Hi, I recently received admissions offers from SAIS Bologna (South Asia Studies), SIPA, and the London School of Econ (MPA, International Development). I also received offers from GW Elliott and American SIS, but have ruled them out.
I am really at a loss for how to choose between these three, but I am leaning towards SAIS or SIPA. I am from NY and would save some money living at home at SIPA, but I have heard that the program there is less personal than SAIS. I have not received anything but loans from either school, so both SAIS and SIPA will be approximately as expensive, not taking into account the higher living expenses in Italy. SAIS has been my dream school from the beginning, and I never thought id get into SIPA. I am also interested in going abroad, so I was thinking SIPA and then applying to do the second year at LSE if i dont go to SAIS. I am not sure what I factors I should be considering either. I am interested in international development, and I want my degree to give me strong econ/finance skills. I also want a school that takes the time to help your career, with good professional development classes, and with a strong career services office and internship placement. Any current/former students at either of these schools, I would appreciate any advice. Thanks