<p>It's looking like my decision will likely come down to UT's LBJ school and Maryland's Public Policy program. My ultimate goal is to be a Foreign Service Officer, although I know that that's a long and tricky process. Alternatively, I would like to work for an international non-profit or as a congressional aide focusing on international affairs. As I see it, there are pros and cons to both schools and I'd like a little input from those who may be familiar with one or both programs and their suitability for what I'd like to do.</p>
<p>UT Pros
In state tuition (about 30-35k less than Maryland over two years)
slightly higher ranking
better law school (contemplating applying to do joint JD, although no guarantee)</p>
<p>UT Cons
limited international affairs internship opportunities in Austin</p>
<p>Maryland pros
Close to DC for internships/networking</p>
<p>Maryland cons
more expensive
slightly lower ranking</p>
<p>Those are the pros and cons as I see them now. Anyone have any other things that I've missed in my list about either program? Thanks!</p>
<p>Yay! ANother LBJ admit! I'll probably be going to the open house on the 2nd. Maryland's open house is on the 29th and I'm going to have to fly out there, so I won't be able to go to the one on the 28th. Which other schools are you considering, Volscio?</p>
<p>I'm also waiting on SAIS. Like you I'm pretty pessimistic at this point! I got into MSFS but got wait-listed at Columbia and Fletcher.</p>
<p>LBJ is pretty tempting for many reasons... Mainly because I get free tuition as a veteran and Texas resident. But it's also got some good profs and has a technology slant that I would probably pursue more than IR. You're right in that the IR options are limited although there are plenty of local policy opportunities -- they are partnered with the clean energy incubator and local resource projects.</p>
<p>Where else did you both apply? I'm already accepted at GW and AU, and planning to choose GW unless I received news from UMD incluning any fin aid.</p>
<p>Which school is your top choice volscio? I'm glad you liked what you saw at LBJ! txinternational, how was maryland? Is it college park, right? I want to hear about it. I'm an intl applicant and its really hard not to be able to go to de admitted stutends sessions. The people at GW have been really helpful, though. but still, I'd really want to hear anything from UMD.</p>
<p>I did go to the admitted students' open house at Maryland. I got a very positive feeling from Maryland. I liked both of their international specializations (ISEP and IDEV) and how they actually encourage students to take coursework in both areas because they're so related. </p>
<p>I was also impressed by their career services presentation. The career services officer sounded very nice and it looks like they have a great system to help prepare grads for internships and jobs and to bring jobs to the students in terms of career fairs and networking events. </p>
<p>I attended a class and was very impressed with the variety of experiences the students had. It was a Homeland Security class and there were a couple of ex-military people, a former Peace Corps volunteer, and a couple of others who seemed to have local gov't experience. The one negative thing I noticed was that it seemed like the students were in a bit of a bubble. They were discussing the Homeland Security Advisory Level and how much info about the reason for the change should be released. They discussed it as if every citizen would be aware of a change in the level, when in my experience, most people don't have a clue what the current level is right now. I'm not sure if this is a situation unique to this program, or if it's common in all of these types of programs. </p>
<p>So, in short, I had a very favorable impression. I'm waiting to go to one of the LBJ sessions before deciding though. :) If you haven't heard anything from Maryland, I would call and ask about the status of your application. It's possible that they sent something but it got lost or something. Good luck!</p>
<p>What in particular impressed you about LBJ's students and faculty, especially in terms of international affairs faculty? Any news from SAIS? None here, yet. :P</p>
<p>I got my rejection letter from SAIS today. =/</p>
<p>txinternational: I didn't meet too many professors but I sat in on a class and of course some profs talked to us as a whole. But the ones I spent time listening to were profs I would like to take classes with. The students and applicants all had the right attitude for the studies, a positive one that would inspire me.</p>
<p>Anyway I am not sure I would go to LBJ solely for int'l affairs (based on location and opportunities) although they say that they are quickly expanding that concentration.</p>
<p>That said, it seemed to me to be a substantial program that I'll sort of regret missing if I don't go there! It is a public policy/affairs program, and excels at that -- but for int'l affairs Maryland might be better.</p>
<p>Hey, txinternational thanks for sharing!! I also thought about applying to LBJ but at the end didn't do it. I still haven't heard from UMD. I called this morning but a machine answered. Txinternational, did your testudo status changed after your admission notification? </p>
<p>I'm in at GW and AU. Haven't found anyone on these (auto admit, gradcafe, usnews) forums that got admitted to those two schools. My decission is leaning towards GW. They have a really nice international development policy field and overall the program seems to be very flexible. I think it is also also great for me because of the resources that offers gw and the elliot school of intl affairs.</p>