SAIS Doctor of Int'l Affairs (Info requested)

[dannybhoy]

I'm thinking of applying for the SAIS Doctor of International Affairs programme. I meet the relevant work experience (roughly equivalent to the 2020 class profile) and I'm aware that the degree is for applied policy research and not intended to be equivalent to an academic PhD.

Is there anyone who is able to provide more info or perspectives about the following:

GRE: "Encouraged but not required". But how advantageous is submitting GRE scores? I'm in my late 40s and would *REALLY* want to avoid standardised testing.  I've a previous grad degree from 15+ years ago (Georgetown MSFS, roughly 3.5/4.0 average) and am completing a second graduate degree (non-US but in an English-speaking country, better grades than before), so it's pretty evident that I can cope with graduate coursework.

Faculty: Are there diplomats-in-residence in the SAIS faculty who are able to supervise applied research?  My preferred research topics may require the supervision of those with actual foreign service experience, perhaps even career diplomats who have come up through the ranks.

Details about DIA Thesis requirements: length, originality, policy relevance etc.

Financial Aid: How is financial aid decided? Is GRE significantly advantageous? I understand from the SAIS FAQ that financial aid for DIA is only for the full-time coursework portion of the degree.

I would especially appreciate input from those who are already in the programme.

[dannybhoy]

What still no joy after a week and 90+ views?  Are there even any mid-career IR types on this sub-forum?

[Ravine55]

You might find this webinar useful: https://applygrad.jhu.edu/register/DIA111920

[bness2002]

On 11/4/2020 at 5:11 AM, dannybhoy said:

I'm thinking of applying for the SAIS Doctor of International Affairs programme. I meet the relevant work experience (roughly equivalent to the 2020 class profile) and I'm aware that the degree is for applied policy research and not intended to be equivalent to an academic PhD.

Is there anyone who is able to provide more info or perspectives about the following:

GRE: "Encouraged but not required". But how advantageous is submitting GRE scores? I'm in my late 40s and would *REALLY* want to avoid standardised testing.  I've a previous grad degree from 15+ years ago (Georgetown MSFS, roughly 3.5/4.0 average) and am completing a second graduate degree (non-US but in an English-speaking country, better grades than before), so it's pretty evident that I can cope with graduate coursework.

Faculty: Are there diplomats-in-residence in the SAIS faculty who are able to supervise applied research?  My preferred research topics may require the supervision of those with actual foreign service experience, perhaps even career diplomats who have come up through the ranks.

Details about DIA Thesis requirements: length, originality, policy relevance etc.

Financial Aid: How is financial aid decided? Is GRE significantly advantageous? I understand from the SAIS FAQ that financial aid for DIA is only for the full-time coursework portion of the degree.

I would especially appreciate input from those who are already in the programme.

Hi there.

I am recently completed the MAGP and I am actually looking at applying in very future. 

I will send you a private message since I have already talked with SAIS officials about applying.  Here is some information in the mean time.

GRE: You don't need to worry about your GRE since you already have two prior degrees (one in the works). I was told the GREs is for applicants who don't have a prior graduate degree and have the min amount of work experience when applying to the program. They need something to weight the application against.

Faculty: I don't know about the diplomats-in-residence in SAIS facility. That is something you should ask the SAIS Admissions team. 

DIA Thesis: I am unsure of the length but I believe you have to have a policy area in which a facility is willing to be your advisor ... hence part of the reason you could be accepted.  You write your potential policy as part of your thesis application.

Financial Aid:  You have to be full time which is 3 classes (or 12 credit hours) per semester to qualify for partial scholarship.  I would be not surprised if the potential scholarship is enough to pay for one class for each semester. 

Thanks,