FAQs: Your questions answered

We're getting a flurry of questions from admitted candidates. It's only natural. We try our hardest to answer them.

Here are the most common queries:

Q: Will you be distributing more financial aid for 2012-13?
A: One of the most difficult aspects of assembling a new class is our inability to fully meet the financial needs of all of the students we would like to welcome. At the moment we have distributed all of the money available to us for scholarships. Later, when we know which admitted candidates will be attending SAIS, if sufficient money is returned to us we may be able to make additional grants, as we have in the past, but it is not something to count on.

Q: I have been offered aid for 2012-13. Will I receive the same amount in 2013-14?
A: There is no guarantee the same level of aid will be offered to each non-U.S. recipient in the second year. There is a pool of aid for non-U.S. students in their second year. The pool is greater in the first year than the second, in part because some special fellowships are available to non-U.S. students attending SAIS Bologna. All non-U.S. students in satisfactory academic standing are eligible to apply for aid for the second year. Awards are based mainly on performance during the first semester at the Bologna Center. Need and in some cases fellowship eligibility can also be taken into consideration. Students who perform especially well in Bologna -- whether or not they have received aid in their first year -- can present a strong case for aid in the second year. Competition for aid is lively, and we urge students to explore alternative sources for the second year as soon as possible to avoid missing deadlines which can fall one year in advance.

For more information on financial aid, click here. For potential alternative sources of funds outside SAIS's control, click here; please keep in mind that this list is not exhaustive and there are funds that we do not know about.

One of the alternative sources of funds for the second year for non-U.S. citizens could be the Fulbright Commission. There is no blanket authorization for the national commissions to accept applications from students who attend SAIS Bologna and who are looking for funding for a second year in Washington. Each country applies its own policies. However, a number of commissions in Europe have agreed to accept applications from students for their second year in Washington, and we would encourage those who are interested to try. Please keep us informed of your progress, and if you think that an intervention from us with your local Fulbright Commission might help establish your eligibility (not advance your candidacy), please provide us the name, email and/or telephone number of your contact person, and we will try to help . Also, keep in mind that this applies to funding for a second year in Washington. Fulbright does not offer scholarships to students studying in Bologna.

Q: I received no aid for 2012-13. Can I receive some for 2013-14?
A: Please see the answer to the preceding question. If you perform extremely well in Bologna, you're only doing yourself a favor. Give it a try.

Q: Can I defer enrollment?
A: Yes. We ask candidates who wish to defer to write to us, explaining why. You need a good reason to defer. Different people have different reasons for deferring; we will consider each case on its merits. In some cases, it is to work a job that directly enhances your subsequent experience at SAIS. A candidate who defers needs to decide by May 16 and to pay the 385-euro deferral fee to hold down the spot for the following academic year. The fee is eventually subtracted from the student's first-term tuition. If you want to defer, let us know as soon as possible.

Q: How do I get a visa to study in Italy?
A: If you are from a European Union member state, you do not need a visa. Otherwise, if you are a non-U.S. national, once you have matriculated (which requires a 385-euro payment), we will send you a letter in Italian that allows you to apply for a student visa ("Visto Tipo D" -- in English, Type D visa). You can apply at an Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. From there on, it's pretty straightforward. If you get on this early, you should not lose any sleep. But if you hit a snag, be sure to contact us.

Incoming students from the United States should be in touch with Erin Cameron (erin.cameron@jhu.edu) in the SAIS DC Admissions Office about their visas.

Q: Can I work part-time in Bologna?
A: Italian regulations say full-time students with a visa can work up to 20 hours a week, or 1040 hours a year. There are some jobs at SAIS Bologna such as research and teaching assistantships, library employment and the reception. Both the Bologna Institute for Policy Research and the Center for Constitutional Studies and Democratic Development employ a certain number of interns. There can be opportunities off campus, especially if you speak some Italian.

Q: When and how do I apply for a job at the Bologna Center?
A: It's best to wait for jobs to be posted. Some departments send out vacancy announcements over the summer while others wait until pre-term or the beginning of the academic year. In many cases job openings will be sent to incoming students via email. Research and teaching assistantships are managed by professors themselves, and the processes and timing depend on the individuals. If you are interested in a teaching or research assistantship, have a look at the biographies of professors and consider whether there is someone you would like to work with. Keep in mind that there can be a good deal of competition for these posts.

Q: What if my question is not answered here? Should I dash off an email to the friendly Admissions team?
A: We love email. But could we ask a favor? That you first check out the special page for incoming students and the guidebook for incoming students. If you still don't have an answer, please do write or call us.

Also, we'll be holding an online Q&A session on April 25. If you have been admitted and you'd like to participate, please send an email to admissions@jhubc.it. And don't forget our Open House in Bologna on May 3&4. All admitted students are welcome.

Q: How do I pronounce "Bologna"?
A: The "g" is soft. If you say "Bo-lon-ya", with the accent on "lon", you're off to a good start.

Nelson Graves

The next steps to the finish line

SAIS Bologna candidates are understandably getting itchy as they await the outcome of their applications to study here in 2012-13.

Here are the next steps in the process for non-U.S. candidates (U.S. candidates, who are handled by the DC Admissions Office, have already been contacted):

- Faculty and staff on the SAIS Bologna Admissions Committee have been interviewing candidates and reviewing the dossiers. Their work is about over. The committee will meet next week to take its admissions decisions. We hope to communicate those decisions to all candidates by Friday, April 6.

