SAIS decisions are out, apparently:

[wantgrad]

Thanks charlotte_asia...hopefully it works!

[SportsFan]

I got the SAIS First Year Fellowship (from the SAIS General Fund) of 15k.... To think of it, I don't know in what way SAIS will grant this fellowship, the only information I get is that they will distribute the 15k in two, 7500 in the fall and another 7500 in the spring.

Problem is, my Edward E. Masters fellowship is covering up my full tuition fee, no matter which school I choose as long as it is an IR school in the States. So if this 15k from SAIS is in the form of like a discount for my tuition fee, then the aid will basically doesn't mean anything to me...

But if the 15k will be given to me in cash, I will definitely go to SAIS and not having trouble making decision between SAIS or the other schools.

PLease if anyone happen to know the mechanism of this first year Sais fellowship, would you be kind enough to share it here?

Hey erry3779, the SAIS fellowships are discounted from tuition, not given directly in cash. That being said, I can't recommend SAIS enough!

[erry3779]

Hey erry3779, the SAIS fellowships are discounted from tuition, not given directly in cash. That being said, I can't recommend SAIS enough!

so you suggested that i should take SIPA instead?? ( I actually want to hear this sentence) hahahahahaha

[SportsFan]

so you suggested that i should take SIPA instead?? ( I actually want to hear this sentence) hahahahahaha

Haha, quite to the contrary, I am thankful everyday that I chose SAIS, so I'm definitely biased in favor it!

[jct329]

Haha, quite to the contrary, I am thankful everyday that I chose SAIS, so I'm definitely biased in favor it!

I'm actually strongly considering that same program if accepted. Was wondering if you could answer a couple questions:

1. Are most of the students former military?

2. Do Elliot Cohen's political beliefs come out very strongly? Are most of the professors of the same neoconservative influence?

[SportsFan]

I'm actually strongly considering that same program if accepted. Was wondering if you could answer a couple questions:

1. Are most of the students former military?

2. Do Elliot Cohen's political beliefs come out very strongly? Are most of the professors of the same neoconservative influence?

I'm actually former military myself, but it's by no means most of the students. It's a diverse group that represents all kinds of international experience (security issues, economic issues, think tanks, journalists, you name it.)

I haven't taken any of Professor Cohen's courses, but I have heard nothing but good things from those who are concentrating in Strategic Studies. From what I can tell, he takes his profession seriously and his courses are not impacted by his own ideological orientation. The same goes for all the courses I have taken thus far.

Edited March 19, 2012 by SportsFan

[dcenergygirl]

Does anyone have any idea if this is the only offer for financial aid packages? I've recieved fellowships from the other schools I've been accepted to, but nothing from SAIS. I'm just wondering if they make a few rounds of offers for financial aid as some offers are inevitably turned down.

[rose1]

Does anybody have an answer for how important concentration is at SAIS? I got into the MA, but not into IDEV, my preferred concentration. I don't know if that's utterly unimportant or a total deal breaker. I've e-mailed the admissions office asking to talk to a current student that chose to enroll despite not getting IDEV but I haven't heard back yet.

[OregonGal]

Does anybody have an answer for how important concentration is at SAIS? I got into the MA, but not into IDEV, my preferred concentration. I don't know if that's utterly unimportant or a total deal breaker. I've e-mailed the admissions office asking to talk to a current student that chose to enroll despite not getting IDEV but I haven't heard back yet.

When I've talked to current students/alumni about tracks they've said that the functional tracks are generally better than the regional tracks if you don't plan on being a regional specialist, since they focus more on toolbox/processes/background while regionals really try to make you an expert on that specific area. That being said, I suggest you take a look at the curriculums for the tracks and see how much crossover there is with the IDEV concentration (i.e. IDEV has you take X, Y, Z; Security Studies has you take Y and Global Theory has you take X and Z). Also, what aspects of IDEV appeal most to you and can you find those aspects in the other programs?

[gzdzcca]

Any international student got financial aids? (i haven't head anything yet)

[Coloradical]

financial aids

awesome

[fenderpete]

Finally thought to check my spam folder. $0 from SAIS. Thanks but no thanks. Declined this morning - good luck to waitlisted folks!

