XYZMan

Yes, I'll be carrying a laptop. But I plan to get a Macbook Air so it won't be too cumbersome. Where did you get your briefcase/shoulder bag?

Thank you for your valuable and unsolicited opinion on what I should and shouldn't care about.

Does anyone have bag recommendations? I have a briefcase, but I think I want a backpack in case I end up biking around -- not to mention that I'll need space to lug around a bunch of books. That said, I also don't want to look like an undergraduate/schmuck, so I'd like something semi-professional looking. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Why can't Betsey teach in Boston? Send her our way.

Don't do it. It's dishonest and you will make a lot of enemies in your field.

Also, consider that MIT's cutting edge technology research is second to none. MIT = reputation + rigor + unparalleled innovation HKS = reputation + rigor

You can go from the MPA/ID to high paid positions with top management consulting or banking firms. That's the only situation in which I, put in your shoes, would choose HKS. Even if the specific MIT program is not that well known, MIT itself has a brand recognition equal to (if not greater than) that of HKS. Unless you have wealthy family members/some ability to pay off the loans quickly, that loan is going to be a huge drain for you for a very long time. I would be going to MIT if I were you.

This might be helpful: http://chrisblattman.com/about/contact/gradschool/

If you're already getting such generous offers from graduate schools, think of how much better it will get after one or two years of work experience. In addition to (probably) getting a lot more money, work experience will make your graduate studies more fruitful.

P.S. Whatever you end up doing, you should know that Revolution expects to make a lot of money (at least $90,000 given his years of experience in finance) and that he has only the finest educational pedigree. This information seems to end up in every thread, so I figured I would get a head start.

I had no relevant classes and I still got into competitive IR programs. Yes, a MA will help you get a PhD. But you are getting ahead of yourself. If you want to do work with "global justice", I would recommend spending a couple of years working directly with these issues, whether abroad or domestically. Your questions are almost impossibly vague. You can get a better sense of what you need to do the things you want to do by looking at the biographies of the staff at organizations you might want to work for. (HRW? AI? UNHCR?) Ask for informational interviews with people at these places. Generally, though, a PhD is not required to do applied work. PhDs are usually for people who want to do high level research. MAs are usually for people who want to be doing very applied work. I'll add as a last note: don't be too worried about molding yourself into a preconceived notion. Follow your interests. They will change over time. Also consider that Howard Zinn, Edward Said, and Noam Chomsky -- three of the most influential human rights advocates -- made enormous contributions without taking traditional routes. You might also consider a law degree. But if you do that and go into human rights, you'll probably be in debt for a VERY long time.

Actually, I would disagree. From what I've seen with the major aid agencies, it's better to have a more specialized/applied degree. E.g. getting an MPH will make you more marketable than having a MA in IR.

I'll be honest: I only skimmed your post. But here are my thoughts. You're definitely not "late" in pursuing a new interest. I did nothing related to anything international throughout my 4 years of undergrad and nevertheless have spent the past 3 years working overseas. Having an advanced degree is a tremendous asset in working in the humanitarian setting -- whether it's a PhD or a MA. Both are valued. If you think it's something you're interested in, I would go work somewhere abroad for a couple years immediately after graduating. You will learn if it's something you're truly interested in pursuing in the long term. It would also give you the opportunity to see first hand all of the horrible, poorly planned and implemented projects that fall under the umbrella of "humanitarianism." It sounds like you are still fairly unfocused, which is fine and totally understandable. I think a few years doing real work abroad will clarify things for you.

Buy a bunch of insect spray and spray the hell out of the van? Hose it down first?

Obviously, there are some situations in which a person might take things personally and react improperly. It happens. The thing to keep in mind is that Revolution is the type of person who gets joy out of trying to demean others anonymously. I'm sure he's getting a good chuckle, but at the end of the day he deserves more pity than scorn. It's depressing when someone derives joy from making others feel bad about themselves.

Fletcher is fantastic. You won't be disappointed.

I would study in the US and apply for a Boren Fellowship.

Thanks for all this helpful info! Yeah, I don't care about having roommates. I assumed that would be the case. I'll start poking around for stuff in East Cambridge. I don't arrive in the US until July -- it's difficult to get a head start from abroad.

How long is your commute on the T from Porter to MIT? I'd be most comfortable finding a room at $700 or below. Is that doable around Kendall or Central?

The East-West Center has something in Hawaii (and maybe also SF?). (Outside of the US there are of course Geneva and Beirut.)

Also, don't base your decision based on the reputation of the schools on this forum. Half of the people here are crazy. The other half are also crazy.

In your position, I would go to HKS. Your network will be better at HKS and Cambridge is a better place to live.

Where do MIT grad students typically live? Someone told me that Kendall Square has shared apartments with rooms that go for $600 to $900. Is living up on Kirkland Street too much of a hassle?

If you want to work in the US, get a degree in the US. It's that simple (99% of the time).

HKS is not worth the sticker price. As others have mentioned, it is not HLS or HBS. The students and the training aren't better than what you see at Fletcher and other top programs. You're signing up for added years of debt for a name that's not very well regarded. On the other hand, if you want to pay tens of thousands of dollars to brag to your neighbor and your high school friends, it's totally worth it.