Korbel?

[HopefulIR]

Awesome! Yeah, the same thing happened last year according to previous posts on this board--their system got ahead of itself and allowed people to accept the offer before the offer was officially extended. Sort of anticlimactic IMO, but great nonetheless! I think I'm going to face a tough decision once I finish hearing from my other schools...what makes Korbel your top choice? I have a friend going there right now--she likes it a lot, but says the quarter system is extreeeeemely intense.

Is your friend security? Most of the gals are in Human Rights/Development. I can count only 9 first year security girls off the top of my head.

[macmc]

Is your friend security? Most of the gals are in Human Rights/Development. I can count only 9 first year security girls off the top of my head.

Yeah, she's security. She deferred the fall quarter to finish working for the campaign we were on here in PA. Ring any bells?

[HopefulIR]

Yeah, she's security. She deferred the fall quarter to finish working for the campaign we were on here in PA. Ring any bells?

Hmm... I don't believe so. That's weird. And here I thought I knew almost everyone from the security program...

If she deferred the fall quarter, she missed Security and Defense Methods 1 since it's only offered then... all incoming security students had to take it and Secdef II the following winter.

But since she didn't take Secdef I, I'm guessing they'll make her take the sequence next year instead?

[macmc]

Hmm... I don't believe so. That's weird. And here I thought I knew almost everyone from the security program...

If she deferred the fall quarter, she missed Security and Defense Methods 1 since it's only offered then... all incoming security students had to take it and Secdef II the following winter.

But since she didn't take Secdef I, I'm guessing they'll make her take the sequence next year instead?

I think so, when she told which classes she was taking right now, she didn't mention Secdef.

[HopefulIR]

I think so, when she told which classes she was taking right now, she didn't mention Secdef.

Secdef sucks hard, but you learn a lot. I never took a real research class during undergrad, beyond the required english comp classes, which seems like child's play now.

If you join us next year, there are two professors teaching them, Griffith and Larsen. Griffith teaches both SecDef I&II and Larsen teaches only SecDef I.

With Larsen, you get a lot of outside information that he brings in (former Air Force man and all), like how to build a nuclear bomb.

With Griffith, he sticks to the syllabus and teaches you how to methodically break down studies and to build your own (who is sorta an Air Force guy since he taught at the AF Staff College.)

Personally, I'd take Griffith all the way because his SecDef I syllabus is more streamlined with his SecDef II class. He is also a huge nerd, of which he will readily admit himself. During a powerpoint presentation this quarter, we saw a folder on his drive that said Lord of the Rings Online. Overall, great prof and is very accessible. Does funny voices too.

I see that you got into Elliot and UCSD as well. May I ask what your preferences are right now?

This is my recommendation (not that you asked for it) but go to Elliott. As a security studies major and your inquiry about Peg Sanders, I'm assuming you want to join the IC. Elliott's proximity to all the major agencies is a huge advantage. Assuming you don't have a TS w/poly sci yet, an internship with either the Company, DIA or even DoS INR will get you one. I wouldn't go to Korbel unless a.) you got a Sie fellowship (full tuition) or 2.) at least a Founder's Scholarship (15k). If you got some funding from Elliott, definitely take it.

However, if you have some exp under your belt already and perhaps got your clearance already too, Denver weather is awwwesome. It's also probably cheaper to live here instead of DC as well. Everyone is super nice, but sometimes CORD (Center for Rights Development) gets on people's nerves like kicking people out of the cyber cafe (a good place to study/to meet up with friends) only to show a movie that only 4 people will watch.

Okay enough procrastinating, I need to finish this research proposal for Griffith since it's due at 9 a.m.

[macmc]

I see that you got into Elliot and UCSD as well. May I ask what your preferences are right now?

