SAIS (Washington, Nanjing, and Bologna)

[understatement700]

For students doing the Korean studies concentration do you happen to know how much funding they usually get? Does anyone get full tuition? Do most students doing that concentration get some kind of special funding? Also, just to clarify, no matter what your concentration is whether regional or functional, everyone in the M.A. program gets an M.A. in International Relations with a specialization in international economics and then their regional/functional specialization as well, right? I guess I'm asking if the degree officially says M.A. in International Relations on it. Thanks!

[mpal]

Hey all,

So I've been accepted to DC, but alas with no funding (or any of the loan/gifts people above are talking about--but maybe that's cause I'm an international student?). So I'll be facing the same prospect others in the thread are--100k+ in private loans. In contrast, I'm being offered a free ride at a number of Canadian public policy/international relations schools. None have the reputation of SAIS, of course, but seeing as I hope to work in the public sector here in Canada, perhaps staying here will be a better networking/internship/etc opportunity for my career path?

Esteemed posters, what's your take on it?

I think I already know the answer to my questions...damn, I really did want to go to SAIS

[pshrichand]

Finally got my funding decision as well - no $$...still waiting on Georgetown but not expecting much there either since they seem to give very few first year fellowships.

So it's likely that it's going to come down to either 8K at Fletcher or full cost at SAIS or G'town. Decisions, decisions....

[saiser]

For students doing the Korean studies concentration do you happen to know how much funding they usually get? Does anyone get full tuition? Do most students doing that concentration get some kind of special funding? Also, just to clarify, no matter what your concentration is whether regional or functional, everyone in the M.A. program gets an M.A. in International Relations with a specialization in international economics and then their regional/functional specialization as well, right? I guess I'm asking if the degree officially says M.A. in International Relations on it. Thanks!

I have no idea, since most people don't openly discuss how much they're getting from SAIS. However, I once walked into the Financial Aid office and saw an award for 10K that was some kind of Korea Studies Fellowship. They seem to give out a few (though strict numbers are unknown) under this initiative: http://www.sais-jhu.edu/academics/regional-studies/korea/fellowships.htm My guess is the majority of awards fit in the 5K-20K.

Yep, SAIS students gets a Masters in International Relations. International Econ and your regional/functional specializations are concentrations.

[saiser]

Hey all,

So I've been accepted to DC, but alas with no funding (or any of the loan/gifts people above are talking about--but maybe that's cause I'm an international student?). So I'll be facing the same prospect others in the thread are--100k+ in private loans. In contrast, I'm being offered a free ride at a number of Canadian public policy/international relations schools. None have the reputation of SAIS, of course, but seeing as I hope to work in the public sector here in Canada, perhaps staying here will be a better networking/internship/etc opportunity for my career path?

Esteemed posters, what's your take on it?

I think I already know the answer to my questions...damn, I really did want to go to SAIS

Actually, I was under the impression that Canadian studies was quite well-funded because there are so few students in that program. Or are you concentrating in something else?

It sucks to have your options limited for financial reasons, but I'd agree that taking on 100K+ in private loans to go to SAIS is not worth it especially if you know you want to work in the public sector after graduation. I think you're right in thinking you'd have more networking opportunities in Canada. Provided the programs offering you a free ride are decent, I'd take up those offers.

[econister]

Does anyone know if SAIS is sending out acceptance packages by mail? Has anyone recieved this yet?

I have some questions to ask them about $ (what else?), but don't want to bother if I'll be getting more info soon anyway.

[LeeLeeLove]

Um. This is a dumb question but I don't know how else to phrase it: How hard are SAIS econ classes?

I'm kind of dumb. I've always done well in intro econ courses, but they're just that-- intro. None of the classes have required serious math or any out-side-the-box thinking. But the SAIS ones are going to kick my ass, right?

I'm looking at Strategic Studies and the required econ courses are:

Microeconomics 300.700

Macroeconomics 300.701

International Trade Theory 300.707

International Monetary Theory 300.708

Let's put it this way: I don't own, nor do I ever wish to own, a graphing calculator. IQ of about 95. Should I just go to Georgetown to avoid the econ?

