Johns Hopkins SAIS 2014 Superthread

[jct329]

I saw there's already one out there for HKS, so I figured we'd probably want a place to discuss all things SAIS 2014 admissions related.  And since I'm bored at work and have already read the entire internet today, figured I could start it.  I would probably have SAIS as my top choice right now.  My details:

 

Schools I'm interested in so far:  Harvard Kennedy MPP, JHU SAIS, Chicago Harris, Georgetown Security Studies Program, Columbia SIPA, Tufts Fletcher.  The Georgetown Security Studies Program seems really cool, but I think I'd be more comfortable with more econ and with language courses worked into the normal curriculum, which seems to point me pretty solidly in the direction of Strategic Studies or American Foreign Policy concentrations SAIS.

 

Undergraduate institution: University of Iowa 
Undergraduate GPA: 3.88

Undergraduate Majors: B.A. Political Science (Honors) and Economics (straight As in Principles and Intermediate classes, as well as A+s in International Econ and Advanced International Econ)

 

GRE Quantitative Score: 158

GRE Verbal Score: 170
GRE AW Score: 5.5

 

I'm considering a retake to boost my quant score.  I think it's good enough for admissions to most of the places I want to go, but if spending another $185 on a retake might turn into a few grand later in funding, it would definitely be worth it.  I studied some, but there is definitely a lot more I could do.

 

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 5

Years of Work Experience: 1 year working as a manager for a non-profit environmental group, 5 years (currently) enlisted in the Navy including a year in Djibouti, as well as four years working for a 3-Star. 

 

Languages: Russian (four years in high school, two years in college, but at this point I would probably be a novice.  Thinking about brushing up on my own with it.)

Activities:

• 60 hours teaching English to children in Djibouti
• Active in Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Pretty strong, I think.  Not sure which ones I'll have where yet, but in my stable I'll have my UG thesis advisor, a UK Army Colonel, a US Army Colonel, two US Navy Captains, a Navy Lieutenant Commander, and a couple of Navy Chiefs, all of whom I've worked for and have a strong relationship with.

[rudy2012]

Hey guys! I will be applying this Fall, as well. Thanks for starting this thread, jct329 (although your profile makes me a bit worried, haha).

 

Schools I'm interested in so far:  JHU SAIS - Strategic Studies, or Energy concentration, Georgetown Security Studies Program, maybe GWU and American as well, perhaps Duke's Sanford School, but I am trying to stay in the D.C. area for the program.

 

Undergraduate institution:  California State school.
Undergraduate GPA: 3.7

Undergraduate Majors: B.A. Psychology - was NCAA student-athelete, won a bunch of student-athlete honors and awards, was on every single non-disciplinary honors society (Phi Beta Kappa, etc.) and won an award for that as well, lots of involvement in clubs, etc. Also was a Research Assistant under a professor for 2 years. Recently took two Econ classes in preparation for applying, got A's in both.

 

GRE Quantitative Score: Taking it soon.

GRE Verbal Score: TBD
GRE AW Score: TBD

 

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3+

Years of Work Experience: 2 years professional experience in the renewable energy sector where I had significant responsibilities,  6 month Congressional internship on Capitol Hill that focused a lot on energy policy & energy security issues. Currently looking for a relevant job. The plan was to have a solid 3 years of work exp by now, but job searching in a crappy economy has made that very difficult.

 

Languages: French! 5+ years' worth, plus my own continuing education - I would like to become fluent.

Activities:

• 4-month volunteer writing position while I was unemployed for a non-profit dedicated to ending international poverty, focusing on international security, how poverty breeds terrorism, etc. Also wrote about energy in developing countries.
• Lots of activities in college.

Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Letter from the Congressman will be good, as it is most recent and I did relevant work there. Letter from previous job will also be very good. I am a little worried about letter from my professor, just because he is a professor of Psychology, so I will have to explain to him exactly what the programs are and why I am aiming for this.

 

At this point, not being able to find a relevant job almost a year ago when I started looking is really throwing a wrench in my plans. I am worried that my work experience isn't solid enough for these programs, and I would hate to go through the entire application process and ask for letters of rec, and then be rejected from every program..