This is my recommendation (not that you asked for it) but go to Elliott. As a security studies major and your inquiry about Peg Sanders, I'm assuming you want to join the IC. Elliott's proximity to all the major agencies is a huge advantage. Assuming you don't have a TS w/poly sci yet, an internship with either the Company, DIA or even DoS INR will get you one. I wouldn't go to Korbel unless a.) you got a Sie fellowship (full tuition) or 2.) at least a Founder's Scholarship (15k). If you got some funding from Elliott, definitely take it.

However, if you have some exp under your belt already and perhaps got your clearance already too, Denver weather is awwwesome. It's also probably cheaper to live here instead of DC as well. Everyone is super nice, but sometimes CORD (Center for Rights Development) gets on people's nerves like kicking people out of the cyber cafe (a good place to study/to meet up with friends) only to show a movie that only 4 people will watch.

Okay enough procrastinating, I need to finish this research proposal for Griffith since it's due at 9 a.m.

No, no, thanks for the advice! I'm going to be soliciting a lot more of it once I hear back from SIS and Georgetown SSP. I'm trying to resist drawing up elaborate spreadsheets at this point since I might want to finish my senior semester with some modicum of success.

I honestly am not sure where my preferences stand yet. I won't hear back from Elliott about fellowships till next Friday, which might make the decision a little easier. From Patterson, I have a full ride--however, despite their program being basically exactly what I'd like (perfect combination of intelligence and diplomacy), I realize that they're not very well known in DC, despite their top 20 FP ranking. I already declined UCSD. Elliott is appealing due to both location and reputation, but Korbel is as well, especially with the DC program. I do think Elliott would allow me to get my foot in the door more immediately, but Denver is appealing in its very Denver-ness. Elliott seems to be a better program though, and is cheaper than Korbel even with the money Korbel gave me, though the cost of living in DC will likely balance it out. Then again, if the Army comes through for me, I'll be getting a scholarship regardless. Do you know anyone at Elliott who's told you how they like the program?

Edited March 12, 2011 by Meg11

[mlerette]

This is my recommendation (not that you asked for it) but go to Elliott. As a security studies major and your inquiry about Peg Sanders, I'm assuming you want to join the IC. Elliott's proximity to all the major agencies is a huge advantage. Assuming you don't have a TS w/poly sci yet, an internship with either the Company, DIA or even DoS INR will get you one. I wouldn't go to Korbel unless a.) you got a Sie fellowship (full tuition) or 2.) at least a Founder's Scholarship (15k). If you got some funding from Elliott, definitely take it.

However, if you have some exp under your belt already and perhaps got your clearance already too, Denver weather is awwwesome. It's also probably cheaper to live here instead of DC as well.

Assuming a gentlemen already has a TS/SCI w/ poly, what are the advantages of Korbel over the other loactions? The cost of living and weather is better but do agencies and think tanks actively recruit out of Korbel? Having worked with agencies in the past, most seem to be filled with dunder heads (no offense dunder heads). This is not a path I intend to take upon completion of my degree. That being said, I have been told to stay east coast due to the close proximity to DC, the ability to network, and the active recruitment out of these schools (Fletcher, HKS, Gtown, even as far as Harris). Does Korbel offer similar networks? The only way to become a dunder head is to know a dunder head.

[HopefulIR]

@mlerette

The CIA has come to recruit almost every quarter I've been here. FBI came one time in the Fall, and State now and then. So yeah, dunder heads. As for tanks, I've seen some for other majors, but nothing particularly security related. However, a lot of the professors have tank connections. Larsen, for example, works at SAIC, Korbel is just this part time gig. Boevers, Northrop Grumman... Viotti has ties to Denver's CFR (assuming he also knows CFR NY)... that's the few I know for security, probably way more for development/human rights. Korbel security seems to be geared towards feds rather than tanks. I haven't heard a peep from CSIS, RAND, or Brookings.

Then again, I don't really see Korbel as a policy school like HKS, GPPI or Harris. Most of us are of the younger generation (under or equal to 25), idealistic and wanting to work for "the man" instead of third parties. That's just my take though. Did I mention the weather?

