SAIS application for Fall 2013

[rhodeislander]

Regarding your last sentence, easy there chief with the ad hominem attacks. If I do go to SAIS i'm pretty sure i'll be one of the smartest students there, so you should calm down a bit.

Just from these posts I have a strong suspicion you're not nearly as bright as you think you are...for one, you're not self-aware enough to realize everyone on this board is (not so) subtly mocking you. I also have to question the intelligence of someone supposedly so obsessed with connections who has managed, in a very short period of time, to alienate every one of his potential future classmates on this board. I can only imagine what everyone will think of you after two years of dealing with your obnoxious superiority complex/crushing insecurity. I think many, if not most, of the people at SAIS are more intelligent than you in just about every way other than making money (and for all I know, that too).

I'm not sure how many down-votes you need to get banned, but when the inevitable happens I have to admit I'm going to miss our little Gordon Gekko wannabe. He certainly keeps things entertaining around here...

[rhodeislander]

Then they have holidazzle, the annual christmas bash, as well as casino parties, boat cruise parties, countless costume parties, etc.

 

lolololol well, we wouldn't want to miss holidazzle...

Edited March 19, 2013 by rhodeislander

[Revolution]

 thanks....any clue on which ones are online only?  I am assuming the May/June ones 

 

 

Yeah I believe the may/june ones are online.

[Hopefulodi]

So in addition to the thousands of $$$$ one has to borrow to afford tuition. You will have to borrow much more to afford the lavish lifestyle.  humm, I am glad the thought of going the MBA route never settled in my mind. I would rather hold fundraising events to help the uneducated and hungry children around the world. I guess that's why we IR/PA/PP people have a hard time understanding you and vice-versa. This is also why there is a MBA degree for people like you and IR/PA/PP programs for people like us. We do not go to grad school looking for a "expensive" 2-year vacation, with the hope of partying and hooking up. I am glad all MBA students do not have the same mindset as yours or I would never even consider dating a MBA guy. 

But I am not judging you, I just hope you get into a great MBA program because otherwise you will feel like a failure for the rest of your life. Best of luck and let us know how it works out for you. I am pretty sure we all want you in a MBA program.

PS: your self-esteem should not depend on the degree you pursue or the school you attend.

Totally fair questions, so let me address them.

 

First, top b-schools in general are fun because they're a 2-year vacation from boring work life. Grades don't really matter since most schools have grade non-disclosure (employers cannot ask your grades).  Second, the mba is geared towards socializing, networking, and recruiting. There are literally social events every single day in the calendar; there is so much stuff going on that mba students joke about FOMO: fear of missing out. You have house parties, dinners, going to bars/clubs, dances and galas, costume parties, and travelling throughout the world. Harvard Business in particular takes this to an extreme level. I've been to a few of their parties, and they are super fun. HBS has for instance priscilla's ball, which is a drag party. They also have newport ball, a formal that takes place in upscale newport, rhode island. Then they have holidazzle, the annual christmas bash, as well as casino parties, boat cruise parties, countless costume parties, etc.

 

More importantly, the people at HBS or top schools in general are some of the smartest, most interesting, and accomplished people you will ever meet. And for 2 years you are surrounded by these people in a very tight bonding experience, and it's just freaking amazing. It should come as no surprise then that a lot of people meet their future spouses in b-school. And from talking to tons of students and alums from these schools, not a single one regrets attending, even when some of them took out $200K in loans. A top MBA is truly a transformational experience, one that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

 

As for what i'm looking for, i'm certainly not averse to hooking up, but i am looking for something a bit more long-term. MBA girls fit what i'm looking for, and the women at hbs/wharton/kellogg are actually pretty decent looking, in shape, and well put together.

 

This 2008 article from Boston Magazine talks about the HBS social scene. It's also no secret that boston girls LOVE HBS guys.

 

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2008/08/aint-no-party-like-an-hbs-party/

[Revolution]

So in addition to the thousands of $$$$ one has to borrow to afford tuition. You will have to borrow much more to afford the lavish lifestyle.  humm, I am glad the thought of going the MBA route never settled in my mind. I would rather hold fundraising events to help the uneducated and hungry children around the world. I guess that's why we IR/PA/PP people have a hard time understanding you and vice-versa. This is also why there is a MBA degree for people like you and IR/PA/PP programs for people like us. We do not go to grad school looking for a "expensive" 2-year vacation, with the hope of partying and hooking up. I am glad all MBA students do not have the same mindset as yours or I would never even consider dating a MBA guy. 

