LSE, IHEID or JHU SAIS

[unagi]

Hi everyone,

I have been accepted to the following programs:

• LSE MSc Political Economy of Late Development (no $$ yet; will find out in July)
• IHEID MA Development Studies (no money)
• JHU SAIS IDEV ($30k in fellowship)

LSE pros/cons:

Pros:

• 1 year program
• dream school
• less $$ compared to other two
• excellent reputation
• academic rigor; if i perform well, i think i would stand a good chance at a PhD

Cons:

• will I be competitive in the job market with this degree?

IHEID pros/cons

Pros:

• located in Geneva, central location
• career/internship prospects; well integrated into curriculum
• well known within field
• relatively cheap compared to JHU (same $~ as LSE)

Cons

• 2 years long
• school not as well known as other two(?)

JHU SAIS pros/cons

Pros:

• well reputed in US
• career oriented
• IDEV track well regarded

Cons:

• very $$$
• 2 years
• no thesis at the end (maybe problematic if i want to do PhD)

Is anyone else deciding between these schools?

My heart says LSE; but I am just afraid I might pick something and let go of a really amazing opportunity......

Please advice

 

Edited March 29, 2016 by unagi

[pubpol101]

I'm in a similar position as you, though I'm considering offers of admission from other programs as well (UT Austin, pharmacy, etc.) in addition to IHEID and SAIS. What do you want to do? Are you interested in the US Defense sector, international organizations, or something else? Each of these schools have very different environments as you noted--LSE may seem to be a good option in terms of its seemingly global reputation, but the DC location of SAIS and Geneva location of IHEID will greatly shape the opportunities you're able to take advantage of.

I'm also interested in hearing any input from other students on this matter.

[monocle]

What is your current background? More information on your profile and goals would help! Also, what are your expected levels of incurred debt at each school?

Personally, I wouldn't put 2 years as a con outright.. There are pros and cons for 1 year programs and 2 year programs

[unagi]

I completed my undergrad in 2014 (studied Economics and Spanish) and from then on I have just been doing internships and jobs in the non-profit sector focusing on development issues, immigration, social justice etc. I think that ultimately, my interests lie in forced migration and statelessness (and eventually I might want to dabble in law school/further studies too, which is why I am a bit concerned about the 2 year programs). With LSE, I think I will be able to finance the entire program with my savings, family support and maybe 5-10k in loans. With IHEID, the situation is the same as total costs are similar for these schools. For SAIS, even with the fellowship, the total cost of going to school will be about $80k, which is a lot compared to other two. Plus the lack of thesis really bothers me (even though it's probably not a big deal). I don't want to take out more than $20k in loans as I aim to work in non profit so I don't want to be burdened with loans.

Long term, I envision working for a non profit or an international organization. The main thing I am worried about with London is that the other two have such good locations in terms of jobs/internships.

 

[CakeTea]

@ unagi: Congratulations on your admissions to three great programmes. Here is my take on LSE and IHEID

LSE pros/cons:

Pros:

• 1 year program: Short course, you need to know your interests and dissertation. The TA tells students to think about dissertation themes in welcome session in September

• Great guest speaker series: Academics, politicians, journalists and activists. I attended an IR event with panel: an ambassador, a MP in foreign affairs committee, IR prof and editor. For research interests, you can attend presentation of academics and can ask questions. On average, you can choose btw 5-8 events each week.

• Some good profs teach in Econ, Government and Politics departments

• LSE MSc Political Econ is one of the best of its kind in Europe, graduates move on as researchers or join good PhD programmes.

• Plenty opps for part time research jobs with profs or London based think tanks, NGOs and firms.

• Engaging students: A current student told me that she will join a national election campaign in her home country and contribute her expertise in social policy.

Cons:

• job market with this degree? I think it is easier for UK and EU students to find job post graduation as they don’t require visa. Political Economy is a section of IR, relatively less analytical than Econ or focuses less on policy analysis/management than practical MPP. Hence this course is less marketable than Econ/MPP. Summary: If you know precise strategy and can execute, this degree is good for you. If you are uncertain and needs to explore, less so.

• Less structured (policy analysis requirements) than JHU SAIS IDEV or IHEID.

• Patchy careers office support: The LSE careers office is just overwhelmed, you will share the resources with undergrads. It is challenging to get a one on one with advisers to discuss yr goals. Mostly you are directed to files (say Development jobs). There are career fairs and you can attend specialised fairs at other London colleges. SOAS has a good NGO fair. Most LSE career events tend to be for corporate jobs in Finance & Consulting. Some IOs come to campus for interviews, but may be subject specific. Example: IMF Young Economist programme for PhDs Econ.

