Middlebury Institute VS NYU Wagner MPA

[Iblit]

Hi! I've been accepted to a few schools but now its decision time and i'm picking between two schools and I'd really like any input or advice.

I was accepted to NYU Wagner- MPA of Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy & the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey (MIIS) MPA- Specialization undecided.

MIIS: The benefits of attending MIIS is that it has a great location in Monterey, CA. A second language would be incorporated into my curriculum. The rent is cheaper. I have nearly a half-tuition scholarship. Establishing connections seems promising.

Cons: Less recognized school. Not as many opportunities as NYC. Far away from home (would like to return after living abroad for 8 years). They aren't very accommodating in regards to part time students and full-time workers. 60 credit program.

 

NYU: Benefits would be that it is known to be prestigious. The program is well recognized throughout the world. Would establish very good connections. NYC offers lots of work opportunities. My move will be easy since it's close to home. Able to travel more easily.

Cons: I don't want to live in the city. Won't know about a scholarship until 2-3 weeks from now, but was initially rejected scholarship so it doesn't seem likely I will be granted one. City is SO expensive. Tuition would be about 75 grand. Already have 32 grand in loans and that would really kill me. 

 

What are your experiences and opinions in regards to either programs, schools and with any loans?! Would it be manageable making 55 grand a year after graduation? What if I want to start a family soon? Let me know any and all opinions!

Thanks!!!

Edited March 4, 2018 by Iblit

[JB91]

What did you choose? I have also been accepted to MPA at MIIS.

[Frost18]

I am an international student from India. I applied to ipd at MIIS a little late, and i have my interview on 1st february. Can you give me a little insight on how to prepare for it and what is the difficulty level.

Also, i've got admitted in IDCE at Clark University with 50% scholarship. Is it a good option?

 

[Xmas]

Recent MIIS alum here. It really depends on what you want to do after graduation. If you want to work in think tank/gov/int’l org then choose any decent East Coast school over MIIS. Expanding DC networks have been the top 3 priority of MIIS’ operation in the last few years, but there’s no comparison between a small grad institution on the central coast of California, and a East Coast school with a sizable pool of alums and a recognized name. If California is where you want to work after graduation then MIIS is a good choice. They have some pretty solid connections within the State especially in the Bay Area and San Diego. Consider the policy/non-profit related opportunities have been booming in the Bay Area over the last decade, it may not be a bad place to go (if you’re paid enough to afford living there).

My major frustration during my time at MIIS is their tradition of mismanagement (which is ironical for a policy and management school). They went into debt and got acquired by Middlebury College in Vermont for that reason, and things did not get better almost 15 years after that—lately all the back and forth a between Vermont and California has added to the frustration. Among all this and that, it is also hard for the school to make its name beyond certain parts of CA and the bubbled LAC circles, making it harder for them to attract enough students, despite having a rolling admission that admits almost everyone until the last minute. When you admit almost everyone, you basically need to teach them from the scratch. At least in some of my classes, the first two weeks of lectures did nothing but reviewing the very basic stuff that should be learnt in the 100 level undergrad classes. And with 90% of your assignments in the teamwork form, you overall grad school experience could really vary depending on your luck of getting teammates.

It is not to say that MIIS is no good. It’s a good school in terms of education quality: some really experienced faculties in the field, real project-centered pedagogy, and some really unique and interesting initiatives/programs (like their Non-Proliferation Research Center—known for tracking North Korean nuclear plants using satellite images, Center for Blue Economy, some training programs related to M&E and Program Designing that’s more relatable to MPA people). But you really have to know what you want and make great hustle both on and off campus.

P.S. They decided to grant 10k to everyone going this year after seizing a major donation (the school policy is that multiple scholarships can be combined, but only up to 40% of the tuition can be covered by scholarship), so if you originally have to pay out of your pocket that could be a great benefit.