Can any current SAIS students speak to this? I'll also take wild speculation in a pinch. Thanks!

[ksaroya]

Um. This is a dumb question but I don't know how else to phrase it: How hard are SAIS econ classes?

I'm kind of dumb. I've always done well in intro econ courses, but they're just that-- intro. None of the classes have required serious math or any out-side-the-box thinking. But the SAIS ones are going to kick my ass, right?

I'm looking at Strategic Studies and the required econ courses are:

Microeconomics 300.700

Macroeconomics 300.701

International Trade Theory 300.707

International Monetary Theory 300.708

Let's put it this way: I don't own, nor do I ever wish to own, a graphing calculator. IQ of about 95. Should I just go to Georgetown to avoid the econ?

Can any current SAIS students speak to this? I'll also take wild speculation in a pinch. Thanks!

I think you'll do just fine with a regular calculator.

[DL2K10]

They are so tricky…so kind to sign me up for 20K in loans packaged into a gift. :-( What are the chances of more funding/any actual funding second year?

I was accepted to Bologna, by clicking the "either" box - figured it would be more competitive. But, I was declined a ID degree, and was told to "choose any other" - which is super strange! Am I the only one?

And, after a rejection from GT (still waiting on GW) now I am now between SAIS (0K) and Fletcher (10K)…

Anyone else in this boat?

I am in the EXACT same boat...only I was accepted to GWU and STILL have not heard from Georgetown. Are you thinking SAIS BC? And which concentration are you considering since iDev is out? I actually had a phone conversation with the Admissions office today who told me that while iDev students get first preference for courses, students are free to take as many iDev classes as they like.

[ashtangi]

I know the Nanjing program is small, but is there anyone here that applied to Nanjing? It would be nice to chat about the program with someone that's planning to attend. I was admitted to the two year master's. And even though I still don't have the monies to attend, I did get a nice fellowship.

[saiser]

Um. This is a dumb question but I don't know how else to phrase it: How hard are SAIS econ classes?

I'm kind of dumb. I've always done well in intro econ courses, but they're just that-- intro. None of the classes have required serious math or any out-side-the-box thinking. But the SAIS ones are going to kick my ass, right?

I'm looking at Strategic Studies and the required econ courses are:

Microeconomics 300.700

Macroeconomics 300.701

International Trade Theory 300.707

International Monetary Theory 300.708

Let's put it this way: I don't own, nor do I ever wish to own, a graphing calculator. IQ of about 95. Should I just go to Georgetown to avoid the econ?

Can any current SAIS students speak to this? I'll also take wild speculation in a pinch. Thanks!

Haha, I'm sure Georgetown folks don't appreciate this perceived reputation that they are somehow econ illiterate because they don't have an explicit econ requirement . Regardless of how difficult the econ curriculum is, I'd encourage you to give it a shot. You'll probably notice that the SAIS mantra has gotten to me, but I honestly think it's kind of impossible to intelligently navigate today's world without a solid understanding of economics. More importantly, these classes teach you fundamental skills that are useful and indispensable to ANY profession, like interpreting numbers, organizing data and reading a graph. The adjustment period differs for everyone, but if you can get into any of these top IR programs you're smart enough to take these classes. Sure, you might not get a flat A in them, but you'll be learning, which I think counts for something.

As for specifics. The classes are technically first year graduate level courses, but I didn't find them too difficult and I NEVER took econ as an undergraduate.

Sample micro syllabus: http://www.sais-jhu....term%202009.pdf Yes there is BASIC calculus but they don't expect you to learn more than a couple derivative rules. No integrals or anything fancy.

Macro can be tougher, because there's so much to cover in 13 weeks. A lot of it is solow growth, AD/AS model, etc but some people think it's way easier and more interesting because of the real-life applications. Trade is really straightforward provided you understood micro (concepts like efficiency, dead weight loss). Monetary covers balance of payments concepts, trade balance; exchange rates and foreign exchange markets; interest rates; capital flows, that kind of stuff.

