GradSchoolGrad

2 things I recommend you think about. 1. You probably won't get the amount of scholarship offered for next year. The budget is set for this year, and they will likely change the budget next year and it will be extensively less at all schools as they try to preserve cash. It will only get worse. 2. Are you talking about Harris or CIR for Chicago (because they the 2 are different things)? I have no idea where you get this idea that Harris people are "freshies"? I think on average they have like 1 year or so less working experience than the average at HKS MPP, it is far from "freshies". Yes Harris will have a few straight from undergrad that won't be present at HKS or SIPA, but they are an extreme minority. 3. If you care only about the brand and nothing less, HKS makes sense. However, if you do care about learning and experiences and avoiding debt, Harris has a really wide range of amazing options and research institutions you can get yourself involved in.

So the reason is what people go get an MPP for. Move aside the children of world leaders that go to HKS (yes that is a real thing) + well off international people who come for prestige + connections + a fun 2 years in the US + lets be honest they want to learn a few things too and then you have people that go chiefly for the MPP. Of that remaining group, it makes sense they are largely domestic, because the academic topic / strengths cater more towards domestic US interests (emphasis on interests, not policy). By this I mean, domestic policy, national security, business interaction with policy, US foreign policy type stuff, and etc. that obviously cater more towards the domestic crowd. Yes, you have a Political and Economic Development track that targets more of an international audience, but besides that it really attracts a domestic audience. And yes, there other Master's degree programs at HKS (and don't forget a PhD) that also attract international students of different stripes more.

Definitely correct... to put this in more context. The last HKS MPP jobs report that had average salary (if I remember correctly) from a few years ago (during a booming economy) had it at 65K a year out from graduation. I know undergrad schools where the average coming out is shy of that. Anywho, if you were smart enough to get into HKS you are probably smart enough to figure out how long it would take to pay back those loans with interest (at least I really hope so). That is not counting the recession. I remember back in 2011, I knew people leaving policy graduate schools lucky to make 50K. Back then you at least had strong Federal programs like PMF, a vibrant foreign service, and other government jobs... those have kind have been hollowed out by this administration (except for Homeland Security... and even the DoD is in shrinking in some areas). Maybe a new President rebuilds the Federal government, but it will take a while. Or there is no new President. There is also something to be said about being able to sleep soundly at night and not have to worry about student debt upon graduation... or how much the slice of pizza on a Friday with your buddies is one small step further in the hole you are going to pay for grad school.

@greatgirl9, in all seriousness, have you tried to negotiate your funding with SIPA? They might be able to give more if your leverage your Jackson scholarship on them.

I think there are 2 questions. 1. Should you even go to graduate school or not at all???... I can't answer that for you, because I don't know your story or financial situation. However, it is very rare to be granted that much scholarship as an international student... so you must have something really strong going for you. 2. What do you want to do????... by that how do you define International Relations. I say this because this isn't always that obvious to everyone. Some people consider IDEV IR, and some don't. I view your choice really between SAIS and Maxwell. Sure if you want to do pure international relations and don't mind math, I recommend SAIS over all of them, especially as an international student, you will be launched to opportunities globally with SAIS (beyond the US). Plus, by virtue of being in DC, you do have a few more opportunities to work on projects on the side than other programs. From a pure opportunity + academic rigor, SAIS is the best hands down. If you don't mind taking some risk, I really do recommend choosing SAIS. Maxwell makes the most sense financially, but Maxwell leans heavily towards domestic policy as their strong suit. Yes, IR does happen, and I'm sure there are great professors, but its brand value lingers heavily on domestic (and I have been on both domestic and IR side). Also, it is rather isolated from everything else. If you want to get a PhD, Maxwell is a good option to start with. Fletcher probably has the best student community and probably the most collaborative environment, but I honestly don't like them for career purposes, especially during a recession. Yes, I know that everyone will be hurting during a recession, but especially with Fletcher being in Boston and having arguably less connections than SAIS + active project opportunities - especially for international students. I remember last recession, my SAIS friends simply did better than my Fletcher friends because of access in DC.

You should know that as it comes to PhD, especially in sciences, what research you do matters more than the name of the school you went to. I know people who sling shot from from random state school to ivy league by virtue of the strength of their research.

For example, if hypothetically speaking HKS was viewed as having an amazing student experience, that is being taken into consideration less if classes are online since there is limited opportunity to really take advantage of that student experience virtually (at least drastically reduced).

I can only speak to NYU MS in Global Affairs... one of my best friends did it. She has spent the last 10 years paying off her debt (including living with her parents the last 2). It really didn't enhance her job prospects much whatsoever. The academics are great, but it is simply a niche program that. It isn't even competitive with comparable peers (MSFS, SAIS, Fletcher, and etc.) from a brand perspective. Oh and as for said friend, this degree did not really get her a job. She actually had to pivot to private sector.

