Johns Hopkins SAIS 2017

[nebula]

Does anyone else have more info on second year funding? I know that if you received funding you're guaranteed that amount for the next year, however if you didn't, what are the chances of getting any and is it based on merit or need?

[apricots]

17 hours ago, nebula said:

Does anyone else have more info on second year funding? I know that if you received funding you're guaranteed that amount for the next year, however if you didn't, what are the chances of getting any and is it based on merit or need?

They said that you need a 3.4 or above to be considered for funding for the 2nd year and that 50% or so get it. I

[nebula]

Anyone else debating between SIPA and SAIS? Could someone knowledgable about both pitch in about which would be better suited for someone considering a career in consulting and international finance?

[Greene]

4 hours ago, nebula said:

Anyone else debating between SIPA and SAIS? Could someone knowledgable about both pitch in about which would be better suited for someone considering a career in consulting and international finance?

Me too, deciding.

For International Finance, most people place SAIS ahead of SIPA

Edited March 26, 2017 by Greene

[nic2017]

Is anyone else considering the Tsinghua dual degree program? Or any alumni out there to share their thoughts?

[phosforus117]

On 3/26/2017 at 7:27 AM, Greene said:

Me too, deciding.

For International Finance, most people place SAIS ahead of SIPA

 

Me as well! @Greene @nebula Have you decided yet? 

[Greene]

56 minutes ago, phosforus117 said:

Me as well! @Greene @nebula Have you decided yet? 

More like SIPA now

[karina1]

Hey guys, I'm a 1st year MA student at SAIS Europe in Bologna (IDEV) - let me know if I can help you with anything! People were very helpful to me here last year so want to pay it forward. 

[RS- Tz]

On 4/2/2017 at 0:58 PM, karina1 said:

Hey guys, I'm a 1st year MA student at SAIS Europe in Bologna (IDEV) - let me know if I can help you with anything! People were very helpful to me here last year so want to pay it forward. 

Thanks a lot for coming forward to help. I've been accepted at the DC campus and really excited about it but I'm sure  I will not be able to attend if I don't get any funding support this year. I'm going to speak to the FINAID tomorrow morning and was wondering if you would have any pointers for me before I have a telephonic with them. 

Thank you 

[debrak7]

On 02/04/2017 at 0:58 PM, karina1 said:

Hey guys, I'm a 1st year MA student at SAIS Europe in Bologna (IDEV) - let me know if I can help you with anything! People were very helpful to me here last year so want to pay it forward. 

Hi Karina

Thanks so much for offering to help. I'm an international student and will be joining the IDEV program at Bologna this fall. Have some questions that it'll be great if you can share your insights on:

• What are the next steps once you send your acceptance with the matriculation fee? Do you get your SAIS login details etc. right away?
• Who are some professors you've really enjoyed working with or which courses have you enjoyed opting for?
• What would it mean in terms of study pressure to take up an Econ specialisation with the IDEV concentration?
• What are some good on-campus jobs/TA/RA positions in Bologna to try out?
• What aspects of student life at Bologna have you most enjoyed?
• How possible is it to travel around Europe while at Bologna - on a limited budget and without dropping the ball on coursework?
• (And a very serious question) I've read about there being a gym there, but are there any swimming pools nearby?  

Thanks in advance! Any insights help!

Best

Edited April 3, 2017 by deboleena
typos

[Leeannuhw]

On 3/31/2017 at 1:28 AM, phosforus117 said:

Me as well! @Greene @nebula Have you decided yet? 

Count me in as the undecided group. 

I'm leaning towards SAIS for the Econ/quant emphasis  

But SIPA's branding and the allure of living in NYC has me going back. 

[nebula]

2 hours ago, Leeannuhw said:

Count me in as the undecided group. 

I'm leaning towards SAIS for the Econ/quant emphasis  

But SIPA's branding and the allure of living in NYC has me going back. 

Exactly my position right now.

[Greene]

4 hours ago, nebula said:

Exactly my position right now.

Me three

[RS- Tz]

Any takers ?

Thanks a lot for coming forward to help. I've been accepted at the DC campus and really excited about it but I'm sure  I will not be able to attend if I don't get any funding support this year. I'm going to speak to the FINAID tomorrow morning and was wondering if you would have any pointers for me before I have a telephonic with them. 