Edited September 9, 2013 by fuzzylogician
edited for privacy. --fuzzy

[jct329]

Hey guys! I will be applying this Fall, as well. Thanks for starting this thread, jct329 (although your profile makes me a bit worried, haha).

 

Schools I'm interested in so far:  JHU SAIS - Strategic Studies, or Energy concentration, Georgetown Security Studies Program, maybe GWU and American as well, perhaps Duke's Sanford School, but I am trying to stay in the D.C. area for the program.

 

Undergraduate institution: California State school.

Undergraduate GPA: 3.7

Undergraduate Majors: B.A. Psychology - was NCAA student-athelete, won a bunch of student-athlete honors and awards, was on every single non-disciplinary honors society (Phi Beta Kappa, etc.) and won an award for that as well, lots of involvement in clubs, etc. Also was a Research Assistant under a professor for 2 years. Recently took two Econ classes in preparation for applying, got A's in both.

 

GRE Quantitative Score: Taking it soon.

GRE Verbal Score: TBD

GRE AW Score: TBD

 

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3+

Years of Work Experience: 2 years professional experience in the renewable energy sector where I had significant responsibilities,  6 month Congressional internship on Capitol Hill that focused a lot on energy policy & energy security issues. Currently looking for a relevant job. The plan was to have a solid 3 years of work exp by now, but job searching in a crappy economy has made that very difficult.

 

Languages: French! 5+ years' worth, plus my own continuing education - I would like to become fluent.

Activities:

• 4-month volunteer writing position while I was unemployed for a non-profit dedicated to ending international poverty, focusing on international security, how poverty breeds terrorism, etc. Also wrote about energy in developing countries.
• Lots of activities in college.

Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Letter from the Congressman will be good, as it is most recent and I did relevant work there. Letter from previous job will also be very good. I am a little worried about letter from my professor, just because he is a professor of Psychology, so I will have to explain to him exactly what the programs are and why I am aiming for this.

 

At this point, not being able to find a relevant job almost a year ago when I started looking is really throwing a wrench in my plans. I am worried that my work experience isn't solid enough for these programs, and I would hate to go through the entire application process and ask for letters of rec, and then be rejected from every program..

I think your WE is probably fine.  It's all relevant, and it will be especially good with a strong LOR from the people you worked for.  You might want to concentrate your SoP around the energy sector, and then maybe have your issue statement have something to do with the energy sector and its relationship with international security, as it will play to your strengths and experience as well as segue into the field you are (at least from the looks of it) more interested in.  I would definitely concentrate on your GRE quant, as a high score will definitely help you a lot if you didn't have a significant econ background.  Honestly, I wish I had spent a lot more time on GRE quant even if it had been a bit at the expense of my verbal score.  I used Magoosh and the Manhattan series of books quite a bit, and they were both a huge help.

 

Also....with the Rudy in your screenname and your ECs...you didn't play football for Chuck Long did you?  I know he wasn't great at SD State, but we still consider him a god in Iowa...

Edited September 9, 2013 by fuzzylogician
edited for privacy (contents of quoted post only) --fuzzy

[Sigaba]

I am going to stray from my lane long enough to ask the following question.

Is it prudent for applicants to put such precise information out in the open? One applicant has unintentionally compromised the weight of his/her LoRs, if not also raised doubts about his/her ability to keep private information private.

Members of admissions committees do come to the Grad Cafe. Google does crawl around here. PERSEC does matter.

My $0.02.

[jct329]

I am going to stray from my lane long enough to ask the following question.

Is it prudent for applicants to put such precise information out in the open? One applicant has unintentionally compromised the weight of his/her LoRs, if not also raised doubts about his/her ability to keep private information private.

Members of admissions committees do come to the Grad Cafe. Google does crawl around here. PERSEC does matter.

My $0.02.

You're probably right.  Is there a way to edit posts?

