MA in Intl Relations: Canadian or American schools? NPSIA vs. SAIS

[devynlyn]

Hi All,

 

I recently received admissions offers from two really great MA Programs, One being NPSIA at Carleton University in Ottawa (largely considered the best program in Canada), and the other being Johns Hopkins SAIS (with a year in Bologna and a year in Washington).

 

Does anyone have any opinions on whether the American schools like Johns Hopkins are worth it in terms of the overall reputation of the program upon graduation.  There's quite a cost difference between the $40,000 + in tuition without any funding at SAIS and a funding offer at NPSIA that would cover tuition and then some, and I'm trying to weigh this against the future career opportunities that SAIS would allow me

 

Appreciating your opinions!

[cinna]

I'm in a really similar boat right now, devynlyn! My heart is torn between NPSIA, and IHEID in Geneva. Both really, really great programs. IHEID didn't offer me any funding, and while the tuition there is very low, the cost of living expenses in Switzerland for two years would put me in some pretty serious debt. NPSIA, on the other hand, offered me a TA position which means I'd be in a pretty decent financial situation in Ottawa. So... glamour, or sensibleness? I'm sure the opportunities are amazing either way!

[timeisticking]

Hi All,

 

I recently received admissions offers from two really great MA Programs, One being NPSIA at Carleton University in Ottawa (largely considered the best program in Canada), and the other being Johns Hopkins SAIS (with a year in Bologna and a year in Washington).

 

Does anyone have any opinions on whether the American schools like Johns Hopkins are worth it in terms of the overall reputation of the program upon graduation.  There's quite a cost difference between the $40,000 + in tuition without any funding at SAIS and a funding offer at NPSIA that would cover tuition and then some, and I'm trying to weigh this against the future career opportunities that SAIS would allow me

 

Appreciating your opinions!

 

First of all, congratulations on your offers! 

 

Personally, I think it depends on where you want your career to lie. If you want to go into the Canadian government, then NPSIA makes perfect sense. However, if you want to go beyond that (American think tanks, international organizations, NGOs, etc.), then I think Johns Hopkins would be a better fit.

 

Although it's true that Johns Hopkins is more expensive, it is without doubt that the reputation of Johns Hopkins exceeds NPSIA. Given that, having a degree from Johns Hopkins would open a lot more doors and opportunities than a degree from NPSIA. Hence, I would stick with Johns Hopkins, even if you do not get any funding. 

Edited March 21, 2014 by timeisticking