Syracuse Maxwell vs. Seton Hall - Joint MPA/MAIR

[jrgcanes07]

Hey y'all,

I am ecstatic after receiving acceptances from both of these schools. After evacuating from the Peace Corps, I worried that I would miss the application deadlines and be stuck in limbo but both schools really worked with me to submit a completed application before the deadline. Nonetheless, now I face a tough decision. Ideally, following graduate school, I aspire for a career in international conflict mediation specifically in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. As of right now, it would be only slightly more to attend Seton Hall and the proximity to NYC bolsters the overall attractiveness of attending Seton Hall. That being said, it seems that Maxwell is overall more connected throughout DC and in the international affairs world, so I am at an impasse. 

Any feedback on these schools would be greatly appreciated!

Edited April 30, 2020 by jrgcanes07

[GradSchoolGrad]

On 4/30/2020 at 2:59 PM, jrgcanes07 said:

Hey y'all,

I am ecstatic after receiving acceptances from both of these schools. After evacuating from the Peace Corps, I worried that I would miss the application deadlines and be stuck in limbo but both schools really worked with me to submit a completed application before the deadline. Nonetheless, now I face a tough decision. Ideally, following graduate school, I aspire for a career in international conflict mediation specifically in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. As of right now, it would be only slightly more to attend Seton Hall and the proximity to NYC bolsters the overall attractiveness of attending Seton Hall. That being said, it seems that Maxwell is overall more connected throughout DC and in the international affairs world, so I am at an impasse. 

Any feedback on these schools would be greatly appreciated!

So hypothetically you can overcome the short comings of Seton Hall program (we can talk about prestige, resources, alumni network, and etc.) by individually networking in New York. However... your topic area, Middle East + Southeast Asia in my opinion only lends itself to New York area jobs okay, it lends itself to DC + other international options much much better.

I strongly recommend you go to Maxwell period because:

1. You will have a larger perspective of the opportunities out there

2. Your will have a much more legitimate brand to carry you. Botton line, people stop and pay attention when they see Syracuse by virtue of reputation and as silly as it sounds --> a US News rankings search (that is another long conversation). Seton Hall essentially won't mean much to a lot of people hiring. Not trying to be snobby, but this is what I have seen. My have encountered the same with my own policy school because it is only approx 25 ranked on US News and people have asked me point blank why I didn't go to a better school.

3. Lower living expenses

4. Accessible resources (that you don't have to compete for).

Maxwell has lots of research centers + programming catered for the Syracuse population period. There might hypothetically be stuff in New York, but you have to compete with NYU, Columbia, Pace, Brauch, CUNY, Hunter College, and others. 

I could go on with other things... but I would say those are the big ones...

For me it is a slam dunk to go to Syracuse (granted it might be annoying not to be so close to New York). However... I recommend going somewhere where you can make close friendships rather than be distracted by a city. Also... COVID will probably last into the fall... so you'll be better off in upstate New York.