International Development Applicants 2014/15 for SOAS, IHEID, LSE or Sciences Po?

[kittythrones]

I got into UCL - one year in London and one year in Moscow!!!!!!!!!!

[dpgu800]

I got into UCL - one year in London and one year in Moscow!!!!!!!!!

 

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So will u be attending UCL??

 

 

And also:

Do you mind if I ask you how long it took, total?

Did you see your decision on Portico or via email??

[kittythrones]

Grazie! Yes! I've been dreaming about going to that school for the last 6 months. 

 

Umm, I applied on 31.01.2014. I checked my portico today (25.03.2014) and I got in. So it took them 2 months? 

 

I got my decision via Portico. I've been stalking that website for the last 2 weeks. 

 

Seriously dpug, email them and be like, YO WHAT"S UP?! IT HAS BEEN 8 WEEKS. 

 

But I am sorry that you haven't heard back from them yet. 

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

So will u be attending UCL??

 

 

And also:

Do you mind if I ask you how long it took, total?

Did you see your decision on Portico or via email??

[dpgu800]

Grazie! Yes! I've been dreaming about going to that school for the last 6 months. 

 

Umm, I applied on 31.01.2014. I checked my portico today (25.03.2014) and I got in. So it took them 2 months? 

 

I got my decision via Portico. I've been stalking that website for the last 2 weeks. 

 

Seriously dpug, email them and be like, YO WHAT"S UP?! IT HAS BEEN 8 WEEKS. 

 

But I am sorry that you haven't heard back from them yet. 

Man I'm doing that right now.

I applied to a very small dept with not that many applicants too

 

Congrats again tho!!

[kittythrones]

According to what I've read, smaller departments will take a lot longer since they are waiting for more applicants. Good luck! And yes, you will receive an email telling you to check Portico for an update on your status. 

 

Here is a copy of my email : 

 

Title - Int MA Economy, State and Society: Politics and Security.
Code - TMAESSSPAS01.
Academic year - 2014/15.
Mode of attendance - Full-time.
Start date - 22/Sep/2014.

This email is to inform you that there has been a change in the status of this application. You can log into UCL’s portal at http://www.ucl.ac.uk/portico to view your new application status.

Please login using the email address *************** and password you used to complete your online application.

 

You will also get the same if they review your application. So, I don't know if this is the rule of thumb or not. This time, they didn't tell me they were reviewing my application. It was just stuck in assessed mode. 

Man I'm doing that right now.

I applied to a very small dept with not that many applicants too

 

Congrats again tho!!

[Hmcg]

I got into UCL - one year in London and one year in Moscow!!!!!!!!!!

 

Congratulations !

[keithc]

I think student debt is a BIG consideration. As much as I would be inclined to say the same thing - I'll work it out... - it's hard to say. 140k in loans over two years (assuming you have no funding both years) for a job that will only get you 60-70k a year on average (these are numbers I've seen other people post about SAIS job placement) isn't that great. (This also doesn't consider people who can pay that out themselves without the loan). The networking at SAIS might well be considered a priceless venture, but networking in DC is very different than networking in Geneva.

 

Ultimately, money aside, I think your decision rests on where you see yourself. If you're considering the private sector, or the American job market then SAIS will get you into DC circle and the name and rigor of the program itself suits the US job market. IHEID, on the other hand, gives you access to almost every major international organization (UN, WTO, etc...) so if you see yourself oriented towards a career related to those services, then it might be best to select Geneva. This is really only one consideration of many you should be thinking about though.

 

I've gone to my advisors and professors many times to get them to tell me where I should go, where I should apply. When I started this process it came out of my now thesis advisor telling me on a whim in third year that I should consider graduate school during his office hours. I had never considered it and when it seemed like something I wanted to commit myself to, I had no knowledge on what suited my interests best. Funnily, none of them told me specifically that I needed to apply to a particular program or school (and I spoke about this with five of my faculty at least).

