NMB

Signed and sealed! Did a Facebook group ever materialize??

Thanks, @chelaylay! This is really insightful, I appreciate it. I am kinda on the side of just beginning in the field -- I've studied and worked abroad in South & Southeast Asia a considerable bit, but never with large development organizations or beyond the classroom-level. I think this is why the longer programs appeal to me more. Ahh and I am definitely having that last-minute "is this even the right time?!" panic! I would like for these programs to be more financially feasible, but I don't know if another year would make a drastic difference in terms of the funding I might qualify for + the savings I could accrue to meet the massive gaps. I would say Harvard is actually my least preferred option at this point (even though I feel crazy saying that!). I'm just not really in it for the branding. The content and practical aspects of Vandy and Penn are really speaking to me, and now it's just a matter of seeing which I can make work best. Thank you again for your help and input!

Thanks again, @nashville0808. Yes, my original inclination (that I'm still leaning towards) is that a longer program + time in class after a practicum experience is the best way to do it. I wish that it worked out that Penn's 1.5 years was realistic, instead of totally financially unfeasible. I'm lucky in that I already have connections to an organization on the ground in Sikkim that would be open to hosting me next summer. Also, a former Humphrey's Fellow at Peabody works at the Ministry of Education in a Tibetan region of China, and the IEPM faculty have suggested I could do my internship there. This is the unprecedented access I mentioned. I really don't think there would be a way for me to work in Tibet otherwise. It is true that the program does not help coordinate funding, however. I am concerned about the lack of region-centric coursework, but I've talked to current and past students with similar areas of interest that have effectively addressed their regional interests in the context of broader topical coursework. I would obviously still prefer to have some official specialization / faculty connection to that end. And interesting to hear this rumor further confirmed! I knew they were looking to hire someone from NYU, and it's exciting to hear who exactly that may be. It does sound pretty shaky whether or not this will happen, though. Thank you again for everything, @nashville0808! I would still love to hear about your own studies / personal experiences at Peabody, if you want to continue this discussion via PM!

Hi! I feel like I'm in a tight spot and I'd love yall's help as we get down to the wire here! Vanderbilt International Education Policy & Management Best scholarship & work-study offer 2 year program -- thus total loans I will need to take out end up being about the same as the other schools, but I can use the fed unsubsidized alone each year w/o need for higher interest loans; think I would prefer this program length / depth for my Master's! Best education policy program, but not the greatest international resources & network or regional & topical coursework (I'm interested in South & Southeast Asia) Small cohort, chance to shine; solid connection to a difficult-to-access region already offered for the customizable international summer practicum Nashville is cheap, seems like a cool place to live, very close to my family but very far from my significant other, who will be at Cornell for the next 2 years Harvard International Education Policy Barely any funding, ultimately will need ~$60,000 in some combination of the fed unsubsidized, Grad PLUS and/or higher interest loans 9 month program -- not sure how much this will prepare me to really understand the field or gain the quantitative/policy analysis skills I want, but from the employers' perspective I will have the same degree + the Harvard brand behind me No built-in practical experience or opportunity to work during the program (except for unpaid, non-credit internships), and the expense of the program + living in Boston seems to be accented by other "add on" necessities not included in the tuition (prep courses, international study excursions during spring break etc... mostly it's this culture of HARVARD FOR ONE YEAR ONLY! SACRIFICE EVERYTHING FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY! that kinda makes me uncomfortable) Some professors with regional & topical courses that appeal to me, and of the total 8 courses you can enroll in 3 across campus... could utilize Kennedy School or South Asia Institute resources. For that very limited time. Penn International Education Development This had been off my radar until Friday, when I was told I would be the GA for the program, receive some additional funding on top of my $10000 first year scholarship ($5000/semester... so almost one course free for the Fall and Spring yay?) and be a ~leader~ of the program. It's now on par with the other two in terms of financial feasibility, but like Harvard I would need a combo of loans to tackle the ~$60000 ticket price for 1 year. Not explicitly the same policy spin (although they do squeeze a Policy Brief thesis-esque paper -- which I heard students describe as a "lit review" -- into the short program); more focused on placing you with large international development organizations like UNESCO (the director of the program is a chair) 1.5 year program *allegedly*... They recommend you take classes over 3 semesters, with a summer spent at your international internship placement -- which you have limited control over, because the professors place you with just your general regional input on the front end -- but I have yet to talk to a single student who chooses to finish the program this way. They instead cram their courses into 2 semesters (because scholarships generally do not renew) and finish the program abroad, on their internship, hoping that they will either be hired from that or return to the US to start the job search. Also a really strong South Asia Center at Penn. They even offer Tibetan, which I would absolutely take advantage of if I were somehow able to be on campus longer than 2 semesters. I have nooo idea what option is best for me I had been leaning heavily towards Vanderbilt -- a lot of emotional factors, and 2 years just sounds like a much better learning experience -- but it's hard enough to turn down Harvard, and now I've got new information & considerations for the Penn program. I may try to pull off a last minute visit there and see if it really should be back on the table, but in the meantime does anybody out there have any thoughts??

