Monterrey Institute of International Affairs v NYU

[Clay Made]

Does anyone have an inkling as the reputation of the school? It seems incredibly small and from what I gather is a new program so not great on their network. I've searched the forums but it appears information is kinda skewed as some people thought the school was great while others disparage it quite a bit.

I need another school to apply to as due to circumstances, SAIS arent reading my app.

What are people's thoughts on this program? Perhaps up against NYU's program in International Affairs.

Thanks!

[inquisitive87]

I applied to MIIS right out of college before I really knew what I was doing, got accepted with aid, and went to the open house before turning down the admit. Even so, there are probably other people on this forum who know more about MIIS than I do and certainly more about NYU.

From what I remember though, the school just became Middlebury's official grad school, but it's small and pretty expensive for what it offers. It's known for having a niche in training translators, linguists, etc, but its IR, MBA, and MPA programs aren't as well known for their prestige. The students and faculty I spoke with played up their contacts in DC but I'd really doubt that they have better contacts there than any other well-known policy school. MIIS is a lot smaller though so the alumni network seemed fairly concerned with helping out (trying to boost the numbers of what they call the "MIIS Mafia" in jobs throughout DC) and you'd get decent chances to build contacts with your professors.

Ultimately, it depends, as always, on what you're looking to do. If you want to likely stay in California, manage to pull great funding, or have a real linguistic interest as a component to your studies, then MIIS might be a good choice. If you want better international (and in many cases national) credibility and networking potential, I'd go with NYU provided that the funding wouldn't be radically against you. Both places are really expensive to live in incidentally.

Anyway good luck, both are good schools with a lot going on.

[ahoskins321]

I'm not sure how much this matters to you, but for what it's worth MIIS is almost a polar opposite in living experience compared to NYU. I know very little about the quality of each program, so I won't comment on that, but I went to high school in Monterey, and while it is beautiful, it's SMALL. The majority of people who live there are from a much older crowd (think 60 plus) and the highlight of the area for young people is the delightful Del Monte Shopping center which boasts its very own Macys. I have been to the MIIS campus, and it is also rather unimpressive and blends in with the downtown area. If you are planning on finding an internship while in the program, I would imagine it would have to be during the summers in San Francisco or L.A., because there really isn't much going on in Monterey (I worked with an MIIS student at a children's museum). Like I said, I am not sure how much any of that matters to you, and at least in the Bay Area MIIS is fairly well known, but I completley eliminated applying there based on my knowledge of the area.

[yo_yo86]

I don't know much about MIIS (though I grew up in California), so I can't help there. I lived in NYC for over five years and while NYU has some good programs, the reputation surrounding the MGA was not great. Most thought it was over-priced and I think a fair number of grads were unemployed upon graduation.

Not sure if it is what you're looking for or not, but the MPP at Maryland has a deadline of April 1st. Perhaps you would be able to shape so that it is more IR focused (they have a concentration in International Security and Economic Policy). If I were you, I would strongly consider an MPP from Maryland over the other two. Good luck!

http://www.publicpolicy.umd.edu/degree-programs/master-of-public-policy

[Hanson's Fan]

Oh one important thing, if you'd like to work for Fed, I have not much ideas. But if you'd like to work for UNs, INGOs, MFAs, Dept of State, or NGOs, go for MIIS. Great Alumni and good name for "practitioner". My friends are posted at many places Uzbek, Myanmar, Indo, Brazil, and etc.. MIIS is for Int'l posts and int'l minded. NYU is OK but talking about professional schools, I don't think it's up to circle. See the link I pasted above. I think that's quite accurate.

And you want scholarships, happy mind while studying to fight a real world idealism.. NY you can come back anytime. Monterey is once a good experience to live, learn and enjoy life.