IA+Math

A day left to decide and still torn. I spoke extensively to the Global Business and Finance Director at MSFS. She was really helpful, but I also was left wondering why it was less econ focused and more business focused when there is already a B school at Georgetown. A MSFS business degree can't compete against an MBA in most realms I would think. However, the promptness and helpfulness of MSFS is hard to dismiss. I usually get responses within an hour, if not minutes, from when I send the email. I think I can get all the classes I would at SAIS also at MSFS, but it just isn't known for it. SAIS I think aligns with my academic interests more, but current students have told me how miserable their career services are, and SAIS has yet to respond (even with a 'we will get back to you') to a few of my emails and its been a week almost. I know that in the end, career services won't matter that much as it is up to us to secure a job, but it just also shows investment in the students. I do love how they seem to be a feeder for the World Bank and it has more finance and econ private sector alumni than other ones. I know MSFS does too, but the smaller number, though allowing more personalized attention, just means they have less alumni to utilize. I have written my 'Thank you for your offer' declining email but changed the school almost a dozen times in the past two weeks. Anyone else leaving it to the last minute?

@yellopostit Good point. Further, I think that even if the quality of the courses are similar, the reputation for their quant/econ/finance courses may be different. I feel that I might get just as much quant and econ rigor at MSFS if I put effort into it, but SAIS is KNOWN for their quant and rigor and that reputation can translate into immediate assumption that SAISers are better quant prepared than MSFSers, despite perhaps no difference in quality and difficulty. What school did you choose?

I am trying to puzzle out the alumni networks of each. SAIS has a huge and expansive array of alumni in economic, finance, and development fields. I am wondering whether MSFS sends people in those fields often as well rather than just the occasional individual. From conversations with faculty and staff, I have gathered that MSFS can be more of a finance niche while SAIS is an econ niche (obviously).

Anyone else struggling to make the decision? Only a few days left before the April 20 deadline and I am not leaning any direction over the other. I have spoken to current students and faculty/staff and both have left me with great impressions and have spoken highly of the other school (and that realism and honesty makes me like their school even more). I realize this is the definition of champagne problems but it nevertheless is hard to decide. As I aiming to work in the private sector, specifically finance and human rights in Southeast and East Asia, both seem to have certain pros and cons. Size: Georgetown is smaller, meaning it will be more close-knit and I will have greater access to professors and career servies, and also makes the MSFS degree on the resume more unique. The student body seems really wonderful, with each person having their own narrative (a bit like Fletcher in that regard). SAIS is bigger, which may be harder in terms of standing out, but it also means the network will be bigger and farther reaching. Though it seems to have more similar types of students than MSFS, it also sends them in a more refined direction and thus we will have contacts in places relevant to our interests. Econ/Finance: MSFS's Global Business and Finance concentration seems very relevant for my finance and private sector goals. I do like the interdisciplinary nature of it in many regards. However, I am still not sure if it will have as much meaning as the SAIS degree in terms of quantitative rigor and recognition. SAIS's Int'lt Dev concentration is top notch. After puzzling out a giant spreadsheet of course paths, it seems that all but 2 classes will be in econ. I am wondering how these translate in terms of business and finance as they are very macro focused. Career Services: MSFS, as it is smaller, seems to be able to devote more to career services. They don't go to bat for their students as hard as Fletcher, but they still seem to be very proactive. However, my impression is that it is much more public sector and foreign service oriented, which isn't exactly my preferred direction. I am not sure if MSFS GBF is as recognized in the private sector as SAIS is. SAIS has more private sector grads (or so it seems) but it also has a much weaker career services. I realize you get what you put in, but considering the price tag of these schools, I figure career services assistance should be part of that. Also, when applying to jobs, it seems that not only are you competing against the masses, but a lot of other SAISers with very similar resumes. Thus, more relevant for private sector but must work for it more. I hear that the World Bank is a large consumer of SAIS grads, but only for contract jobs. Prestige/Name: Both seem great, very respected, etc. I am not really that big on name or prestige, but I hope to work internationally where name probably matters more so I am torn. From what I have gathered, I have no clear indication which is more respected outside of DC, let alone outside of the US. Funding: Negligible difference for me; but the fact that Georgetown seems more stingy ironically makes me more grateful for their offer and thus harder to turn it down. Anyone else struggling with this debate and what are your thoughts?

@hedong123 Congrats on your decision! I agree with what you are saying about SAIS's career preparation, and that is why I have yet to say yes to MSFS. Though, as BjornTsui noted, all the schools offer quant and econ courses, some are more recognized in the professional world for their quantitative work than others; especially SAIS. I wasn't able to attend any open houses because I am located in Asia, but I hope that someone on these threads will post what they learned. After working in the public sector and nonprofits for awhile, I think I am ready to transition to the private sector and work towards using private capital towards public good. So, at this point, it is a matter of whether I think MSFS Global Business and Finance or SAIS's Int'l Dev will help me access careers in the private sector internationally. Well, a few days left... gotta make that decision soon.

Anyone else still struggling to decide on Georgetown? I really want a program that emphasizes quant and can prepare me to use the private sector in my career goals, so I am back and forth between SAIS and Georgetown, though a small part of me toys with Fletcher still because of their strong student support. Anyone heading to Georgetown MSFS and why?

I am sorta in a similar position, but SAIS is one of my main contenders. I would do their IDEV program, but if I went to Fletcher I would just do the MALD. Since I want to do more finance and quantitatively focused work, I think I will go for SAIS or Georgetown rather than the MALD (however their funding is hard to turn down). But, their MIB program is different so it would be harder to compare. However, I have heard mixed reviews of the MIB program. My friends at Fletcher say that it is a good degree, but if you wanted to do something in business or finance, just get an MBA rather than an MIB. That is just their opinion though. Reputation: SAIS and Georgetown have better reps, but the Fletcher Mafia is very well connected and really goes to bat for each other, so that is a huge plus. Fletcher is known to work harder and be more supportive of its students.

Admitted but waitlisted for funding. Problem is, even if some becomes available, we won't be notified till after the deadline of other schools.

Accepted but no word on funding. According to the thread last year, someone said that funding would be sent out a bit later, but not sure.

@Are we there yet? Thanks for taking time to join in on this thread and offer advice. I have a few questions: 1) Financial leveraging: I got into SIPA but with no funding apparently. However, SAIS IDEV gave me 20, Fletecher gave me a 24k Bosworth Scholarship; do you think I can leverage that against SIPA to get funding or are they just not worth trying? NYC and Columbia are expensive, and even with some financial assistance, I would have to take serious debt and am worried about my ability to make due under it. 2) Quant: I am very quant focused and it is important to me; how do you feel about Columbia's quant ability? I am looking to go into private capital investment in SE Asia, but am open to IMF and World Bank. Does Columbia have a good reputation? 3) Student Body: Do you find that you are supported/have a sense of community at SIPA? Forums often point to SIPA being a bit colder due to the size and not feeling as invested in as students, but I wanted an actual student's perspective rather than just the online tropes. 4) Is it decently internationally focused? For example, Fletcher is more internationally prone but Kennedy is more US focused in terms of courses, etc. Thanks a ton!