Assuming a gentlemen already has a TS/SCI w/ poly, what are the advantages of Korbel over the other loactions? The cost of living and weather is better but do agencies and think tanks actively recruit out of Korbel? Having worked with agencies in the past, most seem to be filled with dunder heads (no offense dunder heads). This is not a path I intend to take upon completion of my degree. That being said, I have been told to stay east coast due to the close proximity to DC, the ability to network, and the active recruitment out of these schools (Fletcher, HKS, Gtown, even as far as Harris). Does Korbel offer similar networks? The only way to become a dunder head is to know a dunder head.

@Meg11

I have a buddy at Gdubs. I haven't talked to him in awhile, but from what I heard from him last (and a little FB stalking) I think it's a great program. Go. To. Elliott. Unless of course you get into SSP. I like Korbel a lot, but frankly, it is only worth it if you got a full ride. Why pay more money and get your ass handed to you with the quarter system + a 90 credit graduation requirement? EVERYONE ELSE HAS 40~ CREDS, WHAT GIVES!?

Here's what I think, if the Army comes through with your funding, it doesn't matter where you go because you're pretty much set (assuming the money comes with strings. good strings.) Korbel's workload is intense like what your friend said. If you want to ease up creds (also if you want to keep your sanity) go to Elliott. Did I mention Elliott? Yep.

[macmc]

@Meg11

I have a buddy at Gdubs. I haven't talked to him in awhile, but from what I heard from him last (and a little FB stalking) I think it's a great program. Go. To. Elliott. Unless of course you get into SSP. I like Korbel a lot, but frankly, it is only worth it if you got a full ride. Why pay more money and get your ass handed to you with the quarter system + a 90 credit graduation requirement? EVERYONE ELSE HAS 40~ CREDS, WHAT GIVES!?

Here's what I think, if the Army comes through with your funding, it doesn't matter where you go because you're pretty much set (assuming the money comes with strings. good strings.) Korbel's workload is intense like what your friend said. If you want to ease up creds (also if you want to keep your sanity) go to Elliott. Did I mention Elliott? Yep.

I can see you've mentioned Elliott. Thanks for your candor!

[HopefulIR]

I can see you've mentioned Elliott. Thanks for your candor!

No problemo! I seem to be Korbel bashing, but I really do enjoy it here. Most programs have around 12-14~ courses give or take for a MA, but Korbel hovers around 17. I think I fit better here since we're all kind of young, (I'm 24 soon) and it'll just be weird going to a DC school with a lot of mid-career folks. If you have any other questions, shoot em. Good luck for SSP!

[flyers29]

Korbel '10 here if I didn't mention before. Korbel's non-governmental professional network is next to nothing, which means something given that the government hiring process usually involves throwing out an application and seeing what happens. Korbel is a good education and all, but one of the DC schools is probably better from the job standpoint--the job market isn't so great right now, so you should go with what's best in that respect.

[Turian27]

Hey guys,

So yea, DU's Josef Korbel School of International studies. How diverse is the student make-up? I found stats for DU but not for the Korbel school. Anyone know?

[flyers29]

Hey guys,

So yea, DU's Josef Korbel School of International studies. How diverse is the student make-up? I found stats for DU but not for the Korbel school. Anyone know?

Diverse in what way?

[Turian27]

Percentage of foreign nationals compared to US citizens; If I'm not mistaken, I believe Columbia reserves 50% of its slots for international applicants.

Ethnic make-up, if the school has a mix of various ethnic backgrounds or if its predominantly Caucasian.

[flyers29]

Percentage of foreign nationals compared to US citizens; If I'm not mistaken, I believe Columbia reserves 50% of its slots for international applicants.

Ethnic make-up, if the school has a mix of various ethnic backgrounds or if its predominantly Caucasian.

Fair amount of international students, though nowhere near 50%. I was a security student and had next to none in my security classes, though there seemed to be more in the development/human rights side. As for the racial makeup--exclusive of the foreign students, Korbel is pretty damn white to be frank (as is DU as a whole).