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Monterey?
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Date: February 26th, 2009 10:49 AM Author: bonkers party of the first part field Subject: Monterey with funding? Whats the word on this school? I have applied to this and American, GW, and Gtown and was recently informed that I have been selected as a fellow to attend Middlebury intensive summer language program free of charge for room, board, tuition. An estimated 7K cost (provided I commit to attending Monterey in the Fall) - Assuming they also give me the highest scholarship - half tution - would it be worth it to go there or is the job network so inferior to DC schools that id be better off going to a DC school at full cost.
On another note - It seems this school has a huge amount of NSEP Boren Fellows - more than GW, American, SAIS, and about the same as Gtown (http://www.borenawards.org/boren_fellowship/current_fellows.html). I know its not ranked high in the FP's rankings - but whats the word on this schools reputation/job placement?
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Date: February 26th, 2009 11:18 AM Author: narrow-minded abode ITE, where do I sign?
You'd most likely learn similar things at Monterey as you would in a DC school. The only thing that would cause me to hesitate is the networking potential (are you going to commit to doing internships over the summer, or will you study straight through?) Where are you located? If you're already in the DC area, you can cakewalk through Monterey, and come back to DC during the summers and do internships, network, etc.
I'd take the money. |
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Date: February 26th, 2009 12:12 PM Author: bonkers party of the first part field Thanks for the help Princess Di...Was expecting to duck the flame-throwers...
You're right that I dont think the coursework would be much different - its just the lack of networking, connections, internship possibilities and name recognition. I mean, its my understanding that people doing IR in DC have internships all year round, not just the summer. And I wouldnt say no if a school wanted to give me a free ride to attend - but the most monterey gives is 14K which leaves another 14K out of my pocket - but then again - Ive always really wanted to attend the Middlebury summer language institute - and If I can do that this summer - keep up my Arabic language skills throughout the MA (Monterey has a big emphasis on Language Study) and maybe do NSEP Boren Fellowship (Monterey gets alot of them) then a proficiency in Arabic might be enough of an advantage for a decent security job? |
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Date: February 26th, 2009 2:25 PM Author: narrow-minded abode Middlebury College is a fantastic school for languages (I went there). It is also well respected for this in particular. I would take the money and run. Sounds like you would be an impressive candidate by the end. I mean, besides Georgetown (who is very stingy with financial aid), the other DC schools aren't even worth the price of admission, quite frankly. GW always gets misunderstood as Georgetown, and American is just bottom of the heap. At least at Monterey you can sharpen your Arabic, do NSEP Boren Fellowship, and be vicious when you graduate, instead of dead broke. Good luck with your studies. It sounds like you're in a really good position. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#11001900) |
Date: March 11th, 2009 11:14 AM Author: bonkers party of the first part field Can I get another opinion on this?
As of now, Monterey will give me 7K a year plus a free summer at Middlebury language school.
I'm accepted into American SIS for the IR MA regional concentration in Middle East, waiting on GW which Im cautiously optimistic about, and Gtown which Im expecting rejection.
Assuming I get into GW w/no fin. aid - the choice is between GW/American and Monterey which is exactly 7K more in tution than GW/American - which means all the tution would be the same. The only difference would be I get a free summer at Middlebury with Monterey.
Pros of GW/American: Name Recognition, DC connections/internships
Pros of Monterey: Summer at Monterey would be last chance I have at being able to learn Arabic to proficiency. Emphasis on language study in program after a summer at Middlebury would make me competitive for further subsidized language study in the form of NSEP Boren Fellowships and National Language Flagship.
Honest but respectful/polite responses appreciated. And yes gradschoollol - Im already aware of your opinion of IR. |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 12:58 PM Author: sinister razzle-dazzle background story I would say either of the DC schools over Monterey. If you're smart and interview well, you can get a key internship in DC throughout the academic year and develop that into a solid offer upon graduation (or at least a good networking base). There are plenty of ways to master a language, especially one that's been deemed "critical" by State - I think you're overestimating how valuable a free summer at language school is, check out this website for another (free) option:
https://clscholarship.org/home.php
Hope that helps. |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 2:27 PM Author: gay scourge upon the earth Palins150kshirt, I reeeaely wish I knew about that scholarship program in November. Do you have any thoughts on any other scholarship programs I could look into? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#11113425) |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 2:30 PM Author: bonkers party of the first part field Hey Ashes - if it makes you feel any better my ex-gf applied to that scholarship and was waitlisted. They told her it was super-competitve, like hundreds of applicants for 10 spots - at least with their Advanced Arabic program in Yemen.
EDIT: Just looked at the participants - seems like they significantly expanded this program - when my ex applied it was the first year they were doing this. |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 2:33 PM Author: gay scourge upon the earth Yeah, I applied for the Middlebury scholarship but was turned down even though I think I have pretty solid stats. I was accepted to the program but there is no way I can pay the $9,500 is costs. I got accepted to Fletcher though, so I'm trying to convince them to let me take arabic classes for free over the summer while living at home.
