no.37

Both Vandy and Columbia have had rough last couple of years (several big name retirements or moving to other programs). Right now both programs are really kind of a mess, especially when you talk to current students at TC and professors at other programs. I was considering applying to a phd at both and was advised to look elsewhere as those two programs (along with Wisconsin...due to Walker defunding and anti-academic policies) are not as great as they used to be and are somewhat in transition. Right now it appears the strongest programs are stanford, NYU, harvard, and Penn, and UCLA if you want a more academic route. Minnesota also has a growing program that has some top names, especially if you are interested in sub-Saharan Africa. But its really up to you. TC is still a great school, and people still do have great experiences. I just think its important to understand the current situation.

Honestly, I would steer clear of TC. TC has a great history, but they have a huge program and it sounds as though its difficult forming relationships with the staff and fellow classmates. Really the most important thing regarding international development work is the network, particularly forming relationships with staff and your cohort. It is likely you will get your first interview and job through such means, not by writing a spectacular thesis or doing particularly good graduate work.

I know Penn's IEDP website has a list of organizations past students have and currently work for. Its a pretty impressive list. I don't know if other programs have such a list on their websites.

Honestly the possibility of you moving straight into such jobs (in the US) right after a masters program is slim, unless you know someone who works at these organizations and can get you an in. You basically either need to know someone or have lots of good job experience and a foreign language. Save the Children is of course easier to get into than a UN organization. Though after grad school, interning w/ them and working in the field opportunities will eventually open up.

You can also focus in Policy at Penn and you have to write a policy paper on a subject as your final project. I would say if you want to stay in the US and work at something like a World Bank, OECD, or more economic/quant focused organization then Harvard is the best option. If you want to work more in the field like at Save the Children or UNESCO (Regional offices) then Penn is probably the better option.

If you are wanting to do international development work (like work at UNESCO) the best options by far are Stanford, Harvard and Penn. They have smaller cohorts and at Penn you have automatic internships at UN agencies. NYU and TC (and honestly really no other school even Stanford, Vandy and Harvard) provide that option. Harvard is definitely more economic/quantitative focused, Stanford is more academic/research, while Vandy is the most conservative and I would say least critical (based on their professors and posts). If you want to go the more academic route, Stanford, UCLA, and TC are probably the best. Further at Penn you can essentially get a full ride if you apply to the FLAS and GA-ships along with merit scholarships. BTW TC's cohort is huge and word is it isn't what is used to be with several of their best professors having moved to other universities (Vavrus to Minnesota, Bartlett to Wisconsin-Madison).