To contact us Click HERE
As we approach the wind-down of another year - I want to thank all of you
for your educational e-mails over the past year. I am totally messed up now
and have little chance of recovery.
I no longer open a bathroom door without using a paper towel, or have
the waitress put
lemon slices in my ice water without worrying about the bacteria on
the lemon peel.
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU I have learned that my prayers only get answered
if I forward an
e-mail to seven of my friends and make a wish within five minutes.
I no longer worry about my soul because I have 363,214 angels looking
out for me, and St. Theresa's Novena has granted my every wish.
I no longer have any savings because I gave it to a sick girl (Penny
Brown) who is about to
die for the 1,387,258th time.
I can't use the remote in a hotel room because I don't know what the
last person was doing
while flipping through the adult movie channels.
I no longer have any money, but that will change once I receive the
$15,000 that Bill Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for
participating in their special e-mail program.
I can't touch any woman's purse for fear she has placed it on the
floor of a public bathroom.
I can't sit down on the hotel bedspread because I can only imagine
what has happened on
it since it was last washed..hmmmm
I have trouble shaking hands with someone who has been driving because
the number one
pastime while driving alone is picking one's nose.
Eating a little snack sends me on a guilt trip because I can only
imagine how many gallons
of trans fats I have consumed over the years.
I MUST ALSO SEND MY SPECIAL THANKS to whoever sent me the one about
rat crap in the
glue on envelopes because I now have to use a wet sponge with every
envelope that needs sealing.
ALSO, now I have to scrub the top of every can I open for the same reason.
I can't have a drink in a bar because I'll wake up in a bathtub full
of ice with my kidneys gone.
I can't eat at KFC because their chickens are actually horrible mutant
freaks with no eyes,
feet or feathers.
I can't use cancer-causing deodorants even though I smell like a water
buffalo on a hot day.
BECAUSE OF YOUR CONCERN, I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can
remove toilet stains.
I no longer buy petrol without taking someone along to watch the car
so a serial killer doesn't
crawl in my back seat when I'm filling up.
I no longer use Cling Wrap in the microwave because it causes seven
different types of cancer.
THANKS TO YOU I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a big black
snake could
be lurking under the seat and cause me instant death when it bites my butt.
AND THANKS TO YOUR GREAT ADVICE I can't ever pick up a coin dropped in
the parking
lot because it probably was placed there by a sex molester waiting to
grab me as I bend over.
I no longer drive my car because buying petrol from some companies
supports Al Qaeda, and
buying petrol from all the others supports South American dictators.
I can't do any gardening because I'm afraid I'll get bitten by the
Violin Spider and my hand
will fall off.
If you don't send this e-mail to at least 144,000 people in the next
70 minutes, a
large dove with diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow afternoon,
and the fleas from 120 camels will infest your back, causing you to grow a hairy
hump. I know this will occur because it actually happened to a friend
of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second husband's
cousin's best friend's beautician . . .
Oh, by the way..... A German scientist from Argentina , after a lengthy study,
has discovered that people with insufficient brain activity read their
e-mail with their hand on the mouse.
Don't bother taking it off now, it's too late.
PS: I now keep my toothbrush in the living room, because I was told by e-mail
that water splashes over 6 ft. out of the toilet.
3 Ocak 2013 Perşembe
You tell 'em girl
To contact us Click HERE
He Said To Me!
He said to me ..... I don't know why you wear a bra; you've got nothing to
put in it.
I said to him ...... You wear pants don't you?
He said to me ............. Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
I said … That's a good idea - you stand by the stove & sink while I sit on
the sofa and fart
He said to me.... What have you been doing with all the grocery money I
gave you?
I said to him ...... Turn sideways and look in the mirror!
He said to me. ..... Why don't women blink during foreplay?
I said to him .... They don't have time.
He said to me... How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet
paper?
I said to him .... I don't know; it has never happened.
He said to me. .. Why is it difficult to find women who are sensitive,
caring and Good- looking?
I said to him . . . They already have boyfriends.
He said…What do you call a woman who knows where her husband is every
night?
I said. . . A widow.
He said to me.... Why are married women heavier than single women?
I said to him .. . .. Single women come home, see what's in the fridge and
go to bed.
Married women come home, see what's in bed and go to the fridge.
He said to me ..... I don't know why you wear a bra; you've got nothing to
put in it.
I said to him ...... You wear pants don't you?
He said to me ............. Shall we try swapping positions tonight?
I said … That's a good idea - you stand by the stove & sink while I sit on
the sofa and fart
He said to me.... What have you been doing with all the grocery money I
gave you?
I said to him ...... Turn sideways and look in the mirror!