Edit: yeah it looks like there are alot of undergrads. Any thoughts of where else to look? |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 2:38 PM Author: bonkers party of the first part field What language are you looking at? If its something like Arabic - one cost effective option would be to go abroad to a country where cost of living is low. There are alot of affordable language study options in the 3rd world. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#11113545) |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 2:44 PM Author: gay scourge upon the earth yeah i'm trying to do Arabic. I agree that if it came down to spending 4 or 5 grand on a summer program of just going abroad I would go abroad but I really am pretty much broke at this point. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#11113610) |
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Date: March 11th, 2009 3:26 PM Author: bonkers party of the first part field If youre willing to spend 4 or 5 grand consider the intensive programs listed here:
http://www.fsu.edu/~mec/study.html
good luck
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Date: March 11th, 2009 11:06 PM Author: Bearded obsidian kitty cat son of senegal 6.50/hour for a private tutor in Yemen. That's what I did. Plus you get to chew qat! And maybe fire a Kalashnikov if you're lucky.
Egypt is also cheap and has a lot of language schools. |
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Date: March 14th, 2009 11:11 AM Author: lascivious arrogant dog poop Subject: ashes75 ashes75, are you planning to go to fletcher next year? if so, cool, we're classmates .. are you in the MALD program? what fields of study are you looking at?
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Date: March 15th, 2009 10:36 PM Author: gay scourge upon the earth hey, nice to "meet" you. I'll probably be at Fletcher's MALD program though i'm still waiting to hear back from SIPA and Georgetown. I'm planning on combining International Security and Human Security. What are you going for? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#11155193) |
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Date: March 16th, 2009 2:05 AM Author: lascivious arrogant dog poop International Security as well, then Islamic/SW Asia regional studies or a self-designed African Studies, or both if I can do a dual degree at SOAS.
Would you really want SIPA or SFS over Fletcher? I guess I could see SFS if the money was right, but SIPA + living costs of NYC is way too expensive |
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Date: March 16th, 2009 11:08 AM Author: gay scourge upon the earth yeah I also don't hear great things about SIPA's academics,I basically want to get accepted for ego's sake. SFS, as you say, if the money was right I would consider. Overall I would rather be in DC then Boston but I'm not expecting any money from SFS so I think it'll be Fletcher in the Fall which I am perfectly happy with. What is SOAS, the school in Geneva? (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#11158811) |
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Date: March 16th, 2009 1:22 PM Author: lascivious arrogant dog poop School of Oriental and African Studies, part of the University of London ... they offer a top notch African Studies regional degree, check it out: http://www.soas.ac.uk/programmes/prog13976.php
Anyway, I figure I'll be in DC for the bulk of my career, so am in no rush to get there early .. although Georgetown is a fun part of the city to be in. Well, let me know what you end up deciding .. maybe I'll see ya at orientation this august |
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Date: March 21st, 2009 12:21 PM Author: abnormal territorial tanning salon messiness lamaman3,
I also got into Monterey's IPS program. They gave me $8k per year. The Middlebury option is pretty sweet though, but if you've been abroad to study Arabic it won't be worth your time. If you really want to study Arabic then go to Syria for the summer. Damascus is the place to study Arabic right now. The immersion is the best. I've been to AUC for 2 years and it was good before but now with the new campus it is worthless.
I'm trying to decide between MIIS, GW, Univ of MD, and I'm waiting to hear from Gtown SSP. I've talked to a MIIS grad who said he loved it but it is not for everyone. He was former military and former FBI so he already had a network. If you haven't spent any time in DC, then a DC school would be better.
I was also warned about Arabic. If you are pretty proficient, the courses may be too easy. I've been studying since 1999 with 3.5 years in the Middle East and tested at a "3" level on a DLI oral exam in 2005. My contact said I should start a new language because the Arabic would just be structured maintenance but nothing new. Living in Monterey would be sweet though and having the opportunity to take a course or two at NPS would be awesome as well. |
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Date: March 22nd, 2009 12:51 AM Author: bonkers party of the first part field Hey bdelaney,
Just got into GW and I think I will pick that over Monterey for a few reasons.
Even with the 7K scholarship I got from Monterey - the tuition would still be cheaper at GW. I think because Monterey is so small they have to charge 30K tution.
Yes the Middlebury offer is sweet - but GW has an exchange program with American University Beirut. Id rather spend 4 months in Beirut than 9 weeks at Middlebury given the choice between the two.
Yes Monterey is beautiful and its an interesting program and Ive spoken to alot of alumni who have loved it - but ultimately I dont think it can beat out the GW name in terms of networking and job opportunities. For what its worth I have confidence that Id score an interesting job from Monterey too. Their non-proliferation program in particularly strong and sends more people to the IAEA than anywhere else in the world. |
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Date: June 22nd, 2009 2:39 PM Author: Yapping casino philosopher-king From what I read, the program accepts 95% of all applicants. I have heard a lot of good things about the language department at Monterey but I do not think the language prestige would spill over to the international relations program. (http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=940459&forum_id=3#12056955) |