 

Instead they worked me through a series of questions that made me think out loud about where I wanted to end up, what I wanted to do, bearing in mind the skill set I've developed. Ultimately I had to hear myself think on the spot about those answers - where do I see myself in five years? Do I see myself in policy analysis or in an academic setting? What side of policy do I want to work on, the domestic or international levels? And outside of that, there were questions about myself specifically that really got me to understand what I wanted (and sometimes they corrected me on what I thought I was thinking...some of these people really do know me better than myself). At this point as well, it's okay to not know where you're going to end up. There are definitely people who are aiming to work for a particular institution, or get a particular job. That's great. But if you have a general idea, that is the US or international institutions, I think that's a great place to start when it comes to your decision. If you're undecided on that front, then SAIS might also be a better fit because, as many people have mentioned, most of those organizations have an office in the US or DC in particular, and connections at large to them.

 

Still, at the end of the day, wherever you pick and how you do is really up to you. All you need is one school to accept you. From there, what you make of that opportunity is ultimately up to you. Things don't fall into your lap because you have a degree from either institution, but they each have their own networks to consider.

 

Hope this helps. :]

Hi carefree! Sorry for the late response.

Thanks soooooooooooo much for your reply. It's been truly helpful.

I know money is a big issue, after all we are not in the ideal world where students don't have to worry about tuition. Luckily my family is willing to give me some financial support so I get to choose the one that i think would work best for me. 

I think I'll go to SAIS eventually because the courses are more attractive. I'm not sure where i'll end up in, say, five years. Nor do i have a clear career goal. So I guess I'll go where this road takes me.

I have to see that it HURTS SO MUCH to give up IHEID. I feel like a jerk who ditches his true love for a rich girl.   

[ZakV]

Hey again, is anyone waiting on Oxford?

[kittythrones]

I am so annoyed at SciencePo right now. When I first applied for the International Political Economy program, I asked them : Do I need macroeconomics to get in? Their reply : It is a suggestion but not mandatory. I do not like being lied to and now I have a feeling I will be rejected from the dual programmes

 

This is today's email : 

 

As the Academic Advisor for the Master in International Economic Policy, I have evaluated your application (for your 2nd choice of program, the Dual degree evaluations are forthcoming) and find that you are a fantastic overall candidate. You would certainly be an asset to Sciences Po.

 

However, you unfortunately do not seem to meet the pre-requisites in terms of content covered for admission to the International Economic Policy program as you are only covering the material now and we won't have the grades in time for admission.

 

As such, you cannot be considered for admission to IEP, but we truly feel you would be a great addition to Sciences Po and PSIA, and would like to offer you the opportunity to choose another program for admission.

 

 

Edited March 26, 2014 by kittythrones

[alchyna]

 

I am so annoyed at SciencePo right now. When I first applied for the International Political Economy program, I asked them : Do I need macroeconomics to get in? Their reply : It is a suggestion but not mandatory. I do not like being lied to and now I have a feeling I will be rejected from the dual programmes

 

This is today's email : 

 

Dear Kitty,

 

I hope this email finds you well.

 

As the Academic Advisor for the Master in International Economic Policy, I have evaluated your application (for your 2nd choice of program, the Dual degree evaluations are forthcoming) and find that you are a fantastic overall candidate. You would certainly be an asset to Sciences Po.

 

However, you unfortunately do not seem to meet the pre-requisites in terms of content covered for admission to the International Economic Policy program as you are only covering the material now and we won't have the grades in time for admission.

 

As such, you cannot be considered for admission to IEP, but we truly feel you would be a great addition to Sciences Po and PSIA, and would like to offer you the opportunity to choose another program for admission.

 

Would you be interested in changing your application (2nd choice) to another program at PSIA that does not have these economic pre-requisites?

 

 

 

Oh wow that's a tough position to be in, what are you going to do kitty?

I'm surprised they told you that you don't really need micro and macro to get into a political ECONOMY course, to me that goes without saying! Yeah you are right about the double degree it doesn't sound positive...

But you should see the bright side in this because instead of bluntly rejecting you, your profile is so strong that they would love to have you in another program. If there is any other program you would consider then let them know, if not then stick to your guns and explain the misunderstanding. I hope it works out for you. Good luck!

