Yangtze

Hi, everyone! amazing to find people who are also admitted to MDP at Columbia and face the exact dilemma between it and CIPA. I am from China and now study in Hong Kong. As with the situation with IdunjnanCihtrak, a campus visit is unfeasible for me, though strongly needed... Really looking forward to hearing updated sharing from Chipembere and guys who are gonna make decisions in similar situations!

To tianliang9: my internship experience is not that impressive in a quantitative sense. but maybe they just align really well with my future plan. best luck with your SIPA application. Plz let me if we could meet in NYC! To inkzheng: thank you for your helpful response. Actually the program I am enrolled in is the much smaller one in development, which is exactly what I love. That also may bring me what you describe as "close friendship". Cost-benefit calculation for graduate school can always be complicated and demanding. But now I just realize the best one is the one which makes you want to explore and dare to explore at the thought of it~ btw: have u decided which one to go to? I saw u have quite some top choices！

Hi, Zheng! Thank you sooo much for your detailed reply and that really helps me a lot！u r right, I'm applying directly from undergraduate. My ultimate career goal is in public sectors and organizations.As far as consultant company question, I think it just reflects the concern many Chinese MPA students who are as young as I am may share. Your advice is of special value! I just received MPA admission from SIPA. Considering my future career and your comments, I think that's where I will go for. Best with you application!

Hi, everybody! It's really helpful to read past discussions and that propel me to discuss my major concern at this moment. As an international student, I am now choosing between CIPA(with $$) and GPPI. (no fellowship). Personally, I am thinking of concentrating on international development and work in the States. Consulting firms and non-profit sectors, international organizations (which would be perfect and inspiring fro me) are my two career interests. I see Cornell's Ivy identity. But so far just worried how worthy to choose this not first-tier program just for the name. On the other, there are quite some positive comments on CIPA. Your thoughts will be extremely valuable at this moment...I just worn out as thinking of these two schools all day long...

Hi, everyone! I apply fresh from undergraduate and now enrolled in several public policy programs. So far, thinking of choosing from CIPA, GPPI, Maxwell and GWU CIPA is with generous financial support, under which I would like to concentrate on international development. Maxwell is a double major in Public Administration and International Relations. The only attraction of GPPI to me is its location. But I am not sure about the relevance of the courses in development sphere and its George Washington University actually is another one I am so far very drawn to. It's an offer with scholarship in International Development. I am an international student and desire to work at international organizations and aid agencies. The prestige of the school and its access to a job opportunity in the States would be my top concerns. As campus visit is not feasible for me and I am quite curious about the evaluation of these programs in the eyes of local students, I'd appreciate any opinions from you! Thank you so much!