He said to me. ..... Why don't women blink during foreplay?
I said to him .... They don't have time.
He said to me... How many men does it take to change a roll of toilet
paper?
I said to him .... I don't know; it has never happened.
He said to me. .. Why is it difficult to find women who are sensitive,
caring and Good- looking?
I said to him . . . They already have boyfriends.
He said…What do you call a woman who knows where her husband is every
night?
I said. . . A widow.
He said to me.... Why are married women heavier than single women?
I said to him .. . .. Single women come home, see what's in the fridge and
go to bed.
Married women come home, see what's in bed and go to the fridge.
XXX ADULT PUNS
To contact us Click HERE
There was a young fool name of Raines,
To get laid, he'd go to great pains,
Never a genius,
He thought with his penis,
But his prick was as dumb as his brains.
Chatting with my mother-in-law, I asked,
"Have you heard of this company that takes the cremated ashes of your loved
one and then compresses the carbon into a diamond?"
"Yes," she said, smirking. "It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase
'family jewels'."
How is sex like a roll of toilet paper?
After you tear off the first piece the rest comes easy.
A man and his girlfriend are having a sexual encounter.
He asks her to "go downtown".
So, with a sigh, she gets on her knees in front of him and starts peering at
his genitals, looking and tipping her head this way and that, studying the
whole business.
After about five minutes of this, he asked her in a sort of peeved voice
"Well, just what are you doing?"
She replied,
"I'm doing what I always do when I'm downtown with no money. Just looking."
While watching the movie 'The Sound Of Music' last night I was reminded of
that sad day when I learned that it's actually O.K. To go out on a date with
a nun, as long as you don't get in the habit.
The redneck farmer was disturbed when he found out his son was jerking off
several times a day out in the barn.
"Boy, you gotta quit that! Go out and git yo'self a wife."
So, the boy went out and found himself a pretty young girl, to whom he got
married.
But a week or so after the wedding, the farmer found his son choking the
chicken again.
"You crazy boy!" he yelled, "That Elli-Mae's a fine young gal!"
"I know Pa," the boy replied, "but her arm gits tired sometimes!"
If earth rotated 30 times faster,
Men would get their salary everyday, and women would bleed to death.
Me and a few guys who always get together on Fridays after work.
One Friday, Chad showed up particularly late, sat down at the bar, and
kicked back his entire first beer in one gulp.
Then he turned and said,
"Times they are getting tough. I mean, just today, my wife told me that
she's going to cut me back to only two times a week! I can't believe it."
At which point I put his hand on Chad's shoulder and said reassuringly,
"You think you've got it bad, she's cut me out all together."
I said,
"Shall we try a different position tonight?"
My wife said,
"That's a good idea. You stand by the ironing board while I sit on the
sofa."
Two old guys were chatting.
The first old guy says to the second old guy,
"My 85th birthday was yesterday and the wife gave me an SUV."
The second old guy responded,
"Wow! That's amazing! Imagine, an SUV! What a GREAT gift!"
The first old guy says,
"Yep! Socks, Underwear and Viagra!"
To get laid, he'd go to great pains,
Never a genius,
He thought with his penis,
But his prick was as dumb as his brains.
Chatting with my mother-in-law, I asked,
"Have you heard of this company that takes the cremated ashes of your loved
one and then compresses the carbon into a diamond?"
"Yes," she said, smirking. "It brings a whole new meaning to the phrase
'family jewels'."
How is sex like a roll of toilet paper?
After you tear off the first piece the rest comes easy.
A man and his girlfriend are having a sexual encounter.
He asks her to "go downtown".
So, with a sigh, she gets on her knees in front of him and starts peering at
his genitals, looking and tipping her head this way and that, studying the
whole business.
After about five minutes of this, he asked her in a sort of peeved voice
"Well, just what are you doing?"
She replied,
"I'm doing what I always do when I'm downtown with no money. Just looking."
While watching the movie 'The Sound Of Music' last night I was reminded of
that sad day when I learned that it's actually O.K. To go out on a date with
a nun, as long as you don't get in the habit.
The redneck farmer was disturbed when he found out his son was jerking off
several times a day out in the barn.
"Boy, you gotta quit that! Go out and git yo'self a wife."
So, the boy went out and found himself a pretty young girl, to whom he got
married.
But a week or so after the wedding, the farmer found his son choking the
chicken again.
"You crazy boy!" he yelled, "That Elli-Mae's a fine young gal!"
"I know Pa," the boy replied, "but her arm gits tired sometimes!"
If earth rotated 30 times faster,
Men would get their salary everyday, and women would bleed to death.
Me and a few guys who always get together on Fridays after work.
