So I've been accepted to the Graduate Institute of Geneva, (IHEID), for a Masters in Development and The New School for a MS in International Affairs. My career goal is to work with child soldier rehabilitation in the development realm, building off a fellowship experience that I had in 2015-2016 in Colombia. I potentially would like to use my Masters as a stepping stone to top tier law school. Both of the programs are AMAZING and each has their own perks. Being in Geneva or New York is obviously advantageous to anyone wanting to work in international development. IHED seems to be way more academically focused, but lacks the internship program and all-around flexibility of The New School. Also IHEID, has a mandatory thesis options which is a turn-off for me because the whole institution of thesis writing is slightly outdated. I feel like student wise I'm way more fit to the very progressive and left-leaning New School. However, The New School lacks the reputation of IHEID and is not a member of the APSIA, but TNS is more flexible in study options and has an amazing internship placement program (International Field Program), some really cool classes, and has other capstone options than the outdated thesis option.
I would be content at either school and I go back and forth each day. I would love to stay at home in NYC and study at TNS but also IHEID is a prestigious institution with Geneva connections and networking opportunity and the chance to live in Europe for two years is also really cool.
Which should I pick?
