International Education- best program?

[islandgirl]

Just wondering people's take on which of these three programs is the strongest:

 

Harvard- International Education Policy

Columbia- TC International Educational Development

Vanderbilt- International Education Policy and Management

 

GPA- 3.89

undergrad- music performance

1.5 years teaching in Africa, 2 years country director of educational non-profit organization in Pacific, would like to continue with educational program management overseas.

 

Thoughts anyone?

 

 

[applicantseeksPhD]

TC is certainly the oldest and seems to have the most comprehensive/evasive alumni network. Look at any other IE program and you'll find at least one TC grad on faculty. TC tends to be more humanities-based than Harvard and Vandy. You can do policy at TC but if that's your main focus you're much better off at HGSE or Peabody. TC is also the largest of the three which is both a benefit and drawback. You are surrounded by a LOT of people with incredible experience and there are a ton of courses to choose from both within TC as well as from SIPA and other regional studies departments at Columbia across the street (the Middle East, South Asian, & African Studies department at CU is arguably the best in the country). All programs have star faculty - it just totally depends on what particular academic circle you want to be connected to and what sector you want to go into afterwards. Disclaimer: I'm an alum of the TC program and know a handful of alums from both of the other program. 

[ay761]

applicantseeksPhD - did you think the TC program prepared you / helped your application for PhD programs significantly?  Were you able to build good relationships with professors, receive guidance in publishing, etc.?  I have applied to a mixture of PhD programs and MA programs (including TC -I've already been accepted into the Peabody IEPM program, but no word from TC or PhD programs yet). If I don't get into a PhD program, I'm debating over whether it would be worth it to do an MA at TC, Peabody or UCLA and then reapply for PhDs..... or just take another year off, try to get published and increase GRE scores and reapply next year.  I already have years of international work / teaching experience.  

[applicantseeksPhD]

ay761 - Yes, I feel like the TC program definitely prepared me for applications to PhD programs. Professors are definitely willing to build relationships if you pursue them and are able to find one that you really connect with. The program faculty are HUGE on publishing and it also has CICE, a great outlet for student publishing. There are a lot of students on the MA level who do too and the program offers a lot of guidance through workshops on this subject. If you can find a professor who matches your interests, I would say totally go for the MA at TC. It's a great place to be, although large and a little overwhelming at times. You just have to figure out how to navigate it.