But I am not judging you, I just hope you get into a great MBA program because otherwise you will feel like a failure for the rest of your life. Best of luck and let us know how it works out for you. I am pretty sure we all want you in a MBA program.

PS: your self-esteem should not depend on the degree you pursue or the school you attend.

 

 

Sure, it's expensive. But every empirical study has shown that a top MBA is worth it in the long-term, even if one takes on massive loans. You will most likely get $100-150K coming out, and then the benefits of the name brand, network, etc., accrue over time and intensify the further you get along in your career. After the professional benefits, you have the social benefits since through these experiences you form powerful relationships that last a lifetime. I would also argue that when you're old and look back fondly on your 2 years in b-school, you're not going to say, "oh geez, that was so expensive; i took out so much in loans!" Certain life experiences and memories cannot be quantified; 2 years at a top MBA is one of them.

 

You do realize that a lot of ir/policy people are borrowing thousands to go to school, right? But the difference is that the economic value is not comparable to that of mba while not being as nearly as fun. So the way i see it, it's the MBAs who are making the right bet.

 

Thanks for the good wishes! I appreciate it! If I'm lucky enough to get into wharton, i might still do a joint degree with SAIS and see you guys in fall 2014!

Edited March 19, 2013 by Revolution

[rhodeislander]

But the difference is that the economic value is not comparable to that of mba while not being as nearly as fun. So the way i see it, it's the MBAs who are making the right bet.

 

How can you make this sweeping value judgement? The kind of lifestyle you want to lead doesn't sound fun at all to me. In fact, it sounds pretty horrible. Socially, something like SAIS seems way more fun...get to spend a year in Europe, do some backpacking during holidays, meet interesting people from diverse backgrounds who have interests beyond cocaine/call girls/the crass accumulation of wealth, etc.

Not all of us are paying for two years of club med.

[Revolution]

How can you make this sweeping value judgement? The kind of lifestyle you want to lead doesn't sound fun at all to me. In fact, it sounds pretty horrible. Socially, something like SAIS seems way more fun...get to spend a year in Europe, do some backpacking during holidays, meet interesting people from diverse backgrounds who have interests beyond cocaine/call girls/the crass accumulation of wealth, etc.

Not all of us are paying for two years of club med.

 

Huh? Who said anything about drugs and call girls? That's gross, and most MBA guys don't do that.

 

I'm making that assessment based on the tuition of these programs and the median salaries of graduates. Yes, I'm fully aware that we don't know exactly what the median compensation is of policy grads 10+ years down the road. But we do know those figures for b-schools (i forgot the study, but you can goggle it and find it), and i'm pretty sure that MBA wins out easily. 

 

Regarding fun, i'm sure there are people who will enjoy policy programs more than mba.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Revolution

[mnboy]

Can somebody fill me in on how exactly this thread got so badly derailed into talking about the social scene at HBS?

[intlrlns]

Well to put it slightly back on track, the social life at SAIS is amazing. These people work hard and party hard. Some of my best social gatherings in two years were with the SAISers in DC. 

[Revolution]

Well to put it slightly back on track, the social life at SAIS is amazing. These people work hard and party hard. Some of my best social gatherings in two years were with the SAISers in DC. 

 

Can you tell me more about the SAIS social scene? Is DC an ok city for students?

[intlrlns]

Well as much as people like to believe that DC is a pit of grey hair it's not the case. Most people don't live IN DC and there are tons of bars/clubs around in almost every neighborhood. It's also easily accessible from all parts of the city because of the metro (which is god sent compared to the T)...happy hours are incredibly popular and you will find the young professionals socializing until late every weekday. There were a lot of house parties with SAISers and they tend to be more fun than going into the city..although some parties were at clubs where SAIS kids knew the DJ or something and it became a weekly thing. SAIS also has its own happy hour on Fridays (I think..it may have been some other day) where people invite their friends as well. It's a great opportunity to meet some amazing people but don't expect the kind of sucking up that occurs at business school gatherings. People just want to unwind, have a good time, discuss their interests and passions and make some friends. Of course they would be happy to connect you with people but that's not the point. 
In short, it's all the fun you want. Just don't be a prick because you will find yourself alone in a crowd of incredibly friendly, intelligence people. 

p.s. There are a lot of undergrad kids around as well so just avoid the 18+ bars if you'd like it so...

Did I mention trivia nights? I've met some super fun young think thank professionals at happy hours and trivia nights. Also, you are not constantly surrounded by IR people because DC has such a good mix of industries. 