One Friday, Chad showed up particularly late, sat down at the bar, and
kicked back his entire first beer in one gulp.
Then he turned and said,
"Times they are getting tough. I mean, just today, my wife told me that
she's going to cut me back to only two times a week! I can't believe it."
At which point I put his hand on Chad's shoulder and said reassuringly,
"You think you've got it bad, she's cut me out all together."
I said,
"Shall we try a different position tonight?"
My wife said,
"That's a good idea. You stand by the ironing board while I sit on the
sofa."
Two old guys were chatting.
The first old guy says to the second old guy,
"My 85th birthday was yesterday and the wife gave me an SUV."
The second old guy responded,
"Wow! That's amazing! Imagine, an SUV! What a GREAT gift!"
The first old guy says,
"Yep! Socks, Underwear and Viagra!"
MONTANA DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT
To contact us Click HERE
The Montana Department of Employment, Division of Labor Standards claimed a
small rancher was not paying proper wages to his help and sent an agent out
to investigate him.
AGENT: I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them.
RANCHER: Well, there's my hired hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay
him $200 a week plus free room and board. Then there's the
mentally- challenged guy. He works about 18 hours every day and does about
90% of all
the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, pays his own room and
board, and I buy him a bottle of bourbon every Saturday night so he can cope
with life. He also sleeps with my wife occasionally.
AGENT: That's the guy I want to talk to - the mentally challenged one.
RANCHER: That would be me.
small rancher was not paying proper wages to his help and sent an agent out
to investigate him.
AGENT: I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them.
RANCHER: Well, there's my hired hand who's been with me for 3 years. I pay
him $200 a week plus free room and board. Then there's the
mentally- challenged guy. He works about 18 hours every day and does about
90% of all
the work around here. He makes about $10 per week, pays his own room and
board, and I buy him a bottle of bourbon every Saturday night so he can cope
with life. He also sleeps with my wife occasionally.
AGENT: That's the guy I want to talk to - the mentally challenged one.
RANCHER: That would be me.
OBSESSIONS
To contact us Click HERE
A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with five young
mothers and their small children. "You all have obsessions," he observed.
To the first mother, Mary, he said: "You are obsessed with eating. You've
even named your daughter Candy."
He said to the second Mum, Ann: "Your obsession is with money. It manifests
itself in your children's names, Penny, Goldie and Frank."
He turned to the third Mum, Joyce: "Your obsession is alcohol. This too
shows itself in your children's names: Brandy and Sherry. You even called
the cat, "Whisky".
He then turned to the fourth Mum June: "Your obsession is with flowers. Your
girls are called Rose, Daphne & Poppy."
At this point, the fifth mother, Lucy, quietly got up, took her little boy
by the hand and whispered: "Come on, Dick, this guy has no idea what he's
talking about. Let's pick up Fanny and Willy and go home."
mothers and their small children. "You all have obsessions," he observed.
To the first mother, Mary, he said: "You are obsessed with eating. You've
even named your daughter Candy."
He said to the second Mum, Ann: "Your obsession is with money. It manifests
itself in your children's names, Penny, Goldie and Frank."
He turned to the third Mum, Joyce: "Your obsession is alcohol. This too
shows itself in your children's names: Brandy and Sherry. You even called
the cat, "Whisky".
He then turned to the fourth Mum June: "Your obsession is with flowers. Your
girls are called Rose, Daphne & Poppy."
At this point, the fifth mother, Lucy, quietly got up, took her little boy
by the hand and whispered: "Come on, Dick, this guy has no idea what he's
talking about. Let's pick up Fanny and Willy and go home."
2 Ocak 2013 Çarşamba
One woman's "real world experience" before SAIS
To contact us Click HERE
SAIS Bologna is a diverse place by way of nationality, age, background, expertise and experience. Recently we published posts by Tony Bonanno, who came to SAIS Bologna after three decades as a lawyer, and Andreas Glossner, who came here after studying Physics at university.
Today Kate Maxwell tells us how she ended up at SAIS Bologna after graduating from a U.S. university and then working on Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
After graduating with my B.A. from American University’s School of International Service, I knew I wanted to take some time to get real world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. In my quest for a job that would give me some hands-on experience in the field of international relations, I ended up in the very last place that I expected: banking and finance.
I started working in the executive office of the Institute of International Finance (IIF), an international organization of over 450 banks and other internationally active financial institutions. The IIF, in addition to conducting advanced economic research on a macro level, also examines the impacts of international banking and financial regulations on industry and the economy.
About a year into my three-year tenure at the IIF, the world turned its attention to Europe and the mounting sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Greece.
The restructuring of Greek debt involved not only the EU, IMF and national European governments but also the private sector, including many IIF members.