[IRToni]

I'm international and got some aid (20k First Year Fellowship from General Funds). I got the notification the same time as most Americans (as in Th, April 15) , but I submitted the form early. If you submitted it later, it should come this week, I think.

[strangertimes]

Any international student got financial aids? (i haven't head anything yet)

$8,000 fellowship

[charlotte_asia]

Ugh. I am seriously torn between SAIS - Georgetown. What makes it even more difficult is that the Georgetown program I am considering is not SFS or another major school, it's within the Department of Government. Smaller, less connected to SFS, but they take classes at SFS, SSP, GPPI, etc. I can't get a handle on whether or not being outside of SFS/SSP/GPPI still yields the benefits of Georgetown or not, and how that compares to SAIS.

Anyway, regarding SAIS, I have been speaking with a number of recent graduates- friends, and friends of friends. They all highly recommend SAIS, speak well of its students and faculty. I just spoke with a student who reminded me all of the great "free" (er.... $39,000) things you get at SAIS- international trips, career services, lectures and events.

Current students, I would love to hear more of your thoughts. Pros/cons? What you wish you had known before entering? How do you feel about the faculty and students?

[gzdzcca]

Ugh. I am seriously torn between SAIS - Georgetown. What makes it even more difficult is that the Georgetown program I am considering is not SFS or another major school, it's within the Department of Government. Smaller, less connected to SFS, but they take classes at SFS, SSP, GPPI, etc. I can't get a handle on whether or not being outside of SFS/SSP/GPPI still yields the benefits of Georgetown or not, and how that compares to SAIS.

Anyway, regarding SAIS, I have been speaking with a number of recent graduates- friends, and friends of friends. They all highly recommend SAIS, speak well of its students and faculty. I just spoke with a student who reminded me all of the great "free" (er.... $39,000) things you get at SAIS- international trips, career services, lectures and events.

Current students, I would love to hear more of your thoughts. Pros/cons? What you wish you had known before entering? How do you feel about the faculty and students?

I got accepted by the Conflict Resolution at Georgetown, and I am going to SAIS since those are totally different programs, one academic one professional. In fact, I got rejected by SFS recently, so I think the selectivity between Government Dept and SFS is totally different. Also, there are academic programs, such as Asian studies, in SFS that is easy to get in. Anyways, I think the main concern is whether you wanna go PHD or job after graduation.

By the way, what do you mean free international trips?

Edited March 21, 2012 by gzdzcca

[IRgrad2012]

Ugh. I am seriously torn between SAIS - Georgetown. What makes it even more difficult is that the Georgetown program I am considering is not SFS or another major school, it's within the Department of Government. Smaller, less connected to SFS, but they take classes at SFS, SSP, GPPI, etc. I can't get a handle on whether or not being outside of SFS/SSP/GPPI still yields the benefits of Georgetown or not, and how that compares to SAIS.

Anyway, regarding SAIS, I have been speaking with a number of recent graduates- friends, and friends of friends. They all highly recommend SAIS, speak well of its students and faculty. I just spoke with a student who reminded me all of the great "free" (er.... $39,000) things you get at SAIS- international trips, career services, lectures and events.

Current students, I would love to hear more of your thoughts. Pros/cons? What you wish you had known before entering? How do you feel about the faculty and students?

Sorry, this doesn't answer you questions, but I noticed that you were admitted to Fletcher as well. Is that still in the mix, or are you trying to decide between Georgetown and SAIS?

[charlotte_asia]

I got accepted by the Conflict Resolution at Georgetown, and I am going to SAIS since those are totally different programs, one academic one professional. In fact, I got rejected by SFS recently, so I think the selectivity between Government Dept and SFS is totally different. Also, there are academic programs, such as Asian studies, in SFS that is easy to get in. Still, I think the main concern is you wanna go PHD or job after graduation.

By the way, what do you mean free international trips?

Oh my, FINALLY another Georgetown Government compatriot! I just started a thread on this program. I'll reserve my comments on Georgetown for that thread. (Mind if I quote you on that thread and respond?)

