Yale Jackson vs. SIPA - Advice NEEDED!

[Zendetta]

Hello,

I hope you guys are all safe and having some good "home-office" time. I am writing to you to ask for your kind advice. I would really appreciate your help!

I was recently admitted to the MA in Global Affairs at Jackson Institute, Yale and the MPA in Development Practice at SIPA, Columbia. I am an international student, with big dreams to pursue a career in international development. While both schools gave me really generous offers, and I feel so privileged to have to choose between both, after really not being able to be in a position of choice for all my life. However, I am really in need of communicating my fears.

- I feel like while Jackson institute could be great for an American student who wants to proceed in diplomacy and work in the state department, for example, it would still not be as efficient as SIPA for an international student. Am I wrong in this assumption?

- Do you think that Jackson would offer sufficient practical experience or would it be more theory-based? Do you think that an MA in Global Affairs can still boost someone's career in International Development vs Diplomacy?

- New Haven vs New York: when it comes to networking, and finding internships?

- Can I get IT, Cyber Security, Big Data Analysis, or more practical ID skills at Yale vs SIPA?

I would really appreciate your answers and advice!