Difficulties with deciding between M.P.P programs

[Arkibarki]

Hi,

I have currently been accepted to four graduate schools, and am still awaiting responds from MALD. Being an international student, i would appreciate any comments on positives/negatives associated with the various programs, and how you would rank these schools.

List of schools i have been accepted to (in no particular order)

1) Cornell Institute of Public Affairs, M.P.A

2) Brown University Taubman Center, M.P.P

3) Georgetown Public Policy Institute, M.P.P

4) John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, MA in Diplomacy and IR

In terms of specialization options, all schools appear to offer alternatives that correspond to my current interests - something that makes the decision more difficult.

I have decided to exclude my fellowship awards since i want to hear how these schools compare to each other irrespectively of what financial help they give me (admittedly, this will nonetheless play part in my decision)

Grateful for your help!

A

[greendiplomat]

Hi,

I have currently been accepted to four graduate schools, and am still awaiting responds from MALD. Being an international student, i would appreciate any comments on positives/negatives associated with the various programs, and how you would rank these schools.

List of schools i have been accepted to (in no particular order)

1) Cornell Institute of Public Affairs, M.P.A

2) Brown University Taubman Center, M.P.P

3) Georgetown Public Policy Institute, M.P.P

4) John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, MA in Diplomacy and IR

In terms of specialization options, all schools appear to offer alternatives that correspond to my current interests - something that makes the decision more difficult.

I have decided to exclude my fellowship awards since i want to hear how these schools compare to each other irrespectively of what financial help they give me (admittedly, this will nonetheless play part in my decision)

Grateful for your help!

A

Do you mind providing more information on what your background and career goals are?

Also, should we tentatively add Fletcher as #5 on your list so that we can consider all of them?

Edited March 11, 2011 by greendiplomat

[Arkibarki]

Do you mind providing more information on what your background and career goals are?

Also, should we tentatively add Fletcher as #5 on your list so that we can consider all of them?

It is difficult to give a brief description of background education and career goals (although it was supposedly done in the personal statements ). Anyway, i figure that this might be what you would like to know:

I am graduating this spring with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. In terms of work, i have been heavily involved in economic and public policy issues in the developing world, having had internships in Guatemala (Microfinance and economic development policy), Bolivia and China (diplomacy internship with the British government) during the last two years.

In terms of career, i am predominantly interested in a career within diplomacy. Ideally this should be within the developing world so to appeal to my interests in that area.

And yes, please do consider Fletcher too, since there might be a small possibility of me being accepted there

Thank you for being so helpful!

[YLSnKSG]

If I were you, with your interests stated below, I would prefer in order:

1. Tufts

2. Georgetown

3. JCW

4. Brown

5. Cornell

But yeah, for diplomacy, I'd say you should wait for Fletcher and then make a decision between it and Georgetown.

Hi,

I have currently been accepted to four graduate schools, and am still awaiting responds from MALD. Being an international student, i would appreciate any comments on positives/negatives associated with the various programs, and how you would rank these schools.

List of schools i have been accepted to (in no particular order)

1) Cornell Institute of Public Affairs, M.P.A

2) Brown University Taubman Center, M.P.P

3) Georgetown Public Policy Institute, M.P.P

4) John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations, MA in Diplomacy and IR

In terms of specialization options, all schools appear to offer alternatives that correspond to my current interests - something that makes the decision more difficult.

I have decided to exclude my fellowship awards since i want to hear how these schools compare to each other irrespectively of what financial help they give me (admittedly, this will nonetheless play part in my decision)

Grateful for your help!

A

[aliicat11]

I'm a senior graduating undergrad from the Taubman Center at Brown this Spring. If you are interested in IR and Diplomacy, I would be a little concerned about pursuing a degree here. The program is very domestic (that's why I like it) and I'm not sure how much of an opportunity you would have to explore those issues. However, we do have a fair amount of international students for a small program, and I think that Taubman does a good job of helping them out and making sure they are comfortable. Since the program is small, there is a lot of specialized attention. On the downside though, I'm not sure you'd have the internship opportunities that you would have at Georgetown in DC because there's not a lot of IR going on in Providence!

[greendiplomat]

It is difficult to give a brief description of background education and career goals (although it was supposedly done in the personal statements ). Anyway, i figure that this might be what you would like to know:

I am graduating this spring with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. In terms of work, i have been heavily involved in economic and public policy issues in the developing world, having had internships in Guatemala (Microfinance and economic development policy), Bolivia and China (diplomacy internship with the British government) during the last two years.

In terms of career, i am predominantly interested in a career within diplomacy. Ideally this should be within the developing world so to appeal to my interests in that area.

And yes, please do consider Fletcher too, since there might be a small possibility of me being accepted there

Thank you for being so helpful!

I'll agree with YLSnHKS that Fletcher seems like the best fit given your interests, and I wouldn't sell yourself short just yet (i.e. until you actually hear the decision). I haven't really looked into the other schools on your list, so I can't say for sure.

That being said, I think there are a few schools on your list where, while they'd provide good general public policy training, I question whether you'd be able to take many classes that are directly relevant to your intended career path. As such, be sure to take a general look at the specific courses that you're looking into, and even maybe put together a course plan for your 2 years there to get a sense of what kind of education you can get there.