greendiplomat

I feel like a lone soul in this forum, but I'll actually disagree. I think many people's perceptions of SIPA as a program are tinged by its poor financial aid (which I agree SIPA could do a much better job on). A big and expensive program can be impersonal, but that's not the impression I have of SIPA. I went to Columbia for undergrad, walked into a SIPA class that I was interested in, asked the professor if I could take the class as an undergrad, and she let me in on the spot. As for the whole thing about applying for classes, those are maybe 10 or so specialist classes where the professor decides can't hold more than 15 or so people. Bear in mind that this is out of the 100+ classes offered every semester, and it's because the program's so big, that SIPA's able to offer such a wide array of classes on really specific areas of policy. On the topic of the drawbacks of large programs, yes, it's hard to be recognized/remembered by the administration. That being said, aside from the core lectures, the vast majority of classes are capped at 25-35 people, so it's not hard to forge connections with professors. No, you won't have weekly pre-scheduled check-ins with deans, but the resources are there if you know what you need and seek those opportunities out. As for the "cash-cow" perception that they admit "rich kids" for "economic considerations", I really think you're putting the carriage before the horse here---a high proportion of students with external sources of funding (whether scholarship or family) end up accepting their SIPA offers because of the school's admittedly poor financial aid, not because SIPA courts those students in particular. Now, getting back on topic (Fletcher vs. SAIS vs. SIPA)--- I'd say the main differences between the programs are: Pragmatic vs. academic: Setting up a bit of a false dichotomy there, but I'd say that out of the three, SAIS and SIPA are more similar since they're "MPPish" IR schools that are more professional programs designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to succeed in the international arena, whereas Tufts tends to be more academic, as can be seen by its thesis requirement and lack of "professional skills" requirements like accounting or management. Analytical rigor: SAIS definitely has the reputation for being the most quantitative out of the bunch, and, indeed, based on the fact that all SAIS graduates need to have intermediate macro/micro + international micro/macro (i.e. trade and finance respectively) SAIS is, on the whole, more quantitative. That said, you can definitely take the corresponding classes at Fletcher and SIPA if you wanted to, and since SAIS doesn't have other JHU departments at its disposal (more on this below), you can't beef up your quant much beyond that by taking graduate-level econ classes in the economics department or taking real analysis in the math department, like you can at the other two. (In short, the average curriculum at SAIS is more analytically rigorous than at Fletcher or SIPA, but if you were to look at the most quantitative curriculum you could possibly put together at each of the schools, I think SIPA and Fletcher would be ahead of SAIS, in that order.) Course selection: All 3 programs have great course offerings, but bear in mind that they differ in terms of how many classes you can take outside of their respective schools. SAIS is in a different city from JHU, so that's a definite no. Fletcher lets you take classes both within Tufts, as well as at Harvard, but places an upper limit of a quarter of your classes (i.e. 4 in total). Columbia doesn't have any limits on what classes you can take in the university, but between its core, concentration, and specialization requirements, there might be an effective limit that's similar to that at Tufts. Disciplinary strengths: Finally, one other thing to bear in mind is that they each have their strong policy fields. If international development is your calling, I would steer clear of SAIS if you didn't get into IDEV, despite their great connections with the World Bank. Tufts and Columbia both have strong development concentrations, though I get the distinct impression that Columbia's allows you to get a bit more quantitative, if that's your thing. At the end of the day, you got into some of the top programs in the country, so first of all, congratulate yourself. Whatever you end up choosing, these are all great programs; you can't really go wrong here. If you're not really sure where you want to end up, I would just take the 12K at Fletcher and run with it. (Another way of looking at is, "Is the marginal allure that SAIS and/or SIPA have over Fletcher worth 12K?"). Now to face my own dilemma instead of procrastinating by trying to help others with theirs...

Never hurts to ask, as they say they prioritize those coming in from far away. I don't see them reimbursing my 20-dollar train ticket from New York.

Anyone going to admitted students day? Looks like they have some funds for reimbursing travel expenses.

The MSc in Environmental Economics and Climate Change. Likely not going though, due to funding from Princeton.