• Some students can develop an elbow mentality

• Prohibitive cost of living in one of Europe’s most expensive cities. See sparerooms.co.uk for housing, LSE has just a few dorms and mostly for undergrads. Butler’s Wharf is a good dorm.

• Facilities at LSE are stretched, seats in library are full and no space to do group project.

• You need to be a self starter and take initiatives.

• The LSE cafeteria sucks

IHEID pros/cons

Pros:

• IHEID has the reputation for striking the balance btw academic and professional/practical programme. Good public sector ethos

• Geneva is more doable than mega London. Clean, safe and international. Many expats and locals speak English

• career/internship prospects: Smaller programme, resources are less stretched. Some core recruiters from nearby IOs, private firms and good Connexa job fairs. Most IHEID students find internships or even part time gigs in second year. Many alumni work in Geneva IOs and the careers office post regularly available positions.

• Relatively small classes and active student assembly. Good student quality with prior employment and solid academics. Opp to learn French

• Excellent guest speakers from IOs and the field (NGO)

• Interesting field trips in Europe organised by departments

Cons

• May not be famous uni, but well known within field

• Prohibitive cost of living in one of Europe’s most expensive cities. Price tag shock, even McD is expensive

• Demand for IHEID dorm > Supply. Difficult of find affordable rooms

• There are gaps for some niche electives. Main modules are well covered.

• student assembly identifies careers office as weak link

• Administration is relatively bureaucratic

• Some students did not get into their preferred exchange programme in the US in third semester.

• The endowment and funding are stretched, hence recent tuition hike and less scholarship $$

• Very strong CHF against other major currencies, unfavourable exchange rate

• Patchy sports facilities

[unagi]

5 hours ago, CakeTea said:

@ unagi: Congratulations on your admissions to three great programmes. Here is my take on LSE and IHEID

 

Hi CakeTea! Thank you so much for your input. Your pros/cons are exactly why I am completely torn  I think JHU SAIS is out for me just cause it's so expensive. So it's between IHEID and LSE. LSE has an edge cause it's my dream school. Ughhhhh it's a good problem to have to pick between these schools but boy is it overwhelming.

Have you decided where you are headed? Or what are your plans?

[monocle]

2 hours ago, unagi said:

Hi CakeTea! Thank you so much for your input. Your pros/cons are exactly why I am completely torn  I think JHU SAIS is out for me just cause it's so expensive. So it's between IHEID and LSE. LSE has an edge cause it's my dream school. Ughhhhh it's a good problem to have to pick between these schools but boy is it overwhelming.

Have you decided where you are headed? Or what are your plans?

I think you're probably right to rule out SAIS, beyond the money, it seems your goals may not be in line with a program with a bigger quantitative/econ focus.

Here's my take: it sounds like you really want to go to LSE but since you don't have a clear direction for your thesis/employment prospects, you don't want to pull the trigger yet. (is that right? If so, ) My advice would be to go for it at LSE. Once you've made your decision, you can start doing all the work you need to prepare yourself for the program. Perhaps find a couple more specific jobs in the field (maybe refugee caseworker or something), start reaching out to organizations that work with displaced peoples and figure out how you can best prepare yourself throughout the program. Also start getting to work on your thesis ideas and read a ton in your spare time on that topic before you start.

Develop an action plan so that you know exactly what you need to do to get where you want to be.

I'm not really a big proponent of the UK 1-year master's but if seems right for you, the best you can do is prepare to make the most of it. My vote is LSE and hard work.

[unagi]

Hi monocle! Thanks for the advice. I think that's what I am going to do (especially because IHEID asks to commit $1000 with the acceptance which I will lose if I change my mind later on). Trying to get myself motivated and seek opportunities in advance to make the most of my grad experience in London.

What about you? Are you wrestling with any decisions?

[unagi]

On 3/29/2016 at 0:03 AM, AAAAAAAA said:

I'm in a similar position as you, though I'm considering offers of admission from other programs as well (UT Austin, pharmacy, etc.) in addition to IHEID and SAIS. What do you want to do? Are you interested in the US Defense sector, international organizations, or something else? Each of these schools have very different environments as you noted--LSE may seem to be a good option in terms of its seemingly global reputation, but the DC location of SAIS and Geneva location of IHEID will greatly shape the opportunities you're able to take advantage of.