Some important details such as financial aid grants, economics or English language requirements and admission to the International Development concentration may have to wait a few more days. We are aware that some candidates will be facing deadlines from other programs, and we want to make sure they have time to take the best decision.

We are planning two events to answer any questions from admitted candidates and to enable them to know us better:

1. an online Q&A session planned for April 25;
2. Open House at SAIS Bologna on May 3&4.

We'll be circulating more details on these events later.

- There are two separate deadlines for admitted non-U.S. candidates to matriculate:

May 9 for candidates offered financial aid;
May 16 for all other candidates

- The summer online Principles of Economics course for any incoming students who have not satisfied both the introductory micro and introductory macro requirements starts on May 23.

- The deadline for registering for the SAIS Bologna pre-term is July 2. The pre-term session will run this year from August 27 to September 19.

The pre-term session in Washington will run from July 30 to August 25. The deadline for registering for the DC session is June 29.

If you are a candidate awaiting the Admissions Committee's decision, why not use the next few days to make  a mental note of what you've learned during the process? It could end up helping you in the future.

Nelson Graves

What's challenging about applying to SAIS Bologna?

We have the results of our latest poll. But first a few reminders.

• If you are having difficulties uploading documents to the online application system, please send us an email at admissions@jhubc.it and we'll help you out.
• The online system will not shut down at midnight February 1. But if you are not able to complete your application by midnight your time, please send us an email at admissions@jhubc.it explaining.
• Our mailing address for transcripts and other hard copies is:

                 Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna Center
                 via Belmeloro, 11
                 40126 Bologna
                 Italy

• Financial aid forms with supporting documents should be emailed to finaidbologna@collaborate.johnshopkins.edu.

Now for the results of the poll. The question was: What have you found most challenging in applying to SAIS Bologna?

Here is the breakdown of answers:

Statement of purpose	27%
Analytical essay	25%
Managing the financial commitment	22%
Lining up referees to write letters of recommendation	9%
Comparing SAIS Bologna to other schools	5%
English-language requirement	5%
Understanding the application process	3%
Understanding the academic requirements	3%
Dealing with the Admissions team	2%

We are not surprised the statement of purpose and the analytical essay are the biggest challenges. They form a core section of any candidacy, and applicants do well to pay close attention to these elements.

We hope our posts on the analytical essay and the statement of purpose have been helpful. They have been far and away the most popular posts since we launched this journal 14 months ago.

Managing the financial commitment is a key challenge, too. This is the way it should be. As we have written before here, graduate school is a major investment for anyone, and it's important to weigh the costs and the benefits, both of which can be significant. We think the benefits of a SAIS education are very significant, and our more than 6,500 alumni around the world would attest to that.

Finally, we are certainly glad that the Admissions team did not pose the biggest challenge!

Nelson Graves

This is not about Groundhog Day

Boris Yeltsin was born on this day. Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini returned to Iran after 15 years in exile on this day. In 1793, France declared war on England and Netherlands on this day.

And, yes, applications to SAIS Bologna from non-U.S. citizens are due this day -- February 1.

We mention this not to put applicants' feet to the fire any more than necessary. Most applicants do not need the reminder.

But this does give me a chance to make one important point: If you are facing the February 1 deadline and you think one or more elements of your application will not make it to us in time, tell us now.

There can be circumstances beyond an applicant's control which prevent a piece of the application puzzle from reaching us on time. Referees -- or authors of letters of recommendation -- can be forgetful. Test scores can take time to trickle in.

We try to be understanding where we can without being unfair to the other applicants. And it is a lot easier to be accommodating if we are briefed on the circumstances.

A couple of related points:

• We will not be telling applicants when elements of their application reach us. That would pin us down for days. But we will be contacting you after February 1 if something is missing.

• I understand that there has been discussion among some applicants about how long a CV should be. I wrote about this in November. While I'm a big fan of one-page CVs, we don't require them to be one page. Like a good news story (remember, I was a wire service journalist for 24 years), a CV should be as long as it has to be and no longer. Don't inflate it and don't waste words. And remember, unlike a cold call for a job, you are guaranteed other opportunities in your application and in your interview to flesh out your story. So you needn't say everything in the CV.

Looking past February 1, what do we expect to write about in this journal in coming weeks?

Obviously many applicants will be interested in the interview. Just what goes on during an interview? What is the purpose? How long will it last? How should I dress? Is it better in person or on the phone?

We'll be writing about financial aid -- another important topic. We'll try to spell out clearly the time line for the Admissions Committee's decisions and what is expected of applicants.

So do keep reading this journal if these topics interest you and if you still want to learn more about SAIS Bologna (and SAIS DC). And keep in mind that we've addressed many of these issues in the past year. You can search for topics using the search engine in the upper right-hand corner of the journal. And each post has labels, or tags, capturing the topics.

What have been the five most popular posts since we launched this journal 13 months ago?

1. The Analytical Essay
2. The Statement of Purpose
3. What is in a name?
4. Seeing how you think
5. A video peek at SAIS DC

Nelson Graves

FAQs at Open Day

Missed Open Day at SAIS Bologna last week and wondering what happened?