Edited March 19, 2013 by intlrlns

[Revolution]

Well as much as people like to believe that DC is a pit of grey hair it's not the case. Most people don't live IN DC and there are tons of bars/clubs around in almost every neighborhood. It's also easily accessible from all parts of the city because of the metro (which is god sent compared to the T)...happy hours are incredibly popular and you will find the young professionals socializing until late every weekday. There were a lot of house parties with SAISers and they tend to be more fun than going into the city..although some parties were at clubs where SAIS kids knew the DJ or something and it became a weekly thing. SAIS also has its own happy hour on Fridays (I think..it may have been some other day) where people invite their friends as well. It's a great opportunity to meet some amazing people but don't expect the kind of sucking up that occurs at business school gatherings. People just want to unwind, have a good time, discuss their interests and passions and make some friends. Of course they would be happy to connect you with people but that's not the point. 

In short, it's all the fun you want. Just don't be a prick because you will find yourself alone in a crowd of incredibly friendly, intelligence people. 

p.s. There are a lot of undergrad kids around as well so just avoid the 18+ bars if you'd like it so...

Did I mention trivia nights? I've met some super fun young think thank professionals at happy hours and trivia nights. Also, you are not constantly surrounded by IR people because DC has such a good mix of industries. 

 

 

Thanks for the thoughtful detailed response. I appreciate it! I will definitely take this into account in the coming weeks.

 

I LOVE trivia nights!!!!

 

My main concern with the DC social scene is that it revolves too much around government/law/policy and there's not too much industry diversity like in NYC and Boston. There's virtually no tech, startups, venture capital, hedge funds, private equity (except carlyle), investment management, etc. Please correct me if i'm wrong in this assessment.

Edited March 19, 2013 by Revolution

[intlrlns]

Well yes, you won't find a majority of the people coming from those industries but you will a good number of economic consultant type people. Even if it revolves around government/law/policy then you have to realize that there is an incredible amount of diversity within those sectors as well. I didn't experience the whole 'name dropping' of institutions as such (except maybe with some people on the Hill) but people are just interested in where you're from and what you do. There's a lot to learn from everyone. 

If you're looking for the B school type crowd then you'll have to get in touch with the law school kids in the area perhaps--Georgetown and others...I don't know what they're like though...SAIS draws a lot of folks who are changing careers from the private sector finance jobs too. But if you're looking for a homogeneous crowd of the private sector then you'll have to try harder.  

[Revolution]

Well yes, you won't find a majority of the people coming from those industries but you will a good number of economic consultant type people. Even if it revolves around government/law/policy then you have to realize that there is an incredible amount of diversity within those sectors as well. I didn't experience the whole 'name dropping' of institutions as such (except maybe with some people on the Hill) but people are just interested in where you're from and what you do. There's a lot to learn from everyone. 

If you're looking for the B school type crowd then you'll have to get in touch with the law school kids in the area perhaps--Georgetown and others...I don't know what they're like though...SAIS draws a lot of folks who are changing careers from the private sector finance jobs too. But if you're looking for a homogeneous crowd of the private sector then you'll have to try harder.  

 

 

Ok, that makes sense. There's no elite b-school in DC unfortunately, and the law students are unbearable. Hopefully the social scene will be solid as you have described. Thanks again for the detailed writeup.

[intlrlns]

Ok, that makes sense. There's no elite b-school in DC unfortunately, and the law students are unbearable. Hopefully the social scene will be solid as you have described. Thanks again for the detailed writeup.

 

I've heard that the Bologna students and DC students find a hard time mixing with each other instantly (they do eventually), given the Bologna students are a tighter group. 

Plus a lot of the social scene will be determined by you and the other students so it is what you make of it. 

[hlove]

Good god, I worked at a PR firm in Beverly Hills and I thought I'd meet the worst of the worst but the way he represents himself on this board, Revolution is right up there. I don't know whether to be entertained or sadden. It's clear he gains his self worth, not from who he is as a person or what he himself accomplishes but instead seems to gain validation through the people he associates with, which again is very sad yet at the same time very entertaining. 

 

Revolution, reading your posts throughout this thread, it's clear you want members of this board to convince you that SAIS or any IR degree is worth your time and money. We all know our reasons for applying and they probably very different from yours. You seem to be searching for a lifestyle and while I think most of us are searching for a career in something we are passionate about. I don't think anyone goes into IR to get rich. The expected salary for IR grads is readily available and yet we all applied because it's what we want to do. You seem to know what you want, which is fine I'm not attacking your life goals. SAIS is a great program for IR, it's not trying to pass itself off as an MBA or as a substitute for an MBA. It doesn't make sense that you keep judging it by that standard.  

