THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO ATTEND: University of California, San Diego
OTHER SCHOOLS I CONSIDERED: In order of most to least consideration - Michigan State University (Master's in Higher Edu. Admin), American University (SIS)
WHY I CHOSE MY NEW SCHOOL:
1. Unique focus on Asia. Besides having full membership in APSIA, they are the only program that focusing on the Pacific region specifically. As a Japanophile who has travelled and volunteered in Asia, this really appealed to me. I had looked at other programs in DC, but they were really general I thought. So, when I saw UCSD's booth at the APSIA grad school fair back in the Fall of 2007, I was really impressed. It is one of the few grad schools that is currently hiring new professors and expanding.
2. Quantative strength, not only do you take QM1 and 2, but you take QM3 as well, which will give me the edge again other more well known schools.
3. Funding
And although, this was not a deciding factor, I won't mind the climate of San Diego!