Bottom line: you'll be fine. You don't need a graphing calculator but having a TI-83, or anything that lets you see line by line calculations will make your life easier. If you take anything in finance please do yourself a favor and buy a financial calculator or face death by menial pencil and paper computation.

Final point: all econ classes have TAs who run great tutorials if you need the extra nudge, guidance and structure to keep you up to speed. This includes "let's get you back to thinking about numbers, shall we" type tutorials in the first week of preterm for people who "fail" the basic math test given out in the first day of preterm (don't worry, there are really no consequences for failing it and honestly you should pass if you scored more than 600 on GRE math).

Don't pass up SAIS because of it's econ reputation. I know a lot of people came here deathly afraid of it and they're the ones who ended up going way over quota on their econ classes, or pursuing a non-required econ specialization, because they found out they were actually kind of good at it and that it was a beneficial skillset to have.

[LeeLeeLove]

Haha, I'm sure Georgetown folks don't appreciate this perceived reputation that they are somehow econ illiterate because they don't have an explicit econ requirement . Regardless of how difficult the econ curriculum is, I'd encourage you to give it a shot. You'll probably notice that the SAIS mantra has gotten to me, but I honestly think it's kind of impossible to intelligently navigate today's world without a solid understanding of economics. More importantly, these classes teach you fundamental skills that are useful and indispensable to ANY profession, like interpreting numbers, organizing data and reading a graph. The adjustment period differs for everyone, but if you can get into any of these top IR programs you're smart enough to take these classes. Sure, you might not get a flat A in them, but you'll be learning, which I think counts for something.

As for specifics. The classes are technically first year graduate level courses, but I didn't find them too difficult and I NEVER took econ as an undergraduate.

Sample micro syllabus: http://www.sais-jhu....term%202009.pdf Yes there is BASIC calculus but they don't expect you to learn more than a couple derivative rules. No integrals or anything fancy.

Macro can be tougher, because there's so much to cover in 13 weeks. A lot of it is solow growth, AD/AS model, etc but some people think it's way easier and more interesting because of the real-life applications. Trade is really straightforward provided you understood micro (concepts like efficiency, dead weight loss). Monetary covers balance of payments concepts, trade balance; exchange rates and foreign exchange markets; interest rates; capital flows, that kind of stuff.

Bottom line: you'll be fine. You don't need a graphing calculator but having a TI-83, or anything that lets you see line by line calculations will make your life easier. If you take anything in finance please do yourself a favor and buy a financial calculator or face death by menial pencil and paper computation.

Final point: all econ classes have TAs who run great tutorials if you need the extra nudge, guidance and structure to keep you up to speed. This includes "let's get you back to thinking about numbers, shall we" type tutorials in the first week of preterm for people who "fail" the basic math test given out in the first day of preterm (don't worry, there are really no consequences for failing it and honestly you should pass if you scored more than 600 on GRE math).

Don't pass up SAIS because of it's econ reputation. I know a lot of people came here deathly afraid of it and they're the ones who ended up going way over quota on their econ classes, or pursuing a non-required econ specialization, because they found out they were actually kind of good at it and that it was a beneficial skillset to have.

Wow, that was really straightforward and helpful-- thank you so much! I'm still nervous about so much math (still seems like a lot to me), but I am encouraged now. I suppose one econ course a semester won't kill me, especially if I take your advice and pester the heck out of the TAs. Thank you!

[energie]

Wow, that was really straightforward and helpful-- thank you so much! I'm still nervous about so much math (still seems like a lot to me), but I am encouraged now. I suppose one econ course a semester won't kill me, especially if I take your advice and pester the heck out of the TAs. Thank you!

