Thanks for the info/suggestion @OxfordApplicant what program did you end up choosing?
FYI to all - I talked to someone in the LSE- SIPA duel degree, 20 SIPA students applied to the LSE duel degree and 2 went to LSE. So going to SIPA first guarantees you get into SIPA, but you might be stuck with paying an additional $80k rather than ~$20k at Hertie/LSE. Also electives are completed at the second institution you attend, so by going to SIPA first, you miss out on SIPA electives.