I'm also interested in hearing any input from other students on this matter.

Hey! Wow! You applied to a lot of schools! I think ultimately, I will go with LSE. My goals align with the program structure and it has always been a dream of mine so I want to fulfill it.

Any progress on your end in terms of making a decision?

[pubpol101]

3 hours ago, unagi said:

Hey! Wow! You applied to a lot of schools! I think ultimately, I will go with LSE. My goals align with the program structure and it has always been a dream of mine so I want to fulfill it.

 

With all three of your choices, you couldn't have gone wrong. I'm sure you'll have an awesome time at LSE! Congrats!

On my end, things have been a bit difficult. Because the differences between pharmacy and policy are so drastic, I've had to face a lot of existential questions on what's truly important to me. Where will I be able to effect the most change? What sort of curriculum will both intellectually challenge me and prepare me to help others? What sort of life do I want for my wife and kids when I have them? How can I put my family first, and still help others at the same time? Etc. etc. Thus, not much progress. Between policy and PharmD, it *was* pretty much between UT-Austin's scholarship and UF PharmD. However, I've just been notified that I'm a finalist for the Pickering Fellowship, which complicates things and brings SAIS back into the picture.

Edited March 31, 2016 by AAAAAAAA

[bsack]

go to LSE brah, one year master's, cost you way less than hopkins, and you'll have access to a pretty baller network. my dean at the lse used to call it the "lse mafia." if it's your dream, go for it 

[unagi]

On 3/31/2016 at 0:46 AM, AAAAAAAA said:

With all three of your choices, you couldn't have gone wrong. I'm sure you'll have an awesome time at LSE! Congrats!

On my end, things have been a bit difficult. Because the differences between pharmacy and policy are so drastic, I've had to face a lot of existential questions on what's truly important to me. Where will I be able to effect the most change? What sort of curriculum will both intellectually challenge me and prepare me to help others? What sort of life do I want for my wife and kids when I have them? How can I put my family first, and still help others at the same time? Etc. etc. Thus, not much progress. Between policy and PharmD, it *was* pretty much between UT-Austin's scholarship and UF PharmD. However, I've just been notified that I'm a finalist for the Pickering Fellowship, which complicates things and brings SAIS back into the picture.

Thank you

I am so impressed by all the schools you applied to (I got tired of applying to 4....). Yeah those are definitely very big questions and important ones too. I have recently been wanting to get into law and see if maybe that's a good way to have an effective career. What I have been telling myself is that, ultimately any choice you make will lead to different experiences and I don't think I should put so much pressure on the decision itself. As this journey goes and we evolve, I'm sure we will continue to work towards what will make us content.

Pickering news: THAT'S AWESOME!!!!! Does that mean you can go to SAIS with minimal loans??? I would so seriously consider that (which I think you already are but just my 2 cents  ).

[pubpol101]

On 4/3/2016 at 1:29 AM, unagi said:

(I got tired of applying to 4....).

Haha yeah, public/international policy was my field of choice. I was kind of paranoid on my ability to get accepted with financial aid, given how I'm straight out of undergrad, but everything has worked out.

On 4/3/2016 at 1:29 AM, unagi said:

As this journey goes and we evolve, I'm sure we will continue to work towards what will make us content.

Exactly right. The both of us have long lives ahead of us. I've been able to satisfactorily plan for potentially positive outcomes for my plans to serve in both fields, and I'm sure you've been able to do so as well. It's just that the drastic differences between my two fields and between your choices as well drive us to consider how exactly we're able to optimize our outcomes years down the road.

On 4/3/2016 at 1:29 AM, unagi said:

Pickering news: THAT'S AWESOME!!!!! Does that mean you can go to SAIS with minimal loans??? I would so seriously consider that (which I think you already are but just my 2 cents  ).

Not just yet. When Pickering names the finalists, that means they've named us as those among the 40 individuals to be interviewed. Out of these 40, 20 will receive the fellowship. That being said, I will almost certainly attend JHU-SAIS if I receive the fellowship. After everything I've read about the Foreign Service, it's almost become a no-brainer for me to choose that over pharmacy or any job that might come out of the LBJ school. This month, I'm just hoping to prepare the best I can. I wouldn't have dreamed of being remotely successful with a fellowship like this as a freshman, and so even if I don't get it, I'm/will be so happy to have been blessed with great opportunities in the two different fields.

Edited April 4, 2016 by AAAAAAAA