First year at Fletcher - ask me anything

[mbrose]

Hey all!

 

Last year I stalked these forums during application season and found it really helpful to compare the different schools. Now I'm a first year MALD at Fletcher and want to pay it forward. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

[MJA87]

Could you give us your profile and what (if any) funding you were offered?

Undergrad Institution & Degree:
GPA:
GRE (V/Q/AW):
Work Experience:
Foreign Languages:
Funding Offered:

[Filmore22]

Hi mbrose thanks for doing this.

what is the workload like? Did you feel like your previous experience adequately prepared you for how hard the study is?

Any surpises or anything you weren't expecting, negative or positive in your experience thus far?

 

Any background on academic area of focus and what field you hope to work in/do after school would be awesome too!

[mbrose]

Sure!

 

Undergrad Institution & Degree: Top 5 public university, B.A in Political Science, Middle Eastern Studies

GPA: 3.91

GRE (V/Q/AW): 165, 155, 5

Work Experience: 5 years managing communications at a semi-governmental/nonprofit organization 

Foreign Languages: professional proficiency in Hebrew

Funding Offered: Fletcher - $$, Georgetown - $$, NYU - finalist for full scholarship

 

But based on my experience here, everyone has extremely different backgrounds. Significant international experience is definitely one of the common threads between students at Fletcher.

[mbrose]

Hi mbrose thanks for doing this.

what is the workload like? Did you feel like your previous experience adequately prepared you for how hard the study is?

Any surpises or anything you weren't expecting, negative or positive in your experience thus far?

 

Any background on academic area of focus and what field you hope to work in/do after school would be awesome too!

 

Most people here are really busy all the time, but its a mix between coursework and clubs/activities/outside projects. There is quite a bit of reading, but you learn pretty quickly how to prioritize between courses and many of us form reading/study groups to help balance the workload. I wouldn't say the work is any harder than things I did in the past, but there is a lot of it. It depends on the courses you take -- law and some security studies courses can be heavier on the reading, while business courses require preparation for case discussions.

 

I don't think there were any surprises -- Fletcher was really open throughout the admission process so I felt like I knew what I was walking into. I like how flexible the curriculum is and that you can take courses at any of the Harvard schools. The most different thing for me was how you register for courses -- there is a shopping day at the beginning of each semester, and you don't start to enroll until then. I had been used to enrolling in classes months ahead of time.

 

I'm particularly interested in technology in international policy and I hope to work in corporate tech policy or strategy - many of my fellow students are doing security studies, conflict resolution/negotiation, or international business relations. 

[Bombaygunner]

The Dean of the Business program made a compelling case for me to join the MIB program, since I am a business journalist and my interests lie in the intersection of Business, Policy and Development. 

 

Do you find that the MIB student profile is any different to the MALD students? Are they older?

 

Do many people actually end up cross-registering with Harvard classes? Is there a discernable difference in the quality of classes? Or is it simply that Harvard has classes that aren't offered at Fletcher?

 

Cheers

[allischu55]

The Dean of the Business program made a compelling case for me to join the MIB program, since I am a business journalist and my interests lie in the intersection of Business, Policy and Development. 

 

Do you find that the MIB student profile is any different to the MALD students? Are they older?

 

Do many people actually end up cross-registering with Harvard classes? Is there a discernable difference in the quality of classes? Or is it simply that Harvard has classes that aren't offered at Fletcher?

 

Cheers

I'm currently in the MIB program so hopefully I can help with a couple of these questions. I would say that there is no significant difference between the profile of the MIB and MALD students (but keep in mind that the Fletcher student body is an extremely diverse group). Both programs attract students with significant international experience and students in both programs have worked in the private sector and public sector. The big difference between the two degree programs starts when you get to campus because MIB students have a core curriculum of classes during their first-year, while MALD students do not have these required classes. The result is that MIB students are part of a distinct "MIB cohort," which is a awesome community. That said, there many MALD students who choose to take some of those core business classes so the MIB and MALD students are entirely integrated. I think the average age of an MIB student is a couple years older than that of an entering MALD.

 

Many students do end up cross-registering for classes, usually during their second year. It's a great opportunity to take advantage of especially if your interests are more specialized in a topic area where Fletcher doesn't offer a course. Most Fletcher students have quite specialized interests so it works out well to access other classes in things like water policy, system dynamics, health care, etc. Cross-registering also gives you the chance to build your network in Boston. In terms a "discernable difference in the quality of the classes," I have heard that some Harvard students find Fletcher courses more rigourous because many Harvard professors are very focused on writing and publishing. I'm sure that doesn't apply accross the board, but I can definitely vouch for the rigor of Fletcher classes, and even more so, the committment of the professors. The professors are extremely dedicated to ensuring that students get as much as possible out the courses by making themselves available 7 days a week to discuss ideas and answer questions. I really cannot imagine a better group of faculty.

[MsFutureDiplomat]

Hi, thanks for doing this!

I was just admitted to Fletcher and am very happy about that! Many aspects of the program appeal to me. My specific question for you is about career services and networking. What kinds of career advising and networking opportunities are offered? The main drawback of Fletcher for me is that it's not in DC - is this any kind of hindrance for most students in finding internships and employment? I am interested in working for a think tank focused on the former USSR, or the World Bank. But I haven't quite made up my mind yet. Which organizations recruit from Fletcher and what types of internships are students involved in?

I apologize for so many questions!!

Thanks again.

[emf15]

Hi, thanks for doing this!

I was just admitted to Fletcher and am very happy about that! Many aspects of the program appeal to me. My specific question for you is about career services and networking. What kinds of career advising and networking opportunities are offered? The main drawback of Fletcher for me is that it's not in DC - is this any kind of hindrance for most students in finding internships and employment? I am interested in working for a think tank focused on the former USSR, or the World Bank. But I haven't quite made up my mind yet. Which organizations recruit from Fletcher and what types of internships are students involved in?

I apologize for so many questions!!

Thanks again.

 

I'm a second year student at Fletcher, in the MALD program.

 

I've never felt disadvantaged by not being in DC/NYC. Both are a quick train/bus/plane ride away and Fletcher students are always traveling down for interviews, conferences, networking events. Additionally, there's no better town to be a student than Boston, in my opinion. With Harvard, MIT, and the numerous other institutions in the area, employers are constantly holding talks and informational interviews. Many research centers operate out of the various universities and networking with other student groups in the area has its advantages as well. 

 

At Fletcher specifically: The Office of Career Services holds mandatory professional development trainings for first year students, plans two major networking trips to NYC and DC for the entire program, and serves as a database for alumni, connected organizations, Fletcher-friendly employers, and visiting recruiters. Representatives from all sectors visit throughout the year, both formally and informally recruiting. This includes think tanks, development organizations, consulting firms, government agencies, etc. Fletcher is a professionally-oriented school and the majority of students are looking to begin or continue careers after graduation so various offices within Fletcher are focused on providing opportunities for networking and job searches. 

 

On the other hand, Fletcher is also a full-time academic program so there's no required internship component. Many students work as research assistants for professors or various research centers on campus. Fewer work internships off campus. Most look to the summer for internships and work. Summer activities range from paid internships at IBM, positions at offices in the State Department, independent research, UN internships abroad, or work within think tanks or NGOs. There's no real "typical" path since Fletcher offers opportunities for a wide range of interests and focuses.