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I visited SIPA last August and they told me that Development Practice, as the name says, is much more "hands on" than MIA. MIA relies more on quantitative skills and DP has a much more interdisciplinary approach with its on site visits and the summer practicum. I think it kind of depends on what kind of work you want to do afterwards. If you want to do program management or on-site work then I think DP is better for you. If you want a more theoretical approach to international affairs then MIA might work better.

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxels9BoVU1qff8too1_r1_400.gif
This should be the go to response to all questions regarding a subpar GRE score.

lol sorry dude but no mpp/mpa program is going to scream prestige except maybe princeton.

If I could like this 1000x I would. 
 
It is awful to think how selfish you are being right now.  What you have done in paying two deposits and simply going "in circles" is certainly not illegal, but it is unethical and defeats the good faith that all of these schools have put on you to weigh the pros/cons and make a decision in a timely manner.  You had plenty of time to make up your mind.  Just go to the "Waiting it out" section on this forum and read about the people who are still waiting to get into ONE school.  The longer you hold out means that one person on the Fletcher waitlist is going to miss out on his/her dream school and be forced to enroll elsewhere.  I understand that this is a major decision in your life, but it is rather disgusting to think that you might be one of my classmates at SIPA this fall because of what you are doing. 
 
Am I being too harsh on some random on an internet forum? Yeah, probably. Am I going to get a bunch of negatives?  Maybe.  Just grow up a little and think about the bigger picture.

It's not the fact that "everyone is probably as over this decision" as you are that should make you feel embarrassed.  
 
It's the fact that you're sitting on scholarship money at these institutions that could otherwise have really helped someone, or could have changed their decision.  Just like the "unexpected 2nd round funding from SIPA" changed your calculus.
 
And that's just selfish.  And shameful.  And sh+tty.
 
Either put on your big girl boots and pull the trigger or make a date with the Karma gods.  Your choice.

Of course. I just think things have shifted to the facebook and Google groups.

Does the upper west side still have that NYC, big apple feel? I spend most my time when I visit NYC in the lowe east side. If NYC is part of the big draw for me, I don't want to end up in a part of the city that doesn't feel like the NYC I want to be in. Especially if my theory of a Columbia bubble is true and students don't venture too far south.
 
Thanks! It's great to have insight from a New Yorker!

I was also between New School and Columbia in the same field of study. I talked to a professor that teaches at both schools and she said that she expects more of her SIPA students, and that the NS seems to take a bigger percentage of undergrad students, so the level of conversation is different. They also offered me a very nice financial package but Columbia´s reputation is way bigger/better than NS internationally, as well as the alumni network. Also, at SIPA you have the chance to get a scholarship for the second year, so I would do it.

Not even classmates yet and already fighting : D

Try the world bank if u r from a poor country!

Hmm. Heller is known primarily for its work in social policy. Heller's primary reputation comes from its work in poverty alleviation and income/asset inequality. They are also busily increasing their focus on health policy. 
 
LBJ has a more well-known international focus. However, I think employers might ask why you chose the MPAff program instead of MGPS if you are interested in international studies. 
 
ETA: I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer! I like both schools very much - I'm just trying to figure out how your goals would slot into them!

I would however add that in Mexico Austin is much better known due to it's Latin American studies department and plenty of famous alumni (had had at least 2 presidential candidates I can count).

A few posts removed. 
 
Please don't feed the trolls. If you think someone is trolling, ignoring them is much, much better than continuing a protracted argument, dropping to their level, and making the whole thing a mess to clean up. 

Will send you the message I sent the rest. For the forum bottom line....it was awesome! 

Yeah just full of what seems like anxious internationals. Kind of clogs up your inbox, especially if you don't own a gmail account. 

Oh, not another thread of these! Look, I would suggest that you read this:
 

Oh, not another thread of these! Look, I would suggest that you read this:
 

You´re very kind, thanks :3. And yeah, I´ve noticed that too (the cynicism), so it´s a nice thing to remind oneself where you´re coming from.

You´re very kind, thanks :3. And yeah, I´ve noticed that too (the cynicism), so it´s a nice thing to remind oneself where you´re coming from.

Congrats to everyone! Why am I sitll waiting?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Congratulations! Clearly not just some "random dude." Nice to see someone so happy (the SAIS board has a lot of cynics). 

Congratulations!

Me too. I cried a little. This is unbelievable. I`m just a random dude from Mexico that works with grassroots organizations. Two years ago this whole thing was just a crazy dream.
 
Ok, enough cheesiness. Did you get offered any money?

Oh, I'm not saying anything about Heller. I'm just saying that I am not factoring it into my comment since the post was just about HKS or SIPA.
 
MIA

This conversation is like watching some toddlers fight over a plastic bucket in the sandbox.