Worry not. Below are questions that were raised by the several dozen prospective applicants who attended.

Q: Am I required to choose a concentration when I apply?

Prospective students and faculty members enjoy
a coffee break.

A: In the application you are asked to indicate your concentration preference. The choice you make when you apply is not binding, and you can switch to a different concentration when you start your studies at SAIS Bologna. The only concentration one cannot switch into once one has started SAIS is International Development. If you are interested in IDEV (SAIS jargon for International Development), you should indicate it as your first choice on the application. In your letter of admission you'll learn whether or not you have been admitted to the IDEV program.

Q: My undergraduate degree was taught in English but in a country where English is not an official language. Am I required to submit TOEFL or other English proficiency scores?

A: Yes. However, we will consider exceptional circumstances. Keep in mind that strong scores will give you a chance to present the best possible dossier to the Admissions Committee. They look for an indication that a candidate can handle the challenging English curriculum here. The best way to do so is to take the TOEFL,  IELTS or Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) exam and perform well. We understand that these tests are not always perfect tools, but they are important benchmarks that can offer you a chance to stand apart.

Prof. Erik Jones presents the European Studies Program.

Q: I understand GRE and GMAT scores are not required for non-U.S. citizens who want to start their studies at SAIS Bologna. However, they are strongly recommended. How much weight do they carry in an application?
A: GRE and GMAT scores can help strengthen your profile. That said, they are not a requirement, and one is not at a disadvantage if GRE or GMAT scores are not submitted. We understand that standardized tests are not a perfect tool, but like TOEFL scores, they can help you put your best foot forward and enable you to stand apart.

Q: How long should my statement of purpose be? 
A: We recommend that you submit a statement of aims between 500 and 600 words. Part of the challenge is to convey concisely to the Committee why you want to study at SAIS, how you would benefit from the program and what you would bring to the Center.

Q: I recently wrote a paper. Can I use that as my analytical essay?
A: It's best not to. A paper is likely to go well over the limit of 600 words. The essay allows the Admissions Committee to see how you write and develop your analytical thinking in a few hundred words. Like the statement of purpose, the challenge is to stick to the word limit while conveying your thoughts. You can use the topic of a paper for your analytical essay -- but keep it tight.

Q: Do I have to convert my overall undergraduate grade into a GPA?

Nelson answers questions from prospective students.

A: No. But we do require a guide to your university's grading system. Here is a link to a website that will help you convert your grades into letter grades. Last year we received applications from 72 countries. You can see how these guides to the different grading systems helps us assess your academic performance.

Q: Do I need to translate my transcripts?
A: We accept transcripts in English and Italian. Transcripts in other languages will need to be translated by an official translator.

Q: How much does a solid academic performance weigh in my application?
A: When we assess your dossier, we will look at your academic performance. However, academic performance, while important, is not be the only thing we take into account. We like to get a 360-degree view of our applicants. Academic performance is a part of the landscape but not the only part.

Q: How important is work experience?
A: Exposure to the job market can help strengthen your profile. However, it is not a requirement, and lack of work experience will not be a deal breaker. If you have undertaken internships in the past, make sure you mention them.

Q: How is financial aid awarded and how do I apply for financial aid?
A: Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need, merit and academic promise. There is a form with instructions included in the application. If you are interested in a specific scholarship administered by SAIS Bologna, be sure to mention it. Please make sure you mention any other scholarships or loans that you are applying for. This will give us a complete picture.

Prospective students listen to the faculty presentations.

Amina Abdiuahab

The cost of graduate school: Investing in your future

Graduate school is an investment. The question for you is whether it is worth it.

Let's look at the costs and benefits. First, the costs.

Every graduate student, whether or not they pay tuition, shoulders an opportunity cost of foregoing job earnings for education. If you go to graduate school next year, you will not be pocketing the money you would be earning if you were working a full-time job. I cannot quantify that. Some of our students give up high-paying jobs to come to SAIS. Others not so. But every student could have chosen to work.

In most cases, the opportunity cost of studying far outstrips the price tag of school. And every student bears that cost.

Then there are the outright costs: tuition, books, living expenses, travel. We provide an estimate for incoming students. Here is the estimated budget for 2011-12 at SAIS Bologna.

If you add the opportunity and the real costs, it comes to a chunk of money. No one would deny that. The question then becomes: Is it worth it?

The return on your investment can take many forms. Some are straightforward: SAIS is a professional school, and most of our students use it as a springboard to a career in the international sphere. You may not know what job you will have when you leave SAIS, but you know the choices are exciting. Our alumni are leaders in many fields -- from the private to the public, from corporations to international organizations, from governments to NGOs.

Take my own experience. I was a high school teacher before starting SAIS. I yearned for a job on the global stage. When I finished SAIS, by virtue of my studies there, I was able to make a credible pitch to cover international finance as a journalist in Washington. That led to an unexpected but fulfilling career as a foreign correspondent.

I cite this because it is not atypical of SAIS graduates: There are doors leading to places many can only dream of.

Even before leaving SAIS, when one is at one's studies here, the experience can be gratifying. This blog has featured many students describing the learning experience in and outside the classroom, of deepening their knowledge through course work and by sharing experiences with the diverse student body.

