American SIS Strengths / Weaknesses

[s800x]

As an international student without much knowlegde of US schools / programs I would love to know what people think of American SIS. I have just been accepted to the MA International Politics with a nice funding offer. Thank you!

[irishpg10]

Congrats on the funding to SIS. I have also been accepted to the SIS international politics program, but alas no funding. SIS is definitely under heavy consideration for me though. My pros is its location in D.C., which gives you a chance to intern, build a network in D.C., and get a degree all at the same time. Besides that it seems to be a pretty respected name among employers, at least in D.C., and although the living in D.C. is expensive it is offset by the school's relatively low tuition.

Cons, the school doesn't seem as academically focused as say a Denver, but unless you're hell bent on going for phd or going to a think tank eventually I guess it doesn't matter. I'm not sure if that's entirely accurate, that's just the impression I get. Also I'm a little underwhelmed by the resources and job statistics available through the SIS website, especially compared to it's closest rival, GWU. I guess in that sense SIS is sort of an enigma to me, but there's time to contact the admissions office and obtain that information I suppose. Bottom line, I'm still waiting to hear back from the Elliott School on Friday, but if it's a no go I will probably end up choosing SIS.

[Leica]

I'm a current student at SIS and I would be happy to weigh in on the matter while trying to be as objective as possible. I'm happy with the school and with my program, and (in response to irishpg10's comment) I wouldn't say SIS loses out to the Korbel School in terms of think tank placement at all. In terms of resources, the website doesn't do it justice, really - the career center is great and yes, it's a well-respected name and the job placement within my cohort has been solid. I've had a great experience here, all of my professors have been really eager to help out in any way they can and I've met a lot of people downtown who think very highly of the school (the alumni network is very strong). A definite pro is the ability to design your degree around your exact interests and goals.

[firefly85]

I'm a current student at SIS and I would be happy to weigh in on the matter while trying to be as objective as possible. I'm happy with the school and with my program, and (in response to irishpg10's comment) I wouldn't say SIS loses out to the Korbel School in terms of think tank placement at all. In terms of resources, the website doesn't do it justice, really - the career center is great and yes, it's a well-respected name and the job placement within my cohort has been solid. I've had a great experience here, all of my professors have been really eager to help out in any way they can and I've met a lot of people downtown who think very highly of the school (the alumni network is very strong). A definite pro is the ability to design your degree around your exact interests and goals.

Thanks for being willing to answer our questions Leica! I got into SIS too (International Communication) with decent funding so it's one of the schools I'm seriously considering.

What made you choose American over other schools you were considering?

When you say you can design your degree around your interests, what do you mean by that? How does it work?

What sort of research opportunities have you had?

What are the professors like? Are they interested in the grad students?

Hmm that's all I have for now, I'm sure I'll come up with more! Maybe if you could just give us a general overview of your experience there. Thanks again!

[Leica]

Congratulations, firefly! As for your questions:

1) I had only really given serious consideration to schools in DC/NYC because I wanted to intern/work throughout the school year, and I ultimately chose SIS specifically because I would be able to study exactly what I wanted to study and set up my degree the way I wanted it set up. Before I applied, I looked at the course requirements/schedules and made a list of classes I was interested in at each school, and SIS ultimately won. I only applied to SIS, actually (talk about all of your eggs being in one basket) because after all of that extensive background research, I didn't really feel I'd be happy or comfortable at any other school.

2) With the way the programs are set up (substantive area + related field + second methods requirement + research paper/thesis/internship), you can pretty much design your degree around anything you want to study from all the fields offered, so if you want to do, say, human rights and development or communication and foreign policy or whatever else, you can do that. Alternatively, you can design your own related field, so it's a really flexible program.

3) Aside from my research-based coursework, I've worked with a group of students on a project under the supervision of an SIS professor, and I've had the opportunity to work one-on-one with another professor on a different project. Both have been great, but there are also opportunities to be an RA (in certain cases, a TA) for professors throughout the school as well.

