Waiting13

I should be attending Josef Korbel in the fall too and am looking for housing. I have never been to Denver and need advice. I am looking for a nice, quiet apartment complex, more of a young professional feel. I would rather pay a little more for a nice place and would like a maximum commute of 15 minute drive. Any apartment suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks!

Thanks, very interesting survey!

Hello all, I am looking for information on the rankings of international affairs programs. I am specifically applying to security programs. Does anyone have a link for these rankings? I'm having trouble finding more than just the top 10. What about Bush at TAMU and Josef Korbel at Denver?

I lived at Crescent Pointe for a year and a half and loved it. It's quiet, a nice place, safe, friendly staff and quick maintenance, and the pool was never over crowded.I looked at park hudson and signature park too and thought Crescent Pointe was the best for me. My friends that lived at factory/warehouse didn't like it because you could hear everything from your neighbors.

I have the opportunity to receive a master's at the same institution where I did my undergraduate studies or at a different university. I am curious if employers prefer that you work at two different schools instead of the same. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks!

Yeah I wasn't saying she should think she would automatically get into Georgetown. I was just giving it as an example to show what programs are looking for, I didn't click on CGChick's links. For the Bush School, they recommend having taken courses in American government, economics, and/or statistics/research methods. JAubrey, are you an admissions officer for a security program? If not, I don't think you can say its unrealistic if the candidate is smart, has international experience, maybe has the right personality, and is willing to work hard and learn. The money is up to her and many of these programs offer scholarships, the Bush School pricing can be very reasonable with a small scholarship. And seriously, late 20s is not old, its only a 2 year program. With programs averaging students with 3-6 years of prior work experience, that would put the average student at 25-28.

From my discussion with an admissions officer, I found that they highly value international work experience (or military experience) in this field. Many of the schools I applied to for security programs said that their average student has 3-6 years of work experience (so you definitely are not at a relatively advanced age as stated earlier...). Because your academic background is different, I would recommend taking some pre-requisite courses of statistics and economics if you didn't take those in your other studies. (Many of the programs list online certain academic classes they recommend taking before beginning the program.) For example, this is from Georgetown's Security Studies Program website: The SSP strives to enroll a diverse class of students who have demonstrated academic excellence, a wide range of personal, professional, and academic experience, and have a strong commitment to a career in the security field. The SSP seeks students who, by virtue of their background and experience, can contribute to the education of their peers and to the scholarship of security studies. Successful applicants to the SSP have proven English proficiency and come from a wide range of undergraduate majors, including international relations and other social sciences, the humanities, business, and physical sciences and engineering. It is suggested that students take microeconomics and macroeconomics prior to enrollment. Work experience is not required, but strongly recommended. The Admissions Committee carefully reviews each applicant's personal and professional experience to assess readiness for graduate study at the SSP. Voluntary positions, internships, and part- and full-time experience play a role in preparing students for study. Students with out work experience are not at a disadvantage, however. In the absence of professional experience, a related academic background (such as a major in international relations, political science, etc.) becomes more important. International experience is not required but is recommended. International experience includes time spent living, studying, working, volunteering, or traveling outside of the applicant's home country.

Will they take your MacBook at the Apple store or did you get that deal somewhere else? Pretty awesome!

I have only sent in an acceptance for the scholarship offer to my specific program and the Director of Admissions there told me they would send more information in May on what to do to prepare for classes and give textbook suggestions for review, so I wouldn't worry yet. It is early but you could also contact the director of admissions for your program. My letter also said that orientation would start August 20th (I don't know if thats all grad students or just my program). There's actually a lot to do in CS for it being such a small town. I moved there from Chicago but loved it. Lots of nightlife, sporting events, school events, concerts, and things not too far to do in Texas, like Lake Bryan, float the river in San Marcus, Austin, Houston, etc. Its also a lot cheaper than going out in a big city! And I'm going to have to completely disagree with Bdeniso and say that the traditions (and values) are the best part of the school. They really make you feel like you are a part of something.

Ok, thanks Bdeniso!!

Hi hurricane! You can check out this thread on CS from the meet and great section- it kind of answers your question on housing. I went there for my undergrad and would be happy to answer any other questions!

Cool at ND? Great school. I'm most likely going to go to the Bush School for the International Affairs program in the fall. Were you able to make friends through the Bush School? Any advice for next year?

Ok, thanks for all of the information Behavioral, ANDS!, OregonGal, and go3187 ! I appreciate it!

Ok, thanks ANDS!. I'm assuming macbooks have dual core? (I really don't know much about my own computer apparently...)

Bdeniso, are you at the Bush school?

I receieved information in my acceptance letter that the school requires students to have laptops that meet the technical requirements of standard statistical software (STATA). Does anyone know about this program? I have a macbook from 2008 and am not sure if I need to upgrade?

Haha yes it is. At least with the Bush School, everything is in one place with easy parking (much better than undergrad, parking in lot 100, trying to get all the way to Zachary...).

