Anyone have thoughts on the top international relations programs (e.g. SIPA, SAIS, Fletcher, Georgetown) vs. a traditional MBA?

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Do you want to work in IR/ dev? Otherwise, an IR degree will add little to no incremental value for job search/ signaling in the private sector.

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I did my MPP at HKS and I loved it. My advice unless you’re set to do a strong policy shift, find a school with both a solid MBA and IR/Policy program. You’d be able to find a good mix through tweaking the electives to root the IR/Policy degree in a more formal business/financial base. Best of both.

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Thanks a lot! Glad to hear you enjoyed the program!

I doubt I’ll end up going consulting—>SAIS—>consulting, but in case I do I’m trying to arrange a return offer with my current firm that should help protect me from lowball offers elsewhere.

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Go Hop!

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context: a few years consulting experience. enjoy the work, but in a position where a master's seems necessary for the next step. given the time and debt commitment, not convinced by the value-add of an mba, and given my international interests/orientation feel that an IR degree may be a better fit. any feedback on how these programs are viewed in our space?

Only do IR if you want to be in DC for the entirety of your career. Def get the MBA, it won’t pigeon hole you.

SAIS is incredible, if you’re gonna do federal consulting work it’s a great opportunity to gain domain expertise and some quant skills. You won’t have same wide set of opportunities though and compensation coming into consulting won’t be the same as a top MBA.

🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️trade offs 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

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