I just spoke with a SAIS grad who was lauding the "free" (as in, included) services and programs and opportunities at SAIS. He mentioned trips already covered in tuition to Sri Lanka, India-China, etc. I believe the SAIS blog has referenced some of these.

I am not going to base my decision of a school on the availability of "free international trips" (especially since I'm coming off of spending the majority of the last 4 years overseas). However, it is a big plus for me in the SAIS category is the concept of providing a lot of extracurriculuar activities and opportunities outside of the classroom proper. This student was speaking more broadly to the fact that SAIS does provide these opportunities, which is certainly something I want to take into consideration and compare to Georgetown.

[charlotte_asia]

Sorry, this doesn't answer you questions, but I noticed that you were admitted to Fletcher as well. Is that still in the mix, or are you trying to decide between Georgetown and SAIS?

I am not considering Fletcher. My fiance will be working in DC and being based in DC is my top choice. I applied to Fletcher because I really like the program and would have considered being long distance from my fiance for two years had the financial package been too good to resist. I did receive some money at Fletcher, but all it would do is offset the cost of us living apart (separate rent, etc) so it's not enough for me. So, it's between Georgetown and SAIS at this point.

[gzdzcca]

Oh my, FINALLY another Georgetown Government compatriot! I just started a thread on this program. I'll reserve my comments on Georgetown for that thread. (Mind if I quote you on that thread and respond?)

I just spoke with a SAIS grad who was lauding the "free" (as in, included) services and programs and opportunities at SAIS. He mentioned trips already covered in tuition to Sri Lanka, India-China, etc. I believe the SAIS blog has referenced some of these.

I am not going to base my decision of a school on the availability of "free international trips" (especially since I'm coming off of spending the majority of the last 4 years overseas). However, it is a big plus for me in the SAIS category is the concept of providing a lot of extracurriculuar activities and opportunities outside of the classroom proper. This student was speaking more broadly to the fact that SAIS does provide these opportunities, which is certainly something I want to take into consideration and compare to Georgetown.

I will be happy to be quoted.

I just checked the blog, and there is a Taiwan election trip. Probably this is one of those free trips.

However, since you expect those "extracurricular activities and opportunities outside of the classroom", I think georgetown is also a good choice since they have the whole University there, even though that will be much less for IR program if you are comparing with SAIS

[charlotte_asia]

gzdzcca, I just moved our Georgetown Government conversation over to I really look forward to hearing your thoughts, especially as you too are considering SAIS.

[erry3779]

Has anyone here already had their mind set up to go to SAIS?

[msal]

I am waiting for SIPA's decision. I would like to scream like Eric Cartman; God dammit!

[grtheman]

Has anyone here already had their mind set up to go to SAIS?

I'm getting there... It was amongst my top choices at the outset and they are offering a generous amount funding. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to afford to live in D.C. with no savings or salary, that's kind of boggling my mind, but other than that it seems a sure thing I will be in D.C. by the summer time. I also haven't decided which program to enroll into yet. Edited March 22, 2012 by grtheman

[charlotte_asia]

I'm getting there... It was amongst my top choices at the outset and they are offering a generous amount funding. I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to afford to live in D.C. with no savings or salary, that's kind of boggling my mind, but other than that it seems a sure thing I will be in D.C. by the summer time. I also haven't decided which program to enroll into yet.

I'm super jealous you have money at SAIS! That's awesome.

Regarding living in DC without much money, I did it when I was fresh out of undergrad and interning unpaid for three months before I was hired full-time. Granted I had a couple thousand in the bank, but I was mostly living off of a part-time barista paycheck. If you live in a group house and don't mnd a bit of a walk to the metro you could pay around $600-$700, plus some for utilities and internet, $70 for transportation (less if you get a bike) and $150 for food. (I kept a budget during that time so these are actual numbers I spent). I think DC is "doable" on $1000/month, barring any medical emergencies and having to forgo eating out and nights in Adams Morgan (ok, maybe you'll be a bit more mature than I was as a 22 year old and not want to spent your nights in Adams Morgan ). Not comfortable, but doable.