UCSD vs. UCLA

[Bonzai]

I've already kind of asked this question on another thread, but I wanted to open it up to other responses.

So my goal is to study international relations and eventually secure a job relating to that field.

I have been admitted to both UCLA's Master of Public Policy program (which has an international track) and UCSD's Master of Pacific and International Studies.

I'm torn over which I should attend. Is one better than the other for my ultimate goal? UCLA would definitely be more convenient (wife works there, I live in L.A., the university as a whole seems more prestigious), but then again I don't want to attend a second-tier program that doesn't adequately prepare me. It also seems like UCLA's Public Affairs department doesn't really "have it together" whereas UCSD's IR/PS seems rather efficient.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[stewster28]

I was also admitted to IRPS, but I'm still waiting to hear about UCLA MPP. After visiting both schools I felt that UCLA was a strong quantitative program with a somewhat flexible, unstructured specialization curriculum, where as IRPS is incredibly structured with a regional specialization + language requirement, and policy/area focus. It depends what you are after. On the west coast it seems like you can't beat IRPS for international affairs (particularly pacific rim). If you are really committed to IR than IRPS is a pretty fitting program.

Good luck!

[Fango]

I've already kind of asked this question on another thread, but I wanted to open it up to other responses.

So my goal is to study international relations and eventually secure a job relating to that field.

I have been admitted to both UCLA's Master of Public Policy program (which has an international track) and UCSD's Master of Pacific and International Studies.

I'm torn over which I should attend. Is one better than the other for my ultimate goal? UCLA would definitely be more convenient (wife works there, I live in L.A., the university as a whole seems more prestigious), but then again I don't want to attend a second-tier program that doesn't adequately prepare me. It also seems like UCLA's Public Affairs department doesn't really "have it together" whereas UCSD's IR/PS seems rather efficient.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

If your desire is to work specifically within the Pacific Rim with Latin American or Asian constituencies, then UCSD's program is probably the best you could attend. That said, you mentioned your convenience factor with your wife and current locale. UCLA as a university clearly has the prestige, though their MPP isn't as highly ranked as some other programs on the East Coast. However, the faculty there are good, and you could easily tap into good (if not better) connections there. When it comes down to it, I think you'll have to choose based on which one will be most beneficial to you overall and in the long run.