International Development - Columbia SIPA/Georgetown SFS/Johns Hopkins SAIS

[akidsmind]

Hi everyone,

I've been accepted to SIPA [MIA-EPD], Georgetown [MSFS in international development], and SAIS Washington [MA-IDEV], and I'm having a difficult time deciding between the three. I'm aware of the general pros and cons of the three schools in terms of size, strength of networks, etc., but I was wondering if anyone knew how their international development programs stacked up to one another? Any advice would be really appreciated.

Also, I heard somewhere that students at SIPA have to apply/compete for course spots [complete with resumes, etc.] Can anyone back up/refute this claim?

Thanks

[kiwimango]

Hi Decaf - I'm in the same spot and deciding between SAIS IDEV and SIPA MIA (EPD). I didn't apply to Georgetown. I'm really leaning towards SAIS, and that was my top choice. I've heard several mixed reviews about SIPA, including what you noted. However, my only concern is thatif SAIS is too DC-centric, as I want to explore opportunities outside of DC as well. If I want to be in NY long term, then is SIPA the better choice?

[wantgrad]

Hi guys - completely missed this thread earlier! SIPA gave me no funding, so it's out for me. I got into Harvard MPP (waiting for $$ news), but the coursework doesn't look very interesting, and it seems to me like the IDEV resources are concentrated on the MPA-ID (didn't apply because I didn't have enough of a math background).

I'm leaning toward SAIS over MSFS, but I'm also worried about the brand value beyond DC. Also, is it crazy to not consider HKS more seriously?

Are either of you going to make it to the admit day events? unfortunately I'm outside the country so won't be able to.

[rose1]

Hi everyone,

I've been accepted to SIPA [MIA-EPD], Georgetown [MSFS in international development], and SAIS Washington [MA-IDEV], and I'm having a difficult time deciding between the three. I'm aware of the general pros and cons of the three schools in terms of size, strength of networks, etc., but I was wondering if anyone knew how their international development programs stacked up to one another? Any advice would be really appreciated.

Also, I heard somewhere that students at SIPA have to apply/compete for course spots [complete with resumes, etc.] Can anyone back up/refute this claim?

Thanks

It's true that students at SIPA have to apply/compete for extremely popular course spots, but that's true of most top IR schools. I know for a fact that it is the same at SAIS, except they have a "bidding system" where you have a certain amount of points you can use to bid for classes you want to get into, preference being given to students who have been there longer and students within that concentration.