Stanford IPS vs SAIS

[kaixinwawa]

Now I have two choices between Stanford IPS program with full tuition sholarship and SAIS with no information on funding yet. Though SAIS has a very strong China Program with amazing location in DC and good alumni network, I wonder if Stanford's bigger name is more attractive? Could you give me some advice on this situation? I would love to hear different vocies. Thanks!

[sky_blue]

i will take the stanford offer because of the full scholarship... stanford is a great school, but at the same time, i realized that the ips program seems to gear you towards careers in thinktanks, is that what you want to do? also, note that ips program is very young and the alumni network wouldnt be as strong as SAIS, is this important to you?

congrats btw, do you mind sharing your stats?

Edited March 17, 2010 by sky_blue

[globalsun]

i will take the stanford offer because of the full scholarship... stanford is a great school, but at the same time, i realized that the ips program seems to gear you towards careers in thinktanks, is that what you want to do? also, note that ips program is very young and the alumni network wouldnt be as strong as SAIS, is this important to you?

congrats btw, do you mind sharing your stats?

Hi,

As an IPS student, I want to clarify some things. IPS is not purely directed at work in think thanks as many of us are planning work in the private sector or multilateral organizations. As for alumni network, while not as large as SAIS, there are large number of alumni from the former one year IPS program plus other professional schools at Stanford (Law, GSB) who you can rely upon for jobs and advice.

Thanks.

[lycny]

Now I have two choices between Stanford IPS program with full tuition sholarship and SAIS with no information on funding yet. Though SAIS has a very strong China Program with amazing location in DC and good alumni network, I wonder if Stanford's bigger name is more attractive? Could you give me some advice on this situation? I would love to hear different vocies. Thanks!

Hi kaixinwawa, I'm in the same situation as you were last year, choosing between Stanford IPS with full ride and SAIS (also with full scholarship). I'm wondering how you decided between the programs and what's your experience been like whichever place you have enrolled in?

Thanks for sharing!