<p>An unbiased ranking of Graduate Schools for International Relations/Affairs seems to not exist. I've recently gotten accepted to several schools, which one of these would you choose? I will be going for a Master's in International Relations with Concentrations in International Security (the more focus on Intelligence the better) and Middle East Studies.</p>
<p>*George Washington University Elliot School
*American University
*Denver University
*Seton Hall Whitehead School
*Columbia University SIPA
*Pittsburgh University GSPIA (offers Major in Intelligence & Security Studies)
*Boston University
*Georgia Institute of Technology Sam Nunn School </p>
<p>Honestly, I would just go by FP Magazine and U.S. News and World Report if you are going by pure rank.</p>
<p>I think GW and SIPA are the highest ranked in both. Choose between both because they are in D.C. and you can get some good internships and pump up your resume while you are there.</p>
<p>Decided Factor–that seems like a very accurate ranking of the schools in tiers, I’m trying to determine what exactly it is about Columbia’s SIPA that makes it that much better than the top DC schools (other than the fact that its Ivy League). Also, I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth it financially to go to SIPA because the tuition is $82K for the two year MA-International Affairs program and factoring in cost of living and other expenses my loan debts will be well above $100K upon graduation. With an 8.5% interest rate (standard for all graduate student PLUS loans, unless you go private and thsoe are risky b/c they are variable interest rates subject to change) that debt will definitely increase to at least $150k++ with the interest. What’s your take on that and do you think the price difference b/w GW and SIPA is significant? GW is about $50K for essentially the same MA degree, that’s a difference of about $32K…what do you think? </p>
<p>Isolationist-Well, the only reason why I don’t really consider those rankings completely accurate is that they were done based on the opinion of University faculty across the country. They seem to be basically arbitrary and based on opinion. Also, SIPA is in New York City, not DC and I would think that DC would be the ideal location for what I’m trying to go into. You might have been confusing SIPA with Johns Hopkins SAIS.</p>
<p>Are there any other forums going on out there on these topics? I’d like to hear more on everyone’s thoughts on all this and these type of situations.</p>
<p>There are a ton of old posts on these sorts of topics from the last few years if you search around. They’re very helpful!</p>
<p>As far as SIPA…I can’t tell you if it’s worth it to take out the loans, because it really depends on your situation what you want to study, how much you expect to make, what your work experience was beforehand, etc. However, I will tell you that SIPA is very good about second-year funding, provided you earn the right GPA (minimum of 3.2/3.3 first semester to get any funding, probably need at least a 3.7 to get substantial funding). They fund 70% of people who meet the first semester GPA requirement and apply, and the average award is $20,000. So, something to think about as well. I’m not sure how GW’s funding works, but it seems they give out a lot to first years, which means there’s likely not that much money to second years. But you’d have to check on that.</p>
<p>SIPA grad school housing is also really cheap, so it’s not like you have to worry about NYC rents. From what I’ve heard, it’s about $700-900/month. But yes, otherwise, NYC can be expensive.</p>
<p>Also, as a current first year at one of the “big six” IR schools now searching for a summer internship, I can tell you that network and name do matter. Sad, but true. Now, that’s not to say you couldn’t go to GW, network, and come out the same or better as a SIPA grad, but the “Columbia” and “SIPA” can definitely help you get a “foot in the door.” From there, of course, it’s up to you, but a school’s network can really play a major role in providing you with opportunities. This will be particularly important if you haven’t had much work experience before your master’s. If you have, then it probably won’t matter quite as much.</p>
<p>Anyway, hope that helps! Best of luck deciding.</p>
<p>Thanks, this is all really helpful!! Yeah, the housing doesn’t look extremely bad and that is a good rate at which they give second year students additional aid. Well, I will be doing the MA-International Affairs with possible concentrations in International Security (the more focus on intelligence the better) and Middle East Studies (these concentrations aren’t set in stone), I have pretty good work experience so far–about two years holding two different decent jobs related to the field and another year of a pretty good internship (unpaid), and I’m not sure exactly how much I’ll expect to make but I would venture to say at the very least in 50k-60k range after attaining this degree. Currently, I’ve already been offered positions in the salary range of about $42k and that is in a small midwestern state with a MUCH lower average annual income then NYC, DC, or any large city where salaries will be higher. This decision will be very tough, b/c the amount of debt from SIPA would be much more than GW or American (I’ve already been rejected from SAIS, so that’s not an option). I really don’t want to take on so much in loan debt that it will take me any longer than about 3-4 years (at most 5) to pay it off. This is a tough situation, very tough. It’s too bad our country allows these loan companies to make this much cash off of people who are striving to do the best for this country.</p>
<p>decidedfactor–
I was reading through these comments, and I am in a similar situation… I am trying to decide between SIPA, GW, AU’s SIS, I was wondering what exactly you meant by “substantial funding” when talking about SIPA’S fellowship awards?</p>
<p>I am mainly comparing GW to SIPA, and trying to determine which would be the better/smarter choice. I really like SIPA’S program, and it is really hard to turn down their offer, but GW is in DC and $40,000 cheaper. I ultimately would like to work in the Intelligence Field- and do a concentration in International Security</p>
<p>There is no “Denver University.” There is the “University of Denver.”</p>
<p>I’d go with whatever program meets your expectations and allows you to focus most closely on your chosen subject of interest. I was accepted at both DU and Fletcher and chose DU based on the ability to pretty much focus exclusively on security studies and not spend so much of my time on econ or ID, like Fletcher and SAIS require.</p>
<p>Honestly - go with your heart, with whatever program catches your attention and holds it. You’re not spending $100,000 for a two-year extended “how to get a job and contacts program.” You’re spending time and treasure to become a better and more learned scholar. Ignore the rankings and the bleating from the incestuous Beltways zombies - try and have a little fun.</p>