Thank you 

[caffeineoverdose]

52 minutes ago, RS- Tz said:

Any takers ?

Thanks a lot for coming forward to help. I've been accepted at the DC campus and really excited about it but I'm sure  I will not be able to attend if I don't get any funding support this year. I'm going to speak to the FINAID tomorrow morning and was wondering if you would have any pointers for me before I have a telephonic with them. 

Thank you 

 

I just attended the open house yesterday and I am deciding between Berkeley Master of Development Practice (MDP) and SAIS DC. I didn't get any funding from SAIS, so I spoke with financial aid office about any potential funding. They said the chance is so slim that it's fair to say it won't happen. This is not something that strictly applies only to my case, rather to anyone who is seeking additional funding this year.

Instead, they provided me information about grad plus loan for the first year and also mentioned that funding may be possible next year if my academic standing is good. (I think someone here mentioned above 3.4 is recommended–and it's true) Employment opportunities didn't seem too promising. Campus jobs (such as office clerk) pay $11+/hour. They mentioned pay rate of RA/TA positions varies by faculty members.

I loved the SAIS open house. Although I would love to attend SAIS, because of the funding and employment opportunity while studying, I am leaning towards Berkeley MDP. 

 

[Brfhem]

I declined admission with 22k in funding. Hope this helps open up funding for another candidate who decides on SAIS.

[RS- Tz]

On 4/6/2017 at 4:16 PM, caffeineoverdose said:

I just attended the open house yesterday and I am deciding between Berkeley Master of Development Practice (MDP) and SAIS DC. I didn't get any funding from SAIS, so I spoke with financial aid office about any potential funding. They said the chance is so slim that it's fair to say it won't happen. This is not something that strictly applies only to my case, rather to anyone who is seeking additional funding this year.

Instead, they provided me information about grad plus loan for the first year and also mentioned that funding may be possible next year if my academic standing is good. (I think someone here mentioned above 3.4 is recommended–and it's true) Employment opportunities didn't seem too promising. Campus jobs (such as office clerk) pay $11+/hour. They mentioned pay rate of RA/TA positions varies by faculty members.

I loved the SAIS open house. Although I would love to attend SAIS, because of the funding and employment opportunity while studying, I am leaning towards Berkeley MDP. 

 

Thank you so much for the info. I really appreciate it. 

[nuhanzi]

I sent in my deposit for SAIS two days ago! Extremely excited for Nanjing in the fall! Would love to connect on Facebook or Linkedin with any other gradcafe-ers who have also decided to go with SAIS

[Greene]

On 06/04/2017 at 11:46 AM, caffeineoverdose said:

I just attended the open house yesterday and I am deciding between Berkeley Master of Development Practice (MDP) and SAIS DC. I didn't get any funding from SAIS, so I spoke with financial aid office about any potential funding. They said the chance is so slim that it's fair to say it won't happen. This is not something that strictly applies only to my case, rather to anyone who is seeking additional funding this year.

Instead, they provided me information about grad plus loan for the first year and also mentioned that funding may be possible next year if my academic standing is good. (I think someone here mentioned above 3.4 is recommended–and it's true) Employment opportunities didn't seem too promising. Campus jobs (such as office clerk) pay $11+/hour. They mentioned pay rate of RA/TA positions varies by faculty members.

I loved the SAIS open house. Although I would love to attend SAIS, because of the funding and employment opportunity while studying, I am leaning towards Berkeley MDP. 

 

How was Berkeley’s Open House? Did you go? What do you love about Berkeley's MDP prog.

[debrak7]

Sent in the matriculation fee also last week and accepted. Excited about SAIS. Got some aid but still waiting on some external fellowships/loans to figure out the rest. Good luck to everyone making decisions.

[RS- Tz]

On 4/6/2017 at 4:16 PM, caffeineoverdose said:

I just attended the open house yesterday and I am deciding between Berkeley Master of Development Practice (MDP) and SAIS DC. I didn't get any funding from SAIS, so I spoke with financial aid office about any potential funding. They said the chance is so slim that it's fair to say it won't happen. This is not something that strictly applies only to my case, rather to anyone who is seeking additional funding this year.

Instead, they provided me information about grad plus loan for the first year and also mentioned that funding may be possible next year if my academic standing is good. (I think someone here mentioned above 3.4 is recommended–and it's true) Employment opportunities didn't seem too promising. Campus jobs (such as office clerk) pay $11+/hour. They mentioned pay rate of RA/TA positions varies by faculty members.

