My decision to apply to CIPA was inspired by my aspiration to develop my theoretical and concrete skills in order to succeed in the next phase of my professional career. The MPA curriculum offered by CIPA was very appealing to me; I loved CIPA’s proactive approach in giving Fellows the opportunity to design their own programs of study. No other MPA program gives students this much flexibility in selecting from literally hundreds of courses offered throughout the University.
My academic interest is in the field of emerging markets. With CIPA’s flexible class selection process, I have been able to take classes in different schools within Cornell, including the Johnson School of Management and the School of Hotel Administration, which have proven to be extremely beneficial in allowing me to research relevant subject matter. I’ve studied public and private economic linkages, political and social policies in developing nations, and marketing assessment in developed and emerging economies. This comprehensive and diverse course of study will be extremely beneficial as I strive to make a difference as a future specialist in the field of emerging markets.
My biggest piece of advice to prospective students during the application process is to visit the Cornell campus. Personally, it was my on-campus visit that ultimately sealed the deal in choosing CIPA. My visit provided me with the opportunity to meet with the core faculty, talk to current Fellows, and experience student life in Cornell University and Ithaca first-hand. There is only so much you can learn about an MPA program by visiting its website or by speaking with its administration staff over the phone. I highly recommend a visit to the Cornell campus to see if CIPA is the right fit for you.
Prospective students should also know that there are numerous graduate clubs and organizations on campus that you can join during your first year as a CIPA Fellow. This is a great way to contribute to campus life, as well as meet and make new friends. CIPA has a great selection of organizations – there’s really something for everyone. Check out http://www.cipa.cornell.edu/studentlife/ to learn more about how you can make a positive impact in the CIPA/Cornell community!
Raj Krishna Shrestha is a Second-Year CIPA Fellow concentrating in Economic and Financial Policy. He can be reached at rks96@cornell.edu.