4) Yes, they are, and all of mine have been great thus far. All of my professors have been really helpful, always willing to engage their students, share insight about their research, provide references and become mentors to their students. If you actually make the effort and reach out to them, they're always willing to provide guidance and support.

[irishpg10]

Leica, thanks a lot for weighing in on the debate, and my apologies for my unsubstantiated critiques of SIS. The flexibility of the program is certainly a plus for me as well, and it's reassuring to hear that the professors are open to working closely with grad students. Your insights certainly added some points to SIS in my book, so thanks again!

[Leica]

Leica, thanks a lot for weighing in on the debate, and my apologies for my unsubstantiated critiques of SIS. The flexibility of the program is certainly a plus for me as well, and it's reassuring to hear that the professors are open to working closely with grad students. Your insights certainly added some points to SIS in my book, so thanks again!

Oh, there's nothing to apologize for, these types of things are hard (impossible?) to pinpoint, so you kind of have to piece together information as you go along. You're welcome!

[Cornell07]

Woo! I just got in! Finally the old fashion, big envelope surprise! No word on funding one way or the other. People with funding, did you hear about your funding in your admit package or later?

[firefly85]

Cornell, my funding info was in my acceptance letter. It sounds like other people heard at the same time as well. I'm not sure if that's how they're putting out all of the info though. I wish they would just post a list of things like when you'll hear about funding for sure or whatever else!

[Cornell07]

I called. No cash. Blerg.

[mbagirl]

Hi Everyone, I am an intl student that is considering SIS. I applied to the MA Interational Affairs/ MBA dual degree program. I am interested in working for Green Energy companies after graduation. How good is the Global Environmental Politics program? Also, when did you receive your admissions packets? I was accepted into the business school already with a good amount of money and am hoping for the same from SIS.

[firefly85]

Leica, thanks for answering our questions so far, it's been really helpful! I have another one for you, do you know about how study abroad works there? I was contacted last night by Nanette Levinson and she told me since I have an interest in Italy I might have opportunities to study/do research there. However it's not mentioned as one of the potential study abroad destinations for SIS grads on the website. Do you know how things like this work? Is it more like finding an independent research/study opportunity where your interests lie and going to study there as a visiting student instead of in a formal exchange program? I was caught off guard by her call so I didn't have any questions ready! Thanks for all of your help so far!

[Mathgirl]

HI Leica! I will be attending in September and have a quick question too--if you don't mind! If you wanted to switch focus, i.e. you were accepted to the MA in International Politics but want to change to Development--is that possible?

And also, if you wanted to work and go to school--do they have many night classes to accommodate working students?

[Leica]

Leica, thanks for answering our questions so far, it's been really helpful! I have another one for you, do you know about how study abroad works there? I was contacted last night by Nanette Levinson and she told me since I have an interest in Italy I might have opportunities to study/do research there. However it's not mentioned as one of the potential study abroad destinations for SIS grads on the website. Do you know how things like this work? Is it more like finding an independent research/study opportunity where your interests lie and going to study there as a visiting student instead of in a formal exchange program? I was caught off guard by her call so I didn't have any questions ready! Thanks for all of your help so far!

No problem I'm not quite sure what the study abroad options are if you go through an external agency... I know SIS used to have a summer program in Italy (last year) and they might be re-running it next summer (this summer they're doing Brussels instead), but you could probably ask an academic adviser to clear that up for you.

HI Leica! I will be attending in September and have a quick question too--if you don't mind! If you wanted to switch focus, i.e. you were accepted to the MA in International Politics but want to change to Development--is that possible?

And also, if you wanted to work and go to school--do they have many night classes to accommodate working students?

1) I know people who have switched, so it's not entirely impossible, but I think each case is evaluated separately. I'd recommend talking to an adviser about that as well. ETA: You could always have development be your related field, so you'd still be able to take 9 (possibly more if there's some overlap) credits of development coursework.

2) Yes, most classes are held between 5:30 and 10:40 pm. There's the occasional 2:10-4:50 class here and there, but some of those offer several sessions to accommodate students who work.