HOWDY Rockhopper! (Howdy is the official greeting of TAMU, when talking to a group, it is often used as the opener.) Yes, A&M has a very strong base in traditions and values. It is why I like the school so much. I was actually a counselor for an extended orientation program called TCamp where we taught the yells and traditions. If there is not a graduate school equivalent and you are interested in thoroughly learning the yells and traditions, I highly recommend it (It can seem a little goofy sometimes but it is a fun couple of days and you will have the yells and traditions down by the time you leave. I would have been so confused at A&M if I hadn’t attended. It is a camp for transfer students so you wouldn't be with freshmen (and you don’t have to listen to things about how important studying is or something) but we had campers and counselors of all ages and backgrounds http://t-camp.tamu.edu/about).The traditions link posted above is great to read about the traditions as well. The yells are important for yell practice (midnight yell is another tradition, the night before a home game it takes place in Kyle Field) and all sporting events. A&M doesn't have cheer leaders, but instead 5 (male) yell leaders who lead the students through motions. This way it is possible for everyone from the first deck to the third deck at Kyle Field to yell in unison. They start with a pass back (a hand symbol for the yell), then the students “hump it” (crouch for the yell so everyone behind them can see), and then go through the yell, ending with their wildcat. It is necessary to “uncover” or remove your hat when doing a yell. There are also two important songs, Spirit and the War Hymnn (supposed to be sung at the end of each quarter) . Here are the yells: http://everything-aggie.tripod.com/yells.html You may also hear “off the wood” at a football game, meaning don’t stand on the bleachers. This is done out of respect when a player is injured on the field (the bleachers were originally wood, now metal). Students stand the entire game in representation of the 12th Man and in support of the team. The 12th Man was started after a student in the crowd was called down to the field in a game where our players were being injured left and right, he stood ready to play for his team the entire game (although he never went in). Another strange tradition to non Aggies is the wildcats. Wildcats are the calls that each year (freshmen-senior) are allowed to do. As a graduate student I'm assuming you can "whoop", which is a senior privilege. At the end of each yell you will hear people doing their own wildcat. So for you it would be "A-Whoop". Whoop is a general acknowledgement of something good at A&M. You may also see people, specifically in the corps, doing push ups for “pulling out” or doing a wildcat above their class year. Gig ‘Em is an important term/hand gesture for Aggies. It is basically a thumbs up, which originated from gigging frogs (it started before a game against the TCU horned frogs). The term is also often used in closing (such as “thanks and gig’em). Getting your Aggie ring is often joked to be more important than the diploma. It is a highly recognized gold ring which certain requirements (90 academic hours, 45 at A&M, above 2.0 gpa…) must be met to receive it. Ring day is a big deal and there are often lots of festivities and ring dunks (not a technical tradition of A&M) to go along with it. A ring dunk is when you drop your ring into a pitcher (4.5 beers) and chug it as fast as you can… Often a race with your fellow dunkers and a party. Silver Taps and Muster are the more serious traditions of A&M that will truly make you feel a part of a family (as will Bonfire remembrance). There are many more traditions, but right now I'm out of time to explain. Look around the traditions council site, consider TCamp, and I also think there is an aggie jargon entry on wikipedia. I'd be happy to answer more questions later. Thanks and gig em! -Waiting13

Hey andyphilips. I think as long as you stay away from dorm style living or places like Callaway Villas, where freshmen and maybe sophomore undergrad students are likely to live, the noise isn't all that bad (I had neighbors my first year who enjoyed playing rock band all night on blast, which got really annoying through the thin walls). It kind of just depends on who your neighbors are, so maybe try to get an apartment on the end. Some of the places, like 2818 place or Wave Z Islander, may host pool parties and things on the weekends so it depends on if that would bother you. I don't know if single room apartments are quieter except for not having a roommate. And there are more than just college students who live in College Station, its not completely over run with under grads. I would definitely get a place with a pool if you can, it's usable nearly 8 months out of the year and always nice to study and get some sun! If there are specific places you are considering, I'd be happy to tell you what I know about them.

Hey all, I attended A&M for undergrad and will likely be attending for graduate school at the Bush School this fall. If you have any questions about College Station/Bryan, I'd be happy to help. I'm going to try and address some of the stuff I just read. Night life- there are a ton of bars and places to go. Going to the 21+ bars is best to avoid the undergrad crowd, such as Logans on Northgate. The Tap has karaoke on Mondays and piano bar on Wednesdays, a lot of fun. Murphy's Law has trivia on Thursdays and is a more chill place away from northgate. Oh and the "clubs" play a set of country music and then a set of pop/rap music but I would avoid Daisy Dukes if you are looking to stay away from undergrads. Living- I lived at Crescent Pointe and loved it because it was quiet and more of a young professional crowd, although more expensive and about 10 minute drive from campus. There is also Signature Park and Park Hudson Place in the same area. I would avoid places like The Factory/Warehouse, The Zone, 2818 Place, and The Woodlands if you don't want to be surrounded by undergrad students. Getting to Houston and Austin is easy and there are always things to do. Going to San Marcus to float the river is always fun during the warm months too. Lake Bryan is near if you are looking for some outdoorsy things and Enchanted Rock is a good place to go hiking. A lot of Texas country bands come through and play in College Station too. And there are always great sporting events to attend at A&M!

Has anyone heard from Georgetown Walsh's Security Studies program?

I've already heard from SIPA and I didn't apply to IFP

No, one year out with international work experience starting immediately following undergrad graduation.

Dang @godlessgael, those are some awesome acceptances. Congrats! So any ideas of who you will turn down... I'm sure those on some wait lists are interested (cough me cough)