<p>Now they're saying it could be another two weeks before we receive word. And for those of us who did not receive emails, I pointedly asked, "did all admitted students receive emails?" to which the rep. replied "no". So, make of that information what you will...</p>
<p>What? </p>
<p>This is awfully frustrating, particularly if you (like me) have some stuff hanging in the balance. There are just some moves I can't make until I know for sure I'm rejected.</p>
<p>As for the fact that not all admits get e-mails ... maybe conditional admits are getting letters. Either that or they simply have no set system.</p>
<p>Great, I should expect my packet sometime this week then! Anyone hear any good news about scholarships?</p>
<p>Latouche and Gopher, don't lose hope yet! I waited nearly 3 weeks after everyone else heard from Columbia SIPA, yet I was admited.</p>
<p>Nothing in DC yet. I'm curious about funding information, too-- is that in the package? Especially considering that very few details were included with the original notification, I could definitely see conditional admits being somewhat behind. I haven't heard of any conditional getting the e-mail notification. Good luck, everyone. It is so hard to be patient.</p>
<p>Finally got my packet. The funding information is in the there...none for me. I've heard Bologna admits generally don't get much/any funding.</p>
<p>Good luck everyone! I think it's very plausible that conditional admits are getting letters in the mail.</p>
<p>The Bologna Center seems like an amazing experience, but one thing that I am worried about it is that you have to pay the tuition in Euros. Given the exchange rate ($1.57 = 1 Euro) and the expected expenses, over 39,000 Euros, the equivalent American dollar tuition and living expenses ends up being over $61,000. In comparison, the expected living expenses in DC for 2008-2009 equals $53,000. To put it in perspective, last year, when the exchange rate was only $1.35/euro, the equivalent tuition would only be $52,650. </p>
<p>Given that SAIS is already an extremely expensive program, I'm not sure if I'd be able to fork out the extra $8-9,000 to study in Italy as opposed to DC.</p>
<p>hmm, seems like people are getting their packets in spurts. I can only hope that mine comes soon. Decided, I have heard from several sources that SAIS gives more significantly more funding for 2nd year students. What other schools are you considering? I have been accepted to four and am having a really tough time deciding between SAIS and Georgetown. I really need the SAIS packet before I can move forward.</p>
<p>In the packet they mention that the exchange rate is "capped" at $1.50 to 1 Euro. If the exchange rate dips below that, the exchange rate automatically dips to that. If it goes above it, it's still $1.50. It's still more expensive than DC, of course, but it does help a bit.</p>
<p>genericbill, I'm deciding between SAIS-Bologna, Fletcher, and SIPA. I'm currently leaning toward SIPA, but I'm not going to make a final decision until after the open houses. I only got funding at Fletcher, but not that much. I assume if there is a lot of second year funding at SIPA and SAIS, I could potentially end up with more in the end than what I got at Fletcher up front. As a result, funding isn't totally an issue I'm focused on, because I feel like it's similar between all three.</p>
<p>Decided, that is a good point about funding. I also am considering Fletcher and SIPA, although I feel SAIS or Georgetown would probably be a better fit for me. In anycase, I also got a small scholarship from Fletcher, and I made a point of asking if funding could increase for my second year if I did well during my first year. They said that if I do well, it might go up $1k - $2k for my second year. That is compared to the other schools that seem to offer little money up front, but have much larger scholarships for 2nd year students. </p>
<p>Do I remember reading previously that you are looking at European studies? I am interesting in foreign policy/diplomacy with an eye on the State Department.</p>
<p>You also make a good point about waiting until open houses. Unfortunately I am working abroad, so I won't be able to make any of them. I saw the video from the SAIS open house from last year though, and I am in contact with students from both schools.</p>
<p>SAIS updated their incoming student web page a bit, and I found this on the FAQ:</p>
<p>When will I receive my financial aid package?
This information will be included in your official admissions letter and package. These packages will be sent via postal mail during the month of March; please be aware that we have a very large applicant pool and it takes us several weeks to send out all of our admission decisions.</p>
<p>What if I have an overseas mailing address?
