I've been going through the whole grad school application process and now the decisions are starting to trickle in. What I would like to ask you, Hatrack, is what you know of these programs or schools.
So here's the list in no particular order:
Columbia University, Masters of International Affairs with a focus on economic and political development.
American University, School of International Service, Masters of Development Management.
Virginia Tech, Master of Public and International Affairs, development management program with the Peace Corps (one year on Campus, two years in Peace Corps, one semester/year on campus writing thesis)
University of Texas Austin Masters of Latin American Studies, development studies concentration.
So any of you know anything about any of these schools/programs? And if anyone else is trying to decide which grad school or undergrad, you're welcome to borrow the thread.
And, I also just wanted to say, I got into my first choice! Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
I've heard outstanding things about the Columbia program.
But for International Affairs, you can't beat being in Washington, so American (and GW, if you applied there...?) would be high on the list for me.
And congratulations!
[ March 05, 2004, 01:29 PM: Message edited by: Kasie H ]
Posted by BYuCnslr (Member # 1857) on :
Even though AU is in DC, Columbia is supposidly still the better school for IR, especially in economics. I have a friend that went to AU for masters in nuclear physics, said the school was overrated. Congrats! Satyagraha
[ March 05, 2004, 01:44 PM: Message edited by: BYuCnslr ]
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Woot! Virginia Tech. Can't say as I know much about the programs you're interested in there, but I graduated with an MS in Civil engineering in December of '02. Beautiful place, beautiful area. And I like that Peace Corps thing. Something I was contemplating doing myself, but I didn't get the chance.
Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :
Woot! UT! That's where I am. What do you want to know about? I am pretty clueless to latin studies, though.
Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
visit them. meet the faculty you'll be working with. there's really not much point in going if you don't like the environment you'll be in.
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
Congrats on the first choice!
Can you tell us a little bit about your plans after grad school? Do you plan to teach, work in the public sector, or work in the private sector. That may influence our advice. Posted by PaladinVirtue (Member # 6144) on :
I am contemplating a similiar decision. My problem is that I can't decide between the programs of veterinary program at Virginia tech or the secondary education program at George Washington! Biology teacher or Veterinarian? Two years of school vs 4? Anyhow...if it helps I have beem to both Blacksburg and I live in I live in DC, well, Alexandria. I love the area here. Great city... I have visited VT in Blacksburg twice it is a very nice town if you like small college towns. Lots of nice countryside around there. As for the strength of programs I am afraid I have littel to say other than DC is sligthly more diverse than rural Blacksburg.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
Kasie - I didn't apply to GW. I just wasn't particularly interested in their Development program, and when you apply to a development school in Washington, you apply to American. BTW - Have you heard of Kevin Healy? He's a part-time adjunct prof at the Elliott school. He mostly teaches about indigenous rights and the coca trade to grad students, but he is very well known throughout DC (and he's a co-worker of mine).
BYu - I've heard that about a lot of American's programs, but I think Development is where the rankings are accurate.
HC - You're a Hokie?!? That's where I did my undergrad too, although I knew nothing about the MPIA/Peace Corps program while I was there. Obviously I enjoyed my time in the 'Burg enough that I'm willing to go back.
Book - I haven't had the chance to visit UT yet, so what's your experience been like with student life, living in Austin, so on and so forth?
Celia - I agree wholeheartedly. I already know a decent amount of the people in the VT and AU programs, but I'm still going to visit all four in the next month or so.
[ March 05, 2004, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: Risuena ]
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
Well, how about I want to work in the third sector? Just wrote an article about that. Basically my goals are to work with a non-profit or a foundation promoting grassroots development in the third world. My philosophy behind grassroots development is kind of the like the saying about teaching a man how to fish, but instead of just teaching him how to fish, you help him learn how to start a small business selling fish, so he can take control of his own life.
Paladin - One of my college roommates is going to graduate from VT's vet school this May. And she also just got a theriogenology (I really need to look up that word) residency at the Vet school. It's a great program, and it that's the direction you choose to go, you won't regret it.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
The MOST important thing is the prof you will end up working with. You have to be able to get along with them and understand how much guidance you will get, and how much you are expected to do on your own. It varies radically from prof to prof, and this is the one thing that can most radically change a gradschool experience from good to bad. Getting along or understanding the prof's expectations is more important than the actual prestige of that prof, most of the time.
