[UCSD GPS – 2016]

Is there a FB page or something for incoming fall 2016 students? Was hoping to connect with other fellow MIA students.

[UCSD GPS VS UCLA MPP VS YALE IDE]

Dear All,

I recently got accepted to the following universities which I am heavily considering:

Yale's IDE Program- International and Development Economics (No Funding)

UCSD GPS (Full Tuition waive off for one year)- MIA with concentration in International Development (Might choose a dual track option of ID with either Public policy or International Economics)

UCLA MPP (Concentration International Development) (No Funding)

Some other programs which I cant afford

SAIS IDEV (No funding) , GWU Elliot IDS (no funding yet, might receive but no clue), American University SIS - MID ($$ but still expensive) , Korbel School-MID ($$ but still expensive), Boston University MAGDE (No funding) and IHEID -MDEV (On waitlist)

I am interested in the field of Development Economics and thus want to do a quantitative program which will not only give me strong quant skills but also more professional and applied skills. Hence I wanted to target universities which have some great Econ schools and not only good in International Affairs.

I aspire to work in the field of Development with either multi-lateral organizations such as World Bank or UN and Development Think tanks such as Brookings. I have come to realize that Quant skills are something which many employers value a lot (Particularly World Bank and Brookings)  hence I feel I should do a curriculum which will give me those skills. I have a solid background in Economics and am also doing a diploma in Economics, but still would want to focus on a quantitative curriculum.

Would anyone have any suggestions to offer? Iam an international Student from India and cant spend too much on my education based on personal funding. And from the past discussions on Grad Cafe, I have realized that taking debt in a field like Development doesn't make sense since one doesn't end up earning that much (Compared to Business graduates).

The universities which I can afford are- Yale IDE and UCSD . (UCLA I can take loans but is it worth it??)

Yale and UCSD(After scholarship) would end up costing the same. However UCSD is a two year program while Yale is a one year program. The department I applied to at Yale is part of the Econ department (Which is amazing) while UCSD is part of the IR school (GPS). 

Please tell me what do you guys think? Which university should I target? Does having a brand name like Yale help you get entry in these organizations despite it being a one year program. Or does a two year degree have more impact?

Iam sorry this post turned out to be rather long

Thanks a lot for your inputs in advance!

Meghna

 

 

[UCSD GPS – 2016]

8 minutes ago, mapiau said:

I was lucky enough to receive a very generous funding package from UCSD, and am going to have a very tough time deciding between UCSD and SAIS. 

How much is the SAIS name and alumni network worth? I think the courses offered by GPS and SAIS are comparable in my field, but the SAIS name is surely marginally worth something. Is anyone else facing a similar choice? Any opinions would be much appreciated!

Congrats!

 

I got SAIS too but with no funding! I doubt I will take up SAIS with so much debt even though the program is amazing! . I am so far leaning towards GPS out of all my acceptances. 

 

[UCSD GPS – 2016]

17 minutes ago, Stars88 said:

Meghna congrats! How much funding did you get? I haven't received any emails about it yet...

Thank-you

 

I have received a fellowship covering full tuition for one year. Need to figure out funding for the second year but yay! 

They said I could fund my second year through RA and TA positions.

I think you all should start receiving your emails soon too! 

[UCSD GPS – 2016]

Received my funding mail today. Anyone else?

[UCSD GPS – 2016]

Hi!

 

Thanks for starting this! 

 

I have been accepted to GPS as well for the MIA program. I have chosen my concentration as International Development with regional focus as South East Asia. 

I have spoken to a couple of students and they gave excellent reviews about the curriculum and the university in general. For me quant was a very big factor so this makes UCSD a very lucrative offer for me. The only problem I have is with job placements for an international student. Would any one have any idea about this?

[UCLA Luskin MPP thread]

Hi All,

I too have been accepted to the MPP program at UCLA. There was no mention of funding in my letter. Would anyone have any idea about when the funding decisions are released?

 

[The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING]

Hi Everyone,

I am interested in MPP programs with courses focussing on Economic Development. 

Please could someone tell me how important is work experience in getting into a good MPP program? I graduated in 2014 from a top institution having majored in Economics. I went on to work for a year at a hedge fund. I have 3 internships and several volunteering experiences during my undergrad. 

I fear that I have limited work experience which might put me at a disadvantage compared to many other applicants who apply.

Any inputs on this?

[UCSD IRPS - 2015 Thread]

Hey there!  I was admitted but deferred enrollment until 2016.  I don't think will hurt you.   I was admitted with only first year completion of Mandarin and a semester of Thai, but made it clear in my application that I was going to try and test for Burmese before graduating.  I did give them a detailed explanation of how I plan to meet the language requirement somewhere in the application so that may help.  

Which language did you plan to test out for?  Be forewarned..for Southeast Asia track they only offer Indonesian and Mandarin coursework, so if you wish to learn another language you will have to learn it on your own.

Hey thanks a lot for your reply

 

Oh I haven't really thought about the language part! Do I need to mention which language I would be interested in testing out for in my application? 

Also your stats are pretty impressive! Just wanted to know what do you think of my credentials?

Undergrad GPA & Institution: 74% from a top undergraduate university in New Delhi (Haven't calculated my official GPA). Have studied Economics (Hons). Got high scores in Mathematical Economics, Economics and Development Economics. Graduated in 2014.

GRE Scores: Verbal 158  Quant 162  AW 3.5 

Credentials: Have worked at a hedge fund for a year and am currently pursuing a course in Economics from the University of London international programs. I am simultaneously interning with a top Indian think tank, Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. I have also done a couple of internships namely at a micro-finance company and  a steel company during my undergrad. Apart from that have lots of social work experience such as teaching under-privileged kids, heading a society for the blind, amongst others.

 

I am a little apprehensive about my chances and if I should even apply considering  such brilliant people apply with a good amount of work experience! Just wanted to know if you think I need to build up my profile more or I should give it a shot ?

 

Thanks again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi guys,

I am interested in doing the MIA course (Formerly MPIA) at UCSD and am looking at International development as my concentration along with South East Asia as my regional specialization. Could anyone tell me if the language requirement is a must in order to apply for a particular region? I only speak Hindi and English fluently and none of the other languages which were mentioned on the website (Vietnamese, Japansese, etc). Please let me know if anyone has any information on this? Also if someone could advise on some other good international development programs it would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance for your help

[UCSD IRPS - 2015 Thread]

Hi guys,

I am interested in doing the MIA course (Formerly MPIA) at UCSD and am looking at International development as my concentration along with South East Asia as my regional specialization. Could anyone tell me if the language requirement is a must in order to apply for a particular region? I only speak Hindi and English fluently and none of the other languages which were mentioned on the website (Vietnamese, Japansese, etc). Please let me know if anyone has any information on this? Also if someone could advise on some other good international development programs it would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance for your help