Many readers know that one of my favorite adages is, "It's not the destination that counts but the getting there." At SAIS, the destination does count -- we want our graduates to land the jobs that inspire them. But the "getting there", or the time spent at SAIS, is also extremely satisfying. So the return on investment starts on Day One, not just at graduation.

If we continue to attract top students from around the world, it is because they recognize the benefits of the investment and also know how to make the best use of it.

How do they pay for it? Almost all students combine a mix of resources to make ends meet.

Most receive financial aid from SAIS, and in many cases the aid cuts the tuition cost substantially. For more information on financial aid and fellowships, click here.

Many land scholarships outside SAIS's control from national, international or local foundations. Some of these are well known, others less so. For a partial list of such sources, go here.

Most SAIS students have worked before starting their studies, and they may have set aside some savings to help defray the costs. Many work part-time jobs while studying. Even eight hours a week can help pay a large chunk of the rent.

Finally, some students take out loans. This is very common in the United States where subsidized student loan programs have existed for many years. But not only U.S. students. SAIS Bologna students who are citizens of EU member states are eligible to take out a fixed-rate loan from UniCredit Bank for up to 15,000 euros per year. For more information, click here.

Financing graduate school, wherever one goes, is a complex matter that extends well beyond the headline tuition figure and the size of financial aid packages. For some students it is daunting because it marks their first foray into the full complexities and challenges of personal finance.

But it can be done. You may not feel fully on top of the financial challenge at this point. My recommendation would be to think big: Why do I want to go to graduate school? How will it benefit me? Will it help me be where I want to be in 5, 10, 15 years?

Once you've tackled those questions, the nitty gritty of costs will tend to fall into place because you will see them as an investment that yields benefits far into the future.

Nelson Graves

Our new online application system -- and where to mail documents

There is some good news for applicants to SAIS Bologna.

In the past, we used a paper-based system. It was trusty and allowed us to carry out our jobs: to admit excellent candidates. But it was also old-fashioned and cumbersome.

We have now moved to an online system that will make things considerably easier for applicants and for us. You can create an account that will allow you to start your application, save it and go back to it when you are ready. You can upload documents including your statement of purpose, CV and financial aid form. Your referees can submit recommendation letters online.

(To enter into the online application system, click here.)

There will still be some documents to be mailed by "snail mail" (the post). What documents? And where should you send them?

The postman will need to send us your transcripts, standardized test scores and letters of reference if the authors of the letters decide not to use the online system.

Where you send these documents will depend on two things: (1) where you want to study during your first year at SAIS and (2) your nationality.

Here is how it works:

• SAIS Bologna manages applications from non-U.S. applicants who wish to be in Bologna for their first year of study. 
• SAIS Washington manages applications from all U.S. citizens and permanent residents, as well as from candidates with other nationalities wishing to start their studies in DC.

If you are a non-U.S. citizen and you want to start your SAIS experience in Bologna, you will mail any paper documents to:

Admissions Office
Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna

via Belmeloro, 11

40126 Bologna

Italy

If you are U.S. citizen or permanent resident, or if you wish to start your studies in DC, regardless of your nationality, you will mail your documents to:

Admissions Office

Johns Hopkins SAIS Washington

1740 Massachusetts Ave, NW

Washington, DC 20036

USA

One thing: if you are a U.S. citizen who wants to start at SAIS Bologna, your application will be managed by the SAIS DC Admissions Office, but the Bologna Admissions team and our Director Kenneth Keller are involved in the process and key decisions.

If you have questions about where you should send your documents, send us an email, reach out to us on Skype (jhubc.admissions) or give us a ring (+39 051 029 17 811). 

Amina Abdiuahab

Your guide to applying to graduate school

For readers considering graduate school, here is a guide to help you get your ducks in order.

1. Research various programs. Keep an open mind -- you no doubt have preconceived notions. They might prove wrong. Test your assumptions.

There is an ocean of information on the Internet. Dig to find answers. Jot down the most common questions and the answers from each institution you are interested in. Check out chat rooms and blogs.

Other ways to get to know institutions: contact the Admissions Office and set up a time for a chat; visit the campus and sit in on a class, listen to a lecture, mingle with students; find out if you can contact an alumnus, a student and/or a faculty member. Attend a graduate school fair -- pick up the literature but also speak to the people at the programs that interest you the most.

(By the way, we at SAIS Bologna will be holding a series of information sessions -- in Bologna, elsewhere in Europe and online -- between now and the end of the calendar year. We'll be posting a schedule soon.)

Important: Try not to ask questions if the answers can be found on the web. Examples: deadlines for applications, number of students, academic requirements. Dig deeper. An obvious question: What sets your institution apart from University X? How do you see your program changing in the future?

Two blog posts you will want to read: First Steps and Why climb the graduate school mountain?

2. It's never too early to start putting together the application puzzle.

- Check out the SAIS application and the directions to our programs. You can browse the application without committing yourself, saving as you go along. The application does not go to SAIS until you press "submit".

