Hi! I wish I'd found this a few months ago... but oh well. I applied to 5 masters programs and got accepted to all of them with varying funding levels. I didn't decide to apply until December, when it became clear that the job I started in August was a really bad fit, so I feel like I may have rushed the whole process a bit in terms of gathering information. (You'll also note that all the programs I applied to were Jan-Feb application deadlines. I couldn't swing the Dec. ones.)
My top three right now are Cornell CIPA ($26K fellowship), Texas LBJ masters of Global Policy Studies (waived out of state tuition and $9K fellowship - practically full tuition), and George Washington's International Development Studies ($12K fellowship). Duke ($14K fellowship and $4K work/study) and CMU Heinz ($22K fellowship) both are less appealing to me based on the combination of funding, how I perceive their programs and their locations (I'm likely dragging my sports journalist boyfriend, and need to employ him somehow!).
I would love input from current or accepted students on the strengths/weaknesses of these programs and any recommendations on additional funding at these schools (I brought $70K out of NYU and want as little debt as possible).
Thanks so much!