I loved the SAIS open house. Although I would love to attend SAIS, because of the funding and employment opportunity while studying, I am leaning towards Berkeley MDP. 

 

Did you decide on this? I heard they are sending financial decisions out. 

[karina1]

On 3. april 2017 at 11:36 AM, debrak7 said:

Hi Karina

Thanks so much for offering to help. I'm an international student and will be joining the IDEV program at Bologna this fall. Have some questions that it'll be great if you can share your insights on:

• What are the next steps once you send your acceptance with the matriculation fee? Do you get your SAIS login details etc. right away?
• Who are some professors you've really enjoyed working with or which courses have you enjoyed opting for?
• What would it mean in terms of study pressure to take up an Econ specialisation with the IDEV concentration?
• What are some good on-campus jobs/TA/RA positions in Bologna to try out?
• What aspects of student life at Bologna have you most enjoyed?
• How possible is it to travel around Europe while at Bologna - on a limited budget and without dropping the ball on coursework?
• (And a very serious question) I've read about there being a gym there, but are there any swimming pools nearby?  

Thanks in advance! Any insights help!

Best

Hi! Sorry about the late reply! Welcome to IDEV!! 

- Yes, you get your login details pretty quickly. What they probably don't tell you is how to use them.. All the useful info about Bologna and the classes there are at the website called BCweb. It looks silly but everything is there so check it out

- Depends on your interests, but out of the IDEV relevant programs I've really enjoyed prof. Mazza's class on labor markets in development countries and prof. Amann's class on Latin American economies. Both are taught in the spring. I also enjoyed doing macro and international monetary theory with prof. Taddei. If you have some econ background, it's good to get your required classes done in Bologna so that you have time for all the IDEV classes in DC. 

- Yes you could do that, but only if you want most of your IDEV classes to be econ related I think. Generally your specializations, professional tracks etc doesn't really matter that much so would advise you to just take the classes you are interested in and see if it matches with a specialization requirement  

- If you're after an easy way to make some money I'd recommend the library assistant jobs. It's a nice/chill job and you can do your readings while getting paid for it. Otherwise I'd watch out for the RA positions offered by different professors. Usually they're also looking for TAs in micro, trade, IR etc. 

- Student life in Bologna is amazing!! You're a small group and you'll make friends for life. Make sure you don't take on too much extra classes etc - you need to have time to enjoy Italy! 

- If you manage to stay on top of your coursework there's a lot of opportunity to travel on the weekends. Trains in Northern Italy are great and can take you around the region for 10-30 euros. Milan, Rome, Venice, Verona ++ is just 1-2 hours away! 

- I've heard there's a swimming pool somewhere, but I've personally never seen it. Just ask the staff at the school and I'm sure they'll help you  There's a few cheap gyms around, like Health City and Fisiolina, depending on where you live. 

Please let me know if there's anything else I can help you with!

All the best,

Karina 

 

[karina1]

On 3. april 2017 at 11:31 AM, RS- Tz said:

Thanks a lot for coming forward to help. I've been accepted at the DC campus and really excited about it but I'm sure  I will not be able to attend if I don't get any funding support this year. I'm going to speak to the FINAID tomorrow morning and was wondering if you would have any pointers for me before I have a telephonic with them. 

Thank you 

Hi! Apologies for the late reply! 

SAIS decides financial aid mostly based on merit, and I think they rank candidates prior to deciding. So unless everyone else above you on the list declines, I'm afraid the chances are slim. But: if you do very well in the first semester (as far as possible above 3.4), you can get funding for the second year! That certainly happened for the people that did really well. 

Best of luck!!

Karina 

[karina1]

On 5. april 2017 at 0:51 PM, nebula said:

Exactly my position right now.

On SAIS vs. SIPA: SAIS is a much smaller school and you get much closer to the faculty etc in your everyday life. I'm sure SIPA is great, but probably won't give you as much one on one time with your professors. The close community is really what makes SAIS special. Just my two cents!  

[AlHopkins]

Hey guys! Anyone going for the IDEV concentration at SAIS this fall? You could join the FB group SAIS IDEV Class of 2019! 

Edited May 1, 2017 by AlHopkins