The IIF became directly involved in representing the interests of the private sector and shaping the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) piece of the restructuring. Working directly on these issues gave me insight into the interplay between politics, economics, cultural differences and international cooperation between nations, international organizations and the private sector.
When I was looking at graduate programs, SAIS and particularly the SAIS Bologna Center really stood out to me for the opportunity to study both in the U.S. and in Europe and to gain a fuller understanding of the most pressing global issues.
The impressive and diverse student body at the Bologna Center lends an additional element of learning through their experiences, and I am able to contribute both in and out of the classroom thanks to my work experience before SAIS.
The multidisciplinary approach here makes sure all students are equipped with an essential economics toolkit which is crucial to the understanding of any international issue as well as allowing a focus in other areas.
In my case, I am able to pursue my interest in more effective international cooperation in the International Law and Organizations program and love the diversity of courses offered by studying on both the Bologna and Washington campuses.
Today Kate Maxwell tells us how she ended up at SAIS Bologna after graduating from a U.S. university and then working on Europe's sovereign debt crisis.
After graduating with my B.A. from American University’s School of International Service, I knew I wanted to take some time to get real world experience before pursuing a graduate degree. In my quest for a job that would give me some hands-on experience in the field of international relations, I ended up in the very last place that I expected: banking and finance.
 |
| Kate Maxwell |
About a year into my three-year tenure at the IIF, the world turned its attention to Europe and the mounting sovereign debt crisis, particularly in Greece.
The restructuring of Greek debt involved not only the EU, IMF and national European governments but also the private sector, including many IIF members.
The IIF became directly involved in representing the interests of the private sector and shaping the Private Sector Involvement (PSI) piece of the restructuring. Working directly on these issues gave me insight into the interplay between politics, economics, cultural differences and international cooperation between nations, international organizations and the private sector.
When I was looking at graduate programs, SAIS and particularly the SAIS Bologna Center really stood out to me for the opportunity to study both in the U.S. and in Europe and to gain a fuller understanding of the most pressing global issues.
The impressive and diverse student body at the Bologna Center lends an additional element of learning through their experiences, and I am able to contribute both in and out of the classroom thanks to my work experience before SAIS.
The multidisciplinary approach here makes sure all students are equipped with an essential economics toolkit which is crucial to the understanding of any international issue as well as allowing a focus in other areas.
In my case, I am able to pursue my interest in more effective international cooperation in the International Law and Organizations program and love the diversity of courses offered by studying on both the Bologna and Washington campuses.
Economics: In SAIS's hard wiring
To contact us Click HERE
From SAIS's inception, economics has been intrinsic to the program. Economics was not tacked on to a menu of other social science courses as an after-thought. It is a main dish.
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
The strong emphasis placed on economics in the curriculum is one of the unique characteristics that sets SAIS apart from other graduate programs in international affairs....
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
A while back we published a post on the economics program and included a question from a final exam in International Monetary Theory, one of four required economics courses.
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
 |
| Prof. Carbonara |
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
 |
| Prof. Alvisi |
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Questions from SAIS Bologna's Open Day
To contact us Click HERE
Prospective applicants came from across Europe to attend SAIS Bologna's annual Open Day last Friday. It was a chance for them to meet faculty, students and staff, and get a close-up view of life at the Center.
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
Q: What was the hardest part of applying?
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
Graves: The results of one of those tests can send an important signal to both the candidate and SAIS. An especially good score can help an application; a weaker than average score on a section of the test could be a warning signal. It's important that applicants be convinced themselves that they can handle the demands of SAIS's rigorous curriculum.
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
 |
| Profs. Plummer, Keller, Cesa |
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
 |
| Student Government Association |
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
 |
| Our visitors mingling with current students and staff |
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
The analytical essay: you'll want to read this
To contact us Click HERE
Today we publish an analytical essay by a current SAIS Bologna student that caught the eye of the Admissions Committee.
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
In other words, she looked at an issue of international interest through a personal lens. Not every candidate will have Ally's background -- experience at two U.S. federal agencies, on Capitol Hill, on a presidential campaign and in a law firm. We would not expect candidates to duplicate Ally's essay.
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
 |
| Allison Carragher |
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
- Find a topic that interests you and is relevant to what you might like to study at SAIS.
- Explain it simply and clearly, say why it's important and examine it critically.
- Do it all in under 600 words.
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
"It will be my treat to myself today..."
To contact us Click HERE
Italian, French or Spanish?
I spent a fair amount of time in my first weeks at SAIS Bologna debating which language to study. What I did not know was that the language class I would enjoy the most was not among those three. It would be English. The Academic Writing Workshop.