 

As a side note on the social scene, one of the SAIS (Bologna) grads I meet at the APSIA fair I went to, did a joint MBA/IR program, and one of the things she said was the her IR degree was a lot more fun than her MBA degree. Personally I don't think an MBA is that great of an accomplishment but I did my undergrad at a school that had a great business school so maybe I was just desensitized to its prestige by the sheer abundance of business students I knew. 

 

 

The herd seek out the great, not for their sake but for their influence; and the great welcome them out of vanity or need.

Napoleon Bonaparte

[riverguide]

First, top b-schools in general are fun because they're a 2-year vacation from boring work life. Grades don't really matter since most schools have grade non-disclosure (employers cannot ask your grades).  Second, the mba is geared towards socializing, networking, and recruiting. There are literally social events every single day in the calendar; there is so much stuff going on that mba students joke about FOMO: fear of missing out. You have house parties, dinners, going to bars/clubs, dances and galas, costume parties, and travelling throughout the world. Harvard Business in particular takes this to an extreme level. I've been to a few of their parties, and they are super fun. HBS has for instance priscilla's ball, which is a drag party. They also have newport ball, a formal that takes place in upscale newport, rhode island. Then they have holidazzle, the annual christmas bash, as well as casino parties, boat cruise parties, countless costume parties, etc.

 

More importantly, the people at HBS or top schools in general are some of the smartest, most interesting, and accomplished people you will ever meet. And for 2 years you are surrounded by these people in a very tight bonding experience, and it's just freaking amazing. It should come as no surprise then that a lot of people meet their future spouses in b-school. And from talking to tons of students and alums from these schools, not a single one regrets attending, even when some of them took out $200K in loans. A top MBA is truly a transformational experience, one that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

 

This guy is playing us. I have it on good authority (I reviewed the surveillance tapes) that he's on work release with the janitorial staff at St. Elizabeth's psychiatric hospital in DC. In between his "jello" breaks, he gets on here and sublimates his frustrations. Right, chief?

Edited March 19, 2013 by riverguide

[soaps]

Totally fair questions, so let me address them.

 

First, top b-schools in general are fun because they're a 2-year vacation from boring work life. Grades don't really matter since most schools have grade non-disclosure (employers cannot ask your grades).  Second, the mba is geared towards socializing, networking, and recruiting. There are literally social events every single day in the calendar; there is so much stuff going on that mba students joke about FOMO: fear of missing out. You have house parties, dinners, going to bars/clubs, dances and galas, costume parties, and travelling throughout the world. Harvard Business in particular takes this to an extreme level. I've been to a few of their parties, and they are super fun. HBS has for instance priscilla's ball, which is a drag party. They also have newport ball, a formal that takes place in upscale newport, rhode island. Then they have holidazzle, the annual christmas bash, as well as casino parties, boat cruise parties, countless costume parties, etc.

 

More importantly, the people at HBS or top schools in general are some of the smartest, most interesting, and accomplished people you will ever meet. And for 2 years you are surrounded by these people in a very tight bonding experience, and it's just freaking amazing. It should come as no surprise then that a lot of people meet their future spouses in b-school. And from talking to tons of students and alums from these schools, not a single one regrets attending, even when some of them took out $200K in loans. A top MBA is truly a transformational experience, one that cannot be replicated elsewhere.

 

As for what i'm looking for, i'm certainly not averse to hooking up, but i am looking for something a bit more long-term. MBA girls fit what i'm looking for, and the women at hbs/wharton/kellogg are actually pretty decent looking, in shape, and well put together.

 

This 2008 article from Boston Magazine talks about the HBS social scene. It's also no secret that boston girls LOVE HBS guys.

 

http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2008/08/aint-no-party-like-an-hbs-party/

 

Wow, a drag party? How outrageous! That is just "out there"! Those HBS people really live on the edge.   They have costume parties too, folks.

 

The jetsetting sounds vapid and irresponsible, with people taking out loans to not "miss out." I've been around the world, lived on the ground, been stranded with nomadic shepherds in Kashmir, lost in the Himalayas, and have had an equal number of experiences with extraordinary people both rich and devastatingly poor, and trust me when I say: I'm not jealous of someone who drops several thousand for a week's trip to Saudi Arabia or Costa Rica. That sounds ridiculously stupid.

The fact that you're impressed by that stuff speaks volumes about your immaturity and inexperience. Next you'll be bragging about all the coke HBS students do. They live outside Boston--what exactly am I supposed to be jealous of in terms of partying and lifestyle? 

Edited March 19, 2013 by soapwater

[JFactor]

This guy is playing us. I have it on good authority (I reviewed the surveillance tapes) that he's on work release with the janitorial staff at St. Elizabeth's psychiatric hospital in DC. In between his "jello" breaks, he gets on here and sublimates his frustrations. Right, chief?

