Indecision: Georgetown MA Asian Studies vs. LSE/PKU

[Nurd]

Hi everyone,

I just got off the waitlist at Georgetown's inaugural Asian Studies program and have a week to respond. I was accepted earlier at the London School of Economic/ Peking University joint degree program where you get two MSc degrees in International Affairs.

You don't apply for LSE funding until the second year, since they only provide financial aid for the London part of the program (the first year in Beijing comes out to about 10k USD, while London comes out to 30k). Not sure about funding at Georgetown either, but I'm assuming since I got off the waitlist, that I won't get any aid-- I've e-mailed them to doublecheck.

I'm really stuck on where to go. I want to work on cross-Strait relations between Taiwan and China and believe that being in Beijing will give me new perspectives and the opportunity to interact with Chinese policymakers. On the other hand, Georgetown has top professors and D.C. internship opportunities.

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice (I understand that, ultimately, it is my decision) but I'm coming up with a pros and cons list right now.

Thanks in advance!

[IR_Lion]

Hi, My Fiancee's best friend did the LSE-PKU program and said she was extremely disappointed. The academics at PKU were extremely poor just because most of the professors struggled with english. She also complained that PKU used the english programs as ways to make cash. Also she said Wang Jisi the one head honcho that everyone wants to meet with doesn't care at all about the english taught program students. Also unless you are completely fluent in Chinese and can fight the administration to take Chinese taught courses I'd say go to georgetown but since its brand new may I ask why would didn't you apply to programs with more established Asian politics programs like GWU, American, or SAIS?

[JAubrey]

Hi everyone,

I just got off the waitlist at Georgetown's inaugural Asian Studies program and have a week to respond. I was accepted earlier at the London School of Economic/ Peking University joint degree program where you get two MSc degrees in International Affairs.

You don't apply for LSE funding until the second year, since they only provide financial aid for the London part of the program (the first year in Beijing comes out to about 10k USD, while London comes out to 30k). Not sure about funding at Georgetown either, but I'm assuming since I got off the waitlist, that I won't get any aid-- I've e-mailed them to doublecheck.

I'm really stuck on where to go. I want to work on cross-Strait relations between Taiwan and China and believe that being in Beijing will give me new perspectives and the opportunity to interact with Chinese policymakers. On the other hand, Georgetown has top professors and D.C. internship opportunities.

I was wondering if anyone could give me any advice (I understand that, ultimately, it is my decision) but I'm coming up with a pros and cons list right now.

Thanks in advance!

If you are American, Georgetown by far. Many of LSE's, master's programmes are notorious cash cows. Plus if you plan on staying in the 'States / working in DC, GTown's network is second to none.

[Nurd]

Hi, My Fiancee's best friend did the LSE-PKU program and said she was extremely disappointed. The academics at PKU were extremely poor just because most of the professors struggled with english. She also complained that PKU used the english programs as ways to make cash. Also she said Wang Jisi the one head honcho that everyone wants to meet with doesn't care at all about the english taught program students. Also unless you are completely fluent in Chinese and can fight the administration to take Chinese taught courses I'd say go to georgetown but since its brand new may I ask why would didn't you apply to programs with more established Asian politics programs like GWU, American, or SAIS?

Ah, thanks! I actually applied to the programs thinking both would be crapshoots-- I graduated in Dec '11 so I'm technically applying straight out of undergrad. I figured with the emphasis on job experience at GWU, American, and SAIS that I'd have slim chances and would consider them in the long run if this application cycle was fruitless and after working for a few years.

[IR_Lion]

Then definitely due Georgetown though to be completely honest with you as someone that also specializes in Asian studies and Asian politics Georgetown is not very well known for Asia related stuff. Middle eastern fogettaboutit but Asian politics Georgetown is probably the only major IR school with no significant presence in Asia. I know Georgetown has a Japan specialist...I suddenly forget his name but he also is a SAIS alum. I'd suggest get some working experience, improve your Chinese, and apply to UCSD, SAIS, GWU, American. I spent some time abroad in Taiwan as well and I know NTU and NCCU have scholarships for foreigners to study Chinese. And while you are there you can try to get an internship at the cross straits friendship bureau. Grad school is an investment and something you should be 1000% sure will fit your career goals in the future and something you can gain out of it. My sister did an mphil in IR at Oxford 5 years ago and hated it and decided to go to American and loved it. She did the dual degree with a Japanese university and loved it. She just quit her job at Goldman Sachs Tokyo and is taking the Foreign Service Exam and hopes to follow in our parents footsteps by being a career diplomat in Asia.

Edited April 4, 2012 by IR_Lion