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Posted

I didn't see a 2019 topic on Georgetown's MA in Asian Studies program, so I figured I would create one! How is everyone handling the waiting game?

I'd love to meet some other GU MASIA applicants!

Besides GU, what other Asian Studies MA programs did people apply to? Also what is your regional focus, Korean, Japan, China, South East Asia?

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Posted (edited)

Hi there! I also applied to MASIA. It’s definitely among my top choices. My area of focus is China - if I had to guess, judging by your profile picture, is your speciality Korea? ?

I got into Columbia’s MARSEA program, which I will likely take if I don’t get into MASIA. Funding is an issue as well - MARSEA has a very generous offer whereas I don’t expect the same from Georgetown. I got into GWU’s Asian Studies program as well, but I am likely to decline. How about you?

I was a little disappointed we didn’t hear from MASIA today. I was sort of expecting it!

Edited by homesicksub
Posted (edited)

I was really hoping to hear from GU today! I saw some of the Public Policy and Arabic Studies MA programs released decisions. Both of which fall under SFS, so I was hopeful. I guess spring break effected MASIA timing?

Yes, my focus is the Korean peninsula. I've done a lot of work with North Korean refugees and want to continue to do so with a MA. China was my original focus in undergrad! So many opportunities related to China.

I got into GWU Asian Studies Program as well as University of Hawaii Manoa. I didn't end up applying to Columbia MARSEA program but I have heard good things about it. Have you met any Alum from the MARSEA program?

Edited by Leznver
Posted (edited)

Yeah, I applied to both MASIA and MSFS (a huge reach) so I was hoping to get both results today. Oh well. Spring break could have been the culprit!

Oh wow, your work sounds fascinating! I don’t have much experience in the field myself, only a year out of undergrad and have been working in the legal sector. I definitely don’t want to confine myself to just China in MASIA – affairs surrounding the Korean Peninsula are absolutely relevant in int’l politics!

MARSEA does seem like a great program, but I think MASIA has the advantage of being a little more professionally-oriented, especially for people like myself looking to work in DC. MARSEA is quite heavy on the academics and less so on internships during the semester. I’ve heard MASIA is a little more balanced in this respect.

I was actually told all of this by a MARSEA alum, to answer your last question. He spoke very highly of both programs, but they definitely have their distinctions. One last noticeable difference is cohort size. MARSEA is something like 10-12 students versus MASIA, which I believe is slightly larger.

I hope we can both make it to Georgetown! Best of luck.

Edited by homesicksub
Posted

I agree, MASIA seems to have professors that are actively working on issues across Asia (ie: Su Mi Terry, Victor Cha, Michael Green), giving them that practical professional knowledge. I have also heard schools that have PhD programs tend to set their MA programs on a more academic/research track to prepare students. 

Wow MARSEA is small, and knowing Columbia there were a lot of applicants. Congrats on getting into their program! 

Holding our breath at least until Monday. Wishing you the best! 

Posted
3 hours ago, homesicksub said:

Just got the acceptance email! 

Congrats! Well deserved, you have some tough decisions ahead. I haven't received an e-mail yet, you mentioned it was from a professor? Maybe the China focus went out today...Korea tomorrow? #Wishfulthinking

Posted
3 minutes ago, Leznver said:

Congrats! Well deserved, you have some tough decisions ahead. I haven't received an e-mail yet, you mentioned it was from a professor? Maybe the China focus went out today...Korea tomorrow? #Wishfulthinking

It was from the assoc. director of MASIA admissions, but really late in the day – they might be rolling them out slowly, so keep your eyes out for tomorrow! Good luck ???

Posted
Just now, homesicksub said:

It was from the assoc. director of MASIA admissions, but really late in the day – they might be rolling them out slowly, so keep your eyes out for tomorrow! Good luck ???

Robert Lyons by chance?

Posted

Awesome, well I will keep the fingers crossed for tomorrow (one night left of nightmares I hope). Congratulations again, definitely an acceptance worth celebrating!  :D 

Posted

I haven't heard of anything from MARSEA... Did they send out all offers yet? I got into MASIA but not sure whether I'm going. I would like to focus more on history, economics, and civilization stuff, could someone tell me which of the two is better? and how does Chicago's MAPH compare with the two? 

Posted
2 minutes ago, lesleyluhopingtogetin said:

I haven't heard of anything from MARSEA... Did they send out all offers yet? I got into MASIA but not sure whether I'm going. I would like to focus more on history, economics, and civilization stuff, could someone tell me which of the two is better? and how does Chicago's MAPH compare with the two? 

This is just my impression, but I think MASIA is better for those intending to enter the world of policy in DC. MARSEA may be better for those interested in academia. Just judging from your interests, MARSEA may be more fitting. Please take my advice with a huge grain of salt though! Both programs would be perfectly viable for either path. I’m afraid I’m not familiar with MAPH.

And as far as the MARSEA notification is concerned, I initially heard from the admissions contact last Thursday, and got the official letter today. Hope you get one soon as welll!

Posted (edited)
11 minutes ago, lesleyluhopingtogetin said:

I haven't heard of anything from MARSEA... Did they send out all offers yet? I got into MASIA but not sure whether I'm going. I would like to focus more on history, economics, and civilization stuff, could someone tell me which of the two is better? and how does Chicago's MAPH compare with the two? 

My understanding is that MARSEA is more academic research focused where as MASIA is more practical skills/professional focused. I know SAIS is a very economic focused program, requiring at least 4 Asian economic courses to be taken.  What is your country of interest? For example I am interested in Korea but SAIS Korea department lost their funding last year so I opted not to apply to their program. Congrats on getting into MASIA btw! 

Edited by Leznver
Posted
10 hours ago, Stanley3395 said:

Greetings everyone, I just received my acceptance email from MASIA this morning (I am in Asia). I would like to ask if any of you have received funding and how much the tuition of the program shall be?

I haven't heard of anyone receiving funding yet besides the $3,000 summer stipend and applying for FLAS. Not sure about tuition... is it $47,000? 

Posted

Yes, I haven’t received any word on funding besides that $3000 summer stipend. Might have to negotiate a bit!

 

@Leznver Have you heard anything yet?

Posted

I was just accepted to the MASIA program last night! I intend to focus on Korean affairs. I am also debating UH at Manoa's Asian Studies Masters. It's really going to come down to funding... haven't heard anything from either school yet aside from FLAS and the summer program at GU.

Posted

I contacted Robert Lyons and he said that tuition would be about 51,336 USD for the first year but the second year would be only half that because there were only 12 credits for the second year. Furthermore, he said that there would be more funding for the second year though I do not know for sure.

Posted (edited)

Got into MASIA as well as GW's Asian Studies Program. Can anyone compare the programs at all? GW is offering some money but MASIA isn't and the sticker price is giving me hesitation (though I can afford both).

For what it's worth, my background is in China and Taiwan. I'm hoping to focus on security policy as well as start learning Japanese since my Chinese is in a pretty good place already.

Edited by Kienzle

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