After I took the English proficiency exam at the beginning of the semester, I went to a meeting to receive the results. The meeting was almost over, and I was happy I had completed my first SAIS requirement when, almost as an afterthought, I mentioned that I am a journalist. “In that case, you should consider taking the writing workshop," the professor said. "You don’t have to, but you may find it interesting.”
She had piqued my interest. But I was not sure I would have time to take all the classes I wanted and wondered if the writing workshop should be a priority. After all, I told myself, I am already a writer. Granted, there is always a lot to learn and I am more used to writing in Portuguese. Still …
My curiosity prevailed, and I decided to go to the first workshop session. In the back of my mind I still thought my time would be better spent in other courses. So I arrived in class at least partially convinced I was overstretching myself and that there was a better than even chance I would have to drop the workshop once work in my other classes picked up.
Soon in the writing workshop we had covered academic register, summaries and definitions in such an interesting way that I was hooked. And when assignments and readings piled up, I thought: “I am working hard, and I deserve this. Going to the workshop will be my treat to myself today.”
What is so interesting about the workshop? First, writing an academic paper is not the same as writing a journalistic story. And writing in English is different from writing in Portuguese.
But I had already known this, and these are not the only reasons I enjoyed the classes so much. Every class I had a feeling I was learning something that would be useful in the future -- and not only for my MA papers. I believe even my Portuguese writing has improved due to this workshop.
The teaching method is highly stimulating. As the semester advanced, the professor, Jennifer Varney, seemed to know the group better and better, and she always selected articles that engaged the class. Consequently she presented the grammatical and linguistic information while at the same time sparking lively debates which led to thoughtful writings.
Not only have I learned a lot, I am applying what I learned to my other assignments. I cannot write a paper, even a simple one, without thinking: Is this syntactically correct? Am I using the right cohesion devices here?
Sounds dry? Not if you take the workshop. If you don’t trust me, ask any student from either Dr. Varney's or Dr. Rebecca Hopkins’s class. I guarantee all of them will tell you how happy they are to be in the workshop.
by Ana Luiza Farias
Italian, French or Spanish?
I spent a fair amount of time in my first weeks at SAIS Bologna debating which language to study. What I did not know was that the language class I would enjoy the most was not among those three. It would be English. The Academic Writing Workshop.
 |
| A workshop session |
She had piqued my interest. But I was not sure I would have time to take all the classes I wanted and wondered if the writing workshop should be a priority. After all, I told myself, I am already a writer. Granted, there is always a lot to learn and I am more used to writing in Portuguese. Still …
My curiosity prevailed, and I decided to go to the first workshop session. In the back of my mind I still thought my time would be better spent in other courses. So I arrived in class at least partially convinced I was overstretching myself and that there was a better than even chance I would have to drop the workshop once work in my other classes picked up.
Soon in the writing workshop we had covered academic register, summaries and definitions in such an interesting way that I was hooked. And when assignments and readings piled up, I thought: “I am working hard, and I deserve this. Going to the workshop will be my treat to myself today.”
What is so interesting about the workshop? First, writing an academic paper is not the same as writing a journalistic story. And writing in English is different from writing in Portuguese.
But I had already known this, and these are not the only reasons I enjoyed the classes so much. Every class I had a feeling I was learning something that would be useful in the future -- and not only for my MA papers. I believe even my Portuguese writing has improved due to this workshop.
The teaching method is highly stimulating. As the semester advanced, the professor, Jennifer Varney, seemed to know the group better and better, and she always selected articles that engaged the class. Consequently she presented the grammatical and linguistic information while at the same time sparking lively debates which led to thoughtful writings.
Not only have I learned a lot, I am applying what I learned to my other assignments. I cannot write a paper, even a simple one, without thinking: Is this syntactically correct? Am I using the right cohesion devices here?
Sounds dry? Not if you take the workshop. If you don’t trust me, ask any student from either Dr. Varney's or Dr. Rebecca Hopkins’s class. I guarantee all of them will tell you how happy they are to be in the workshop.
by Ana Luiza Farias
1 Ocak 2013 Salı
Economics: In SAIS's hard wiring
To contact us Click HERE
From SAIS's inception, economics has been intrinsic to the program. Economics was not tacked on to a menu of other social science courses as an after-thought. It is a main dish.
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
The strong emphasis placed on economics in the curriculum is one of the unique characteristics that sets SAIS apart from other graduate programs in international affairs....
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
A while back we published a post on the economics program and included a question from a final exam in International Monetary Theory, one of four required economics courses.
