Duke vs Columbia M.A. in Political Science

[Cartesian]

I've been accepted at Columbia and Duke's M.A. programs in polisci. I have until May 31 to decide. I am technically enrolled at Duke but did not put down any money so could switch to Columbia without real ramifications (I believe.) 

I have a couple of years of experience in D.C. as a consultant, and know that there are plenty of jobs I want – even within our firm – that require a master's, so this will be as much a professional as an academic exercise for me.

Duke's program is two years, whereas Columbia's is one. I will probably want to pursue another master's degree after I complete this one, ideally HKS, so interested in how each program would position me for that. Maybe a PhD but beginning to think that's not a great idea for what I want in life. I was a bit concerned that Columbia's M.A. was a rich-kid-finishing-school like Georgetown's MAAG program, but after meeting with a professor I feel better about Columbia's offering. I do worry that I won't learn much in a year compared to two, though.

Duke's program is clearly academic and will "make me a scholar," as one professor put it, but it is also deeply quantitative. I absolutely want those skills but that doesn't really align with my research interests as of now and I am beginning to balk at the notion of being asked to retool my thesis because it isn't data-heavy enough (I know, early days.) Though, since Columbia is one year, don't really think I would be writing a thesis at all. But I get the Ivy League cachet on my resume.

Also interested in the Duke vs. Columbia network value in DC / NY / Boston and beyond.

Money isn't an object here – I'm fully funded.

I received my B.A. in Political Science from a respected department at a private liberal arts college.

Thanks for reading and interested in everyone's thoughts. I am incredibly lucky to have acceptances at each of these programs and am very excited to return to my studies and the classroom.

[TemujinAmbition]

How did you get the full funding if you don't mind me ask? Both Duke and Columbia political science website say they are not funding the master's. Did your employer sponsor your degree?

[Cartesian]

I'm being privately funded, yes.

[TemujinAmbition]

Wow you the lucky guy. Did you consult for Deloitte? I hear they got the big grad school sponsorships. 

[CarefreeWritingsontheWall]

I think you've weighed your options in terms of cost and prestige, but less location and fit. In terms of your substantive research interests, does one program offer you more accessible faculty and courses in your field of interest? Is there someone you could clearly work with as a supervisor at Duke (or was the professor at Columbia that you mentioned also a prospective PI)? Can you see yourself living in New York vs. Durham? If you're looking to continue your networking in the private sector, NYC might be better but the cost of living there will also be quite significant. In terms of work load, does one require you to TA or RA? Do you want to have those options available to you? A degree from either will position you well after the fact if you make the most of it. But these are just some thoughts I had based off your information.

[alphazeta]

Your objectives matter a great deal here.  If you think you'll need to pursue a second masters from HKS, then why go to either in the first place? It just seems like a waste of time.  If that's really your end goal, I think you should just go to Columbia and waste one year instead of two.  

If you want to go on to a PhD, then your objective while in the masters program should be to take PhD courses.  I don't the details of either of these programs, but if one of them will let you take the political science PhD courses, that's a very big plus.  Given you're fully funded, there are probably some advantages to the two year program for PhD apps (e.g., you can apply in the fall of your second year, taking advantages of the networks you've built on campus more easily than in the one year case where you'll no longer be a student when applying).  On balance, though, I don't think it really matters.  Doing well at either will position you strongly for PhD applications so I'd just decide on the personal merits.

[NoMorePartiesInLA]

In the political science world, Columbia has the stronger reputation. NYC also makes for a better location than North Carolina. If you feel you can afford the New York cost of living, I would strongly recommend Columbia (though both are still quality schools). Good luck. 

Edited May 22, 2016 by NoMorePartiesInLA

[PoliticalOrder]

On 5/22/2016 at 2:44 PM, NoMorePartiesInLA said:

In the political science world, Columbia has the stronger reputation. 

This isn't really that true. Both Columbia and Duke are in the same general range and actually have very similar strengths (political economy). 

[NoMorePartiesInLA]

7 hours ago, PoliticalOrder said:

This isn't really that true. Both Columbia and Duke are in the same general range and actually have very similar strengths (political economy). 

agree to disagree. like i said, both quality elite schools...but i'd still give a slight edge to columbia in terms of stronger faculty and program reputation.