IR progs: Should I apply to MSFS?

<p>I'm in the process of applying to the Fletcher School, SIPA, SAIS, and American's SIS. I was going to apply to MSFS as my "fallback," until it dawned on me that, well, if I remember correctly, Georgetown in a highly selective school. Not exactly a "fallback." </p>

<p>What I'm wondering is, compared to the other four schools, is MSFS more or equally selective? I don't remember where I read it, but I feel like I read that Georgetown is actually more selective than these other schools. </p>

<p>I don't mean to give the impression that MSFS doesn't interest me, but if it turns out that it's MORE selective than the other schools, I'm going to have to do a little more soul-searching before I finally decide to apply. </p>

<p>I'll probably still apply. I'm just curious.</p>

<p>MSFS takes in 90-100 students a year for its two-year program. So it's selective in the sense that it's not as small as some other programs (Yale) but not massive (like SAIS). This selectivity does not mean that it's full of people with the most elite grades and recommendations and all that, though.</p>

<p>MSFS has a wide range of backgrounds -- I would encourage you to apply on the basis of you wanting to attend a school like Georgetown and a program like the MSFS, not on the basis of your individual record.</p>

<p>For what it's worth, I don't really understand all the hand-wringing on boards about whether people are cut out for certain programs or not. Why not just try and see what happens? All those schools you listed are pretty good, but there are nuances within them that make certain ones better for certain types of people.</p>