Until this last week, I was set on going to IRPS in the fall, but on Monday I was admitted to SIPA off of their waitlist. Considering the price difference (~$120K/2 years at SIPA v. ~$88K/2 years at IRPS), where would I be better off getting my massive debt from? I haven't been offered money by either program, and I'm looking to focus on economic development, wherever I study.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11735541)

If you are still set on going then I think it depends on what you want to do. If you are interested in the private sector, esp. finance, or the United Nations, SIPA is probably a better choice. If you want to work for the federal government, IRPS might be a good deal, given that it will be cheaper and will not put you at a disadvantage. You may also want to consider quality of life and intellectual stimulation in those locations. San Diego (the city) has a lot of the former and much less of the latter.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11752712)

BTW, you'd have residency your 2nd year (assuming you're a US citizen) so IRPS might cost you less than 88K. Plus you can probably get a readership, TA position, or some other type of work at UCSD to help reduce the debt load too. SIPA probably doesn't have as many work opportunities.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11757208)

I've only had the chance to visit SD and NYC for a couple of days a piece, so I don't have the clearest impression of either of them, honestly. From what you've said, though, NYC sounds like the more interesting choice for me.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11839818)

I just graduated from SIPA. Yesterday,actually.

It's been a superb program. I've been able to take all the classes I wanted within SIPA as well as language courses and Business/Law School courses. I'm headed to China now with several different appealing work options, most of which I networked my way to using SIPA's alumni database.

I was in a similar situation to you in 2007 and opted for SIPA because it was my first choice. I wasn't sure about the concentration I wanted to do but I liked how SIPA had a larger selection from which to choose than IRPS.

SIPA's EPD (Economic and Political Development) program is pretty strong from what I know. It wasn't my concentration but I know many people who have done it and enjoyed it. Most are going on to work in NGOs or international organizations or governments.

Regarding the money, I think SIPA is more like 65,000/year. I don't know where they get 60. People who get school housing probably save around 4-500 bucks/month on rent, so that might be it.

Scholarships - yes they can be had the second year and can make a huge difference BUT you must do very well your first semester. I'd say 3.7+

For TA/PA positions, they care about two things: your grades and whether you're amiable. After all you'll have to teach stressed out first-years, maybe at 8:30 or 9 in the morning on Friday.

If you aren't a quantitative person, skip SIPA's "Economic Analysis for International Affairs" and take "Economics for International Affairs." The former is intended for people with an econ background and strong math skills. There seems to be a lot of pressure to do the economic analysis course because the professor is excellent and Columbia is known for economics, but in the end, if you don't plan to do banking or finance, the course will be more trouble than it's worth.

Unfortunately, most people entering IR Master's programs don't have the cash on hand to pay for them, so they have to borrow egregious sums of money to attend the programs. Ultimately you're looking at an investment, which like any investment has risk.

I have always thought SIPA, while pricier in the short run, would deliver to me a higher return in the long rumn than IRPS. It's not just the Columbia name, but the quality of the faculty, including adjunct professors. My favorite professors have actually both been adjuncts - one who is a journalist and another who runs a consulting firm.

Do let me know if you'd like to talk more.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11773713)

Thanks for the fantastic info! Absolutely, I'd like to hear more from you.

I'm a little surprised, considering that you're heading out to China now, that you chose SIPA over IRPS. If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up choosing for a concentration?

My goal in heading to graduate school is to work for a NGO or international organization. SIPA's strong reputation for placing graduates with the UN is one of the greatest temptations for me to spend the extra money and go there. Does this reputation hold up among the people you know?

If it does, the only road block keeping me from committing to SIPA is the $130,000 price tag. Like you, I'd consider it an investment with the possibility of higher returns in the future (and as an investment in getting me a job with an organization I'd love to work for), but I'm not sure if I can rationalize the cost like you have. ...And I'm not sure if I could find $130,000 even if I could.

As you can tell, most of my concerns at this point are monetary. Any advice or personal experience you could offer on financing SIPA, rationalizing the cost and how long you'd expect to take to pay off this debt would be a great, great help to me.

Thanks in advance.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11839762)

Worst case is 45K for cost. are you figuring another 40k on living?

You need to learn to live like a pauper like me (and i'm married so it that much harder).

I'm headed to UCSD in fall and my plan is 40K total in debt. I only plan to use loans to pay school costs. I plan to cover cost of living with savings (lived at home while working past 7 months so I have a decent amount) and my wife working. Also, I just found out that most IR/PS students that are independents (so if you are a fresh out of undergrad still on daddy's payroll nevermind) get 10K in grant per year. So, right now, I might be getting out of my IR with 20K in debt. Which would be awesome.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=999009&forum_id=3#11911305)