yuhoolio

For all the people on this thread who are already going to the Kennedy School (HKS) but didn't apply to Princeton WWS at all, did you NOT apply to WWS because you think you couldn't get in or because you wanted to go to HKS anyway? I am thinking that if you were qualified enough to go to HKS, then you also had a semi-good shot at WWS. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

emforpeace, We've got to meet up for sure at Yale on Monday! I'll be there two days. I went to Berkeley for undergrad and have been wanting to head east for a while...you already set on going back east? I really like Yale's set up too over HKS, Fletcher, MSFS, but just like you, feel like I feel a little "crazy" and that I'm stepping into some unknown territory here. I want to make sure it truly is the wisest choice to go all the way out there. Glad to hear you got some funding from Yale that actually matches WWS (that's tough to get from Yale)! Are you thinking about going to academia? or what kind of sector work are you looking to do?

Is anybody in here also considering Georgetown Walsh SFS or Yale for their decisions as well as the above listed? It seems as if most people do not apply to Yale's MA program (one of the founding APSIA schools)? I know it has an academic/theory bent, and is a small program, but would you go to any of the above-listed schools such as Fletcher or HKS over Yale (MA IR) in heartbeat? As for the environment of the choices above, I think at all of these schools, you will still get a variety of opinions and even at SAIS it is not "super-neoconservative" .

All IR / International MPP currently deciding: Can anybody tell me why most people do not apply to Yale's MA program (one of the founding APSIA schools)? I know it has an academic/theory bent, and is a small program, but would you go to Fletcher or HKS over Yale (MA IR) in heartbeat?

Thanks globalsun! What is the International Economics requirement like - can you use a Intl Political Economy to satisfy this requirement, or is the requirement a hardcore quant-heavy finance class or does a general survey class work? I don't know if I'd even meet the pre-req...i don't see a specific course syllabus. I'm surprised you would say it has even MORE Economics/Quant than SAIS or GSPP Have you talked to any staff there, or seen any of their specific syllabi?

I'm trying to figure out as much as I can from the Stanford IPS program. Would you say it's more quant-heavy like an MPP or SAIS because of required Research and Design and Econ classes. It seems to train "analysts" more, and is more like an MPP program than an IR program. It's interesting that they even call it an M.A. Do you know how quantitative the Policy Skills Core is (Research and Design, etc). http://ica.stanford.edu/files/IPS%20Deg ... v%2007.pdf I know you visited the "Practicum", where they gave a presentation by the co-founder of Kiva. What do you say the practicum was like....just a discussion, or did they do hard core case studies?

what makes you want to move out of California? apparently IPS is still possible, but I know you applied mostly elsewhere. i visited SIPA and didn't like it as much...and i've also done my research. what i've learned about SIPA: large class sizes and less personal. (there's a whole forum on fletcher strengths/weaknesses). plus, SIPA gave me no money and is one of the most expensive out of the schools.

fletcher and HKS. maybe georgetown?? i'm not into economics much so not doing SAIS. great to meet a fellow Californian online

Awesome, awesome. the China-Africa nexus is very, very interesting. you're ready to move out of California...??

No way! I live pretty close to San Jose. hehe...where'd you go to undergrad, and where you working now? I want to work in China too, and maybe Africa. I do EPA/OSHA Environmental Health and Safety consulting right now in Fremont. Thanks for your tidbits about the prospects. I don't necessarily want to work in clean energy in China, since I don't have energy-related experience. I'm more into human health. It'll be a big move for me to go to East Coast but it looks like that's where I'm headed because I didn't apply to IPS. I want to work in international non-profit, multilaterals someday.

globalsun, Thanks! I would love to live on the East Coast too. What is your hopeful job post-graduation? What is your ideal school so far? It sounds like Stanford's got an "up" over SIPA/SAIS.

hey global sun, Have you decided whether you'll go to IPS yet? I know you were still waiting on some schools. For those of you who know ANYTHING about IPS: I'm glad to hear that you still are able to go to places such as D.C. with the IPS degree. I agree...the academic program is stellar, even if less well-known right now. Do you know if they're able to send people to international organizations and multilaterals such as UN? For me: I am currently considering the predominantly IR schools because I want an IR approach. However, I was also (surprisingly) accepted into HKS's International Global Affairs Concentration (finally an IR approach!!), but haven't heard the greatest things about HKS yet. I'm totally stumped as to where to go, but I am leaning toward Yale. Like the flexibility, small class size, good employment prospects, and Fletcher and Georgetown MSFS gave me no aid. Obviously, I see some downsides too. If I knew about Stanford IPS sooner, I would have applied for sure. Global sun: Let us know what you decide about IPS! Are you going there or going to SIPA or SAIS?

congrats emforpeace! i hope you won't mind telling us how you like working with the financial aid office and how much funding you end up getting. let us know what you decide on for WWS and if it's enough to sway you over from Yale MacMillan. I'm still deciding on it! i wanted some funding bad, but will have to figure out some other ways to make this work. FOR ALL ON THE YALE MA IR THREAD: if you are considering Yale MA IR, what other schools are you also considering and what school are you leaning toward and why? For me: Leaning toward Yale. Like the flexibility, small class size, great employment prospects, and Fletcher gave me no aid. Obviously, I see some downsides too.

hey global sun, did you apply to Yale's MA International Relations program? you have some really great choices, by the way. you applied to both MPP and IR programs it seems - which one do you want go to more, and why?

Longhorn and all: Do you mean employment placement? Absolutely. First cornell had copied this from the site: 1) What type of jobs do students get when they graduate? Reflecting their diverse interests, MA graduates go in many directions upon graduation. Public service remains a popular choice, with students (both U.S. and international) entering agencies involved with international development, foreign policy, trade, and security and defense. The private sector - primarily financial services firms and consulting companies - draws those graduates with strong quantitative skills. Many graduates also pursue careers in the nonprofit sector. Some of the employers that attracted the Class of 2008 include: Congressional Research Service, US Department of Defense, US Department of State, Morgan Stanley, United Nations, Brookings Institution, ShoreBank International, US Army, Debevoise & Plimpton, Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Japan, McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Company, Credit Suisse, David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and the Asia Society. Besides what cornell said: i know that 35% go non-profit, 30% public, and a smaller percentage go to private. it's not a "quant"/business program so that's probably why. I have also heard of alumni being in places such as: World Health Organization, World Bank, United Nations Development Program, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations Headquarters in NY, Chemonics, National Democratic Institute, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Brookings Institution, Human Rights Watch, Global Health Strategies, Conservation International, International Center for Transitional Justice, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and Ashoka. Apparently, 100% are employed within 6 months. On Open House day, the Director of Career Services will be handing out an updated employment/placement sheet.