[fuzzylogician]

Dear posters,

 

As Sigaba wisely points out, you should carefully consider what and how much information you share on the internet, here and elsewhere. Assume that everything you say can be traced back to you -- do you stand behind what you said, and would you want it to be known to everyone? 

 

If you've already posted here and would like to edit your post, please PM a moderator. Note that, in general, it is against board policy to delete posts, but we are aware that sometimes posters get carried away and over share and we are happy to edit out identifying information.

 

So --- think twice before you post! 

[hedong123]

Heh...I'm preparing to apply for SAIS this coming application season.  I'd love to post my details and get some feedback.... But after reading the above I'm paranoid to post my details. 

 

 

How's everyone's application prep going?  I'm tired of it already!  I recently took the GRE and got a 162V/161Q/4.5AW it seems to be decent for SAIS but I'm trying to make up for a weak GPA.

 

Also, I didn't see updated stats for SAIS or MSFS.  I was curious about median GPA/GRE for the 2013 Fall incoming classes.  Everything is still from 2012.  Anyone know if/when they'll update these?

[rudy2012]

So I was in the online information session yesterday for SAIS. One thing they mentioned (also just sent around an email about it) is that they are now offering optional interviews on the DC campus for students who are applying. The interviews will be done by current SAIS students and will be added to your file. But, they are completely optional. What does everyone think of this?? I guess it could only help you if you are great at interviews..

[hedong123]

I almost feel like I'd be at a disadvantage for not going..  Hmmm guess I should sign up.

[Revolution]

Best of luck to everyone!  I remember going through this process last year, and it was an exhausting nerve wrecking process.  I ended up getting into SAIS with a half-tuition fellowship (M.A., DC campus) but turned it down for various reasons.  It's a great program though.

[Lola1233]

Revolution - I am curious to the same questions as well. 

 

Are tuition fellowships/waivers common at SAIS or the top international affairs/development graduate programs? I was under the impression that this is very rare, which is why I decided on social work school that offered me a full tuition scholarship (and custom tailoring my second year schedule to reflect heavy int'l development focus). Now I'm wondering if I should have given grad school in IR a shot. Due to financial circumstances, I couldn't afford grad school unless I was offered a nearly free ride. 

[NPRjunkie]

I graduated from SAIS a couple years ago. Happy to answer any questions. I'm preparing to apply to PhD programs this year so will be perusing the forums periodically. 

Edited October 16, 2013 by NPRjunkie

[Revolution]

My apologies for the late response; I've been super busy. 

 

I ended up turning down SAIS and opted for b-school instead.  Although the money was tempting, after talking to people at SAIS admissions and career services, I arrived at the conclusion that the school is not a good fit given my professional and personal goals.

 

Best of luck.

[princeton4me57]

Can someone read my analytical essay and critique it?

 

Thank you.

[alloy]

How do you submit your transcripts? Is it possible to send them scanned copies via e-mail?

[Gouku]

How do you submit your transcripts? Is it possible to send them scanned copies via e-mail?

 

SAIS requires that applicant's institutions send sealed transcripts directly to SAIS DC Admissions Office. 

[alloy]

But the deadline is 7th or they can be delivered later?

[j023]

This week is the big week... in prior years, they started releasing admissions decisions on Tuesday, but that has typically been a later date (12th-15th). Anyone hear back anything? Surprised not to see anyone posting here!

[hedong123]

Website says itll be the 14th.. Trying not to think about it

[CarefreeWritingsontheWall]

I've been trying not to think about it either - found two typos in my issue essay long after the fact. I am long beyond panicking, but it definitely doesn't feel good to know that somehow that wound up being submitted.

[alloy]

I think that you are not the only one

[hedong123]

I wouldnt worry too much about that. I doubt that would weigh heavily if your overall application package is strong.

[bjorntsui]

This week is the big week... in prior years, they started releasing admissions decisions on Tuesday, but that has typically been a later date (12th-15th). Anyone hear back anything? Surprised not to see anyone posting here!

 

Got accepted a week ago.

[theskinny]

You applied to a different program...

[bjorntsui]

Isn't this a SAIS thread?