I'm an international student at SAIS, who did IR in undergrad. I think people come to SAIS because they like economics but people who don't like economics, like me, also come here. I want to educate myself. I just took a midterm exam today and I realized that preparing for the exam made me see how I can understand IR more. I'll continue working in foreign policy after SAIS and I think economics here really enhances my perspective to see the world. Esp. it's more important on your resume more than mine. Good luck and probably see you in class next fall.

[Cha]

Hi, I was wondering for anybody who has had any experience in SAIS - how difficult is it to change your program concentration once you've been admitted to the program? I applied for China Studies but now I think I may want to change my focus to a functional studies program.

Alternatively, as a SAIS graduate does it truly matter what your focus of study was in terms of career options? Does your choice of focus significantly limit and/or help you in any way?

[energie]

Hi, I was wondering for anybody who has had any experience in SAIS - how difficult is it to change your program concentration once you've been admitted to the program? I applied for China Studies but now I think I may want to change my focus to a functional studies program.

Alternatively, as a SAIS graduate does it truly matter what your focus of study was in terms of career options? Does your choice of focus significantly limit and/or help you in any way?

It's pretty easy. You just have to fill in a form. You can change the concentration before the semester starts too. Here is from the guide book of SAIS.

Upon admission to SAIS, areas of concentration for M.A. students are recorded by the Registrar’s Office. Students who desire to change their concentration may inform the Registrar’s Office before enrolling in classes for the first semester. Students in their first and second semesters must obtain the signatures of the Program Coordinators in the concentration they are leaving and the concentration they are entering via the Change of Concentration Form. Third and fourth semester students must also fill out the Change of Concentration Form, but they must obtain the signatures of Program Directors in both concentrations. The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. If a student changes concentrations, current requirements for that concentration must be followed. Concentration changes cannot be made during bidding and must be changed prior to the bidding deadline set by the Registrar’s Office. Students cannot change their concentration to International Development as students must be accepted into this concentration during the admissions process. In addition, first-year students cannot change their concentration to Energy, Resources and Environment as students must be accepted into this concentration during the admissions process beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year.

(Don't be scarred of bidding at SAIS. It only happens to a very few courses which happen to be more popular than limited seats. This is to keep class size modest. Priority will be given to students in the concentration and second year students.)

Concentrations don't prevent you from working in a field in which you don't concentrate. You will have to take three or four courses from a particular concentration and take other courses outside you concentration. You can even take more than one concentration if you can fulfill the requirements. Everyone concentrates in International Economics + 1 concentration + another possible concentration. You will study broadly enough to expand your scope of future career. If you do China you could also do other Asian studies or a functional concentration etc. as long as you can fulfill their requirements. A lot of students do like what I said.

Good luck

[lomsaku]

It's pretty easy. You just have to fill in a form. You can change the concentration before the semester starts too. Here is from the guide book of SAIS.

Upon admission to SAIS, areas of concentration for M.A. students are recorded by the Registrar’s Office. Students who desire to change their concentration may inform the Registrar’s Office before enrolling in classes for the first semester. Students in their first and second semesters must obtain the signatures of the Program Coordinators in the concentration they are leaving and the concentration they are entering via the Change of Concentration Form. Third and fourth semester students must also fill out the Change of Concentration Form, but they must obtain the signatures of Program Directors in both concentrations. The form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. If a student changes concentrations, current requirements for that concentration must be followed. Concentration changes cannot be made during bidding and must be changed prior to the bidding deadline set by the Registrar’s Office. Students cannot change their concentration to International Development as students must be accepted into this concentration during the admissions process. In addition, first-year students cannot change their concentration to Energy, Resources and Environment as students must be accepted into this concentration during the admissions process beginning with the 2009-2010 academic year.

(Don't be scarred of bidding at SAIS. It only happens to a very few courses which happen to be more popular than limited seats. This is to keep class size modest. Priority will be given to students in the concentration and second year students.)

