SAIS Student, If any questions

[SAIS Student 20122014]

Am a current SAIS student, located in Bologna, Italy.  Thought that these links would be helpful to people making decisions, given the sparse amount of actual information available!  I confirm the information in the links is very accurate. 

 

On SAIS DC:

 

on SAIS Bologna:

 

 

Some general advice to those considering SAIS: keep in mind the Economics requirements.  SAIS is economics-heavy (not light) and for those who do not have experience in economics ( as I did not ), it will be very hard - you have been forewarned!  If you do come, and are excited for the Economics, I really encourage you to do both pre-term Economics courses do that you do not get weighed down by the Micro and Macroeconomics courses, both of which are very large and very time consuming.  Or, if you can, study for and pass the exams to "place out" of both courses.  Though this may sound simplistic, it will do a world of good to buy the study guides that accompany both textbooks used for these courses at SAIS, as well as to spend significant time with the Khan Academy's online videos (especially for Microeconomics).  After every class you should clarify any concept.  Do not believe that with a little bit of extra studying later in the week you will get the concept - get the concept that day.  Economics learning is cumulative - the more you know, the more you know.

 

I would add one other caveat to you as you consider graduate school that has an economics component, especially at a program like SAIS.  Much of your time here is very solitary and consumed with self-learning.  You will generally find less support than you may have had in undergraduate, as well as much less sympathy.  You will be often told that graduate school is a commitment, or even an investment, but it is far more than that!  You will need a way to stay healthy, and you will need a way to find out how to secure study time for yourself and to take proper shortcuts.  Sometimes you will not learn what you want to and will need to do what you have to (write and synthesize information quickly) just to keep afloat (especially if you are a student whose Economics background is not strong) though you will not necessarily be proud of what you turn in, especially given how many other assignments will be flooding your life (and crowding out other parts of your life that you would love to attend to!).  Doing all of your reading (for other classes) will be impossible - don't try!  Your classmates will be outstanding, and generally an exceptional group that will see the same issues you will.  You will need to work with them to divide up the reading - again, do NOT do all the reading, this is a huge mistake.  You will probably have amazing chances at internships all over the world and with some of the best organizations in the world.  But don't underestimate what you are getting into.  It's hard for many reasons that aren't the first that come to mind.  You will need to become your best teacher and turn your classmates into teachers as well.  I am sure you will be fine. 

 

Back to economics   Good luck to all of you!