AJ
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Yep, I'm a hokie. Almost went there for undergrad too, but I decided on the out of state option. 4 years later I came a little closer to home for Tech. When did you graduate?
Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :
If you want to work for a NPO, make sure the school you select has a good loan forberance program for graduates who work in public/NPO sectors. Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :
Austin has to be one of the most fun cities in the America, minus casinos. It has a very young, happy, and liberal feel to it, very urban and chique without being too snooty. UT is like a minor city; the student population is very diverse, but all of them have a strong identity with UT. If you ever feel like you're in the minority, you won't here. Even if you didn't know you were in a minority, like me, you'll find that there's a group that claims you're a minority. I turned out to be Irish, which apparently is a minority. But there's also all sorts of political groups you can join and be active in. Probably every cause you can possibly care about has a group. That can get kind've annoying.
Austin's also sorta weird and eccentric. UT seems to have a fair amount of hobos and religious nuts who shout things in the street. The locals love Austin's weird facade, and shirts and bumper stickers that say "Keep Austin Weird" are a common sight.
UT's so big it has a variety of professors, good and bad, personal and impersonal, incredibly difficult and blow off. I guess the word "diverse" sums up UT and Austin.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Columbia University is an amazing, awesome school. I went there for graduate school and just had the time of my life. It's also an opportunity to live in a fantastic city.
I agree that being in DC is probably going to open up some good opportunities as it is the seat of our government and home to lots of embassies...
but I also would point out that the UN is still headquartered in NYC.
Finally, I need to warn you that the US State Department keeps a list of those who engage in international affairs. Please be discrete and don't hook up with any potential terrorists.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
I graduated in '00 from VT, so I was there for part of the Michael Vick years - you know, the ones the Hokie nation are still reliving, year after year...
I think the State Department's already got me on the 'bad people' list. There are several people over at State who already yell at me and hang up on me on a regular basis, which is why I no longer have any interest in the Foreign Service. Stupid, obnoxious people.
Beren - thanks, I will definitely have to look into that, although I probably won't have to take out any loans if I go to UT or VT. American and Columbia, however would probably keep me in debt for most of the rest of my life...
Posted by Happy Camper (Member # 5076) on :
Ah, well, we missed each other by a year then. I graduated from UIUC in 2001. I missed the Michael Vick years completely. It's a shame the team falls apart now after the first loss.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
Oh, wow.
I just got off the phone with the advisor for the Latin American Studies program at UT-Austin. They're offering me full tuition and fees for one year plus $14,000. Wow.
Wow. UT was aready my first choice, now I think the only way I don't go is if a black hole swallows the university up.
So, uh, Book, you need a roommate?
And can I just say, "Wow," one more time? Wow.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Congrats!!!!!! AJ
Posted by katharina (Member # 827) on :
Congratulations!!! Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Bob, I didn't know you went to Columbia for grad school. Neat!
Risuena, congratulations! While I would probably never recommend Columbia for undergrad, the IA program is top-notch. I knew a ton of people who went there and they all loved it and got jobs that they are deleriously happy with.
More later when I'm not late for work!
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
Congratulations!
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Congrats, Risuena! That's wonderful!
Out of curiosity, MrsM, why wouldn't you recommend Columbia for undergrads? I was supposed to go there (and actually wound up taking a final there, but that's a whole other story) -- only went to UCLA because the commute to NYC from L.A. is too far.
[ March 09, 2004, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: rivka ]
Posted by Book (Member # 5500) on :
Sweet! Another member to our already ridiculously large, dysfunctional family.
Posted by Risuena (Member # 2924) on :
Well, now that I've somewhat unsuccessfully faked doing work all day long, I think it's time to go out and reward myself...
Shoe stores beware
And thank you all for the advice and congratulations!
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
rivka, the complete lack of a decent advising system is one of the main reasons. The hostility between the administration and the student body is another. You have to figure out everything for yourself and I, for one, was not ready. Neither was anyone else I knew.
Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I went there. I got a fantastic classical education and I studied closely with some of the most amazing professors in the world. There were just a lot of days when I found myself thinking, "I should have gone to Amherst."
Posted by vwiggin (Member # 926) on :
quote: only went to UCLA because the commute to NYC from L.A. is too far.
I thought you came to UCLA out of love for our great school.
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