NYU SCPS (MS Global Affairs), MA Gallatin (Individualized Studies), or not NYU at all??!?!

[WhattoDo]

Hello everyone!

I've been accepted in NYU's SCPS for MS in Global Affairs. I was really excited because I love their program. I've checked every small detail of it online and love the courses, the events, the LOCATION..etc. I love the fact that no statistical/mathematical courses are required, as opposed to SIPA or some of the other big schools, which I didn't even apply to. The only thing I didn't like is seeing that there aren't many reviews on it, and that when there were, it was about how SCPS accepts anyone and how its not a good school.

Later on I got accepted by NYU Gallatin, which made me feel a bit better because I heard that Gallatin is a good school (is it?). Now I'm a bit confused, as at first I preferred the idea of MS in Global Affairs under SCPS, that way I'd be involved in the Centre for Graduate Affairs, in the events, in the general life of someone who truly wants to study Global Affairs. But, if Gallatin is ranked higher, and I'd be able to specify my studies even further, then why not go to Gallatin? I could pick and choose the exact courses I want, and leave the not so fun courses I'd be required to take in the SCPS school. But maybe those courses that I dont want to take (such as International Political Economy, or other core courses that I probably would choose to substitute with other more appealing ones to me, such as human rights courses) might be benefitial and mandatory for someone who wants to practice in this area. In a way, SCPS has all what I want, required core courses that a practicioner in that field needs to have some knowledge of, concentration in human rights (or international relations) that have courses which really appeal to me, study abroad opportunities etc. But in Gallatin, I can specify things even more, I can take courses from the MA in Near Eastern studies and study about the human rights issues specifically in the Mid East, for example.

So, I just dont know...I know what courses I'd like to take, I just don't know if its a good idea to take them only. Maybe for someone who wants to work in the International Relations field, it would be better to actually be under that program itself. I really dont know, what do you think?

Also, I keep hearing people complain about NYU. In the US, I'm only looking at NYC and after Columbia (who I loved the idea of, but didn't apply to because I didnt like the quantitative courses), NYU seems to be second best in the area. I'm applying in London, and so far not accepted in any of the good schools. Which makes me wonder if NYU is that good...Getting my bachelors degree wasn't fun for me. I took stupid courses with the most careless, stupid people. I just dont want to go through that again, I really want to go to a good school. Would I get a good academic experience at NYU?

So, basically its 2 questions...What do you think of NYU? And if you think its good, what would you think is better in my case (SCPS or Gallatin)?

Comments greatly appreciated!!!

Edited April 29, 2011 by WhattoDo

[WhattoDo]

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[brooklynandbeyond]

Just wanted to write a post for all of you people still trying to decide. I just graduated from the Center for Global Affairs at NYU and wanted to let you know that you should not believe all the hype out there about the program somehow being inadequate. Indeed, I also believe that it should be its own school or at least moved to Wagner or GSAS and out of SCPS, but on another note the program essentially has its own building and is truly a center with its own resources and events, computer labs and such, so I often forgot that it was even in SCPS. Secondly, it IS NYU and that in itself is enough to provide the prestige some of you are looking to add to your C.V.

As far as the quality of the classes and education - I couldn't be happier with what I learned now 2 years later coming out of this program. They have tons of different fields for you to pursue in the IR field - environmental policy, human rights, international law, peaceubuilding, international security, private sector and it is continuously growing and changing because of the relative newness of the program (less than 10 years). I also had professors who had real world experience in a variety of specialties and organizations - U.S. and foreign governments, think-tanks, the U.N., the ICTJ, and so on which means that they have a lot of knowledge and expertise in their fields (and connections to say the least). Another professor was also an instructor at SIPA and she said the quality of the students (and their work) was the same over there at Columbia.

Do I have a job yet? No, but the caveat is that I have not yet applied to a single one since I have prior summer obligations (an internship out of the U.S. with a big NGO and a U.S. gov. sponsored seminar) which limits my immediate availability. Do I think that I will be able to find a job - most definitely when I actually start applying.

Does CGA have some negatives - of course it does but every school does! I honestly believe that how you perform, the contacts you make, the networking you do, and what you intend to get out of your graduate degree will be the best indicator of your future career prospects.

Hope this helps some of you!

Oh and p.s. - I went to Gallatin for my undergraduate degree and I loved it but at the same time you are going to have to independently choose different school classes to take since Gallatin does not offer anything IR related. Hence, you will be taking classes in multiple departments, which is great but at the same time will not provide you with that network other more IR schools do. And, many in my program took classes at Wagner and the Poli Sci too.