Tariqks

@Mppirgradschool and @GradSchoolGrad firstly, thanks so much for taking the time to give such thorough input, it's really helpful! This is definitely a good dilemma to be in, however, the decision has become a lot more difficult to make due to the fact that I couldn't visit both programs in person and make face-to-face connections with other students/faculty. I have until May 8 (!!!) to make my decision, so I'm trying to reach out to as many people as possible or insight. To provide some more background about myself, I grew up moving around a lot between NYC and the Middle East and have spent the last two or so years since graduating college working as an intelligence analyst at a security consulting firm based in NYC (a position I might continue part time/remote during grad school). While I'm sure things will change as opportunities arise in grad school, I'll be aiming for the FSO track, but since that process is so long and uncertain, I will also look into openings at the UN and think tanks with a focus on the middle east, etc. I've always viewed journalism as a "dream job" of sorts, however, am fully aware of just how volatile the field is and that makes me wary. Right now, I think SIPA is ever so slightly in the lead for me due to its faculty (some of which are outside of SIPA that I made connections with while researching for my undergrad thesis), the course options and level of economics requirements, the ability to take courses across the university, better name recognition internationally, and the potential of doing an assistantship my second year. Being from NYC, I'm afraid I may contribute to the feeling that SIPA students just go about their lives in their individual NYC bubble, but if I do go down the SIPA path, I'm hoping to break out of that mold as much a possible, recognizing that it is an issue. What I am worried about regarding SIPA is I've heard the program much less personal and career services aren't as hands on. Finally, what continues to draw me in at SAIS is its DC location, which seems to be the clear consensus that it has a slight edge. At the end of the day, I have to decide if SIPA's advantages outweigh the potentially weaker community feel and not being in DC

Hi everyone! My decision process has kind of been turned on its head, so I wanted some outside perspective. Just last week, I committed to Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA), where I received a really generous scholarship offer of $80k for the 2 years. However, today Columbia SIPA (MIA) matched the offer and slightly more, so now I am seriously considering it. Within the IR framework, I’ll be concentrating in security/conflict resolution with a further focus on the Middle East. I want to use grad school as a way to open myself up to career opportunities, but want to focus on the diplomatic track, think tanks/UN, or even the possibility of journalism which has always been a passion. SIPA always had a bit of an edge for me personally due to several faculty members with research interests/backgrounds more directly relevant to mine, more interesting course options/curriculum, the ability to take courses at other departments (like journalism or law), plus perhaps more name recognition here and abroad. However, SAIS had the benefit of being in DC, with more direct access to security/Middle East-focused think tanks and gov agencies. Something that really turned me off from SAIS, though, was the heavy emphasis on economics, and I feel that the econ courses required at SIPA may be more relevant for my career interests. At the end of the day, I'm kind of just shocked at this turn around and would love to hear any and all thoughts!

Hi everyone! My decision process has kind of been turned on its head, so I wanted some outside perspective. Just last week, I committed to Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA), where I received a really generous scholarship offer of $80k for the 2 years. However, today Columbia SIPA (MIA) matched the offer and slightly more, so now I am seriously considering it. Within the IR framework, I’ll be concentrating in security/conflict resolution with a further focus on the Middle East. I want to use grad school as a way to open myself up to career opportunities, but want to focus on the diplomatic track, think tanks/UN, or even the possibility of journalism which has always been a passion. SIPA always had a bit of an edge for me personally due to several faculty members with research interests/backgrounds more directly relevant to mine, more interesting course options/curriculum, the ability to take courses at other departments (like journalism or law), plus perhaps more name recognition here and abroad. However, SAIS had the benefit of being in DC, with more direct access to security/Middle East-focused think tanks and gov agencies. Something that really turned me off from SAIS, though, was the heavy emphasis on economics, and I feel that the econ courses required at SIPA may be more relevant for my career interests. At the end of the day, I'm kind of just shocked at this turn around and would love to hear any and all thoughts!

