MeInNYC

I was accepted to the NYU SCPS Master's Program, but declined once I started digging into it. It's not a competitive program, so you'll probably get in. You don't have to take the GRE and only have to write one general essay. SCPS is continuing ed not part of the traditional schools (GAS, Steinhardt, Stern, etc.). The curriculum isn't considered compartitively rigorous by the faculty. It's a legit degreee, but more focused on trade practice than theory or scholarship. There's a substationaal audience for that, however, and they satisfy a need. I applied on a bit of a whim and wish I haad done more research beforehand, personally.

Having been accepted to the school, I can speak with a bit more authority than in my previous post about SCPS. I declined to attend the Master's Program for a couple reasons: My interaction with advising and program faculty left me really uninspired. It felt like high school administration pushing students through a curriculum instead of a place of post bacc learning or anything approaching a higher-minded goal. I wasn't looking for academic elites but I could barely pull a point of view about the disciplines out of anyone. Guidance was very ordered and structured. I took a couple non-credit courses before deciding whether to attend. They were very easy and very tactical - which might be fine - but definitely wouldn't prepare me to sit with a CEO or other high-level executive to discuss strategy. I also did a ton of research about the professors, but I think people's expectations differ too greaatly for my opinion to offer any value. It wasn't a good fit for me. The program seems designed for people who want to be better at their trade by learning more 'how-to' than those equally (or more) interested in the 'why'. I know these conclusions are my own and others must love the school. Overall, it just left a bad taste in my mouth.

Thought I'd offer my pov about SCPS: Garbage or worthwhile? The one key difference between SCPS (or any Continuing Ed) and a traditional grad program is emphasis on practical application vs. thoery/research. Courses at SCPS are predominantly taught by industry professionals, some very well-respected ones, with a more pragmatic curriculum. GSAS and Stern seem to have a lot of profs who are published authorities, grounding the International Relations coursework in political theory, for example. It's better to ask yourself what kind of student you are and which program satisfies your needs. Do you want to learn how be a Director of an NGO or analyze political rheotric? Some orgs would be thrilled you understood their lingo and operation, however, the State Department might view a graduate of Georgetown's School of Foreign Service more keenly. In terms of acceptance, it's best to compare requirements for admission, understand funding and program competitiveness. SCPS doesn't require GREs or interviews -- only transcripts and one short essay -- has no funding to speak of and accepts more than half of its applicants. I have no idea how self-aware you are, but I beleive knowing what you want makes a huge difference in determining your course. SCPS might be a perfect fit.

Comparing the MS program to undergrad seems apples to oranges. SCPS is NYU's continuinng education school. It's admission requirements aren't as stringent as Stern or GSAS. (I was suprised to read there's not even an interview required, which helps the admit team and the prospective student, in my view.)