[kittythrones]

Hello Alchyna, uh, freak out and curse the French people in my head for the next 30 minutes? 

 

On a more serious note, I told them to consider me for International Security. That is what I thought! But they were all, it is a suggestion and I asked them twice. I took microeconomics already but I couldn't find a school in NYC that had macroeconomics in January before I applied so I had to do the UC Berkeley Extension. I am also taking Financial Econometrics & I am taking a lot higher economic courses in NYU x - x. 

 

I asked the admissions officer to put me down for international security for the dual programme and for LSE : international relations. Hopefully, she will do this and I still have a chance. 

 

Thanks for the support. I am trying to see the good in this as of right now .

[Hmcg]

I applied for International Development and dual degree in IPE.. but haven't received any mail yet

[dpgu800]

OMFG!!!! I GOT INTO LSE!!!!!!!! 

SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

For future applicants' reference, my application was sent on and became complete on January 29, 2014, and I received my decision on March 26, 2014 (so approximately 8 weeks)

The decision was posted on LSE for You (the admissions module), and I haven't received an email from them yet.

The letter I got on LSE for You looked like this:

1.We are pleased to inform you that we have made you an unconditional offer.

2.We are still awaiting original or certified copies of key documents, these are required before you can fully register - see section below headed 'conditions/notes'.

3.All documents are processed in the order in which they are received. If your documents are likely to have arrived in the last 10 working days , please be patient - they will be processed shortly. As soon as they are processed they will appear on your record below.

4.We have not yet received your acceptance of this offer.

 

Your original offer letter was sent on 21 March 2014 to the correspondence address above. Please allow 28 days for delivery. Further information is contained in your offer booklet and in our online guide to what happens next.

Edited March 26, 2014 by dpgu800

[kittythrones]

Hello HCMG, 

 

According to Kate, the advisor, she stated that the acceptance / rejection will be "forthcoming". I have no idea what that bloody means. 

 

Congrats DPGU!! Do you know which one are you leaning towards?

[dpgu800]

Congrats DPGU!! Do you know which one are you leaning towards?

I'm not sure yet!

I'm giving equal merit to IHEID, Columbia and LSE, for various reasons (reputation, employability, cost, location, length of the program, etc)

I'm gonna ask around more and email ppl and try to figure out what to do in about three weeks....

 

BTW does anyone know if you're allowed to cross-register between UoL universities (like LSE students taking classes in UCL, SOAS, etc and vice versa)

Edited March 26, 2014 by dpgu800

[dpgu800]

Hello Alchyna, uh, freak out and curse the French people in my head for the next 30 minutes? 

On a more serious note, I told them to consider me for International Security. That is what I thought! But they were all, it is a suggestion and I asked them twice. I took microeconomics already but I couldn't find a school in NYC that had macroeconomics in January before I applied so I had to do the UC Berkeley Extension. I am also taking Financial Econometrics & I am taking a lot higher economic courses in NYU x - x. 

I asked the admissions officer to put me down for international security for the dual programme and for LSE : international relations. Hopefully, she will do this and I still have a chance. 

Thanks for the support. I am trying to see the good in this as of right now .

WOW that's really deceptive of them 

But if they're offering you to choose a less quant-heavy course, that means you'll have a very high chance of getting admitted to that tho, right?

[kittythrones]

Most likely. The issue is that I am averaging an A in the class already. And macroeconomics is like basic Algebra and graphs. It really isn't that heavy quantitative base tbh. She just wants a grade and I can't give them that yet.

Bleugh, it is fine. It wasn't my top choice. I just didn't appreciate being lied to. I got into KCL & UCL political economy at the very least.

[unagi]

Hey guys!

 

I have been stalking this thread for a while so I thought I would come out and introduce myself! I'm in my last quarter finishing my undergraduate studies (in Economics and Spanish) and I plan on applying to graduate programs in the coming years, as soon as I gain some work experience.

 

I was wondering if you guys could give me feed back about applying to the schools listed on this thread? Any comments/suggestions help!

