<p>I am a junior at a respectable public U in Texas and am beginning to ponder grad school. I am studying history and government. I learned recently about master's in public policy and public administration (MPPs, MPAs). It just so happens that my university has one of the best public policy schools in the country, consistently ranked in the top 20 in all categories. I have read that this is a sensible degree to pursue because it's a terminal professional degree with a broad range of career possibilities. </p>
<p>BUT ...... and i'm embarrassed saying this but i need someone to bring me back down to earth .... when i was 8 or 9, my family went to Montreal for a few days on vacation and since then i have had a borderline sick obsession with it. I taught myself to speak french and took classes in it during middle/high school and set my sights early on McGill. We visited again two summers ago and that just relit the fire. I don't know what it is about the thought of studying there that just excites me. Anyway, if I did apply and get accepted at McGill, I would then pursue an MA in Political Science with a concentration in International Development as McGill does not offer an MPP/A. McGill seems like a great university and it has a significantly higher overall ranking than my university. </p>
<p>but I've read that getting a degree like this is inadvisable unless you plan on a career in research or getting a PhD. I would like to work for the State Department, an NGO, thinktank, or other similar fields.
Another thing is that I'm really unhappy here and the thought of remaining here for much longer kind of upsets me... besides, concerning finances, the annual tuition (before aid, obviously, which I have no way of knowing about yet) for McGill, even with the extra cost for internationals, is ~$6500 cheaper than it would be here at my university. McGill international grad tuition is consistently less than half the cost of the out-of-state US grad programs I have looked at (again, that's not taking aid into account). And Montreal's cost of living seems to be far less than DC, Boston, SF Bay, Seattle, etc. </p>
<p>Anyway, I just need someone to tell me that dropping everything and moving to Canada would be a bad idea compared to staying here for, say, another 3 years. thank you for your time. I wanted to get this out and have a third party shed some light on the situation, because it's so hard to take a rational look at an idea that you've been fixated on your entire life.</p>
<p>I have read on many threads tha it is not advisable to get your graduate degrees from the same school as undergrad, particularly in academia. I think you should try to work in Canada while you are young and follow your dreams. It is quite possible that you can get the master’s degree on your employers dime, which makes much more sense. You will also be able to see if it is even necessary for your career prospects.</p>
<p>These “fanciful dreams” are often more like inspirations-- totally worth following. If you wanted to give up an MPA to focus on your comic book collection I might be skeptical, but to study a subject you love in a place that has always fascinated you, saving money while doing it? Grab the chance! You’ll be learning about much more than Public Policy-- the experience of another culture will be an education in itself.</p>
<p>I think it’s as easy to err by being too ‘sensible’ as by taking too many risks. Do it! This is your chance!</p>
I live in an underdeveloped country in SEAsia and though I’m in the private sector myself, I interact a lot with people who work for the foreign service, USAID, developmental NGOs, consultants and contractors.</p>
<p>I can’t answer your specific questions about McGill. It’s obviously a very good school, and I don’t think that their Masters programs would put you at a disadvantage. </p>
<p>I would want to make sure, however, since you’re targeting the US State Department that getting your advanced degree at a Canadian school would put you on the right path. I really don’t know the answer; you should ask where graduates of the McGill MA program that you are looking at end up. There are no shortage of Canadian NGOs and govermental agencies, but my observation is that they tend to hire Canadians.</p>
<p>In addition to getting a masters in any related field, you should widen your language skills (French is an excellent start) and build your resume with summer jobs and internships. Many government development projects that are funded by USAID are “farmed out” to contractors like Nathan Associates and Louis Berger. Once you get into the network, doors will open, but basically most roads lead to Washington.</p>
<p>Go ahead and apply to McGill’s program, but at the same time explore other options. Princeton is a good suggestion and I would also look at Georgetown, Tufts, JHU, Boston University. If in the end the money doesn’t come through Texas IS well respected. But the key is getting started making those connections while you’re still an undergraduate.</p>
<p>Depending on your area of interest a stint with Americorps or the Peace Corps after graduation is an excellent bridge to graduate school and an eventual public service career.</p>
<p>There’s nothing wrong with McGill… it’s a great school. I would just say that remember if you are going to school where the jobs and internships are, you can get jobs/internships while you are in school and during the semesters instead of just during the summer.</p>
<p>Peace Corps is also a good idea, relevant to international development. There are some U.S. government agencies that absolutely do not hire peace corps volunteers until there has been a very long separation time, but this shouldn’t be a problem in the field you are interested in.</p>
<p>Consider the possibility of working in a job related to your interest in public policy and international development for a few years before graduate school. </p>
<p>There are entry-level jobs with government agencies and political nonprofits that do not require a graduate degree. They do not pay spectacularly well, but they provide experience and insight into this career field and help you build a resume. They would also get you off your campus for a while (even if you choose to come back later for graduate school).</p>