RileyKnight

Hello! I know there have been several of these posts in the past but I would love to get an updated take here on the MAIR program at SAIS against the MSFS program at Georgetown Putting funding aside, is there a certain school that you think is stronger in these categories? The changes to SAIS's core curriculum make it seem a lot less quant intensive than it was in the past but not sure if MSFS would be the better decision here because the network seems stronger? Academics Student Experience Faculty Career Services and Job Placements Alumni Network

Any thoughts would be super appreciated! Coming from: DC Deciding between: Johns Hopkins SAIS- 100% tuition scholarship Georgetown MSFS LSE-SIPA MPA Double Degree Other factors: Super torn between these schools! I ultimately want to work in State or doing foreign policy work with social media disinformation/digital policy and -US-China policy. I've mainly been working in domestic electoral politics for the last few years doing digital work but my undergraduate background is broadly speaking in China policy. But I definitely wouldn't mind working abroad as well or in an IGO. (Political risk is also something I had a passing interest in before.) I'm fortunate enough to have enough saved up, regardless of the school, to graduate with pretty minimal debt, but that full ride at Hopkins is still really appealing especially compared to the LSE-SIPA program which would have me spend the first year in London and the second in NYC. Ultimately though all three of the programs have aspects I'm drawn to. SAIS: Obviously the scholarship is a big selling point here. Also like that there's quite a good deal of flexibility with the actual program and that they have a large course catalogue. All of SAIS's study treks are super appealing as well. The new building also seems really great. But it does seem like SAIS's network is more suited toward World Bank/IMF positions (although I could be wrong there) and seems like it's pretty wide reaching although maybe less willing to go to bat for you? I'm also not incredibly quant-oriented which is a point in favor of Georgetown. One con for both SAIS and Georgetown is the language requirement, while I'm not a beginner I'm also not the best in the language I'd need to pass the proficiency test in (Chinese). Definitely see the value in improving my skills and I'm willing to commit time to it but I've historically not been wonderful at language classes. Georgetown: I really like that the program is a bit smaller and from what I've heard the career services team is really strong (networking isn't something I'm the best at so this is super important to me), it also seems to be especially well-connected with State and other federal agencies. The Georgetown name seems to stand out as well which isn't my primary concern but is definitely a factor I'm weighing. It seems like there are just fewer course options here than the other schools though? LSE/Columbia SIPA: The big selling point and drawback here is not being in DC. I figure that I'll eventually end up back in DC anyway and I've always wanted to live in London and New York. On the LSE side, I'm definitely someone who does well British academic system (I went to a British-style school abroad for high school, but I'm not an international student) and of course the brand is pretty great outside the US (less so here). I also like that the entire year is focused on a core curriculum and it's the only one of the three that's a direct policy program (which I assume might keep more doors open than one of the other two). On the SIPA side, the connections to IGOs that SIPA has and the really wide range of courses at the school are definite pros. No language requirement and the Columbia brand are pros as well. But it seems like it's easy to get lost in the school since it's so big. Overall, I'm also worried that I'll be leaving with a less solid network because I'm only spending one year at each school, even though I'd be leaving with two degrees. How I'm leaning: I'm leaning toward SAIS primarily because of the scholarship but would definitely love to hear opinions from others! Georgetown is probably the other main school I'm considering right now with the dual degree in third.