It is application season for the next cohort of SAIS-ers! In this article, I will provide some various insights and direct reflections from current SAIS students who are admissions fellow representatives. The admissions fellows have been involved in call campaigns and recruiting events, interviewing prospective students, and speaking in panel discussions to represent the school. I felt that honing in on some takeaways and reflections from admissions fellows would be insightful to the SAIS community and prospective students!
The first section will briefly cover application tips for SAIS. The second section will cover student life at SAIS. The third section will discuss the academic experience.
Application Tips
Question: If you had to provide one tip for the application process, what would it be?
Rodolfo, MIEF ‘26: I recommend asking someone you trust and who has experience to review your application before you submit it. Having an extra set of eyes can help you catch details you might have missed and make your story more compelling.
Jan, MASCI ‘26: Think a lot before you start writing. Everyone here has done impressive things – your job is to show who you are beyond your resume. What is your story?
Anagha, MAIR ‘27: Do the optional interview! Yes, it is optional, so it will not make or break your application. However, it is the perfect way to properly articulate why you wish to come to SAIS and how the degree program will advance your skills to prepare you for your career. It is very conversational, informal, and also a great way to get to speak with a current student.
Maham, MIEF ‘27: Be very authentic and specific in your application and show how your experiences connect to your goals and why SAIS is the right place to achieve them both in the short- and long-run.
Student Life at SAIS
Question: What has been your favorite memory at SAIS so far?
Garima, MAIR ‘27: One of my favorite memories at SAIS has been connecting with fellow SAISers from diverse backgrounds, nationalities, and professional experiences. I’ve learned so much through the conversations we share, both in and outside the classroom. I especially remember a time when a Gen Z-led protest was unfolding in Nepal, amidst the crisis and a sense of helplessness. I found comfort and solidarity in conversations with my professors and peers from the Philippines and Indonesia, who were also navigating protests in their own countries. Those moments of shared reflection gave me a tremendous sense of community.
Jan, MASCI ‘26: The staff ride! We traveled to Antietam and Harper‘s Ferry, following the Prussian General Staff‘s tradition of educational battlefield tours. Camping and bonfires were included.
Bryan, MAIR ‘27: Choosing just one favorite memory at SAIS is difficult because every week brings something new that truly excites me. If I had to choose, I’d say my favorite part has been building community. Every week, I meet someone new, and I love getting to know their stories, backgrounds, and perspectives. Each conversation offers a glimpse into another world and reminds me of the need for diversity in international relations.
Rodolfo, MIEF ‘26 : It might not be a specific memory, but I really enjoy seeing the first floor full of students on Monday mornings. It’s a great reminder of the energy and diversity of the SAIS community.
Question: Describe the SAIS community in one word and explain why?
Jan, MASCI ‘26: Driven. I keep learning about the many ways my fellow students have grappled with tough questions in the past; I’ve heard so many inspiring stories.
Nural, MAIR ‘26: Welcoming. Students and staff are encouraging and caring here, wishing the best for you and want you to get the most out of your experience at SAIS.
Rodolfo, MIEF ‘26: Excellence. SAIS embodies excellence not only through its professors and students, but also in how everything works so efficiently and how diverse and talented each cohort is, making every program of the highest quality.
Bryan, MAIR ‘27: Exuberant. You can feel the energy the moment you walk into a classroom. Students are passionate and ready to discuss complex global issues. The professors match that same enthusiasm, ensuring that there is an environment filled with curiosity, bold ideas, and lively conversations that push everyone to think deeper.
Academic Experience at SAIS
Question: What has been your best opportunity you have gotten while at SAIS so far?
Anagha, MAIR ‘27: I have had the opportunity to attend exciting events and panels on campus featuring officials, diplomats, and industry experts in my field of interest. For example, I attended a talk where I was able to ask a question to the current U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines and the former U.S. Ambassador to China.
Maham, MIEF ‘27: Attending the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings was an incredible opportunity to see global economic policy in action and connect with professionals shaping international development.
Nural, MAIR ‘26: The best opportunity I have had at SAIS would be meeting face-to-face with alumni in organizations that I ideally see myself working at.
Question: What has been the most challenging about the SAIS education and experience so far?
Bryan, MAIR ‘27: Coming from a background outside of international relations, I’ve found the curriculum to be the most challenging part of my SAIS experience. It’s rigorous and designed to push future leaders to think critically about global issues. The learning curve has been hard, but SAIS provides excellent resources for students.
Garima, MAIR ‘27: SAIS offers incredible opportunities and resources for its students. There’s always something for everyone. While I love attending talks, embassy visits, and career treks, it can be tough at first to juggle everything alongside assignments. Finding your priorities takes time, but it’s all part of the SAIS journey.
Nural, MAIR ‘26: The most challenging has been my corporate finance class, which demands long studying sessions and dense topics that are covered in a short period of time, so absorbing the vast amount of information is challenging. Experience-wise, I have been fortunate to find peers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. Therefore, I’m happy to be at SAIS.
Jan, MASCI ‘26: Juggling courses, assignments, work, and all the city has to offer. Not a week goes by that I wish I could have attended more events at SAIS or gotten deeper into a certain topic. However, that’s a great problem to have.
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Good luck to everyone on their SAIS applications, and we hope you gained some insights from these reflections!
Editor: Francesca Tomasino