I think it is a viable option... HOWEVER, the challenge is that we are about to enter a recession... you will be competing with a lot of Americans in that area (especially those with military experience who have veteran's preference)... so you are taking on much higher risk + debt to do so. I have a friend who did that program and spent over 10 years paying off her debt (including living at her parent's home for over 2 years)... sooooo if you really want to do it, just know the risk and the cost. Also, keep in mind, this isn't exactly the top program for that area in the US - far from it. You are basically banking on the NYU brand, professors, and network.

People going to programs in which their value more experience based and less academic based I know are deferring because they don't want to miss out on one semester of experiences. Also, in a similar vein, for people that do seek to start this fall, are taking into possible better experiences into lower standing just because of the possibility of online school in the fall.

Getting a PhD is based off of two things. 1. Your grades and 2. Who you do research with. So I would recommend making sure 1. You comfortable with the curriculum that it will will be excited to succeed there. 2. You have access to the professors in the area that you care about 3. Talk to people in the program who want to go into PhD as well. I think more people do Harris MPP to go to a PhD because usually any Data + management program is for people to seek the professional route.

1. So for Human Rights stuff, you are essentially all competing for the relatively small pool of jobs, so the outcomes are pretty much the same. As long as you go to a good school and have a compelling story, that is all that matters. Its not like HKS will give you that significant of a boost short of a really fanatical alum (which is few and far between). 2 Yale Jackson only became a school last year 2019. They are super small to begin with (like approx 30 per class), so small alumni base and good luck finding more than 1 person that is interested in something like yourself. Sure, the Yale brand goes deep, but honestly, not that much depth as a program... I never met any Jackson people in any policy or IR thing ever... and I am involved in a lot of things + go to the Northeast for things. 3. I really recommend SIPA. Honestly, you get the best balance of scholarship, being in NYC (a relatively speaking human rights Mecca, and it sounds terrible saying this, but living expenses after Corona will probably be a bit better (speaking specifically to rent) than you originally expected.

I worked with organizations from Asia before, and I appreciate how school brand seems to matter more in Asia comparatively than the US. I recommend you think about 2 things. 1. Your actual school experience. Both NYU and SIPA have a school experience that is centered around living in NYC. There isn't exactly a strong student community since everyone lives their NYC life. However... I think with New York, you will be so busy, that you won't have that much time to focus on community stuff anyone. I think an opportunity to make your mark is based upon the organizations you work with while you are at Wagner, it looks like you already have pathway with your assistantship. If you can say you worked with a prestigious organization, that might mean just as much, if not more than the Columbia recognition. 2. Rent in New York will likely be lower once this corona thing dies down (around July or so) or whenever they stop doing online classes. So the expenses of living In NYC may end up not being as bad at you once thought it would be. 3. I don't now LSE's program that well, so I can't speak to it.

Here is the deal... If you are shooting for a PhD, two things matter 1. Your grades. If you don't get a 3.7 (at least) or higher, you probably won't make it to a top PhD program. 2. Your research. That being said, I would recommend you. 1. Look into what percentage of people in each program are going for PhD. I bet it isn't that high for SIS. Chicago, NYU, and Boston College might be higher... but I would check. 2. I would look into what professors interest you the most AND ALSO try to have conversations with them to see if they are interested in you. If they are too busy with you, at least try to talk to current students to see what their professor experience is like. - Superficially, SIS looks like the worst option for PhD. Honestly... between Boston College, NYU, and U. Chicago... it depends on your grades and professors you know. That will overshadow any differences from a brand perspective...

My sister graduated HKS in 2011. Quite a few of her classmates graduated with lower paying jobs or no jobs at all. Its a real thing.

From a pure academic perspective, I think it is a no-brainer that you pick CMU. You sound like a guy who likes Quant + the DC experience at CMU is really top notch + awesome scholarship. I honestly enjoyed every single CMU MPP and MSPPM that I have worked with. I appreciate how innovative and forward leaning they are + great confidence in talking about data - super impressed. I will say from academic environment perspective, I think Duke has a much strong community. By that I mean, every CMU Heinz person I have ever met that did the DC option spoke to me about how they really had to map out their own journey based on their policy interest. Yes, they make friends and there is a DC community bonding, but the feedback I have been given is that they don't know their class really well. Every person I talked to that went to Sanford really appreciated the super friendly and community oriented dynamic present.

I would try hard to negotiate with GW Elliot School and leverage the American SIS program. When I used to work in IR, Always met tons and tons of Elliot school people, but only on occasion met American SIS folks. Bottom line, Elliot has extensively more connections and street cred (subjective opinion, but it is what I clearly saw in my time in IR).