 

I think I have him figured out pretty well. He's telling how he really feels when he's speaking about his feelings of inferiority and insecurities (all his MBA buddies partying and getting smart and hot ladies and having this transformative experience etc.) but then he plays it up because he knows he's getting some attention. So all in all it's pretty interesting/entertaining/sad.

[jm08]

I don't mean to be a jerk, as I'm genuinely curious - but what is driving all of these intense responses to the things Revolution posts? He is what he is, that much is obvious from his posts.  

 

I ask because I am really wondering what the student body will be like at HKS versus SAIS. My personal goal is to be as friendly and engaging as possible because I'm sure everyone on this board knows what it's like to be in a new city and not know anybody. I also wonder how SAIS students will treat students from less-ranked schools in the DC area. 

 

I hate so sound polly-anna-ish as I'm sure the SAIS student body, like at all schools, will break into its own cliques after a few weeks once the program starts...but, what type of experience is everyone aiming to have at the program? What's your plan to engage others? How will you deal with the douche bags in the program? Especially the name droppers; drive me nuts.

[Pinkman]

I think I have him figured out pretty well. He's telling how he really feels when he's speaking about his feelings of inferiority and insecurities (all his MBA buddies partying and getting smart and hot ladies and having this transformative experience etc.) but then he plays it up because he knows he's getting some attention. So all in all it's pretty interesting/entertaining/sad.

 

Agreed, he's identified his inner loony and embraced it. I also think he perhaps was perhaps lacking the standard college experience, which I assume he is hoping to replicate in grad school instead. 

[Pinkman]

I don't mean to be a jerk, as I'm genuinely curious - but what is driving all of these intense responses to the things Revolution posts? He is what he is, that much is obvious from his posts.  

 

I ask because I am really wondering what the student body will be like at HKS versus SAIS. My personal goal is to be as friendly and engaging as possible because I'm sure everyone on this board knows what it's like to be in a new city and not know anybody. I also wonder how SAIS students will treat students from less-ranked schools in the DC area. 

 

I hate so sound polly-anna-ish as I'm sure the SAIS student body, like at all schools, will break into its own cliques after a few weeks once the program starts...but, what type of experience is everyone aiming to have at the program? What's your plan to engage others? How will you deal with the douche bags in the program? Especially the name droppers; drive me nuts.

 

I think he gets those responses because he's actively denigrating the IR degree and the professionals who are looking to get into it. Its natural to be a little defensive.

 

As for the student body, I really think its what each person makes of it. Everyone will carve out a niche. Dealing with douchebags shouldnt be a major problem I think, because not only are most admits pretty smart, refined people and thus not dbags but also that they'll tend to migrate towards similar douchebags (if the program does indeed have any!). For me, I guess its just about being friendly to everyone and take it from there.

[riverguide]

I don't mean to be a jerk, as I'm genuinely curious - but what is driving all of these intense responses to the things Revolution posts? He is what he is, that much is obvious from his posts.  

 

I ask because I am really wondering what the student body will be like at HKS versus SAIS. My personal goal is to be as friendly and engaging as possible because I'm sure everyone on this board knows what it's like to be in a new city and not know anybody. I also wonder how SAIS students will treat students from less-ranked schools in the DC area. 

 

I hate so sound polly-anna-ish as I'm sure the SAIS student body, like at all schools, will break into its own cliques after a few weeks once the program starts...but, what type of experience is everyone aiming to have at the program? What's your plan to engage others? How will you deal with the douche bags in the program? Especially the name droppers; drive me nuts.

 

He's baiting us and we're biting. Is that much of a surprise, lol? He's your classic attention seeking agent provocateur. I hope he does go to SAIS. Our student body thrives on its diversity of backgrounds, egos, nationalities, language abilities, work histories and DSM IV classifications...

Edited March 19, 2013 by riverguide

[jm08]

@Pinkman -- cliche, but agree, the experience is what you make of it. And having good filters so you can weed out people.

[ZacharyObama]

Y'all are just getting trolled IMHO - there was a trollish poster in the IP chat the other night who was a MS Finance at Princeton and he mentioned that one of his friends was "tearing up the board." I figure this is it. You guys should probably just ignore him at this point, albeit this is all hilarious to read and I've docked him a good -10 reputation points myself. You're all being rick rolled:

 

 

It's the internet, anyone can say anything, that doesn't mean its true. I'd bet 5:1 this person is not who they say they are at all.

 

I wish all the decent people in this thread luck in pursuing their hopes and dreams wherever that may take them.