SAIS Bologna has a new
online application

- Standardized tests:

• If you are a non-native English speaker and want to apply to SAIS Bologna, you will have to take the TOEFL, IELTS or Cambridge exam. For chapter and verse on the English competence entrance requirements for SAIS Bologna, click here.
• SAIS Bologna does not require non-U.S. applicants to take the GRE or the GMAT. However, we strongly encourage applicants to take one or the other. However imperfect the exams may be, they provide a guide to both the applicant and the institution on your preparedness for a rigorous graduate program in English. U.S. citizens who apply to SAIS Bologna are required to take either the GRE or the GMAT.
• You may want to take the standardized tests more than once. In some cases, one has to wait some time between tests. The earlier you get started on these, the better.

- Start thinking about your statement of purpose. This document provides one of the best ways to convince SAIS Bologna (and yourself) that you deserve admission. The best statements of purpose come from candidates who have thought carefully about how they would benefit from SAIS, how they would contribute to the community and how they might make use of a SAIS education. The statement is much more than a list of your accomplishments. Try reading A Window on Yourself.

- Letters of recommendation: The strongest letters will be written by people who have worked closely with you and know why you are applying to SAIS Bologna. Recommendations that read like form letters -- fill-in-the-blank templates that take the author a few minutes -- stand out like a sore thumb. Make sure your referees know about your motivations and aspirations. That takes time and effort.

Recommended reading: Letters of Recommendation.

- Transcripts: You'll need to submit an official transcript of all your college work. This is not so difficult to obtain from your undergraduate institution. Still, the earlier the better.

- Financial aid: If you are planning on requesting financial aid, you'll need to get some documents in order. For non-U.S. citizens, here is the form. Here is the form for U.S. citizens.

While you are thinking about financial aid, consider why an investment in graduate school makes sense for you. Even students who receive a chunk of aid have to contribute to their costs. In the end, everyone has to make some kind of investment.

Be sure to look at this webpage on financial aid and fellowships. While you're at it, try reading this blog post: Financial Aid.

- Deadlines: Here are the application deadlines for candidates wanting to enter SAIS Bologna in the Fall of 2012:

• Non-U.S. candidates: February 1, 2012
• U.S. candidates: January 7, 2012

As you move ahead, you'll have questions. Keep in touch with us. You can email us at admissions@jhubc.it. You can chat with us on Skype (our handle is jhubc.admissions). Our phone number is +39 051 29 17 811 (ask for Admissions).

And of course you can always leave a comment on this blog. We welcome feedback.

Nelson Graves

It's better to be safe than sorry!

Today, I would like to answer some questions we are asked frequently. Please take some time to read this post and especially to go through the information available on our website as well as in the Incoming Student Guidebook. They are precious sources of information that can help you answer most of your questions.  

Q: I am having problems with my visa application, what should I do?

A: The first step is to check which documents you need on the website of the Italian embassy of your home country . 

Q: I have checked the documents on the website of the Italian embassy of my home country and it seems that I am missing some documents. 

A: Contact us as soon as possible. We will be happy to help you. 

Q: I have not started my visa application yet, should I worry?

A: Yes. By now, everyone should have at least been in contact with the Italian embassy in their home country. If you have not contacted them already, make sure you do so as soon as possible. 

Q: I am not a citizen of the European Union. What should I do for medical insurance?

A: You need to arrive in Italy with a sound health plan that will cover you in case you need care. Remember that the Italian emergency insurance applies to emergency hospitalization only. For more information see this post  published in May. 

Q: When is the deadline to pay the first tuition instalment?

A: The deadline is on September, 30.  See the Incoming Student Guidebook to learn how you can make the payment. 

Q: I received financial aid from SAIS, how does paying tuition work for me?

A: Financial aid from SAIS goes towards tuition. If you received financial assistance from SAIS the award will be split in two. One half will be credited towards tuition in the first semester and the other half in the second semester. You will be asked to pay the outstanding balance at the beginning of each semester. You can read more on financial aid and tuition here.

Q: I have not registered for a principles of economics course yet, what should I do? 

A: You should find a course now. Remember that when you arrive in Bologna, you will need to have successfully passed courses in principles of micro and macroeconomics or you won't be able to start your studies at SAIS. 

If you feel there are questions that should be addressed, please comment on this post so that everyone can benefit from your queries. You know we welcome your input! 

Next week:

- Your views on the Blog: a summary of your answers to our survey.

- Q&A on concentrations, jobs and more.

Amina Abdiuahab 

Spending wisely

Tuition is a fact of life for those attending a private program such as SAIS. Below Bart Drakulich, who is director of Finance and Administration at the Bologna Center, provides some background and at the end some basic information on tuition payments. You can send any questions to the Business Office.

An old film actor once declared he spent his earnings “part on gambling, part on booze and part on women“ before adding: “The rest I spent foolishly.”

Bart Drakulich

While George Raft didn’t name a graduate education in international relations, presumably he would not have considered SAIS tuition a foolish expenditure. He may have meant to add it to his list but forgot.

Humor aside, the rising cost of higher education has been an important topic of debate recently. I enjoy the debate, am not a defender of the status quo and look forward to continuing the dialogue with the incoming class. In the fall I will share a presentation on the Bologna Center’s budget -- how it is structured, what our sources of funding are and how your tuition is spent. In the meantime I’d like to give a bit of context followed by a service announcement:

·        Johns Hopkins is a private, not-for-profit university. For students we are more expensive than most universities in Europe but that is because of the source of funding, not how it is used. In many countries higher education is subsidized and the costs are spread over the tax base. Citizens underwrite the costs whether or not they attend. At SAIS, students, with the help of financial support from alumni and other outside sources, fund the program. One can debate the costs and benefits of the two models. By enrolling at Johns Hopkins you have chosen the latter.