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Here is how the International Economics department puts it on our website:
|
| Prof. Carbonara |
This required concentration in international economics is designed to provide students with a solid understanding of economic theories and concepts as well as the important role economics processes play in international affairs. Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in international finance, public policy, business, or economic development, our program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and analytical capacity required for success in both the public and private sector.
Can you think of a current global issue that does not have an economic dimension? The euro zone crisis? The U.S. fiscal cliff? Regional tensions in Asia?
SAIS students are taught to look at problems from a variety of perspectives, something the multidisciplinary curriculum encourages.
|
| Prof. Alvisi |
Today we publish the mid-term microeconomics exam given by Professors Alvisi and Carbonara last month. You can read the exam here.
If you haven't taken intermediate micro yet, please do not be intimidated by this exam. (My reaction when I read the exam was, "Goodness, I'm glad I satisfied the SAIS economics requirement three decades ago!")
The point is that students are taught to be able to answer these kinds of questions, which help them tackle complex problems besetting the world. It's not so much economics for economics' sake as economics for the world's sake.
Nelson Graves
Questions from SAIS Bologna's Open Day
To contact us Click HERE
Prospective applicants came from across Europe to attend SAIS Bologna's annual Open Day last Friday. It was a chance for them to meet faculty, students and staff, and get a close-up view of life at the Center.
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
Q: What was the hardest part of applying?
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
Graves: The results of one of those tests can send an important signal to both the candidate and SAIS. An especially good score can help an application; a weaker than average score on a section of the test could be a warning signal. It's important that applicants be convinced themselves that they can handle the demands of SAIS's rigorous curriculum.
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
|
| Profs. Plummer, Keller, Cesa |
We realize most candidates could not come to Bologna yet have many of the same questions as Open Day participants. With that in mind, we summarize key points raised by our visitors in sessions with the Student Government Association and staff.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
SGA president Matt Conn and the four other members -- Lorenzo Bruscagli, Max Cohen, Nameerah Hameed and Anika Sellier -- tackled participants' questions.
Q: What kind of clubs or associations are at SAIS Bologna?
A: The SGA members pointed out there are many clubs that carry over from year to year, while others spring up based on the interests of a particular class. In both cases, students' interests drive the formation of clubs. Those that tend to form every year include the Defense and Intelligence Club, the Finance Club, the Latin American Club. This year there is a Dance Club and a club devoted to outdoor activities. Clubs are eligible for funding, which is managed by the SGA and generated by a modest fee levied on students when they enter. "The school is extremely social," commented Cohen.
|
| Student Government Association |
A: Sellier said for her it was the statement of purpose. Conn's advice: "Stop trying to guess what SAIS wants. SAIS takes all types. Don't try to fit a mold."
Bruscagli recommended starting your application early. "Don't procrastinate. Understand why you want to come here."
Hameed said she was interviewed over Skype and had what she called an engaging conversation. "It is an opportunity to show more of yourself and your energy and passion."
Conn advised potential applicants to start searching for grants early on. "It will never be less work than you think," he said.
Q: How much time do you spend on academics?
A: SGA members said most students are taking four courses plus a language and also attending the seminar series. "Academic life here is very demanding," Hameed said.
"It can be as hard as you want to make it," said Conn. "It will never be easy. It's a lot of work but not impossible."
"It's definitely a lot of work, but you're always doing it. It becomes your life," said Bruscagli.
Cohen advised incoming students to attend pre-term, a four-week session before the fall semester starts. "You have one month to get to know the city, to meet people and to settle down. You don't have to hit the ground running."
Q: What did you do before coming to SAIS Bologna?
A: Bruscagli said he worked for two years after finishing his undergraduate degree but noted that some come directly to SAIS from their undergraduate studies. Sellier said she, too, had worked for two years before coming to SAIS. Conn had worked for five years as a trader on Wall Street. Hameed had worked for one year, while Cohen had worked for four years, first doing political campaigning and then at the U.S. Department of Energy.
FINANCIAL AID
Bart Drakulich, director of Finance and Administration, and Gabriella Chiappini, director of Development, outlined financial aid options.
Drakulich noted that just slightly less than half of the non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna this year received financial aid from SAIS, with the average award amounting to more than one half of tuition. He mentioned that students coming from countries where Italy's Unicredit Bank operates are eligible for low-cost loans of up to 15,000 euros per year. "If you are really motivated, we can find a way to help you," Drakulich said. "Don't sell yourself short."
Chiappini noted that donors provide about 30% of SAIS Bologna's budget each year, and that some 90% of the donors are alumni of the Bologna Center.
Q: Many Europeans are used to attending institutions with lower fees. What competitive advantages justify SAIS's tuition?
Drakulich: SAIS Bologna attracts top faculty from leading universities throughout Europe; is part of Johns Hopkins, a leading U.S. research university; is a tight-knit community, and has an extensive alumni network that students can tap into.
