I feel adrift, and quite lost as to what to expect next. For example, are we just to look up classes on the internet and register for them? What about hearing about financial aid awards (really, what loan amount we've been approved for)? I was sent a link by the admissions office a while ago which connected me to the Financial Aid website. It directed me to 1) fill out a loan questionnaire 2)go through an entrance interview online and 3)sign a Master Promissory Note...ALL before they would even tell me what loan options were available to me, or how much I qualified for. This all seems a little strange to me, and I'm very much feeling like I'm getting the cold shoulder from the Elliot School, after having decided to give them my money. Anyone else have any thoughts, or different experiences?

PolAn, I'm mid thirties, and starting a two year program...it's scary, esp taking out all the loans I'm going to have to take out, although my friend (an economist at the IMF) assured me it was a wise economic investment despite my advanced years Then again, I love school for the sake of school, so I don't mind spending two years studying before I have to go try to find a job again...then again, I don't have a family to support. Your circumstances may be different.

There's a lot to be said about opportunities to gain real world experience (internships, jobs), which, in my experience, is weighted more heavily by employers than just the education. Therefore, in my view, if you can combine an institution with a good reputation (i.e. American) with the opportunity to get internships working for the government, that's what you should do. There's always scholarships available for the second year. But, ultimately, you have to do what you are most comfortable with.

I plan to finance my education (whether at GU or GWU) by mortgaging my future and madly looking for obscure scholarships/fellowships...which I suppose I really should be doing instead of lurking about the gradcafe...

Yeah, I'm leaning towards it too...I'll be making the trip up to DC next week to attend GU's SSP and visit some classes at GWU. Seems like GWU is the best deal, while GU's price is astronomical. Not sure if I'll do the straight IR track or do security studies at GWU. Neither economics nor statistics is my strong suit...bleh...

No mention of any sort of funding was mentioned in my letter.

I don't know what other schools you applied to, but if I were you, I would go to one that had a highly-respected program (Foreign Policy magazine publishes one: http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms. ... 685&page=1). Or I would go to a school where you could get a lot of practical experience. Having been in the job market, I've discovered that experience and quality of education (i.e. one of the best programs in a certain field) are the most important factors in securing a good job.

And if GWU actually gives you a teeny merit fellowship (6k) and American's financial aid package is simply authorization to take out $20,000 in loans...well, there's really not a choice. That's my situation. Unless someone can convince me that Korbel is a better bet...anyone?

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Samford University-undergrad; Campbell University-grad (both small, private, Southern colleges) Previous Degrees and GPA's: BA-History GPA=3.48 M.Ed-social studies GPA=3.99 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): V=770, Q=600, W=4.1 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 8 years high school history teacher, including two years in Nairobi, Kenya. 2 1/2 random admin asst jobs; 6 months private tutor Math/Econ Background: none, but may have to take Micro and Macro at local community college before I start school in the fall Foreign Language Background: minimal French and minimal Swahili Intended Field of Study in Grad School: IR or Security Studies Long Term Professional Goals: Intelligence or regional analyst for government/private sector Schools Applied to & Results:Accepted: U Denver-Korbel (10k), American SIS ($0), GW Elliot (6k), GU SSP ($0) Denied: GU MSFS Ultimate Decision & Why: probably GU Elliot b/c of its location and reputation Note: My application package was strengthened by my international experience (I spent 17 years in Africa); I picked excellent people to write my recommendations (one prof went to Duke, the other to Northwestern), and spent hours toiling away on my Statements of Purpose.

I got a snail mail letter from them on Wednesday (I live in NC), repeating what they'd said in the email. Don't know what to tell you...

Thanks for sharing, HRH...I see your point. Question for you guys. I'm not entirely positive that I want to do intelligence analysis as a career...originally I had thought I wanted to, which is what got this whole Grad school thing going...but it's a little difficult to get a clear picture of what exactly one does in intel analysis. I'm also interested in foreign affairs. I've been accepted to two different Security programs, and two IR programs. I'm tempted to simply do IR since I'm not sure about the intelligence analysis as a career and figure that by doing a more broad program, I can keep my career options open. Then again, I've also thought I'd like to do regional analysis for the DoD...any thoughts? Suggestions? Any way of having a more clear idea about what intel analysts do, and what qualities it is important to have?

Taught high school history for eight years. Grew up in Africa (17 years of my life spent on that continent), so naturally, I'm interested in foreign affairs...and have my opinions about how things should be done, too! :mrgreen:

Just Curious, HRH, but why would you want to be outside the Beltway when anyone who's ever applied for a job knows how important experience is...I'm thinking there are more opportunities to gain experience inside the Beltway than out...although Denver does sound enticing. Just wondering if you know something about Korbel I don't...? And of course, if so, I would love for you to share! :-)