Jaworhalo

Thanks charlotte_asia! This is all very helpful and informative. Some of those who I have spoken to have said that the functional concentrations are generally stronger, but others mentioned that regional concentrations like China and Korea are well regarded and funded. I've spoken to fewer alums/students, but some include the SAIS staff. I wonder if anyone else can chime in with what they have learned.

MYRNIST, did you get the sense of what other concentrations might have more or less support at SAIS? Also, congrats on the full ride to GW.

I'm really struggling with choosing a program for sustainable energy. I'm still waiting for Bren and Indiana, but I was fortunate enough to receive some funding for Duke ($) and Michigan($). Outside of these environmental programs, I'm also seriously considering Carnegie's MPP, environmental policy concentration ($$), Columbia SIPA's MPA, energy and environment concentration, and Johns Hopkins SAIS IR, energy resources and environment concentration (no funding for these expensive programs). I've looked at the curriculums, talked to professors, administrators, students, etc., but it hasn't made it much easier to choose between these great programs. I will study sustainable energy, probably from international and quantitative perspectives, and may eventually transition to a PhD program. If you have any advice, particularly which programs you think are particularly strong or weak in energy and sustainability, as well as your rationales, I'd greatly appreciate it. I hope you're having an easier time with the end of the admissions process than me! Best of luck to everyone here.