·        We believe you have made a wise choice. A graduate education is not a commodity, and one size does not fit all. By accepting admission, you have chosen to be part of a special group of students from diverse backgrounds with often similar interests and goals. You will learn in an intimate environment from world class faculty and also from each other. Your classmates will become part of your lifelong network, as friends and professional contacts.

·        Hard as it may be to believe, the cost of educating each of you will exceed tuition. This is the case for virtually all top U.S. universities. Our program is still a very artisanal, personal activity, and payroll costs make up the bulk of our budget. We rely on the generosity of alumni, foundations and governments to help cover the difference so we can maintain a quality program for a small group of students each year.

·        Financial aid can be a source of misunderstanding and debate. Students can point to a number of expenditures they feel might have better been spent on a fellowship for them. To an extent they may be missing the point. Financial aid is a high priority, but it is not the only claim on our resources. It is an instrument to further our twin goals of attracting the highest quality candidates and maintaining a diverse student body. We would love to provide unlimited aid to students but do not have the resources to do so, and a research university like Johns Hopkins has many goals and constituencies it must allocate resources for. That said, this year we were able to award more aid than any other year in our history, something we are very proud of.

Now that I have provided a bit of context, let’s get down to the nitty gritty. Here are a few KEY bits of information about your upcoming tuition investment:

·        Fall semester tuition is due on Friday, September 30.

·        If you received a fellowship, you will be allowed to use HALF of the fellowship amount towards fall semester tuition. The other half will be credited towards your spring semester tuition, due on Monday, February 6, 2012.

·        Instructions on paying tuition are on page 15 of our Guidebook for Incoming Students (please familiarize yourself with the information in this guidebook as it will answer many of your questions).

·        If you have questions which are not addressed in the Guidebook, please send an email to businessoffice@jhubc.it.

Now that we have that out of the way, let me say I am very much looking forward to meeting all of you in a few months. I wish you all a safe and pleasant summer.

Bart Drakulich

Trying to answer your main questions

Email is a great thing, right?

My inbox and that of Amina are full of questions from admitted candidates. These are important questions, and we need to be clear in our answers. Email is an easy punching bag, but it's also a good way to gauge what the our readers' main concerns are.

(I'm sure you've asked yourself: How did we exist without email? How about existing without the fax -- as I did in my first job after SAIS.)

This week we will try to answer some of the questions we are receiving most frequently from candidates who have been admitted to SAIS Bologna. The beauty of a blog -- even one as modest as ours -- is to be able to address the concerns of a wide community, something email cannot easily do.

So what are the main concerns? They clearly are financial aid, pre-term, housing and visas.

For many candidates, financial aid is the most pressing issue because they have to make ends meet before matriculating. Feel free to read our earlier post on financial aid. In it you'll see links to a number of useful web pages and documents.

You'll also note I make the point in that post that financing a quality education is in many ways an investment, and a sound one. While to some it may seem a leap of faith, it's an investment in your future that will pay off over time.

A last point on financial aid: as we said in a post earlier this month, at the moment we have distributed in awards all of the money available to us for scholarships for candidates who applied through Bologna Admissions. Later in the spring, when we know which admitted candidates will be attending SAIS, if sufficient money is returned to us we may be able to make additional grants, as we have in the past. But it is not something to count on.

We intend to tackle housing in a post later this week. Salvatore, who has helped students find apartments for more than three decades, will not be available until later this week, so we ask readers to wait a few more days. Amina will take up visa issues tomorrow.

PRE-TERM

First, let me try to clear up a matter that causes some confusion -- the economics requirements.

All students need to have taken introductory courses in both microeconomics and macroeconomics BEFORE starting their course work at SAIS. Many candidates will have satisfied this requirement during their undergraduate studies. For those who have not, SAIS offers an online course. For more information on this, click here. Anyone who has not yet met this requirement will be receiving an email from Amina later this week.

All students also have to pass intermediate micro and macro to graduate. In pre-term, which this year starts on August 29 in Bologna, intensive courses in both intermediate micro and macro are offered. Students who take these courses generally want to accelerate their learning.

I should point out that a pre-term is also offered in Washington, from July 25-August 23, so just ahead of Bologna. For more information on the Washington pre-term, click here. Students headed to SAIS Bologna can participate in both the Washington and the Bologna pre-terms, or in either, but neither is required.

The Bologna pre-term has been expanded this year. It includes, as usual, courses in Italian and, for some non-native English speakers, intensive English. This year, SAIS Bologna is also offering two of the four "core" courses: Theories of International Relations and Comparative National Systems. Registration for pre-term is from May 15 to July 5.

On core courses: to graduate, M.A. candidates must pass written exams in two of four core areas (except students in European Studies, who take three European Studies comprehensive exams). In addition to the two core courses taught during pre-term, there are core offerings during the academic year in America and the World since 1945 and Evolution of the International System. All four of the core courses are taught in both Bologna and Washington.

For more information on SAIS's core requirements, click here.