Thanks, @nashville0808! That's some really valuable insight. So you are a current student at Vanderbilt, and you have discovered this weak course content from experience? What program are you in, and what kind of work are you looking to do after you graduate? Again, I have no direct intent to work for large international development organizations, but I do see the value of a program with a good reputation and placement records in those contexts. I'm very open to where my studies might take me, though I do have specific regions and topics dear to my heart, like equitable access for nomadic populations & within traditional societies, and for refugees. I most likely see myself on the ground in a Himalayan region (I've studied/worked in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and northern Thailand -- Sikkim is particularly special to me) doing community-level work with schools or research with local organizations, whatever I discover is the most effective way for me to support the places and people I care about. Or alternatively working in the US with organizations that support immigrants and refugees from those regions. My past teaching experiences cover all age ranges, but I really miss working with kids. And the policy / quantitative end of this work is exactly why I'm pursuing this degree -- these are skills I lack and would like to gain, and if I love that kind of work I hope to be able to pursue it with further study. Until Penn's assistantship offer, I had been leaning heavily towards Vanderbilt. But what you have to say here -- especially coming from a current student -- really makes me second guess that inclination. I had been thinking 2 years was going to be a better learning experience and cover necessary topics more satisfactorily, but maybe not so. Ahhh, now I really have no idea what I will choose!

In a fun new twist, I've just been offered the program GA position for Penn IEDP, which puts that option back on my radar with its funding now in range of the others and the opportunity to be a leader in the cohort/work closely with the core faculty. If anyyyyboddyyy has thoughts on this tough decision that somehow keeps getting harder, I'd be eternally grateful!!!

@SCGH really great to know about J-term, I didn't realize that! Thank you again for all your help!

Thanks, @SCGH! Yeah, there are definitely some cultural issues I am concerned about / would have to get used to again (I've since lived in St. Louis, DC, and South & SE Asia... What would lil ole Tennessee feel like as an adult?) I appreciate your points about cohort size & on-campus resources (HGSE's as essentially unparalleled). Are you a current student? Are you able to speak a bit to the expense -- both in terms of money, time and energy -- it takes to feel like you have maximized your year? For instance, did you participate in a study trek / otherwise fund & organize your own travel or research / feel financial or other pressure in enrolling in as many add-on prep courses, J-term classes and modules as possible? I totally understand if these are details you would prefer to share via PM! Thanks so much for your help