Chiappini: SAIS is the only U.S. graduate program with its own curriculum embedded in Europe. The experience of one year in Europe and another in the United States gives SAIS students a unique perspective that helps them climb the ladder of success.
CAREER SERVICES
Meera Shankar, director of Career Services, outlined how students typically interact with her office and how it helps them strategize in their search for internships and jobs.
Q: How do you choose who goes on career trips?
Shankar: Noting that this year career trips will take students to London, Brussels and Geneva, she said admission to the trips is competitive. But that does not mean that a person with a great deal of experience already in the relevant sector or city will have priority.
She added that students who go on the trips subsequently hold information sessions where they share what they learnt with their classmates.
Q: Does the student's relationship with Career Services end with graduation?
Shankar: Career Services does counsel alumni but the office tries to make sure students work with it while they are at SAIS to take early and full advantage of it.
Q: What percentage of students work internships during the summer between the first and second year, and are they paid?
Shankar: At least three quarters of SAIS Bologna students work an internship during that summer. Internships in the private sector are commonly paid; those in the public sector may offer a stipend or in-kind compensation such as housing.
STUDENT AFFAIRS
Margel Highet, director of Student Affairs, discussed life in Bologna and Washington.
Q: Is life at SAIS DC more stressful than at SAIS Bologna?
Highet: Life at SAIS DC is not necessarily more competitive or stressful. But SAIS DC has about three times as many students spread across three buildings, and students in DC tend to work more internships, which pull them away from SAIS.
ADMISSIONS
Amina and I handled residual questions
Q: If the GRE or GMAT are not required of non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, why do you recommend that applicants take one or the other?
|
| Our visitors mingling with current students and staff |
Q: How do students find apartments in Bologna?
Amina: This is perhaps the easiest part about coming to SAIS Bologna. Our long-time consultant Salvatore helps most students find reasonably priced apartments near the Bologna Center.
Q: How do admitted candidates without a background in economics prepare for SAIS?
Amina: SAIS offers an online course each summer tailored for incoming students, which gives them the required introduction to both micro- and macroeconomics.
(Amina should know -- she is taking the course for fun now!)
Nelson Graves
The analytical essay: you'll want to read this
To contact us Click HERE
Today we publish an analytical essay by a current SAIS Bologna student that caught the eye of the Admissions Committee.
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
In other words, she looked at an issue of international interest through a personal lens. Not every candidate will have Ally's background -- experience at two U.S. federal agencies, on Capitol Hill, on a presidential campaign and in a law firm. We would not expect candidates to duplicate Ally's essay.
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
If you read the essay -- click here -- you'll understand why.
In just over 550 words, Allison Carragher managed to introduce a topic that was of interest to her and relevant to her proposed course of study at SAIS. She explained the importance of the subject and her connection to it, and examined it from several angles.
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| Allison Carragher |
But applicants pondering what to write about in their analytical essays can draw some lessons:
- Find a topic that interests you and is relevant to what you might like to study at SAIS.
- Explain it simply and clearly, say why it's important and examine it critically.
- Do it all in under 600 words.
We are often asked if it's important to stick to 600 words or less. We're not going to reject applicants who write 601 words. But as Ally notes below, it's harder to write concisely than it is to run on. As a former wire service reporter, I know.
Want to read another essay that fit the bill? Click here to read the most popular post we have ever published.
Here in her own words is Ally's explanation of how she chose her topic and went about writing her essay.
I was working (a lot!) while trying to apply to graduate schools, so I focused my analytical essay on something that I was already involved in at work.
I wanted a topic that fit within the narrative of my application and was relevant to what I hoped to do after graduating from SAIS. I chose Impact Investing because it was a subject I found interesting and knew something about, but wanted to learn more. I think it’s important to pick an issue that interests you because if you actually enjoy writing the essay, that will show.
Impact Investing, especially as a tool for international development, is a relatively recent phenomenon so there isn’t that much research out there yet. I started by reading a number of memos and papers out there to better familiarize myself with the topic.
It’s also a subject my boss, OPIC President and CEO Elizabeth Littlefield, was really passionate about. I talked to her about the topic and where she thought the sector was headed. Then I got lucky. She had to give a speech on business as a force for good, and I was asked to draft it. It was the perfect excuse to start writing parts of my analytical essay!
Even though I learned a lot about Impact Investing, I couldn’t fit it all into one short essay. Believe me, cutting it down to the word limit wasn’t easy! I tried to focus on the parts that mattered most: defining the topic, introducing a few of the issues currently at play in the sector, and making one or two predictions for the future.
