SAIS or LSE

[future ma]

Dear collegues,

I have been admitted to the MPA in Public and Economic Policy and in the SAIS (IDEV Program). SAIS gave me some financial aid for the first year so the tuition fee of both of them are now similar. Which one should I choose? Which one offers a more rigorous training? I am neither American or European, so which one offers better career perspectives?

[narius]

I think LSE has a more global 'brand' than JHU and SAIS, although JHU is def no slouch. And among potential recruiters, I think you'll find that you'll get more credibility with a SAIS degree tucked under your arm. From the people I've known who have gone to LSE and SAIS, I'd say the SAIS curriculum is higher quality, more application-focused, and very well taught. LSE is a great place, but their MPA is just one of many programs. SAIS is considered a high-end degree for JHU as well as the world of policy analysis and international affairs in general. Also, DC is a much less expensive place to live than London.

So, yeah, SAIS for sure.

[le_neocon]

I think LSE has a more global 'brand' than JHU and SAIS, although JHU is def no slouch. And among potential recruiters, I think you'll find that you'll get more credibility with a SAIS degree tucked under your arm. From the people I've known who have gone to LSE and SAIS, I'd say the SAIS curriculum is higher quality, more application-focused, and very well taught. LSE is a great place, but their MPA is just one of many programs. SAIS is considered a high-end degree for JHU as well as the world of policy analysis and international affairs in general. Also, DC is a much less expensive place to live than London.

So, yeah, SAIS for sure.

Agree with narius..SAIS for sure !

[RH7]

thirded, speaking as an LSE MPA admit, I would also go to SAIS. Though I may not agree with narius that a SAIS degree will get you more credibility than LSE in many places abroad, I would agree that the curriculum is definitely higher quality and money more well spent.

[007]

Future MA, I had similar thoughts like you but in the end, I didn't even apply to LSE.

The LSE is a good institution with an equally good brand name. However, the school has the habit of putting together a few courses and creating a new Master's degree every once in a while. To me, these courses lack a sound structure and differentiation from other courses. In the end, people graduate with uncountable Master's degrees from a comparably small institution. To me, that is definitly not appealing and when talking to current and former students, they confirmed that one tends to feel lost in the multitude of courses. Nevertheless, LSE is very good if you want to go into the private sector as most European banks or companies will know the school somehow. It is also preferable if you want a more academic-oriented degree. SAIS will be more practical (it's a professional school) and students there will be older than in London (with the exception of the European Bologna students).

SAIS, on the other side, may not be as well known in the private sector. However, the school offers many options integrated into one degree and thus enables students to pick a variety of courses which may not be combined in an LSE class. It gives you a solid economics training plus development classes. Moreover, when graduating from SAIS, you get THE SAIS M.A. degree which comes with some brand value. The administration will pay much much more attention to your concerns and you will be part of one SAIS community (as opposed to many anonymous LSE co-students in 2400 different courses). That was decisive for me. American schools like SAIS care much more about you, have better facilities and simply offer more for your money. This even compensated for the potential lack of name recognition in the private sector for me.

Other than that, London is the cooler place in my opinion. For IR people, DC might be better but I personally don't care about the IR quality of a location. But still, SAIS is the way to go!

Edited April 19, 2010 by 7

[Jota]

I am in a similar situation and was about to take the plunge into SAIS before my UK 1-yr optionb egan to creep back into view. I got into SAIS and also into a regional studies program at Oxford. Aside from the cost, here's how I see my choice, in bulletpoint form:

Oxford Pros:

1 year

Globally recognized 'brand', lay prestige

Excellent experience, albeit very self-driven

Great network, although self-created

Good name in Europe (where I'll likely end up)

Oxford Cons:

Academic experience not as relevant/rigorous, lack of quant/generalist IR focus

Networking very organic, not a cohesive group of alums for career purposes

SAIS Pros:

Excellent academic rigor

Excellent alumni networking

Great student experience (1yr in Bologna)

Great name amongst those 'who know' in the policy world

SAIS Cons:

Not known amongst people who 'don't know' it

It is more expensive, although I’m working on that

It’s 2 years and 1 yr more than Oxford

Good but limited name in Europe, more pull in US/Asia

Now the context is that I’m not married to the idea of an elite policy job, although I’d love one if it came my way! I could very easily go back into the field I’m leaving for the masters, although the reason I’m going is to propel me to the next level in the field or slightly change focus.

I hate to sound like a name snob, but it’s a consideration with any degree. With that said, is it better to go for SAIS’ really excellent program with excellent prestige in limited areas or Oxford’s good but slightly less engaging program with excellent reputation in wide areas (but not nearly as much in the limited areas where SAIS excels)?

Edited April 20, 2010 by Jota

[007]

I think it depends. If you want quant training and more course options, choose SAIS!

If you just want a short, specialised academic course, take Oxford.

So, what's your background and what are your goals in terms of jobs or personal academic fulfilment?

[Jota]

That's a good point. I did comms/PR work and am still doing it now. I think I'd like to use this as a springboard to do government affairs work with an eye to putting more policymaking in my job. Also, in my work contacts are important which makes me think SAIS would be beneficial...at the same time I'm not bad at making my own contacts myself.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I wouldn't mind making my comms/PR work more thoughtful and serious, like adding a level of government relations into the mix and marketing myself as someone capable of operating in both worlds.

I think it depends. If you want quant training and more course options, choose SAIS!

If you just want a short, specialised academic course, take Oxford.

So, what's your background and what are your goals in terms of jobs or personal academic fulfilment?