Concentrations don't prevent you from working in a field in which you don't concentrate. You will have to take three or four courses from a particular concentration and take other courses outside you concentration. You can even take more than one concentration if you can fulfill the requirements. Everyone concentrates in International Economics + 1 concentration + another possible concentration. You will study broadly enough to expand your scope of future career. If you do China you could also do other Asian studies or a functional concentration etc. as long as you can fulfill their requirements. A lot of students do like what I said.

Good luck

Hi Energie,

Is there any way to petition a concentration change into Energy, Resources and Environment if I did not specify this as my intended concentration on the SAIS admissions application? I was originally planning on being China Studies, but I have decided I would rather pursue a functional concentration in Energy Policy.

[energie]

Hi Energie,

Is there any way to petition a concentration change into Energy, Resources and Environment if I did not specify this as my intended concentration on the SAIS admissions application? I was originally planning on being China Studies, but I have decided I would rather pursue a functional concentration in Energy Policy.

I'm not sure if you can switch to ERE if you didn't choose it when you applied. It's likely that you can't. But I would recommend you to contact ERE department directly and talk about your interest http://www.sais-jhu.edu/academics/functional-studies/ere/contact.htm I think as ERE is a very popular concentration so they make it this way.

I'm not an ERE concentrator but I'm aware of the program. They are going to have a big conference and the Energy Secretary will be coming http://www.sais-jhu.edu/academics/functional-studies/ere/eia-sais-conference/index.htm. The new director of ERE David Jhirad is big in the Energy field I guess. Just google him.

If you can't switch to ERE you might take China but choose ERE classes too. Or you could take like Asian Energy Security (from broad Asia studies course) or China’s Environment and Development: Politics, Policy, and Sustainability which covers environment, energy and water issues in China. I mean you can design your own curriculum as well. And China is a very strong program too.

[foofurrah]

I know the Nanjing program is small, but is there anyone here that applied to Nanjing? It would be nice to chat about the program with someone that's planning to attend. I was admitted to the two year master's. And even though I still don't have the monies to attend, I did get a nice fellowship.

Hi Ashtangi-

I've also been admitted to the MA program and will likely attend.

[ksaroya]

I'm not sure if you can switch to ERE if you didn't choose it when you applied. It's likely that you can't. But I would recommend you to contact ERE department directly and talk about your interest http://www.sais-jhu....ere/contact.htm I think as ERE is a very popular concentration so they make it this way.

I'm not an ERE concentrator but I'm aware of the program. They are going to have a big conference and the Energy Secretary will be coming http://www.sais-jhu....ence/index.htm. The new director of ERE David Jhirad is big in the Energy field I guess. Just google him.

If you can't switch to ERE you might take China but choose ERE classes too. Or you could take like Asian Energy Security (from broad Asia studies course) or China’s Environment and Development: Politics, Policy, and Sustainability which covers environment, energy and water issues in China. I mean you can design your own curriculum as well. And China is a very strong program too.

Hey Energie,

Is it generally tougher to get into IDEV or ERE vs the other streams?

[ashtangi]

Hi Ashtangi-

I've also been admitted to the MA program and will likely attend.

It's great to come in contact with another admitted student. I sent a PM to you already.

[energie]

Hey Energie,

Is it generally tougher to get into IDEV or ERE vs the other streams?

ERE has that kind of policy because there are a lot of applicants interested I guess. If you apply for ERE but don't get it you still have the second choice (as you state on the application). In practical, if you get into the second choice you can still change to the first choice of concentration, if the first choice is not ERE. I say this by the assumption based on the guide book. However, as other functional and regional concentrations are not capped programs, I guess they have flexible limits of students number they can admit and they still have to adjust after successful applicants accept or decline the admission.

For IDEV, I understand that they have a separate process from other regional and functional concentrations at SAIS. And I'm not familiar with their system.

So I think IDVE could be the hardest one to get into, considering its popularity and process. For ERE, if you are not admitted to it, you still have the second choice. If you're qualified to get into SAIS, you could be admitted to one of the (non-IDEV) programs anyway. But you can't move into ERE, as you can do with other program. So we could say ERE is hard to get into as well compared to the other programs.