The Mark

What is the general view of top IR schools on applicants who teach English abroad? It's something I've looked at doing for a while, but I never pursued it because I felt like it was too easy to do. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the work itself is easy; I'm sure it's difficult and very rewarding. I'm just saying that it seems like there's virtually no difficulty getting in. If you have a bachelor's degree and you're a native English speaker, you're basically guaranteed to find a placement. Thus it seems like top schools wouldn't find this type of international experience particularly impressive. Despite all that, I'm still considering applying for a teaching position in S. Korea if things don't work out the way I want this cycle. I'm really interested to hear people's opinions on this subject. It seems like it would be a better option for someone who wants to get into something like development, but my long-term goal is to transition into political risk consulting, so the journey from teaching English in S. Korea to political risk consulting seems like a stretch.

Does anyone know if you have to complete the FAFSA before turning in the SAIS financial aid form, or can you do it afterward?

Nice. Thanks for that link. It would be nice if all schools offered the same thing outright.

I guess I'm trying to think ahead and brace myself for the worst case scenario. Does SAIS/SFS/Fletcher/ESIA/SIS give applicants any kind of feedback on why their applications were rejected? If I find myself being unlucky, I will certainly be reapplying for the following year, and, though I already have a strong indication about why I'd get dinged if I do, it would be nice to have specifics for what to work on.

I understand what you're saying, mnboy, but I guess I would counter with this: To say that I lack the quantitative background to handle the SAIS curriculum is only partly true. SAIS admits people without either of the principles prerequisites on the condition that they fulfill them before matriculation. Like I mentioned before, not only do I have both principles courses already with an A., I also have an upper level course in international economics with a B that covered trade theory/policy and monetary theory/policy—which means I've already been exposed to the material, in quite some depth, that constitutes two of the four required courses for the econ concentration at SAIS. If that doesn't prove I can handle the econ, I don't know what does. As for the math, from what I understand, the professors actually teach the math that's necessary for the econ courses as it's needed. These are international relations programs with a focus on economics—not the other way around—so I would imagine a lot of students at these schools have similar academic backgrounds to me: liberal arts degrees without a whole lot of math, if any, and who want to use graduate school to develop the hard skills, like quantitative analysis, that will make them more marketable to employers. They take the highest section from each test, so I'm sure you'll be fine with your 69th percentile in quant. At the very least, you can take comfort in knowing I won't be in competition with you in that department. Best of luck!

I did not give any explanation. I got A's in both principles courses and a B in the int'l econ course (which should have been a B+, but the professor was the only one I had in four years that didn't use the plus/minus system. This I felt like explaining, but I didn't want to come off as nit-picky) They have my transcripts, so they'll see the grades.

cptdelorean: Pretty bad. 17th percentile on quant, 69th percentile on verbal. No real math courses except for a couple "liberal arts math" classes, but I have courses in micro, macro, and int'l econ. There actually is a legitimate reason I did that badly, but not necessarily a good reason. I took the GRE cold. No studying at all. It's a shame because I think the rest of my application is compelling. I hate the fact that a four hour test can invalidate 15 years of personal, professional, and academic achievement. But I'm also a realist. I understand that things work a certain way and I'm not special, so there's nothing more I can do now but hope that the process truly is holistic.

Is there a GRE score below which, no matter how good the rest of your application is, admissions can't over look it? I really bombed the quant section (like, genuinely), and did pretty mediocre on verbal. I was wondering if anyone can offer any anecdotal evidence of getting into SAIS/SFS/Fletcher/ESIA/SIS with abysmal scores. Most website FAQ sections say there is no minimum score, but I'm sure that's the PR answer they have to give. Of course, I intend to retake but not in time to be considered for this cycle.

I got an email from SAIS today saying that my application is "...complete and is currently under full consideration by the Office of Admissions." Hopefully you got the same thing. Best of luck!