You'll note in this information sheet that some combinations of courses during pre-term are possible but that other combinations are discouraged. This is because pre-term courses are intensive by nature -- basically a term's work in four weeks -- and some of the combinations would discourage all but the most masochistic of students.

I have not begun to provide all of the information on pre-term. The information sheet is much more detailed. I might add, however, that for many students pre-term is a great way to start off their SAIS experience. It allows one to get a solid academic start. A student becomes more familiar with SAIS and Bologna. One can settle down early and get to know roommates.

And September is a wonderful month to be in Bologna.

Tomorrow: Visas

Nelson Graves

FAQs

We promised when we launched this blog in December (how time flies) that it would not only entertain and advise, but also inform.

We will try to be on the entertainment side of the ledger tomorrow with the weekly quiz. We were full of avuncular advice during the application period.

It's about time we informed.

We're getting a lot of questions from admitted candidates, and some from those on the wait list and those who were not offered admission. FAQs might be the last refuge of scoundrels, but they can be useful.

(Did you know that the term "FAQs" is fairly recent? Like the fax machine, it did not exist when I was the age of most of our blog readers.)

Q: I have been offered aid for 2011-12. Will I receive the same amount in 2012-13?

A: There is a pool of aid for students in their second year. Generally the pool is greater in the first year than the second, in part because some special fellowships are available to Bologna Center students. All students in satisfactory academic standing are eligible to apply for aid for the second year. Awards are based mainly on performance during the first semester at the Bologna Center. Need and in some cases fellowship eligibility can also be taken into consideration. Students who perform especially well in Bologna -- whether or not they have received aid in their first year -- can present a strong case for aid in the second year. There is no assurance that a student will receive the same amount of aid the second year -- they can receive more or less. Competition for aid is lively, and we urge students to explore alternative sources for the second year as soon as possible to avoid missing deadlines which can fall one year in advance.

One of the alternative sources of funds for the second year for non-U.S. citizens could be the Fulbright Commission. There is no blanket authorization for the national commissions to accept applications from students who attend the Bologna Center and who are looking for funding for a second year in Washington. Each country applies its own policies. However, a number of commissions in Europe have agreed to accept applications from students for their second year in Washington, and we would encourage those who are interested to try. Please keep us informed of your progress, and if you think that an intervention from us with your local Fulbright Commission might help establish your eligibility (not advance your candidacy), please provide us the name, email and/or telephone number of your contact person, and we will try to help . Also, keep in mind that this applies to funding for a second year in Washington. Fulbright does not offer scholarships to students studying in Bologna.

Q: I received no aid for 2011-12. Can I receive some for 2012-13?

A: Please see the answer to the preceding question. If you perform extremely well in Bologna, you're only doing yourself a favor. Give it a try.

Q: Can I be awarded more financial aid for 2011-12?

A: One of the most difficult aspects of assembling a new class is our inability to fully meet the financial needs of all of the students we would like to welcome. At the moment we have distributed in awards all of the money available to us for scholarships. Later in the spring, when we know which admitted candidates will be attending SAIS, if sufficient money is returned to us we may be able to make additional grants, as we have in the past, but it is not something to count on. We know how difficult the financial challenge is.

Q: Can I defer enrollment?

A: Yes. We ask candidates who wish to defer to write to us, explaining why. You need a good reason to defer. Different people have different reasons for deferring; we will consider each case on its merits. In some cases, it is to work a job that directly enhances your subsequent experience at SAIS. A candidate who defers needs to decide by May 16 to hold down the spot for the following academic year. If you want to defer, let us know as soon as possible.

Q: How do I get a visa to study in Italy?

A: Once you have matriculated (which requires a 385 euro payment), we will send you a letter, in Italian, that allows you to apply for a student visa ("Visto Tipo D" -- in English, Type D visa). You can apply at an Italian embassy or consulate in your home country. From there on, it's pretty straightforward (convicted criminals aside, of course -- just kidding). If you get on this early, you should not lose any sleep. But if you hit a snag, be sure to contact us.

Q: Can I work part-time in Bologna?

A: Italian regulations say full-time students with a visa can work up to 20 hours a week, or 1040 hours a year. There are some jobs in the Bologna Center such as research and teaching assistantships, library employment, the reception. There can be opportunities off campus, especially if you speak some Italian.

Q: When and how do I apply for a job at the Bologna Center?

A: It depends. In general, it's best to wait for jobs to be posted. Some departments send out vacancy announcements over the summer, while others wait until pre-term or the beginning of the academic year to post. In many cases, job openings will be sent to incoming students via email. Research and teaching assistantships are managed by professors themselves, and the processes and timing depend on the individuals. If you are interested in a teaching or research assistantship, have a look at the biographies of professors and consider whether there is someone you would like to work with. Keep in mind that there can be a good deal of competition for these posts.

Q: What if my question is not answered here? Should I dash off an email to the friendly Admissions team?

A: We love email. But could we ask a favor? That you first check out a special page for incoming students. If your answer is not there, try this FAQs page. If you still don't have an answer, please do write or call us.

Q: How do I pronounce "Bologna"?

A: The "g" is soft. If you say "Bo-lon-ya", with the accent on "lon", you're off to a good start.

Ciao.

Tomorrow: Weekly quiz

Nelson Graves

Some common questions

Good Monday everyone!

