Interested in others considering CIPA, LBJ, or Elliot IDS (also Sanford and CMU)

[Nancy F]

Hi! I wish I'd found this a few months ago... but oh well. I applied to 5 masters programs and got accepted to all of them with varying funding levels. I didn't decide to apply until December, when it became clear that the job I started in August was a really bad fit, so I feel like I may have rushed the whole process a bit in terms of gathering information. (You'll also note that all the programs I applied to were Jan-Feb application deadlines. I couldn't swing the Dec. ones.)

My top three right now are Cornell CIPA ($26K fellowship), Texas LBJ masters of Global Policy Studies (waived out of state tuition and $9K fellowship - practically full tuition), and George Washington's International Development Studies ($12K fellowship). Duke ($14K fellowship and $4K work/study) and CMU Heinz ($22K fellowship) both are less appealing to me based on the combination of funding, how I perceive their programs and their locations (I'm likely dragging my sports journalist boyfriend, and need to employ him somehow!).

I would love input from current or accepted students on the strengths/weaknesses of these programs and any recommendations on additional funding at these schools (I brought $70K out of NYU and want as little debt as possible).

Thanks so much!

[matcha]

I'm heading to Cornell in the fall. They gave me the most money, I like where they send their alumni, and the idea of designing my own program makes me excited. Ithaca is suppose to be this awesome, funky college town. In fact, MSN has ranked it as top 8 in the nation for best college towns. They have also been super friendly.

LBJ is in Austin, which is another fabulous town! I don't believe they have as many connections in D.C., but if that isn't your priority, that sounds great as well! I had a friend go to that school. They focus a lot on the "numbers" part of public policy, which is a needed area of specialty.

I would check where the alumni end up. I feel like that would be the best, quick judge of paths people take.

[Nancy F]

I'm heading to Cornell in the fall. They gave me the most money, I like where they send their alumni, and the idea of designing my own program makes me excited. Ithaca is suppose to be this awesome, funky college town. In fact, MSN has ranked it as top 8 in the nation for best college towns. They have also been super friendly.

LBJ is in Austin, which is another fabulous town! I don't believe they have as many connections in D.C., but if that isn't your priority, that sounds great as well! I had a friend go to that school. They focus a lot on the "numbers" part of public policy, which is a needed area of specialty.

I would check where the alumni end up. I feel like that would be the best, quick judge of paths people take.

Thanks so much for the response. Cornell's a great school - I actually lived in Ithaca for a few years and worked at Cornell after undergrad. I'm sure you'll love it!

I think you hit the nail on the head - I know that Cornell has an amazing alumni presence everywhere... and the stats they showed us about job placement, etc., are pretty incredible. I haven't been able to get a similar report out of Texas (they've got really generic graphs up) yet.