MA/MSc International & World History - Columbia and LSE

[sketchyworld]

Hi

So I'd really love to hear from anyone who has done/is doing the MA/MSc in International & World History at Columbia and LSE. I was recently accepted, and I'm a having a rough time deciding whether to go or take up my place at King's College London for a slightly different (but cheaper) program. My primary concern is money, and my secondary concern is that a Professor who went to Columbia seems to think masters students are marginalized there, and thus its expensive for the attention they get. She doesn't seem to be talking specifically about this program, and it seems to me given only 20 students are on this program and it is a bit more specialized that she might not be entirely correct about this.

Does anyone have any advice, preferably based on experience? The program sounds AWESOME, but I know I've been slightly taken in by the wow factor, which is confusing things for me somewhat.

Thanks for your help,

Sketch

[TMP]

It's a cash cow program. Are you willing to pay for all of this just for the experience? If you're not looking to get much out of this program other than experience, it's up to you. But if you're looking for the PhD, go with the cheapest option, because you'll probably have more debt down the road.

It's really tempting and attractive but if you already have the option of going to London with King's College, go for it!

[sketchyworld]

It's a cash cow program. Are you willing to pay for all of this just for the experience? If you're not looking to get much out of this program other than experience, it's up to you. But if you're looking for the PhD, go with the cheapest option, because you'll probably have more debt down the road.

It's really tempting and attractive but if you already have the option of going to London with King's College, go for it!

Well it's not about going to London, I'm British. It's about the education- the programme itself, the professors, the opportunity.

Did you do it yourself? I'd really like to hear other people's experiences to be sure it's the right decision, that it is worth it (or whether it is). I'm not saying I'm doing it "just for the experience"--does anyone do education for that?--I'm saying I'd like to hear what people have experienced on the programme is all.

[TMP]

No, I did not. I'm critical because I'm an American. We're wary of cash-cow programs here because higher education is already quite expensive in the US (as opposed to many other countries in the world). So we just ask ourselves, "For its high tuition fees and COL (in NYC and London), is it really all worth the investment?" It's also because Columbia's taking advantage of its location in New York and is doing what it can (as well as NYU) to use the city to draw students in for all degrees imaginable.

This program is fairly new- its first cohort was in Fall 2008, so these students graduated just only last year. So you may want to be in touch with the program to see how these students are faring with their new degrees.

Good luck making the decision!

[beaverish]

Hi

So I'd really love to hear from anyone who has done/is doing the MA/MSc in International & World History at Columbia and LSE. I was recently accepted, and I'm a having a rough time deciding whether to go or take up my place at King's College London for a slightly different (but cheaper) program. My primary concern is money, and my secondary concern is that a Professor who went to Columbia seems to think masters students are marginalized there, and thus its expensive for the attention they get. She doesn't seem to be talking specifically about this program, and it seems to me given only 20 students are on this program and it is a bit more specialized that she might not be entirely correct about this.

Does anyone have any advice, preferably based on experience? The program sounds AWESOME, but I know I've been slightly taken in by the wow factor, which is confusing things for me somewhat.

Thanks for your help,

Sketch

i'm an american doing undergrad at LSE. i got admitted to this program... i can tell you that at least from LSE side, it is no cash cow. the professors are extremely legit. any questions just PM me.

PS over 140 people applied for 20 places, so it's at least highly competitive.

[thedig13]

Hi

So I'd really love to hear from anyone who has done/is doing the MA/MSc in International & World History at Columbia and LSE. I was recently accepted, and I'm a having a rough time deciding whether to go or take up my place at King's College London for a slightly different (but cheaper) program. My primary concern is money, and my secondary concern is that a Professor who went to Columbia seems to think masters students are marginalized there, and thus its expensive for the attention they get. She doesn't seem to be talking specifically about this program, and it seems to me given only 20 students are on this program and it is a bit more specialized that she might not be entirely correct about this.

Does anyone have any advice, preferably based on experience? The program sounds AWESOME, but I know I've been slightly taken in by the wow factor, which is confusing things for me somewhat.

Thanks for your help,

Sketch

Hey -- This isn't actually an answer to your question, but this program happens to be my top choice for grad school. Seriously.

So, if you don't mind, can you disclose your GPA/GREs/qualifications/experience/concentrations/advice/etc.? I'd like to know exactly where I stand in terms of the other candidates for this program.

PM me if you'd like. I'd seriously, seriously appreciate it.

Thanks, man.

[historylove]

Hi

So I'd really love to hear from anyone who has done/is doing the MA/MSc in International & World History at Columbia and LSE. I was recently accepted, and I'm a having a rough time deciding whether to go or take up my place at King's College London for a slightly different (but cheaper) program. My primary concern is money, and my secondary concern is that a Professor who went to Columbia seems to think masters students are marginalized there, and thus its expensive for the attention they get. She doesn't seem to be talking specifically about this program, and it seems to me given only 20 students are on this program and it is a bit more specialized that she might not be entirely correct about this.

Does anyone have any advice, preferably based on experience? The program sounds AWESOME, but I know I've been slightly taken in by the wow factor, which is confusing things for me somewhat.

Thanks for your help,

Sketch

Hi could you do the same for me as you did with the user above and send me information about your application/qualifications etc to see what the competition is like please? This is my dream course. If I was you I would definitely go for it! Good luck!