International Affairs/MPP Programs

[Rethinkplans]

Hey everyone, 

   This is my first post on here so please bear with me. I'm an undergraduate student who applied for various MPP and IR programs and am having a hard time deciding where to go. I am interested in working in the international development field with an emphasis on human rights and humanitarian policy and my interests are mostly centered on working for non profit organizations straight out of graduate school. I would love to work for NGOs abroad shortly after graduating but don't know how much name recognition plays into gaining employment with NGOs in general. I would also love to work for the United Nations later on in my career but that would be further down the line. I applied to a wide range of graduate schools not really anticipating favorable responses since full time work experience seems to be a huge factor that plays into gaining admittance into these schools so was surprised when I received admittances into all of them. Right now i've narrowed down my choices to four schools and would love as much insight as possible:

* The range on student loans depends on how much my parents would be able to pitch in. 

* I am terrified of student loans

Columbia- SIPA: 

Pros: 

-Name: May be helpful gaining employment abroad?

-There is a human rights/ humanitarian policy concentration 

-Huge alumni connection may help with employment prospects after graduation. 

-Ties with the U.N

-Strong language programs

Cons:

- I would be looking at around $100,000-120,000 in student loans for both years and don't think it's worth it. I was fortunate enough to not have to take out any student loans for undergrad and have heard enough horror stories to motivate me to try and limit the amount of debt I take on for grad school. If I had received significant funds from them I would have already signed the dotted line however since I plan on working for NGO's (starting salary of around $40,000-$50,000) I don't think it makes sense to take on so much debt. 

JHU-SAIS:

Pros:

- Name recognition. 

-Was admitted to the International Development concentration. 

-DC: Good opportunities to take out work experience. 

-Strong language programs

Cons:

-From what i've read on the program, most graduates end up working for the private sector or international finance/ banking institutions which isn't necessarily what I'm interested in. 

-Price tag: $40,000-70,000 in student loans (without living expenses).

-Will have to live at home to save on living expenses. I love my family but I don't know if I will be able to handle living back at home after graduating. 

George Washington: Elliott:

Pros: 

- Is cheaper then Columbia and SAIS and received $16,000 in funding for both years.

- In DC (work/ internship opportunities). 

-Evening classes which would help me work/ intern during the day. 

- Strong study abroad programs (Although I don't know if I will be able to take advantage of this). 

-Strong language programs

-Employment statistics seem to indicate that a fairly large number of graduates go on to work for NGOs

Cons:

- $14,000-$44,000 in student loans

- Will have to live at home. 

- Is it crazy to reject the other two schools for GW (which is still a very good school in my opinion). 

University of Maryland (SPP)

Pros:

- Half graduate assistantship and guaranteed research or TA position. 

- No student loans. 

- Can finally buy a car and will not have to live with my parents.

- A fairly large amount of alumni seem to move on to work for NGO's. 

-I really like UMD :')

-Good funding opportunities for internships/ study abroad options/ people interested in working for NGOs

Cons: 

- Does not have as much recognition as the other three schools. 

- The international development programs of the other schools seem to be stronger.

- If I wanted to language courses I would have to take classes over the winter (which I wouldn't have to pay for because of my funding).

-I'm worried that I may have a harder time finding a job here as opposed to the other school.

-My father thinks i'm crazy for still considering UMD after getting into the other three schools. 

Any and all insight would be much appreciated. Thank you!

 

Edited March 24, 2016 by Rethinkplans

[irapplicant1776]

Since you seem to be concerned about student loans, have you considered gaining work experience before heading straight into grad school?  Two advantages would be: One, you would be more competitive for a fellowship. Two, experience abroad could help you focus on what exactly you want to study and make you more competitive for employment. It's my understanding the the international development world doesn't take people seriously who have only studied I-dev and have no experience in the field. The Peace Corps is a good option, if you're interested in it. 

Edited March 24, 2016 by irapplicant1776

[monocle]

7 hours ago, irapplicant1776 said:

 It's my understanding the the international development world doesn't take people seriously who have only studied I-dev and have no experience in the field. 

First of all, congratulations on being accepted into so many wonderful programs!

I have done hiring for my NGO in Asia. The quoted sentiment is partially true. Thankfully, you can get some experience in IDev doing a summer internship which may test your mettle somewhat.. but you should consider deferring and working for at least a year or two and seeing whether you truly like the work.

In my experience meeting graduates of programs like this, if they have no experience I'm not really interested in hiring them, or I'd hire them for an entry level job, which TBH could be filled by someone with a B.A. (and they are drastically underpaid). Working abroad will also probably mean you'll be drastically underpaid. I definitely don't care about the name recognition as long as it doesn't seem like a scam university, which none of your options do. The network effect of strong schools seems to help if you have an idea of what you want to do.

Lastly, NGOs abroad is a HUGE swath of organizations doing extremely diverse things, so you should consider narrowing your focus based on geography, job responsibilities, even salary if you expect to take out loans (perhaps to something that requires the MA and the training you'd receive from the MA and then seeing which programs can help you advance toward that goal).