Help please!!! Berkeley GSPP MPP vs Columbia SIPA MPA

[CosmeFulanitos]

First sorry for my english! Its not my mother language and can be a bit rusty...

 

I am an Argentinean student. I have been accepted into both programs (GSPP and SIPA). My problem is the following: I need to decide which school to attend and I am having huge problems deciding..

 

I have a law degree with an specialization in Finance and Corporations. My undergrad experience was the best.."family feel" school just 25 of us (super selective school here in Arg), so I'm keen on that kind of experience. I worked as an advisor for several national senators here in argentina and expecting to make my way into the private sector or maybe the UN/WB or something of that sort, no more public office for me. 

 

Before I start let me explane that I am not only looking for the best possible education, but also, for an overall experience. As I said, I am not American so I am trying to get the best out of studying and living abroad. The possibility of rebuilding my self by being exposed to completely new experiences, cultures and lifestyles, but at the same time keeping in mind my education. I know both schools are superb ones but I want to make the best decision. Information here in Argentina is scarce. I have been reading the forum but I felt that I needed some tailored advice. 

 

GSPP

 

Pros:

 

."Family feel" (really matters to me. I feel comfortable in environments where we know each other rather than being just a "number" in the student roll)

.Rankings (Don't kill me for this)

. Proximity to Tech Companies

. Price tag

. The possibility to construct my own program

. Faculty

 

Cons:

 

. Location almost impossible to receive occasional visits from friends and family

. A personal fear that the international focus of the program is not still developed

. Assumption that the real networking opportunities would be with west coast companies, specifically tech companies.

. Student life. I am from a city with almost 20 Mill inhabitants used to that kind of lifestyle and I think that as time goes by living in Berkeley may seem "boring" to me (super probably I'm wrong here)

. Low number of alumni.

. Again an assumption that is not that easy to move to the east coast when finished

 

 

SIPA:

 

. Location, Location, Location. As I said I am used to big cities

. Networking. Again NYC is NYC with all that that means.

. The possibility to construct my own program, although narrowed to certain options.

. The option of a joint degree with LSE

. Cultural exposure and life experiences

. Faculty

. Possibility of having family and friends there for a visit

. Assumption that is easier to move to the west coast, if I choose to, when finished

. Immense Alumni network

 

Cons:

 

. Price tag

. Being a "number", SIPA's student body is massive. As I said I think i can give my best when in smaller classes than in big ones.

. Not as highly ranked as GSPP

. I have heard the student body is not as tight as in GSPP

 

Sorry to come with this strange question but any suggestion, insight or even constructive critic will mean tons to me.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[hj2012]

I'm not in your field, but I'm curious why you feel your family can't visit you in Berkeley. The Bay Area is amazing, and my family (from Korea) was much more impressed with San Francisco than NYC. Also, you'd be pretty close to San Francisco by BART if you're looking for nightlife, etc.

Regardless, sounds like a tough choice. Good luck!

[CosmeFulanitos]

Hj2012 thanks for the response. Getting to san francisco from down here is super expensive plus its a 19 hs trip (at least). Beside its far more common to have argies in nyc than in SF

[kcyc]

Berkeley has cheaper tuition and better rankings. I don't know what your degree abbreviations mean.

 

San Francisco bay area is also a big metropolitan area, I don't think you'll be lacking in any networking opportunities.