Hi, friends! At this point, I'm just trying to poll as many perspectives as possible. I know this is a topic more suited for the main "Decisions" thread, but really hoping to glean some opinions from people in the education field if possible! 1.) Vanderbilt IEPM 2 year program Longer program = better learning experience / more in-depth coverage of policy, quantitative, and research topics beyond the introductory? Really love the thought of having time to redirect my path according to changed interests or address concerns and fill skills gaps after summer internship. Reasonably paced coursework, to the point where I feel like I could have a job (or 2?) or even audit a language / other interest courses (which only costs $10 a course!) Built-in + customizable international summer internship Specifically, my background/experience is within a very specific region of South Asia, and this program is connected to that region in a way that would allow me unprecedented access/employment in the area. Nashville Burgeoning immigrant / refugee populations and many opportunities to support these communities on the domestic end. I have done & enjoyed this kind of work before. Not many large international development or education organizations based in Nashville or in the South (working for the World Bank or something comparable isn't explicitly my goal -- I could be just as happy working for a tiny community-level nonprofit -- but it would be nice to have the network/connections/geographic viability of that option) I'm originally from TN and my family still lives in Chattanooga. I love my hometown, but I never really planned on living in the South again. I have tons of friends in Nashville, though, and there is something appealing about returning to where I'm from and contributing to it's *HOPEFULLY* more diverse, international and progressive future. It's cheap. Finances 33% tuition scholarship, $7500 work/study, up to $20500 federal loans. Coupled with other support / savings, I will only need to borrow ~$10000 a year (looking at maybe $21000 loans total) Other logistical concerns Prominent director of the program retired this year. Wonder how the program's reputation is perceived outside of the South / if it will be as strong in the future / if dramatic changes will happen during my time as a student. I love the other faculty, but there aren't many resources geared toward my region of focus or any South Asian languages/specific coursework at all. My boyfriend is going to be in Ithaca for the next 2 years. Hard to get to from anywhere, but especially from a whole different part of the country! 2.) Harvard IEP 1 year program 9 months = general survey/introduction to necessary skills, then back in the field a year earlier w/ more job prospects and the Harvard brand/network behind you? Are 8 courses really enough to equip me to make a difference to communities I care about around the world, and to launch a career in this field? The obvious. It's Harvard. Would I feel like a dumb dumb my whole life if I turned this opportunity down? Experience / Career Opportunities Great access to Harvard's amazing resources on campus and opportunities at other schools and around Boston. Then again, I will only have 3 electives to utilize the cross-enrollment benefits. Heavy course load coupled with during-term (likely non-credit, unpaid) internships and other responsibilities like student groups etc., which I will definitely want to be a part of to maximize my limited time there! I have a weird feeling about some of the ways students & faculty have suggesting supplementing the short year. Things that are not included in tuition, like a 2 week prep course for the IEP cohort ($), student-led "study treks" to other countries over winter or spring break ($$... the one they link to on our premat website looks like it funded by a kickstarter? Or else students' paid out of pocket?), and taking additions courses not covered in tution ($$$). For me, I will already be in a black hole of debt, and I felt like I talked to a lot of current students or recent grads who described these kinds of things as "just another drop in the bucket." I guess I'm being naïve (duh, this is Harvard), but that kind of culture of privilege makes me pretty uncomfortable, and I will already feel stressed out trying to take advantage of ALL THE THINGS and not being able to work a paid job during the program. Really great South Asian languages (if I could figure out how to take those classes?) and resources through Harvard's South Asia Institute! Despite my reservations about the learning experience Boston Obviously more diverse population and international opportunities. Still maybe not the orgs available in NYC or DC, but distance internships offered during each semester. Probably the most research / academia-related post-graduation opportunities in the area, should that be the route I want to go (but will I even know bc I will have hardly had any courses beyond intros??) Expensive as heck. Student: "Expect to pay $1200/month to split a house with 4 other people." I live in DC, and thankfully my salary makes me comfortable enough (though just barely!) with the rent prices here, but these prices living a student lifestyle would probably drive me mad. Finances $5000 grant IF I max out the $20500 federal loans offered. Which I will, because I will still have ~$42000 unmet needs after the fact. Altogether I will probably end up taking out a combo of federal loans & higher interest for a total of ~$35-40k loans when it's all said and done. Other logistics 5 hour drive to Ithaca yay?! That's the whole spiel! Whew, I'm sorry for the novella, guys. I'm also peripherally considering Penn's IEDP program, but its unclear format (if it's a 1.5 year program why is everyone scrambling to do it in 1?) and lack of student control in the internship placement have led me to kinda put it in on the backburner. Any and all thoughts on these options or my personal situation / commentary here would be much appreciated! Thanks all.

$5000 HGSE Grant... sooooo mehhhhh. For all the HGSE grant/loan combo folk, have yall clicked over to the "Messages" tab that indicates the grants are contingent on borrowing a minimum of your loan quantity? Even if I max out that $20500, I will still have ~$42000 unmet needs!! *faints*

Also really concerned about Penn IED job prospects / 1 v. 2 year program!!! It seems so weird to me that they lay this out as a 1.5 year program, but from what I can tell have offered no support to those who choose this option / most students choose to do 1 year & 5 courses/semester. I was so interested in this program & pleased with the aid they offered, but no one has been able to answer my questions about the possibility of renewing my scholarship if I were to do a third semester on campus after the internship. And after talking to the IEDP students... 5 courses/semester, + assistantships, + OTHER jobs on top of that (they seem like they are under a lot of financial stress!), + writing a Policy Brief thesis, + hoping your professor places you in the international internship of your choosing, + crossing your fingers you will get a job straight from that position (that was not in your control to begin with) OR, worse, job hunting from abroad and not getting as much out of your internship or returning stateside after the summer with your degree but no immediate impetus towards the next employment opportunity... seems so intense!! I'm just really confused about the program format, honestly. But that counteracted w/ the amazing placements potentially accessible w/ UNESCO, UNICEF, etc. might be worth it?? I don't know. What are yalls thoughts? Based the factors above, Penn has kind of fallen out of focus for me and I am more heavily considering Vanderbilt IEPM and Harvard IEP. Still very interested in others' opinions on job prospects / opportunities in the international ed / development world that all these program may lead to!

Same, guys! I had an awesome time at Vandy's visit day, and was blown away by the faculty & students in my program. Harvard aid will put things in clearer perspective, but the hardest part for me right now is balancing the idea of getting the same degree in 1 vs 2 years. Small cohort + international internship + more time at Vandy = better learning experience? ~Harvard~ + the benefits of returning to the field in 1 year = better career outcomes? So much to consider. What are other factors on yall's minds?? Also peripherally considering Penn (although I haven't been as impressed with the program format/interactions I've had with the IEDP program/aid offered). Probably going to make a master post debating these programs once my financial situation w/ Harvard is clear!

The financial aid site says packages for newly admitted students aren't available yet, but will be in late March / early April. Damn! hard to get too excited!!! (but of course I am )

Anyone been able to access the prematriculation website yet? Now im greedy... I want ALL the info!!!

ME TOO HI GUYS!!!! congratulations!!! ps were we supposed to get funding info??? :/