It seemed most important to make it clear that I understood what I was writing about and was able to think about it “analytically.” I also wanted to explain how the topic was relevant to me. In the end, I was really happy with the result.
Nelson Graves
A holiday quiz
To contact us Click HERE
Last week SAIS Bologna faculty and staff gathered for a Christmas celebration. A special guest, who normally arrives later in December, made an appearance for the children who were at the party.
Quiz question:
Who is the person in the picture dressed as Santa Claus and what affiliation does he/she have with SAIS Bologna?
This quiz is not open to current members of the SAIS community (students, faculty or staff).
The prize will be a SAIS Bologna tee shirt like this one:
You can send your answer as a comment on this post or by email at admissions@jhubc.it.
If you missed our December 19 online information session and want to listen to a recording, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it
Quiz question:
Who is the person in the picture dressed as Santa Claus and what affiliation does he/she have with SAIS Bologna?
This quiz is not open to current members of the SAIS community (students, faculty or staff).
The prize will be a SAIS Bologna tee shirt like this one:
You can send your answer as a comment on this post or by email at admissions@jhubc.it.
If you missed our December 19 online information session and want to listen to a recording, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it
Answers to your questions - Part II
To contact us Click HERE
Today we run a second Q&A aimed at addressing key issues facing candidates applying to SAIS Bologna for 2013-14. To read the first Q&A that ran last week, click here.
A reminder that the deadline for applications is January 7. If anyone has any questions, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it.
If you missed our online information session on December 19 and would like to listen to a recording of it, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it.
Q: How do I start my application?
A: Our application is online, and you can start here: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=saisjhu
Q: Will you tell us if our application is complete?
A: Candidates will receive an email alerting them when their application is complete. If an application is not complete, we will notify the candidate after January 7.
Q: What are the next steps in the application process?
A: Here are the steps after January 7:
A: After January 7 we will take stock of the pool of candidates for SAIS Bologna and decide where we will conduct face-to-face interviews. Admissions Committee members generally travel to several cities in Europe as well as to Washington and New York to interview non-U.S. candidates applying to SAIS Bologna. But most interviews are conducted by telephone or via Skype because we do not expect candidates to travel long distances for the sessions and we cannot travel to the four corners of the globe.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
A: The deadline for requesting financial aid is February 15, 2013. Non-U.S. applicants to SAIS Bologna should use this form. U.S. applicants use a different form (here).
Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need and merit. For more information on financial aid for non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, click here.
Today we run a second Q&A aimed at addressing key issues facing candidates applying to SAIS Bologna for 2013-14. To read the first Q&A that ran last week, click here.A reminder that the deadline for applications is January 7. If anyone has any questions, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it.
If you missed our online information session on December 19 and would like to listen to a recording of it, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it.
Q: How do I start my application?
A: Our application is online, and you can start here: https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=saisjhu
Q: Will you tell us if our application is complete?
A: Candidates will receive an email alerting them when their application is complete. If an application is not complete, we will notify the candidate after January 7.
Q: What are the next steps in the application process?
A: Here are the steps after January 7:
- Financial aid applicants need to submit their requests and supporting documents by February 15. Here is the form for non-U.S. candidates applying to SAIS Bologna.
- Non-U.S. applicants applying to SAIS Bologna will be interviewed by members of the Bologna Admissions Committee between mid-January and the end of February. We will be contacting applicants after January 7 to set up a convenient date and time. Some interviews are conducted face-to-face; most are done over the phone or via Skype.
- Some non-U.S. applicants willing to start their studies at either campus will be contacted after January 7 to set up an interview.
- The DC and Bologna Admissions Committees will meet in early March to take the admissions decisions and allocate financial aid. Candidates will be alerted by mid-March.
- SAIS DC will hold an Open House for admitted candidates on April 10. SAIS Bologna will hold its Open House on April 15.
- Admitted candidates offered aid will need to decide by April 20 whether to enroll. Those offered no aid will have until May 1.
A: After January 7 we will take stock of the pool of candidates for SAIS Bologna and decide where we will conduct face-to-face interviews. Admissions Committee members generally travel to several cities in Europe as well as to Washington and New York to interview non-U.S. candidates applying to SAIS Bologna. But most interviews are conducted by telephone or via Skype because we do not expect candidates to travel long distances for the sessions and we cannot travel to the four corners of the globe.
Q: How do I apply for financial aid?
A: The deadline for requesting financial aid is February 15, 2013. Non-U.S. applicants to SAIS Bologna should use this form. U.S. applicants use a different form (here).
Financial aid is awarded on the basis of need and merit. For more information on financial aid for non-U.S. applicants to Bologna, click here.
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