<p>Hi,</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone could help me with info about Boston University's MA in international affairs program. I got accepted to their MA in International Affairs but didn't get into anywhere in DC. I'm still waiting to hear back from NYU and I wanted to know if BU is a good school to go to for the MA program. I've searched the internet and couldn't find much info. </p>
<p>It's going to be expensive to go to BU so I just want to make sure it will be worth it. Plus will going to BU help me get a job afterwards? I also got in Penn State for their MA in International Affairs program. If you had to pick, which school would you go to and why?</p>
<p>I've been stressing myself out and I just want to make sure I make a good decision.
Thanks for you help in advance!!</p>
<p>Hi IRfuturegrad - I’m also in a similar position to you. I’ve been accepted for the IR programs at American University and Syracuse University which now means I must make a quick decision on which school to enroll. Syracuse is the cheaper option, but obviously being in DC has its geographical benefits.</p>
<p>I know that BU is great school and actually know someone who graduated from there a few years ago. He has only nice things to say and now works his dream job doing something with remittances. Although, keep in mind that you will incur loans going to a private school but might not obtain a high paying job upon graduation. I suggest creating a cost/benefit analysis to help you better anticipate the costs of attendance as well as how long it will take you to pay off any loans.</p>
<p>Penn State will definitely be the more affordable option, but isn’t this a relatively new program? I seem to remember reading that they have only had one or two classes graduate thus far. This doesn’t bode well for you tapping into thier alumni network for the program, but a lot is to be said about not incurring heavy loans too.</p>
<p>Sorry I couldn’t be of more help! I’m definitely considering Syracuse over AU due to these financial reasons though, so I definitely understand your situation. Best of luck!</p>
<p>flintention, thanks for your advice. I will create that cost/benefit analysis this weekend for sure. </p>
<p>I’ve heard the same thing about Penn State as well, which has me a bit worried. I know it’s a good school, but b/c the program is so new and in a rural area (so I’ve been told) I’m a bit wary. I’ve looked up the professors and they seem very successful (diplomats etc.) .
However, I want to make sure I go to a good school that will help prepare me well enough to get a good job and start my career. </p>
<p>I’ve heard good things about BU overall but I haven’t heard much about the MA in Int. Affairs that much. So that has me nervous as well. However, they offer a great selection of classes ( whereas Penn State doesn’t seem like it does) and it is in a large city (hopefully more opportunities). Also one thing about Penn State that I noticed was that you can either chose to do an internship or write a Master’s thesis; you get a choice. I would think a competitive school would make it mandatory to write a thesis in order to sharpen your research skills…I don’t know that’s just what I think. </p>
<p>Thanks for your help btw. If you hear anymore about BU or Penn please let me know. Also good luck with your final decision. I hear lots of great things about Syracuse! much more than I hear about BU =)</p>
<p>I’m from the Boston area and afaik, BU has a pretty reputable IR undergrad program. As far as graduate studies, I worked at a local think tank last summer with a BU MAIR alumn and a current PhD candidate. The alumn had nothing but good things to say about the program. </p>
<p>However. BU is not an APSIA member school. BU has astronomical tuition (tuition alone is close to 50k a year!). Professional networking and employment opportunities in Boston pale in comparison to DC. I actually intended to apply to BU this winter, but ended up deciding against it because of the excessive cost and suboptimal location. </p>
<p>I’m not sure about your background, stats, work experience or career objectives-- but if you’re coming straight out of undergrad, I would recommend getting some relevant work/volunteer (eg Peace Corps) experience under your belt, work on weaker areas of your application, and reapply later. Odds are you’ll wind up with better choices which position you better for success overall.</p>
<p>counterhit121,
thanks for your input. You’ve basically covered my two main concerns. One of my major concerns about BU is the high tuition cost plus additional costs (rent, food, books, transportation, etc.) The second is the opportunities while I’m at BU and after I graduate. I’m not sure about employment opportunities in Boston for international affairs and whether I’d live there after graduation. </p>
<p>I’ve thought about waiting and reapplying again, but next time applying to more schools. However, I’m in the south so there isn’t much opportunities in IR here. Also I’m not sure how likely it is to get a job by just moving to DC and the cost that I will incur for doing that.
I graduated from undergrad a couple of years ago, and worked at a IR place here. I think my problem was that I underestimated myself and didn’t apply to enough schools b/c I thought I wouldn’t get in. My fault. Well I will have to wait patiently until I hear back from two more schools. </p>
<p>Thank you again for your response. It was greatly appreciated.</p>