 

Programs of Interest: JHU SAIS, Gerorgetown, LSE, SOAS, IHEID, Brandeis

Undergraduate institution: University of Washington, Seattle
Undergraduate GPA: 3.78
Undergraduate Major: BA, Economics, Spanish (Cum Laude, Departmental Honors (Spanish))

 

Years of Work Experience: 2-3 yrs internship experience plus simultaneously working as a fiscal specialist (irrelevant)
Describe Relevant Work Experience: 

• 1 year working with grassroots organization focused on social justice in El Salvador
• 1+ years working with US-wide youth network, focusing on international relations and global participation
• Independent research experience (evaluating conditional cash transfer programs), under faculty supervision
• Research with professor about wealth inequality in the US (coming quarter)
• (Hopefully more international experience here)

Languages:

• English (Native), Spanish (Fluent), Hindi (Native), Nepali (Native)

Thank you so much!!

Edited March 26, 2014 by unagi

[dpgu800]

@unagi

Although I'm in no position to offer advice really, I'll try to give my two cent just based on my exp in this admissions cycle...

 

Overall I think you're in a fantastic position. 

You hit most of the spots for things schools look in applicants, and more importantly recent grads.

You got a good GPA, good quant background (since econ major), overseas exp, proficiency in multiple foreign languages, proven independent research ability, etc.

 

As long as you do well on your GRE, I think you have a good chance w all of your schools, esp w LSE, SOAS, and IHEID since they seem to pick recent grads as well as more exp applicants.

 

SAIS and Georgetown put more importance on work experience, and esp Georgetown is immensely competitive.

SAIS requires and looks favorably on a lot of quant work (calc, stat, macro/microecon).

 

I'm not sure which program you'll be applying to, but SAIS as you may know is very very quant heavy.

Its IDEV curriculum for example is more than econ, PE, and quant method classes.

 

In terms of alumni network, SAIS and GT are both well-respected and well-represented in DC policy circles, tho GT is usually seen to have quite a bit more prestige. It may be b/c its signature MSFS program is meant to be like an "elite" training program for diplomats and such.

I can't tell you much about LSE and SOAS and IHEID b/c I have no direct exp interacting ppl from there (except that SOAS is respected in IDEV circles in the UK and IOs and is usually considered left"ish" and having a lot of left leaning professors). And LSE and SOAS will be tad easier to get in b/c international students usually have to pay a lot more tuition.

[dpgu800]

Most likely. The issue is that I am averaging an A in the class already. And macroeconomics is like basic Algebra and graphs. It really isn't that heavy quantitative base tbh. She just wants a grade and I can't give them that yet.

Bleugh, it is fine. It wasn't my top choice. I just didn't appreciate being lied to. I got into KCL & UCL political economy at the very least.

Yea that's f***ed up....

So is it gonna be between UCL and KCL for you?

Also, I heard that you could switch your program once you get in, with permission from the department heard or something.

Does that apply to you at all?

[kittythrones]

I already rejected all offers. I'm choosing UCL. UCL's program has a business component to it (energy; and I've always wanted to work for Gazprom) and has a more versatile usage than SciencePo & KCL. 

 

I'm looking forward to one year in London & one year in Moscow.

 

What about you Dpgu? 

 

****Update***** So I went to SciencePo to withdraw my application, the admissions lady switched my apps to SciencePo : International Economic Policy, SciencePo & LSE : International Economic Policy & International Relations. I don't know if I should be annoyed or be happy that she was nice enough to do that so I still have a chance of getting into the dual programme. Long story short, I did not withdraw my application. 

Edited March 27, 2014 by kittythrones

[dpgu800]

I already rejected all offers. I'm choosing UCL. UCL's program has a business component to it (energy; and I've always wanted to work for Gazprom) and has a more versatile usage than SciencePo & KCL. 

I'm looking forward to one year in London & one year in Moscow.

What about you Dpgu? 

****Update***** So I went to SciencePo to withdraw my application, the admissions lady switched my apps to SciencePo : International Economic Policy, SciencePo & LSE : International Economic Policy & International Relations. I don't know if I should be annoyed or be happy that she was nice enough to do that so I still have a chance of getting into the dual programme. Long story short, I did not withdraw my application. 

