<p>I have the choice for my Masters degree in International Relations/Security Studies to either attend the University of Cambridge (yes, in England) or the Naval Postgraduate School.</p>
<p>The NPS is well respected inside the military and is a traditional route for military officers. I’m not sure what it’s academic reputation is outside of the military and DoD circles. However, I am interested in one day getting a PhD and would like to have the credentials to get into a top PhD program one day (probably in the D.C. area). I would like to get into academia after my military career is over. Plus, given my field of work inside the military, will have ample security-related experience.</p>
<p>So I applied and was accepted at the University of Cambridge. Of course, Cambridge is a world-class and very well known university. However, after doing some research, their masters program in IR isn’t very well known. You wouldn’t know this from the competitiveness though. They only accept applicants with a 3.7 GPA or higher and applicants must have graduated “with honors”. Yet they still received over 300 qualified applicants for only 40 slots. So I’m happy to have gotten in.</p>
<p>So my question is: Is it wise to go for the Cambridge program? Thanks, in advance, for your thoughts.</p>
<p>I’m a former US Navy officer and spent a year in Monterey. Also spent some time in Cambridge. I’d go for Cambridge. No contest. Cambridge is one of the most beautiful and interesting small cities in the world. Monterey is a great place, but the academic quality of the NPS isn’t close to Cambridge U’s.</p>
<p>I will blatantly admit that I know nothing about either of the schools, but if you have never been to Cambridge before, I suggest you take a look at these photos …</p>
<p>orangelogic, I have zero knowledge about NPS and its program, but the Cambridge master’s is worth it especially if you’re an American. It’s also not true that International Relations/Security Studies in Cambridge isn’t well respected. As far as I’m aware, they’re one of the most thriving student community in Cambridge with superb student backgrounds.</p>
<p>Cambridge as a city is small, but there are lots of pubs and fine restos within the university town. London is also just about half an hour away by train. And, take note that the master’s programs at Cambridge generally run for a year only as oppose to 2 years in the US.</p>
<p>RML, yes I agree. I didn’t mean to imply that the Cambridge program isn’t well respected. Rather, I just don’t think it is well known. I decided to stick with Cambridge. Thanks for your help.</p>
<p>Good. May I suggest that you go punting at night, as well as in the day, and that you visit the Orchard Tea Rooms in Grantchester (best arrived at in said punt or by walking across the meadows from Cambridge), and that you hear Evensong at Kings Chapel, however atheist or from another religion you are. All cliches, but cliches become cliches for a reason.</p>
<p>Orangelogic, it sounds like deprofundis is a Cambridge local, and could show you the ropes, providing, of course, that she isn’t one of those Yankee-Go-Home Euros that makes us all sorry we got involved in WWII.</p>