Harvard Kennedy MPP vs Columbia SIPA MIA

[Rachel_grad2020]

Hi everyone,

I've received some good news from schools, and I think I've narrowed it down to the Harvard Kennedy School Master of Public Policy and Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Master of International Affairs. No funding from HKS, $30K/year from SIPA. My interests are international human rights and development, 5 years work experience & hoping to stay in progressive INGO spaces after graduating.

Since admit days are cancelled due to COVID, would appreciate advice!

I'm drawn to SIPA's many courses and opportunities specific to human rights and development. And I'm drawn to HKS' sense of community: campus, core first year curriculum structure, and extracurricular engagement. Does one have a significantly better reputation within the sector? (Harvard certainly has a stronger household name.)

Fwiw I've also been admitted to Berkeley GSPP (no funding), SAIS ($26K/year), Fletcher ($18K/year), MSFS (no funding), AU SIS ($11K/year). Funding is a consideration and it's hard to turn down programs that would be less expensive, but feels like it might be worth it for the career advancement particularly with a recession coming.

Thank you!

[GradSchoolGrad]

8 hours ago, Rachel_grad2020 said:

Hi everyone,

I've received some good news from schools, and I think I've narrowed it down to the Harvard Kennedy School Master of Public Policy and Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Master of International Affairs. No funding from HKS, $30K/year from SIPA. My interests are international human rights and development, 5 years work experience & hoping to stay in progressive INGO spaces after graduating.

Since admit days are cancelled due to COVID, would appreciate advice!

I'm drawn to SIPA's many courses and opportunities specific to human rights and development. And I'm drawn to HKS' sense of community: campus, core first year curriculum structure, and extracurricular engagement. Does one have a significantly better reputation within the sector? (Harvard certainly has a stronger household name.)

Fwiw I've also been admitted to Berkeley GSPP (no funding), SAIS ($26K/year), Fletcher ($18K/year), MSFS (no funding), AU SIS ($11K/year). Funding is a consideration and it's hard to turn down programs that would be less expensive, but feels like it might be worth it for the career advancement particularly with a recession coming.

Thank you!

If you heart is set on INGO and IDEV and you have no problem with being New York or ending up in New York for some period of time in your career... I would say SIPA is the better option given that you have so much funding coming your way. SIPA has established IDEV / INGO networks + by virtue of being in NYC, you can get access to them right away during school. In fact, I would even consider this a SAIS vs. SIPA game. It is really a matter of how much do you care about DC or not because that is SAIS' center of gravity so to speak. I would say SAIS is not as strong with INGOs in general, but can be strong with IDEV - especially from a partnership angle. HKS has universal pull + the universal brand name + great academic experience, but I wouldn't say its not worth 60K (2 year total) over SAIS or SIPA. 

I think you can drop AU SIS period (comparatively lack of brand equity), MSFS (if there is no funding there is no funding, and Fletcher (you have better options with funding). 

Maybe think about playing SIPA against SAIS to get more funding. I know it sounds cold hearted since you have some already, but the worst they can say is no.