Congrats? Hahaha Idk what to say after all this indecisiveness from them.

Whichever you choose you'll end up in a top UK uni!

 

As for me, it's still between Columbia, LSE and IHEID, but LSE seems more likely by the minute....

It's a financially possible option, it's a world class university, the program is specific enough for my future career, it's in London, it's a degree that would make my life easier when I apply for PhD eventually, it's one year, giving me post-graduation options more than being tied down for 2 yrs...( though that could be a con for many ppl)

 

Columbia just seems like too much of gamble.... 2 years and 100k (give or take couple scholarships and RA gigs)

IHEID, I would feel really bad turning down if I do..... It's just such a good program and so affordable......

[alchyna]

@unagi

Although I'm in no position to offer advice really, I'll try to give my two cent just based on my exp in this admissions cycle...

 

Overall I think you're in a fantastic position. 

You hit most of the spots for things schools look in applicants, and more importantly recent grads.

You got a good GPA, good quant background (since econ major), overseas exp, proficiency in multiple foreign languages, proven independent research ability, etc.

 

As long as you do well on your GRE, I think you have a good chance w all of your schools, esp w LSE, SOAS, and IHEID since they seem to pick recent grads as well as more exp applicants.

 

SAIS and Georgetown put more importance on work experience, and esp Georgetown is immensely competitive.

SAIS requires and looks favorably on a lot of quant work (calc, stat, macro/microecon).

 

I'm not sure which program you'll be applying to, but SAIS as you may know is very very quant heavy.

Its IDEV curriculum for example is more than econ, PE, and quant method classes.

 

In terms of alumni network, SAIS and GT are both well-respected and well-represented in DC policy circles, tho GT is usually seen to have quite a bit more prestige. It may be b/c its signature MSFS program is meant to be like an "elite" training program for diplomats and such.

I can't tell you much about LSE and SOAS and IHEID b/c I have no direct exp interacting ppl from there (except that SOAS is respected in IDEV circles in the UK and IOs and is usually considered left"ish" and having a lot of left leaning professors). And LSE and SOAS will be tad easier to get in b/c international students usually have to pay a lot more tuition.

I agree with everything you said except the LSE part where internationals pay way more. Actually for a lot of popular taught graduate programs overseas and EU students pay about the same, it is the case for my LSE program. It's expensive for everyone!

[kittythrones]

I asked the guy that I used to date for this information. He is a graduate out of the UoL system - UCL so he understands the system a lot better than I ever would. 

 

If you are part of the UoL system, you can use any professor from KCL, UCL and Imperial College London. Unfortunately, LSE is not part of this system so LSE students are not allowed to participate in the UoL system for professors and other usages. Imperial College London has left the UoL system.

I'm not sure yet!

I'm giving equal merit to IHEID, Columbia and LSE, for various reasons (reputation, employability, cost, location, length of the program, etc)

I'm gonna ask around more and email ppl and try to figure out what to do in about three weeks....

 

BTW does anyone know if you're allowed to cross-register between UoL universities (like LSE students taking classes in UCL, SOAS, etc and vice versa)

[dpgu800]

I asked the guy that I used to date for this information. He is a graduate out of the UoL system - UCL so he understands the system a lot better than I ever would. 

If you are part of the UoL system, you can use any professor from KCL, UCL and Imperial College London. Unfortunately, LSE is not part of this system so LSE students are not allowed to participate in the UoL system for professors and other usages. Imperial College London has left the UoL system.

Indeed......that's disappointing, but LSE has enough good modules that it won't be the end of the world I suppose...

 

BTW if you don't mind me asking one more question (it's really hard to find concrete info on this matter), it's my understanding is that taught masters (Msc) are divided into three terms, Fall, Spring and Summer. And you take classes during Fall and Spring, and you DON'T take classes during the summer and work on your thesis/dissertation.

Am I getting this right?

Cuz if that's the case, the program seems to be really short, esp. in the case of LSE which begins in beginning of October and end in late March of the following year.