First of all... congrats! A lot of people are graduating without jobs, and it is really awesome you got a job offer. I used to live in DC and had a lot of friends who were LAs. 1. Yes, Capital Hill LA is a lot of grunt work, and what makes it super interesting is that it is a job where egos go to die. Due to the nature of Capital Hill, you are equally to find an LA from Dartmouth or University of Northern Kentucky. I have heard of how people who felt like they worked really hard to get to an elite school struggle with the social dynamics of being a Capital Hill LA. 2. It isn't about where you start, but you where promote to. I have seen LAs get promoted to very significant areas of responsibility very quickly and I have seen LA stagnate. It is a combination of smarts, social graces, and lots of luck (as if your Congressperson/Senator gets re-elected + shifts priorities). It can be an insanely quick way to rise. 3. Given how there are a fair amount of MPP programs that take in straight from undergrads, I am pretty sure being an LA can get you into anything short of possibly HKS, WWS, and/or Harris assuming a strong academic background. However, within the 2 to 4 years of working (the most popular work experience range I see those in policy graduate schools), you definitely can bet promoted beyond LA super quick and acquire power positions to get you into a top flight grad school.

I did a dual MBA/MPP degree (not at U. Chicago though). Happy to talk to you about the pros and cons.

I still have my job! I am grateful for that...

I thought it would be helpful to offer some recession considerations for those seeking to go to grad school in policy or IR. I'm thinking the two areas we could talk about are: 1. How career planning may be different in terms of outcomes 2. Considerations in selection of the school (or type of school/academic programming). I have my thoughts, but I thought it would be good for others who survived the last recession in any phase (roughly 2008 to 2013) pitch in their thoughts as well.

I think it helps to understand background. 1. SSP is basically one gigantic make your own education however you want it + networking + DC living party. Honestly, that is a very very very smart approach, because there so many different people from the security fields with different experiences and different goals, so rather than trying to do cookie cutter solutions, they made it highly modular. Instead what they focus on is making sure you are properly network (honestly the amount of networking opportunities is rather insane) + you have the opportunity to work while you are in school on projects and part time internships (all insanely cool things). I will say that downside of SSP is that the community isn't that close since everyone is doing there own thing. You just have to make your own group. 2. GW SPS may sound like it is more academically intense, but I actually view its curriculum as handcuffs for some people. I mean, who wants to take classes they have 6 years experience with? I have seen a few SPS people around in the security world in DC, but by far SSP, SAIS, and other SFS grad programs are a DC mafia that you want to join. I honestly crossed off the program early and didn't explore further beyond not liking their class set up. Honestly, you are buying into more than just the brand with SSP. You are buying into access in terms of: 1. The people that come to Georgetown (sometimes they come saying hi, I'm here to offer a research project). 2. The people in the Georgetown Universe (students and faculty... and yes, the backgrounds are rather insane). Also... SSP is the only Security Studies programs that can compete with other IR programs like Fletcher or SAIS or MSFS to get prestigious fellowships (Boren, PMF, and etc.). Bottom line..., if you got in, I would go to SSP.

So normally, I wouldn't recommend Fletcher for someone trying to "figure it out"... but since you have a job set, I think Fletcher makes the best sense for you. They have a small yet vibrant Christian group on campus (at least they used to). It by far has the best community experience. Yes... Boston will get cold, but if it doesn't kill you it will make your stronger. Most importantly, I think you'll have the most fun in Fletcher. I do have issues with Fletcher in providing career opportunities for people who like some flexibility, but that is not an issue for you!

A lot of schools are spending money on seeking students because they aren't hitting their student quota. Normally in a recession more people will seek to go to grad school to ride it out. However, due to concerns about being to attend class in person and the value of doing class at least partially in the fall, the acquisition of students has been a struggle for any schools. This might make applying next cycle more competitive because a lot of people are seeking to defer, thereby a creating a more narrow band of slots to compete for later on.

If I were you, and those were you two options, I just wouldn't go period. 1. Baruch is has very limited brand equity. If you go through the school's resources, you would get a job whereby your peers are 25s. Also, I do believe is a much younger MPA program and there are a lot of straight from undergrads. 2. MPM is a pretty good program (I know... I got accepted into it and worked alongside MPMs). Most MPM people I know are sponsored (for good reason), because it really isn't that good for career switching. It is mostly for people to get promoted within their own organization. It is decently networking, but I don't remember having ever met an Environmental person (I am sure they exist). FYI - it is mostly military, international affairs, and urban-social policy folks that do MPM. However, most people on earth have no idea what an MPM, so even though it comes with the Georgetown brand, it doesn't really help you career switch too much. Oh and working part time while you are in school will really limit your bandwidth to network. If you want to career pivot, I recommend that you take the leap of faith and try to career pivot off of your current resume and alumni network or find other grad school options (that will hopefully give you better scholarship). Especially given the debt, the loss of time, and etc... these are all high opportunity costs and I don't exactly see much meaningful gain.