UCSD IR/PS vs. CMU Heinz MSPPM

[Zhuoqing Li]

Hi guys! I know it's a little bit late to make final decision, but I still want to ask someone for help me to choose. For me, I'm a CHinese student with a international politics background, and I plan to pursue for a position in Private sectors or consulting firms, like some multinational corporations. Both of these two schools are very selective in its own fields.

IRPS MPIA:

Pro:

1. More business-oriented. This is the most factor that attarcts me. I'd like to choose the international manegement track (a little like a MBA) and I believe its a better fit for me according to my carrer goal.

2. Strong faculty like Susan Shirk and Barry Naughton.

3. San Diego

4. Emphasis on language study.

5. Strong quantitative training.

6. Good student-faculty connection.

Cons:

1. Less reputation compared to CMU. Especially in China more employer recognize CMU than UCSD.

2. MPIA is not a MBA. I have to try to tell employers what my degree looks like.

CMU Heinz MSPPM:

Pros:

1. Pracrical curriculum.

2. Extremely strong quantitative emphasis.

3. High reputation.

4. I can choose some courses in Teppers school of business.

Cons:

1. Pittsburgh seems to be less attractive to me, especially in job markets.

2. It is a public policy degree. I cannot convince myself pursuing for a MPP degree but going to Private afterwards. It does not match to my career goal. Although lots of people there go to private corporations, I believe it is harder for MPP graduates get into private than IR students.

Currently, it's only 2 days left for me to reply. I'm more leaning towards IRPS, and my girlfreind is going to USC as well. It's so urgent to me! Hope you guys can help me and offer me some advice! Thanks you so much!

Edited April 14, 2010 by Zhuoqing Li

[sky_blue]

I didn't apply to either schools so i am not sure about the specifics of each curriculum...but i am not so sure if i agree with you that an ir degree necessarily place you better for a private sector job, especially in the consulting/finance industry.

i think the best advice I can offer is that to go with your guts instinct. you must be happy at whichever school you go. i just had a chat with my academic advisor at college and he told me the name of the degree, whether it is a MA or MPP, doesn't matter much in the long run. it seems to me that you are leaning towards uscd because your gf is there and that you like the program better. go for it and don't look back and regret. if i were you, i'll make sure that i spend my two years in a program that i like better, taking classes that interest me as well as building up my networks with both the students and the professors. doors WILL open.

hope this is helpful. good luck with your decision!

Hi guys! I know it's a little bit late to make final decision, but I still want to ask someone for help me to choose. For me, I'm a CHinese student with a international politics background, and I plan to pursue for a position in Private sectors or consulting firms, like some multinational corporations. Both of these two schools are very selective in its own fields.

IRPS MPIA:

Pro:

1. More business-oriented. This is the most factor that attarcts me. I'd like to choose the international manegement track (a little like a MBA) and I believe its a better fit for me according to my carrer goal.

2. Strong faculty like Susan Shirk and Barry Naughton.

3. San Diego

4. Emphasis on language study.

5. Strong quantitative training.

6. Good student-faculty connection.

Cons:

1. Less reputation compared to CMU. Especially in China more employer recognize CMU than UCSD.

2. MPIA is not a MBA. I have to try to tell employers what my degree looks like.

CMU Heinz MSPPM:

Pros:

1. Pracrical curriculum.

2. Extremely strong quantitative emphasis.

3. High reputation.

4. I can choose some courses in Teppers school of business.

Cons:

1. Pittsburgh seems to be less attractive to me, especially in job markets.

2. It is a public policy degree. I cannot convince myself pursuing for a MPP degree but going to Private afterwards. It does not match to my career goal. Although lots of people there go to private corporations, I believe it is harder for MPP graduates get into private than IR students.

Currently, it's only 2 days left for me to reply. I'm more leaning towards IRPS, and my girlfreind is going to USC as well. It's so urgent to me! Hope you guys can help me and offer me some advice! Thanks you so much!

[Zhuoqing Li]

Thank you! I think I'm 70% leaning towards UCSD now， for I've heard that Chinese students in MSPPM have never found any formal jobs in the US job market. That is a terrible number and very scaring.

I didn't apply to either schools so i am not sure about the specifics of each curriculum...but i am not so sure if i agree with you that an ir degree necessarily place you better for a private sector job, especially in the consulting/finance industry.

i think the best advice I can offer is that to go with your guts instinct. you must be happy at whichever school you go. i just had a chat with my academic advisor at college and he told me the name of the degree, whether it is a MA or MPP, doesn't matter much in the long run. it seems to me that you are leaning towards uscd because your gf is there and that you like the program better. go for it and don't look back and regret. if i were you, i'll make sure that i spend my two years in a program that i like better, taking classes that interest me as well as building up my networks with both the students and the professors. doors WILL open.

hope this is helpful. good luck with your decision!

[Ching-Cheh Huang]

I'm sort of in the same position. I got admitted to IR/PS at UCSD (MPIA) and SIS at AU (International Peace and Conflict Resolution).

Seriously, both schools are so appealing to me that I'm currently going through a tough decision-making process...

I wanna focus on the "Cross-Strait Relations" between China and Taiwan, and I'd like to dedicate my career to improving the relationship between the two.

I also would like to work for American governmental sector that is dedicated for Sino-U.S relations.

And also, I have to reply in two days...so this is very urgent, too.

Could someone help me with some of your thoughts or opinions?

Thank you very much!

[mppgal55]

That job number is a rumor and wrong; I know two Chinese students who just got offers last week (one to PNC Bank and one to BNY Mellon).

That said, as much as I LOVE the MSPPM program, you seem to have already made up your mind just in how you framed the original post. I think you just need someone to tell you it is ok, because it isn't as well-known. While reputation matters, if the fit isn't there, it isn't there. If UCSD is your dream school and is a good fit, then don't let anything hold you back.

Thank you! I think I'm 70% leaning towards UCSD now， for I've heard that Chinese students in MSPPM have never found any formal jobs in the US job market. That is a terrible number and very scaring.

[Crazy Bird]

That job number is a rumor and wrong; I know two Chinese students who just got offers last week (one to PNC Bank and one to BNY Mellon).

That said, as much as I LOVE the MSPPM program, you seem to have already made up your mind just in how you framed the original post. I think you just need someone to tell you it is ok, because it isn't as well-known. While reputation matters, if the fit isn't there, it isn't there. If UCSD is your dream school and is a good fit, then don't let anything hold you back.

Hello, I am an admitted Chinese student at MSPPM program this year.

Background: bachelor, diplomacy and international affairs, 1 year work experience at government (finance department))

And I want to work at private sectors after graduation. (my bf is very likely to work at California, so my career goal is to work at California)

Do you know about the MSPPM-policy analytic track? I am admitted by MSPPM, can I switch to the MSPPM-policy analytic track? (English is my weak points, so maybe more training on data mining/ machine learning will place me better at job market?) Could you please give me some suggestions?

Thank you in advance!