I haven't received any email from SAIS yet either. On the homepage of the MSFS application, it shows that I have transcripts missing for one of the undergrad schools I listed. But those grades are included on the degree-granting institution's transcript (CC transfer), which they have. Hopefully the same problem doesn't happen with every school.

Schools Applying/Applied To: SAIS, Georgetown, Fletcher, GW, American Schools Admitted To: n/a Schools Rejected From: n/a Still Waiting: All Undergraduate institution: University of South Florida Undergraduate GPA: 3.87 Undergraduate Major: International Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 143 GRE Verbal Score: 156 GRE AW Score: 3.0 Age: 33 Years of Work Experience: 11 Describe Relevant Work Experience and International Experience: I spent about 9 years after high school managing and playing in two different moderately successful bands. Also, I spent a year and a half interning for a Tampa Bay area non-profit that works with DOS on a cultural diplomacy program, and concurrently worked as an intern on an economic research project designed to promote U.S.- Mexico trade in the Gulf region. Spent a year living in Brazil as a kid (half Brazilian) and 6 weeks in Italy studying Italian. Personal travel: 14 countries on 4 continents, but I guess they don't take personal travel into account. Quant Background: Principles of Microeconomics (A); Principles of Macroeconomics (A); International Economics (should have been B+, but professor didn't use plus/minus system). Languages: Took intermediate-level Italian, but I've gotten a bit rusty. A year in Bologna would certainly get me to proficiency, though (hint, hint). Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I was really insecure about my rough draft, but I had a family member, who is a really good writer, help me organize my thoughts more concisely, and now I'm actually pretty excited about it. Given my very non-traditional background and age, I had an unusual and long story to tell. The challenge was trying to persuade the reader that, despite seeming worlds away from IR, the professional and personal skills I developed during my music career and my internships are transferable to my desired post-graduate school career, and that school X can best provide me with the resources I need to transition. I think I did that well, particularly with SAIS. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): I haven't seen them, obviously, but I have no doubt that all three were tops. One is from my former supervisor for both internships. The other two are from former professors, one of whom is an alum of the school I really want to go to. Long story short: Other than the GRE scores, I feel like I've got a really compelling, unique application. These programs claim to value diversity, so we shall see what happens. Fingers crossed.

From what I understand, it's 11:59pm Monday.

I'm looking for opinions here. I have a weak quantitative background. I took virtually no math in undergrad. One of my main goals in graduate school is to correct this problem—to develop hard skills. SAIS is really my target. I have both econ principles courses that SAIS requires for matriculation, and a course in international econ too. Problem is, I bombed the quant section of the GRE—badly. So that doesn't exactly help me make my case either. Would it be unwise to point to this weakness in my SOP and explain that I would like to attend SAIS exactly BECAUSE my quant background is lacking, and I want to improve upon it? I know you're supposed to emphasize strengths in a SOP, but I thought I'd see what people think.

I was wondering if anybody has any experience with the International Economic Relations concentration at American SIS. How well regarded is it? What's job placement like? What are students' opinions? Etc.? Just looking for anything really.

Assuming you're not independently wealthy, how exactly does one justify taking on six-figure debt to go into a fairly non-lucrative field?

gzdzcca, I think I'll take you up on your offer. I'm having a little trouble determining whether I want to do my first year in Bologna, or do both years in DC. My foreign language background is Italian, so doing a year in Bologna would be a huge help towards attaining proficiency to graduate. On the other hand, however, my work experience in the IR field is limited to a few internships, so doing both years in DC is really attractive, as it would allow me to concentrate on networking and doing a few more quality internships before graduation. Do you know if one campus is considered "easier" to get into than the other? I've gotta be honest, the Bologna interview kind of freaks me out a bit. Also, if you could comment on your background a bit—your quantitative background, work experience, GRE scores. How did you approach your S.O.P. and analytical essay? Basically, I'd like to know as much information as you feel comfortable sharing. SAIS is really my first choice school, and I would like as much "insider" information as possible in order to make myself the most competitive applicant possible. Thanks!

I'm also applying for fall 2013. I'd love to get a fall 2013 thread going.