Hi everyone! My decision process has kind of been turned on its head, so I wanted some outside perspective. Just last week, I committed to Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA), where I received a really generous scholarship offer of $80k for the 2 years. However, today Columbia SIPA (MIA) matched the offer and slightly more, so now I am seriously considering it. Within the IR framework, I’ll be concentrating in security/conflict resolution with a further focus on the Middle East. I want to use grad school as a way to open myself up to career opportunities, but want to focus on the diplomatic track, think tanks/UN, or even the possibility of journalism which has always been a passion. SIPA always had a bit of an edge for me personally due to several faculty members with research interests/backgrounds more directly relevant to mine, more interesting course options/curriculum, the ability to take courses at other departments (like journalism or law), plus perhaps more name recognition here and abroad. However, SAIS had the benefit of being in DC, with more direct access to security/Middle East-focused think tanks and gov agencies. Something that really turned me off from SAIS, though, was the heavy emphasis on economics, and I feel that the econ courses required at SIPA may be more relevant for my career interests. At the end of the day, I'm kind of just shocked at this turn around and would love to hear any and all thoughts!

Thanks for your response! that makes sense - regarding the Econ/quant coursework, it looks like I will have to suck it up regardless and I'm going to be speaking to someone from SAIS this week about ways I can spread out the courses in a way thats less burdensome. I guess the main appeal of Fletcher is the curriculum and the specific faculty that stand out based on my area focus, but at the end of the day, not sure it would overcome the location

Hi everyone! I was recently admitted to Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA) and The Fletcher School (MALD), and while after countless hours of comparing I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of each program, I still feel very stuck on which to choose. Within the IR framework, I’ll be concentrating in security/conflict resolution with a further focus on the Middle East. I want to use grad school as a way to open myself up to career opportunities, but want to focus on the diplomatic track, research for think tanks/UN, or even the possibility of journalism which has always been a passion. Right now, SAIS is in the lead for me because they’ve offered a very generous scholarship of $80k ($40k each year), while Fletcher has offered $50k ($25k each year). However, a serious concern with SAIS is their emphasis on economics/quant (I would have to take 4 Econ courses, a stats course, as well as a pre term math course) and I’m one of those very math-averse IR people. Fletcher on the other hand has a much more appealing curriculum, just enough Econ to give me what I need, and several professors I would really like to work with. Also, the possibility of cross registering at Harvard is another plus. However, I worry that Fletcher’s location would not be as conducive to networking, as opposed to being in DC close to think tanks, non profits, and gov agencies. Additionally, from what I’ve garnered, SAIS is slightly higher ranked/possibly a bit better name recognition. at the end of the day, I’m not sure what to choose: SAIS with more funding and better location, but less appealing curriculum or Fletcher with better/more flexible curriculum and more directly relevant faculty, but less central location for networking/internships/jobs would love to hear any and all thoughts!

Hi everyone! I was recently admitted to Johns Hopkins SAIS (MA) and The Fletcher School (MALD), and while after countless hours of comparing I’ve gained a pretty good understanding of each program, I still feel very stuck on which to choose. Within the IR framework, I’ll be concentrating in security/conflict resolution with a further focus on the Middle East. I want to use grad school as a way to open myself up to career opportunities, but want to focus on the diplomatic track, research for think tanks/UN, or even the possibility of journalism which has always been a passion. Right now, SAIS is in the lead for me because they’ve offered a very generous scholarship of $80k ($40k each year), while Fletcher has offered $50k ($25k each year). However, a serious concern with SAIS is their emphasis on economics/quant (I would have to take 4 Econ courses, a stats course, as well as a pre term math course) and I’m one of those very math-averse IR people. Fletcher on the other hand has a much more appealing curriculum, just enough Econ to give me what I need, and several professors I would really like to work with. Also, the possibility of cross registering at Harvard is another plus. However, I worry that Fletcher’s location would not be as conducive to networking, as opposed to being in DC close to think tanks, non profits, and gov agencies. Additionally, from what I’ve garnered, SAIS is slightly higher ranked/possibly a bit better name recognition. at the end of the day, I’m not sure what to choose: SAIS with more funding and better location, but less appealing curriculum or Fletcher with better/more flexible curriculum and more directly relevant faculty, but less central location for networking/internships/jobs would love to hear any and all thoughts!