Georgetown SFS Global Human Development Program

[CurrentGHD]

Hi everyone, 

I used this forum extensively during my application period and keep on checking it once in a while. I am surprised why there is not much conversation about Global Human Development Program at Georgetown University. Someone mentioned in another thread that programs other than MSFS with in SFS is not provided enough resources, and it is so not true. I will try to make a case (depending on your interests) on why you SHOULD apply to GHD Program. 

1) It is marketed as a practitioner focused program i.e. they require capstone rather than a thesis for graduation and some of the courses are tailored to more consulting/management type roles. If you want that, it's perfect. However, if you are trying to be more academic, the program is really flexible. You can work with great professors in campus on "independent study" to publish academic papers. Since, you can take your electives courses in other schools expanding your options immensely. For example, I am taking U.S. Labor Policy from McCourt with probably one of the leading scholar in the field.

2) Scholarships: THERE ARE TONS OF SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE. Almost everyone has some financial aid. I got a full-ride along with another student and I know almost a dozen student who pay very minumum (like ~20 percent of tuition). On top of that, the program secured sponsors for three fully-funded scholarships just last year. 

3) Program fully funds travel and stipend for summer internship which for me was equivalent to $5000 ($2000 for airfare and $3000 stipend). So, you are getting some of your tuition back indirectly. 

4) Academics- I cannot stress enough the quality of professors here. As I said earlier professors in Georgetown are really good. Last year, we had the World Bank hotshots like Shanta Devarajan and Sudhir Shetty offer micro economics class. I was interested in quantitative survey methods and economist who led Living Standard Measurement Survey and helped form almost all major survey coming out of the Bank taught that class. 

5) Internships- It's required and professors are more than happy to help. All of my classmates have internships (some paid and some un-paid) either in development contractors or the World Bank or as an RA with professors.

6) Small cohort- Upside: Everyone knows everyone. There are two bonding trips the first year, one with professors and one with second years. This means professors know you individually and depending on your field of interest, you are assigned a faculty mentor who will help you personally to navigate your field.

 

Having said all of this, I would sincerely ask you to consider GHDP. Do not get scared by thinking you are not qualified. I thought I definitely was not. Also I did not get full scholarship at the beginning but negotiated the heck out of it. Let me know if you have any more questions. 

[freakaleke]

What was your GPA and GRE scores?

[CurrentGHD]

GPA: 3.96 from a very small unknown college. GRE: 166 M 157 V.

GHDP is fairly quantitative program and I think having a higher Quantitative score with a good GPA was THE reason I got in. I had no prior international development experience as suggested in the program website.

Edited October 20, 2017 by CurrentGHD

[+na_]

@CurrentGHD, when did you find out you were accepted to the program? I applied this year and have been anxiously counting down the weeks! 

[CurrentGHD]

I found out second week of March I think.... They are still going through this year's applications, apparently largest so far!! Best of Luck!!

[cmp2541]

@CurrentGHD I received word a few days ago that I was accepted into the GHD program! I'm really excited, as this was one of my top choices. I'm wondering, though, if you have any advice on how to negotiate increased financial aid. I received some, but not quite enough for the program to be affordable for me at this point. I''m not really sure how or when to broach the topic with the Financial Aid office-- should I wait until I have aid offers from other schools in hand? And should I come in with a specific request for how much I think I need? 

Also, I would love to connect with you individually to discuss your experiences with the program further!

[CurrentGHD]

On 3/9/2018 at 3:16 AM, cmp2541 said:

@CurrentGHD I received word a few days ago that I was accepted into the GHD program! I'm really excited, as this was one of my top choices. I'm wondering, though, if you have any advice on how to negotiate increased financial aid. I received some, but not quite enough for the program to be affordable for me at this point. I''m not really sure how or when to broach the topic with the Financial Aid office-- should I wait until I have aid offers from other schools in hand? And should I come in with a specific request for how much I think I need? 

Also, I would love to connect with you individually to discuss your experiences with the program further!

Send me pm and we can definitely talk more about the program. As per negotiating for financial aid, there were a couple of things I did. First, went to the accepted students' day and met with professors and staffs to make sure I was not just a name in paper. Second, made it very clear of my financial circumstances and that I really wanted to come there. And third, showed them my other offers to perhaps show that increasing aid for me would not be a bad idea. The offer I showed was far from being a competitive school and a completely different program. Also keep in mind the stipend that university provides during the summer for international internships.. That could be an additional cost in other school that you do not account for at the beginning.

[Ducky91]

@CurrentGHD I really appreciated your post on this. I was admitted into GHD for the fall of 2018, I'm trying to pick between the GHD and SAIS (also waiting on Fletcher). What swayed you into the direction of Georgetown? 

[CurrentGHD]

10 hours ago, Ducky91 said:

@CurrentGHD I really appreciated your post on this. I was admitted into GHD for the fall of 2018, I'm trying to pick between the GHD and SAIS (also waiting on Fletcher). What swayed you into the direction of Georgetown? 

A passionate team of professors who run the program and know every students personally since it is a small cohort. In addition to that the adjuncts that are brought in for courses are amazing and there are so many paths you can choose through connection with GHD professors. And I felt like Georgetown was less urban while still being in DC and grad programs were well integrated to the main campus and all its resources. Even though I did not have to take any additional language classes, some of my friends have been taking language courses for 4 semester for free if that's what you are interested in. 

[Ducky91]

Is anyone going to the open house day in April? 

[agm316]

On 3/11/2018 at 7:57 PM, CurrentGHD said:

Send me pm and we can definitely talk more about the program. As per negotiating for financial aid, there were a couple of things I did. First, went to the accepted students' day and met with professors and staffs to make sure I was not just a name in paper. Second, made it very clear of my financial circumstances and that I really wanted to come there. And third, showed them my other offers to perhaps show that increasing aid for me would not be a bad idea. The offer I showed was far from being a competitive school and a completely different program. Also keep in mind the stipend that university provides during the summer for international internships.. That could be an additional cost in other school that you do not account for at the beginning.

hello! thanks for your posts regarding the GHD program, they are super useful!

@CurrentGHD I am in the same situation as @cmp2541....this is my top choice program, but I am agonizing about needing more funding. I am planning on attending the admitted student day but I was wondering if you have any advice on negotiating more funding---did you send them other school's offers via email? did you do the negotiating specifically through the admissions office? 

 

thanks in advance!

[CurrentGHD]

22 hours ago, agm316 said:

hello! thanks for your posts regarding the GHD program, they are super useful!

@CurrentGHD I am in the same situation as @cmp2541....this is my top choice program, but I am agonizing about needing more funding. I am planning on attending the admitted student day but I was wondering if you have any advice on negotiating more funding---did you send them other school's offers via email? did you do the negotiating specifically through the admissions office? 

 

thanks in advance!

Hi @agm316,

Congratulations on your acceptance offer. I send them other offers and told them about my financial situation. I personally met several faculty members and financial aid officer and appealed to increase the aid. That helped for me. I hope it works for you as well. Best of luck!!