Today I'll try to answer some of the more common questions we receive from applicants. By now many of you know the application procedure by heart. But you might still have queries.

Hopefully we will answer them here. If not, please comment on the blog so all readers can benefit. Or if you feel shy, write us an email.



Delivery of material
We ask applicants for practical reasons to send original copies of their documents in a single package. That ensures the documents are kept in a single dossier -- yours.

If you do not have everything at hand at the same time and you have to mail more than one parcel, that is fine. What is important is that your documents reach us by the deadline of February 1.

The Deadline
We receive many questions about the deadline. It's important we receive your online application and supporting documents by February 1. We understand you cannot control the delivery of every document -- in addition to the material you submit directly, there are letters of recommendation, test scores and transcripts which may come from other sources.

Still, we urge you to do what you can to make sure everything reaches us by February 1. Sometimes referees say they may not be able to meet the February 1 deadline; they are, after all, busy people. We would encourage you to lean politely on them and to point out that they are not helping your case if they submit the letters after the deadline.

Of course we will not refuse letters that come in after the deadline and before the final admissions decisions are taken. But anyone whose application is not complete when it is reviewed by our Admissions Committee starting from February 1 will be at a disadvantage.

Bottom line: please contact us via email, phone (+39 051 29 17 811) or Skype (jhubc.admissions) if you think any of your documents will not be with us by February 1. We'll listen carefully.

Transcripts
Can one send photocopies of transcripts? The answer: We need an original copy with your university’s seal. Most universities are happy to mail them directly to us. Some transcripts include a guide to the grading system printed on the transcript itself.

If your transcript does not include such a grading system, we ask that you go to this website to find the conversion table for your country. Please print that table and include it with your transcript. If the transcript is coming directly from your university, please send the conversion table with your application.

Financial aid
An applicant requesting financial help is asked to submit a form supported by documents summarizing their family’s financial status. We understand that many of you are no longer claimed as dependents by your parents. But we still ask for the information as it allows us to be as fair as possible in our aid decisions.

Sometimes a candidate has unusual financial circumstances. For example, an applicant might claim their parents as dependents. If your situation is out of the ordinary, please include a written explanation as part of your application. We will read it carefully as we understand not everyone is the same.

I hope this post answers some of your questions. If not, feel free to write a comment. Or contact us by email, Skype or phone. We are here to help.

Tomorrow: Communications at SAIS Bologna

Amina Abdiuahab

Financial aid

I don’t remember how we ever got onto the subject, but when I was a child my grandfather spoke to me about the cost of a university education in the United States. “A year of private university in the United States,” he told me, “has always been roughly equivalent to the cost of a quality automobile.”

He was quite right from the financial standpoint: a year at a top U.S. university still costs roughly what it takes to buy a better-than-average car.

With all due respect to my grandfather, who knew the value of money if anyone did and saw prices change over decades, the comparison between education and cars holds true for up-front cost but just about stops there. That is because a car depreciates quickly in value, while a good education increases in value with time.

I mention this because attending SAIS is akin to investing in your future. SAIS, like other private educational institutions, charges tuition to cover costs. The price tag – 29,000 euros for SAIS Bologna in 2010-11 – seems steep for many students, certainly those outside the United States.

We receive a great many questions about financial aid. Before I turn to aid options, I think it’s worth making a general point that the cost of SAIS will be absorbed over time. SAIS graduates generally land jobs of their choice quickly -- employers know the value of a SAIS education. What can seem like a huge amount of money to you now will seem less burdensome once you hold down a job, particularly if the costs are spread over time.

Another general point: most SAIS Bologna students receive some kind of financial aid. Much of it comes from funds managed by SAIS; some of it comes from other sources. Many arrange loans or use savings or work part-time jobs while at SAIS to earn pocket money. A typical student will tap a variety of sources of funds to make the investment affordable.

If you require financial aid, then you submit an aid form with your application. It requires you to answer some basic questions about your and your parents’ finances.

(Gabriella Chiappini, director of development at SAIS Bologna, speaks about financial aid options in the video below.)



SAIS manages a substantial amount of money for fellowships. Some of it comes from its operating budget; some comes from outside donors. In all but a few cases, the single financial aid form is all we need to allocate aid when admissions decisions are taken.

There are aid sources outside SAIS’s control: a partial list can be found here. You are encouraged to scout around for other sources of aid in addition to SAIS. Some funds award grants to specific categories of students – you will want to check whether you are eligible for such funds. This will mean spending some time doing research, but it is time well spent.

Many students take out loans with lengthy maturities to help cover the costs. U.S. students may have access to subsidized loans; European students at SAIS Bologna can tap a special loan program offered by UniCredit Bank. In most cases, such loans are paid off over many years, meaning the monthly payments can be quite manageable.

To sum up, here are some things to keep in mind:

• Consider SAIS an investment. With some effort on your part, it will be an affordable investment.
• Most students combine funds from a variety of sources to cover costs. The sources can include fellowships, savings, loans, part-time work.
• SAIS manages its own pool of funds. Check other sources, too: home, local or regional governments; corporations; your alma mater.

Tomorrow: GREs and GMATs

And don't forget the speech by U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner at SAIS Washington at 1330 GMT (1430 CET) on Wednesday, January 12, webcast at www.sais-jhu.edu.

Nelson Graves