Security Studies Programs

[sgw]

For those admitted to Gtown SSP, has anyone received scholarship info yet?

[s800x]

For those admitted to Gtown SSP, has anyone received scholarship info yet?

No, not yet. :|

[jly]

Got an email saying I may not get Pitt GSPIA money info until April 10ish. Problem with that... I have to decide on American SIS and Pitt by the 15th.

Not cool.

[ajp_bkk]

I am trying to decide between Georgetown SSP, SIPA and Fletcher. Any thoughts? Money isn't really an issue since with fellowships/financial aid they are going to work out to be roughly the same...

[ashes75]

ajp_bkk, did you hear back about financial aid from SSP? I'm in a similar situation trying to decide between Fletcher and SSP. Fletcher offered me 15k a year so that might tip the balance but I haven't heard back from Georgetown yet about scholarships etc.

In terms of how they compare, I think the Fletcher will give you a broader education, you'll have 2 focuses so you can study two different disciplines like Human Security and International Security, learning how they interrelate and also giving you the option of going in to different fields when you graduate. SSP will probably make you more of an expert in the field of security. Georgetown's faculty also seems more impressive, you'll learn under colonels and generals that work at the pentagon and top diplomats and politicians who either still practice or recently joined academia. Those are my thoughts, what are yours?

[ajp_bkk]

ashes75, why aren't you considering SIPA?

My concern with the SSP is the atmosphere. Mostly evening classes and a large part time student body is not very appealing to me since I really believe that outside the classroom learning really important. I guess though that you could make the argument that SSP is in DC where all the action is happening. But it's not like we're sitting in on NSC meetings. Also I'm concerned about ideology. My interest in security are more in the "softer" security issues, and all of the classes and Professors seem to be interested in the more traditional and perhaps conservative and "hard" security issues. I like being challenged but I don't want to spend 1.5 years fighting. On the other hand you're right, the professional experience of the SSP Professors is really impressive.

I like the flexibility of the Fletcher program and the general Fletcher outlook. I'm American but have lived abroad for most of my life, so the international focus is important to me. Only 3 security classes just doesn't seem like very many to me. I suppose my 2nd Field of Study could supplement that, but 3 still sounds like so few.

[deechi]

ashes75, why aren't you considering SIPA?

My concern with the SSP is the atmosphere. Mostly evening classes and a large part time student body is not very appealing to me since I really believe that outside the classroom learning really important. I guess though that you could make the argument that SSP is in DC where all the action is happening. But it's not like we're sitting in on NSC meetings. Also I'm concerned about ideology. My interest in security are more in the "softer" security issues, and all of the classes and Professors seem to be interested in the more traditional and perhaps conservative and "hard" security issues. I like being challenged but I don't want to spend 1.5 years fighting. On the other hand you're right, the professional experience of the SSP Professors is really impressive.

I like the flexibility of the Fletcher program and the general Fletcher outlook. I'm American but have lived abroad for most of my life, so the international focus is important to me. Only 3 security classes just doesn't seem like very many to me. I suppose my 2nd Field of Study could supplement that, but 3 still sounds like so few.

Keep in mind that the night classes are such that you can take full advantage of all the "outside" learning to be had in Washington DC.

You can use that time to internship or go to many of the ongoing discussion, presentations etc that are going on on a daily basis which is hard to replicate in Boston.

That said, I'd pick Fletcher over GT any day of the week, but for entirely different reasons.

[ashes75]

deechi, I would be very interested to hear a synopsis of why you prefer Fletcher.

[ashes75]

ashes75, why aren't you considering SIPA?

My concern with the SSP is the atmosphere. Mostly evening classes and a large part time student body is not very appealing to me since I really believe that outside the classroom learning really important. I guess though that you could make the argument that SSP is in DC where all the action is happening. But it's not like we're sitting in on NSC meetings. Also I'm concerned about ideology. My interest in security are more in the "softer" security issues, and all of the classes and Professors seem to be interested in the more traditional and perhaps conservative and "hard" security issues. I like being challenged but I don't want to spend 1.5 years fighting. On the other hand you're right, the professional experience of the SSP Professors is really impressive.

I like the flexibility of the Fletcher program and the general Fletcher outlook. I'm American but have lived abroad for most of my life, so the international focus is important to me. Only 3 security classes just doesn't seem like very many to me. I suppose my 2nd Field of Study could supplement that, but 3 still sounds like so few.

I agree that only three courses for a focus (i thought it was 4, but still) seems to be very few. You also raise a good point about part time students. My brother is currently at SSP and he says that alot of the students who already have jobs dont do their reading and dont take the classes too seriously because they are just in it for the degree and not the educational experience. On the other hand he said that professors are very accessible and one even got upset with him because my brother applied to an organization where the professor has contacts but didnt ask the professor for help.

SIPA is first of all very expensive and I have heard that the program is very impersonal. I dont want to get lost in shuffle. This is particularly important for me as I dont have the most forceful personality and dont want to be competing with other students to get noticed by professors. That said I will be attending the open houses at SIPA, Fletcher, and SSP which might change my view of some of the programs. I also like that I can take undergrad Arabic classes for free at Fletcher and SSP, something I definitely intend to take advantage of.

[s800x]

I also like that I can take undergrad Arabic classes for free at Fletcher and SSP, something I definitely intend to take advantage of.

Wow! How does this work? Do you know if this is the case at American SIS too?

[ashes75]

Wow! How does this work? Do you know if this is the case at American SIS too?

SSP and Fletcher allow students to audit undergraduate language classes for free. Other schools may do this as well. Unfortunately, I have a friend who goes to SIS and he told me that he would have to pay the normal fee to attend undergraduate language classes. The program actualy told him that if he wanted to take language classes he was better off doing it elsewhere as it would be so expensive to do so through American.

[ajp_bkk]

deechi - Can I ask why?

[deechi]

deechi, I would be very interested to hear a synopsis of why you prefer Fletcher.

Sure.

I'lll caveat the following response with the fact that I currently work in a pretty desirable place within the government within my field and have a pretty significant network in DC already.

That said, I'd say I'd rather go to Fletcher because of the flexibility of curriculum, the fact that they seem to provide a more personal environment for their students and that their network is more dynamic and lateral e.g. the students take a big interest in taking care of their own as opposed to "getting the hook up" from their professors. This to me is essential. That's not to say you don't get that with GT, but I think people look @ all the wrong things when evaluating schools. To be realistic, Madeine Albright probably hasn't gotten anyone a job. In my experience those type of people seem to be too caught up in providing you the "insight" of their life, as opposed to the skills and abilities to create your own. So, in my opinion it's moot trying to take her class as you'll most likely be able to get the same experience by reading her books. Whereas, you can take a class with people who will be in the organizations you are trying to work in, and who have a vested interest in helping you out.

That said, having DC connections is invaluable and if you're trying to break into the field, you may not worry about this too much.