Likely going to Princeton for an MPP due to full funding, but of MEM programs, Yale was my top choice, mostly due to the flexibility of the program. Looking at the EEP concentration at Nicholas (that I would have chosen had I applied), though the majority of the courses I would have selected anyways, I noticed that fulfilling those requirements pretty much fills up your entire 2 years. At Yale, because the only limit on cross-registration is that you take half of your classes at FES, I could have made a customized program consisting of specific advanced classes from the economics, mathematics, and statistics departments that I'm interested in, in addition to the environmental policy/science classes at FES. (I'm interested in the economics of climate change.) I guess this is where the quality of Yale overall fits into the picture--that you can take a large number of classes at some of the world-class departments in the larger university system. For me, some of the economic models that I drew upon for a paper that I wrote were devised by Yale environmental economists, which is why it was the obvious choice for me. If, on the other hand, you can't place out of a good number of Foundations courses at Yale and none of the past or present Integrative Frameworks classes appeal to you, and if your concentration of choice at Nicholas fits your interests well, then Nicholas is a great program.

Same here. Got 1 acceptance (and from my alma mater so it didn't really count) the first time I applied, so I was expecting 2 maybe 3 out of a half a dozen or so, not 5 out of 5.

Nope. Plain old MIA.

Sh*t, just got into Columbia. 5 of 5 so far. When I applied straight out of undergrad, it was 1 of 5, only getting into SIPA (and I suspect that this was because 1 of my recommenders taught there). I guess relevant work experience and a thought-out SoP really does pay off.

Oh, interesting that I didn't have an email. Got in.

In with $14K. Very pleased that I got in, but I think I'm turning this one down due to likely funding from WWS.

Also, funding information comes separately, yes?

Got into WWS literally 9 minutes after getting into HKS!!!!

JUST GOT INTO WWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at my numbers and tell me anyone would have expected this. (As in: How the f*ck did I get in with a 3.3? My message to future applicants: if you're really passionate about your field of public service, you can really do it.) EDIT: My hands are shaking, so sorry for not being eloquent AT ALL, but you get my point.

Got into HKS!!!!! GAAAAH DECISIONS!!!!

I'll agree whole-heartedly with cunninlynguist on this one. In addition to the analytical rigor of the Duke program, the Nicholas school is far more well-known than Penn's program, especially within domestic policy circles. That, plus the money that Duke's throwing at you, should make this an all-around win-win solution. (Unless there's a personal reason that compels you to Philly and not Durham).

No, as long as you express what the additional master's will provide above and beyond what your previous one did. If so, it should help you, if anything.

I'm assuming the sh*t will hit the fan on this thread the moment the first person hears.

I've kept my boss in the loop at each step from thinking of applying to admissions decisions, so she's known that I'm quitting in the fall. I'll confirm the exact date when I decide on the program I'm attending.

This post on the admissions blog (7th para.) seems to suggest that financial aid information will not be part of the admissions letter, though they interview people for fellowships!?

Thanks for the response, though I meant this as a thread for general discussion for people who are considering going, with an additional question directed at the person who got into the MPA in Public and Economic Policy. Already got into a program I'm happy with on Friday, though, so I'm no longer as antsy as when I posted this. Hitting week 6 tomorrow, so I'll likely hearing back soon...

Congrats! I also noticed that you're interested in environmental economics, though on the waste management end (I'm rather uncreative in my interests in climate economics). Does anyone know whether there's an admitted students' online forum of sorts that we could get questions answered outside of the Open House or individual emails?

Yay! Are you thinking of going to the Open House? Also, what are your interests?

None, though I knew what I needed to do given my lack of work experience, and since my GPA wasn't stellar. Took a huge risk by turning down the one acceptance I had with no job lined up, but it paid off in the end, even putting admissions aside. I now know what exactly I want to do in grad school, and I think it showed in my application.

I GOT IN!!! Really excited, as this is my first decision. Financial Aid info forthcoming "within 2 weeks". Note: I was rejected 2 years when I applied straight out of undergrad, so there's definitely hope for those who didn't make it!

Oh god, am I the last one standing (and by standing I mean sitting at my desk shaking like a leaf)? Doing a quick search on the results survey, decisions apparently went out on the 15th and the 16th in 2011, so I am going to gouge my eyes out if I have to wait until Monday. (Admissions folk read this, right? )