clearly

Does anyone know about Tulane's International Development MS?

I have my BA and have worked as a journalist actually and am now in communications.

I did not do well in undergrad (I had too many personal issues) although I went to one of those small elite liberal arts colleges in Massachusetts.

From reading these discussions, it seems like people are saying that if you do not get into one of a few programs, then forget it.

I have not seen anyone mention Cornell's program which seems especially important if you're interested in agricultural work. And I have not seen mention of the Colorado program from which Condoleeza Rice (you don't have to like her) is a graduate. And nobody's mentioned the Monterey Institute...

Also, the Peace Corps offers joint ID/IR masters programs with schools like Cornell and the University of Minnesota.

Are people saying all of this is a total waste of time/money if you're not going to Harvard, Columbia, Stanford, or Yale?

Thanks for your feedback.

UCLAri

clearly,

I addressed one of the issues broadly in the first post.

clearly

well, UCLAri, i didn't find that post to be entirely enlightening considering i felt the need to post a series of follow-up questions. i considered your post the same re-tread i've been reading since i've been lurking. your line is the same - just go to the "best" schools but it does not take a genius to figure out that a name may doors.

however, and to some extent i question your logic here, i would imagine that someone who is actively working on developing agricultural products and supply channels in lets say africa or latin america, may in fact be more impressed with someone coming out of cornell since that person may have the science and international management background to work with farmers, local government officials, ngos, us govt folks, etc. their experience is more valuable imo than a masters from sipa/columbia. if people are in the know in this field, they understand what each school offers.

case in point - have you heard of harvey mudd college? i guarantee that 99% of people have not heard of it. but, anyone working in a field a harvey mudd graduate might pursue will fall out all over this degree. i know, i've seen mit students essentially prostrate before harvey mudd students. now, if i use your logic, i would tell someone not to go to harvey mudd and to attend mit or caltech. but, ultimately what's important is what is going on with people in the field.

also, your post was so general as to be not very helpful. i asked very specific questions and saying you "addressed one of the issues broadly in the first post," is even more cryptic but in a strangely specific way. which is the one question you addressed "broadly" btw?

to further the discussion and make it more useful, i think it's important to point out or explain which degrees from what schools may open doors in a particular field. it's also necessary to discuss the various job options.

in the end, if you don't know about the programs or work options available to people then say so. it doesn't seem like you do. whatever you've written can be done for an undergrad, etc. widen the discussion and add some depth and further consideration on the topic beyond the obvious.

thanks...

UCLAri

clearly,

I meant to address this:

Sorry if that was unclear.

The point of the FAQ is to just give a broad overview of a variety of issues that reappear on a regular basis. Nothing else. I never claimed to be the oracle of all IR-related issues, and I gladly admit to not know as much about development issues as others do. I do, however, have an MA in IR, have many friends in IR who have gone into the various fields, and have gone through each process (application, graduation, job hunt). I'm simply attempting to offer some help. If this bothers you, then I apologize and you are free to ask anyone else for help. I will, however, attempt to address some of your issues.

No, but that's why I don't always say that the name is the only issue. I have said, again and again, that it should be about return on investment. These programs are generally not cheap, and you should seek to maximize the money you put into the program. This means getting a good education, but also getting good job opportunities in the long run.

Yes, I have. I am a moderator on this site, after all...

I don't tend to believe that Cornell would be classified as a "non-top" program. On the contrary. I never said otherwise. Like I said in the FAQ, don't put too much stock into the rankings.

And of course you are right about specific program strengths. Like I said in the FAQ, "You know those rankings you see in Foreign Relations magazine? Or maybe on some website?

Forget them. That's right, forget them.

MAs in IR exist in a wide and wooly world where rankings mean relatively little and most people don't even know they exist. Don't expect anyone-- outside of the wonky policy circles who actually read the magazines that rank, of course-- to know the difference between most programs. It's the school's name that will usually carry you the furthest.

Note that I said "usually." That's because there are exceptions to every rule. This will apply to nearly everything I, and everyone else in this field, says."

I daresay that I have a pretty good feel for most of the programs in general, and can offer at least some insight. Like I said, though, I'm not the Oracle at Dupont, gazing into the knowledge of the aether. I'm just another MA in IR who is trying to help out a bit.

ignited

UCLAri: quick question-- I was wondering what you think of the MPP program at the Kennedy School. I'm thinking of applying to the MPP/UP program. Any insights? Thanks in advance.

eun7117

well I live in small. actually really tiny, country that there aren't that many jobs, while 98 percent of people graduates from University. I also understand that US has best schools for IR, but I heard its really, or should I say almost impossible, to get admission as an international student.
It's just that, while schools require job experiences, the fact that too many kids graduating from college makes almost impossible to get related experiences, which really sucks. *sigh*...

kigali

Clearly,

- I don't think there's a definitive answer to that question. A suggestion I received was to look at the academic credentials of the staff of the places where I'd like to potentially work (I'm not one of those "The UN, here I come!" people...). When you start seeing a pattern emerging, you can start narrowing down your list.

eun,

Err, no. That's definitely not true.

UCLAri

ignited,

I think it's a good program, if a bit expensive. I don't know that I would go there if I had to pay out-of-pocket, but if I could get it subsidized it's certainly a resource rich, well-known program with a variety of strengths.

My understanding of admissions there is that they're a bit more interested in work experience than some other programs-- at least that's what they told me.

eun,

Lots of people in my program were internationals. You should be able to get into at least one program.

Zetetic

Can you clarify what you mean by someone losing their job because of "parent's ethnic origin?"

Does having nautralized immigrant parents exclude you from working in the gov't?

UCLAri

Zetetic,

Good question, and I'll make sure to clarify the FAQ.

The short answer is, "it depends." The long answer is that it depends on the agency and its requirements regarding security clearances. If your goal is to work for an agency that has very soft security requirements, then it will not matter. But for agencies like the CIA, DIA, FBI, DoD, etc., it can be an issue if they believe you may have a conflict of interests. It cannot exclude you, but it can be a big issue.

kigali

One could make the argument that the security clearance process (particularly for high-level clearances) is rather counter-intuitive (that's a tactful way to put it), because it basically excludes people who are very ("too") well-traveled and who actually know something about the world based on extensive personal experiences abroad from obtaining high-level clearances. Forget parents, if you have extended family abroad or, say, you're in a relationship with somebody who does, that makes things particularly difficult (as in, nearly impossible) for you.

UCLAri

kigali,

Having done a clearance and knowing many more who hold clearances, I can say that counter-intuitive is probably the nicest thing I've heard said about the bloody process.

kigali

I was trying to be tactful

Zetetic

I assume it'll be impossible for me since not only are my parents naturalized immigrants, but my entire family still lives abroad..

Basically, actually have an international perspective precludes me! Irony.

I knew it'd be difficult but I thought being natively fluent in languages like Panjabi and Urdu-Hindi, with some Arabic to boot, would offset that. Oh well. Cross that off my career path!

UCLAri

Zetetic,

Hmm... don't cross it off for certain. Your language skills are in high enough need that you might be able to swing a clearance. It will just be time-consuming and difficult.

Basically, go into a clearance knowing you'll need another job for a long time.