Fletcher (MALD) vs. AU (MIS)

[LotusEater]

Hey everyone,

I have been accepted to Fletcher (MALD) and to American University (MIS), and I'd love to hear what you guys have to say about these programs. Here's what I've been considering:

Fletcher:

- great school, has been amazing throughout the whole process, but offered me very little money, so it is still very expensive.

- it’s located in Medford, so I worry a little about this making it difficult to arrange internships in DC or NYC, although many people believe this shouldn’t be a problem considering their very strong alumni network.

- it’s a 2-year program, with 42-credits – heavy workload, but allows for some part-time jobs during the school year.

American University:

- I had applied to their M.A. in International Politics, but was instead accepted to the Master of International Service, which is a 1-year program geared towards people who are mid-career. I don’t know exactly why they thought this might be a good fit – I have worked for a few years now, but I do intend to change careers to international relations, not to use this degree to further my current career. But hey, they should know what they are doing, and if they think it is a good fit…

- considering it is a 1-year program, it is shorter than MALD and SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper – this is really appealing, as you all can imagine.

- it is in DC, so the location is great. However, this degree takes 30 credits to be finished in one year, so I’m worried that I won’t have time to network or even to take up a part-time job to help with some money.

- if anyone has attended this program, please let me know – the website doesn’t say much, and I want to know if I can take classes with every other student in their other master programs (it appears so), or if I’ll have a set of pre-determined classes, which I’ll attend with other people getting this MIS – this worries me, as I want to be exposed to as many people as possible, and not just to people who might be getting this degree just to further their already existing careers.

- it is also a great school, but maybe not with the same name-recognition as Fletcher? Plus, I’d be competing in DC for internships with students from other heavyweights as Georgetown and SAIS, for instance, so I don’t know how much help just being in DC really is, as opposed to having a more recognizable name behind you.

So, it might seem like I’m more inclined to accepting Fletcher’s offer, but the money thing worries me a lot (I should add that I’m an international student), and I’d love to know if I should look into being accepted to MIS as a positive thing in the sense that my “employability” won’t be hurt by attending a 1-year program instead of a 2-year one.

Thanks a lot guys, and good luck to everyone making their decisions as well!!

Edited April 12, 2010 by LotusEater

[casey81]

Hi there lotuseater,

I see your post was in April 2010, so by now you've probably made your decision. I have (also) applied to Fletcher MALD and on a whim, to the development management program at AU SIS. I have the same thoughts/concerns as you do in your original post, and thus would be interested to hear where you decided to go and for what reasons.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts!!!!!

[LotusEater]

Hey Casey,

Wow, I checked this website while procrastinating on writing a paper and just came across your post! So, I'm currently at Fletcher and could not be happier. I think that, ultimately, the name recognition was the major factor in my decision, and I was never comfortable with the fact that AU accepted me to a program slightly different than the one I applied to. Looking back, I'm certain that this was the right decision for me, but don't know what would be best in your particular situation. If you do have experience on the field / have a job more or less aligned, maybe AU would be better. But Fletcher is an awesome school, I must say.

Good luck with your decision!