Your admissions package will be sent to you via the U.S. Postal Service (domestic and international addresses). If you wish to view in advance some of the documents contained in your package, please click here for M.A. materials and here for M.I.P.P. materials.</p>
<p>But considering most people seem to be receiving their packets via FedEX, who knows how accurate any of this info is. haha. ah well...</p>
<p>Finally got the package. I didn't get any funding (and wasn't expecting to), but I have to say that the figures are daunting. I have a not-insignificant EFC because I currently work (and I can't meet it because I'm frugal, but still a nonprofit worker in DC) and then some federal loan money followed by a LOT of unmet need. Yikes. I got spoiled going to a college that met 100% of demonstrated need. A SAIS degree is great, but I don't see myself being able to repay private loans with the work I want to do. I got an FLAS offer elsewhere and am likely to take it. I would like to go to admitted students day, but that's drawing out the agony.</p>
<p>How does everyone pay for this degree? I kind of get it with law and medicine, but not IR.</p>
<p>AS08, where will you finally end up? That sucks about funding - I didn't get any either. I read on TheGradCafe that one guy got $17k/year in funding from SAIS. Insane.</p>
<p>genericbill, my background is in European Studies (spent a year at Sciences Po, fluent in French, etc.), but I'd really like to transition to development/African Studies. I'm not 100% sure what I want to do post-graduation, but at this point I'm leaning most toward a PhD in Political Science. My work background is in media, so that or some sort of political risk/consulting job are my other options.</p>
<p>The SAIS open house videos are great. I've watched a few, and they're very informative.</p>
<p>As I said, I leaning toward SIPA at this point because it would allow me to directly study development (I didn't apply/get into the IDEV program at SAIS). If I went to SAIS I would probably try to do African Studies and then audit courses in international development, but it wouldn't be quite the same. Also the increased expense of living in Bologna for one year is a turnoff. I don't feel it fair to have to pay $10k or so more for a "lighter" academic experience, as fun as it'd be to live in Italy for a year. Which is too bad, because the courses, students, and professors at SAIS are, from what I've heard/seen/read, amazing. I also really like Fletcher...I'm just not sure how great it is in development. I'm also looking for a strong quant background in prep for going the PhD route, and from what I've read SAIS and SIPA would be somewhat superior in that regard. Sigh, tough decision to make...perhaps the open houses will point me definitively in one direction. I'm already sad to have to give up any of the options...</p>
<p>decided-- I saw that 17k, too. Pretty nice! I was hoping there would be grant money or something available, but I guess not. Everyone says funding is possible in the second year, but I haven't had any luck figuring out how much can be expected. My FLAS is for Stanford, in a new program. I'll miss DC. I don't know how accessible IDEV courses are to non-IDEV students at SAIS; I could definitely see SIPA being a great option. Where do you think you would have better internship opportunities? DC is awesome for policy wonks, but NYC has so much in terms of international institutions, human rights organizations, etc. </p>
<p>I have to say, though, that people who go to Fletcher seem to universally love it. It sounds like a great community.</p>
<p>Tough decisions. It's great that you have these choices, though.</p>
<p>Stanford! Fantastic. I'm from that area originally (about 10 minutes away from the campus). The culture out there is very different from DC/NYC. Can't say I miss it too much (save for the food and weather), but hopefully you'll love it!</p>
<p>SAIS seems to be more tight-lipped than SIPA about second-year funding. I've heard it's similar to SIPA, though...in which case 60-70% of students get funding, averaging around $17-20k. At SIPA it's based entirely on your first semester grades, I believe (perhaps also mixed with need?). And I remember reading somewhere that they even give out as much as $45k to the top merit/need people. Not sure how it works at SAIS. But if it's similar, the funding could be pretty substantial if you do well the first semester/year.</p>
<p>In one of those SAIS open house videos, I believe one of the students said that it's fairly easy to audit international development courses, and their catalogue states that they are open to all students. I guess the matter is having to do the first year at Bologna, where there aren't many IDEV courses, as well as fitting them into my schedule w/ African Studies and all the int'l econ requirements.</p>
<p>I'm not sure about internship options. I'd really hope to do a summer internship abroad in a developing country, for which I'd assume either SAIS or SIPA would be great.</p>
<p>And yeah, the fact that Fletcher people seem to love their experience is really appealing. I feel like the smaller size of the program would allow one to meet more people and ultimately build a stronger network. I just wish it were stronger in int'l dev and regional studies...</p>
<p>It is definitely a good problem to have, though. Best of luck to everyone deciding/still waiting to hear!</p>
<p>Arg.. Still waiting for the SAIS packet. I'm sure its on its way, it just takes time to get to Asia. Hopefully today will be the day! In the meantime I've had a lot of time to oogle over the MSFS program. I like it a lot!</p>
<p>Finally rejected.</p>
<p>I'm sorry to hear that, GG! I can't believe they made you wait this long.</p>
<p>SAIS Admissions Office has the most sadist policy to select applicants. They misinform prospective students, treat the top applicants with privileges, do not follow their own agenda and give fake hopes through phone. </p>
<p>would JHU-SAIS like to see its pupils following that pattern after graduating? </p>
<p>Does anybody know of an applicant who did not get email on March 14th but was actually accepted through letter notification?</p>
<p>Ugh, I'm sorry, Gopher.</p>
<p>Thanks for the sympathy, guys. Best of luck with all that difficult deciding-between-various-great-programs ... jerks. (I bet you really wish you were drinking yourself unconscious in Minnesota, like me.)</p>
<p>ADC,</p>
<p>I'm sort of inclined to agree. I'd really like to know what justified holding on to my rejection so long.</p>