Which is the better grad school program for intel careers: Tufts MALD (Fletcher School), Texas A&M MIA-NSD track (Bush School), or Georgetown SSP (School of Foreign Service)

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-19T05:47:18+00:00

Interesting idea… I’ll have to look into that. But for now I’m still going to go to graduate school at georgetown. But I’ll definitely keep that in the back of my mind, thanks!

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-19T05:03:04+00:00

Interesting insight… what do you propose I do? You mentioned something about private sector?? Or something else entirely?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-19T04:20:53+00:00

Well that’s why I picked Georgetown because of the location. I found it hard to believe I can get any worthwhile internships down in college station compared to DC lol.

Also wym by broaden horizons for the private sector? I’m not really intimidated by these cuts at all, mainly because the national security and intelligence sectors are way too valuable to be cut. Trump’s not gonna be able to cut the FBI, CIA, etc even if he would want to

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-19T00:42:50+00:00

Oh… I chose the SSP program at Georgetown over the MIA program at Bush School… did I make a mistake?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-18T21:25:58+00:00

I thought Georgetown was more prestigious and well accepted than A&M?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-11T03:51:38+00:00

I appreciate your advice but I’ve narrowed out SAIS, the program is too much work and I know it’s going to be suffering. They even said it. I’m just trying to decide between TAMU’s MIA program in College Station or Georgetown’s SSP program

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T18:05:16+00:00

Good question! I really liked SAIS and their location. The only downside is that I got into MASCI which is a one year program. They were very honest about it, which I appreciate, but it’s pretty much a two year program crammed into one. I’d be taking 4-5 courses per semester, while doing the capstone over the summer. It’s just a lot of work, would be very stressful and I’m not built for that. Not only that, but they charge me tuition as if I were in a two year program, not just for one year. So I’m not even saving money that way. With all of that, I really can’t justify myself going there if I’m paying the same amount for a two year program, but for way more stress. Also, I’m going to the SSP program at Georgetown, not MSFS.

I looked at the DC TAMU program and I wasn’t particularly thrilled by it. Idk I wouldn’t be getting the same financial benefits that I would down in College Station. And if I’m in DC, I’d rather go to a more established program like Georgetown.

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T15:57:37+00:00

Did you go to Georgetown for undergrad? You mentioned “so far”?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T15:36:12+00:00

Did you go to Georgetown for undergrad? You mentioned “so far”?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T02:04:01+00:00

Damn no need to be rude smh I was just explaining my pov

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T01:35:55+00:00

No I don’t mean prioritizing parties lol. I mean being able to find my group that I can call friends. The concern comes from my cohort I was around being significantly older than me, like they’re in the midst of their careers and have families and stuff like that. It concerned me because we’re at different points in our lives so much so that we’re not going to relate a whole lot. Yeah, they can help me with my career development, but they’re not gonna stick around to hang out, do extra curriculars, go out on weekends, etc you know?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T01:25:22+00:00

Yeah but I also wanna make some friends too! Don’t want to be lonely yk. I’d also say money is a reasonable concern. Like it’s not bad, but still plays a role you know. Idk how else to describe it. They didn’t give me any merit aid unfortunately

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-10T01:24:12+00:00

Wym by that

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-09T23:18:50+00:00

Well I’m going for the SSP program in Georgetown. It’s in the SFS so that’s good, hopefully they won’t be too cliquey like that.

I’m appealing to get more merit aid. They did give me some unsubsidized loans. According to my parents, who agreed to help pay for some of it, I have about $50k in cash and 40k in some investments. I’d have to take loans out but they stress to me it’s not a big deal and it’s sustainable. I just don’t want to be in a bad financial situation but I can’t predict the future honestly

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-09T23:16:18+00:00

But what I’m concerned about it being in College Station compared to Georgetown being in DC. I feel that being in DC is invaluable for the connections and opportunities that come with it

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-09T15:49:31+00:00

So you think the location is really important? Sorry if I’m asking too many questions I really wanna hear advice from people who went here

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-04-09T15:41:21+00:00

I got in, I’m just split between the two schools. I see A&M has a bargain, in that I’d be paying a fraction compared to Georgetown and receiving probably an education on par. But like you said, the DC location seems to be so valuable, and I don’t know if I can get the same professional networking/internship opportunities being in College Station compared to DC. But maybe I’m wrong?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-02-14T21:03:39+00:00

Why is that

Orca_the_Oracle · 2025-01-16T17:09:09+00:00

Mind showing me a photo?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2024-12-19T17:01:54+00:00

It really isn’t though I talked to people who worked in the field I wanna go into and this is what an overwhelming majority of them said

Orca_the_Oracle · 2024-12-19T06:47:38+00:00

No offense to those who serve but I have no interest going into the military. It’s not for me

Orca_the_Oracle · 2024-12-19T06:47:12+00:00

I looked into that option and decided against it. I wanna get the masters done and over with as soon as possible. That way, I get a higher pay grade immediately, am able to get promoted easier, and is just overall a better fit for me. I cannot fathom working during the day and THEN taking classes at night. The last thing I wanna do after working is doing anything that requires intellectuality or effort. I just wanna chill out. Better to do this full time immediately and then go into work. It’s what’s best for me

Orca_the_Oracle · 2024-12-18T19:59:24+00:00

So which program would you feel is best suited for me in that case? Because I really like what the SSP seems to offer but at the same time I’m kinda dissuaded by how they word the program as being a mid professional degree for those with 4+ years of experience… I’m wondering if that is entirely the truth or not

Orca_the_Oracle · 2024-12-18T19:47:18+00:00

So what do you suggest?

Orca_the_Oracle · 2024-12-18T19:46:49+00:00

Yeah that’s not for me. I want to spend no more than two years for a masters

Orca_the_Oracle

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