<p>Hi there. I am having similar difficulty deciding between the same three schools.</p>
<p>Georgetown`s MSFS was always my dream program, and the location in DC has played a big role in drawing me there.
SIPA is high on the list too for greater name recognition outside of IR, and more East Asia specialists (my language is Japanese).
Finally, Tufts has made a strong run from behind with significantly better fin. aid and the personalized recruitment process.
So yeah, similar points to your original ones Goop. Ive been sifting through reams of forums over the past few weeks. There seem to be a lot of people who say just go where the money is best - which sounds like it would be Tufts for both of us (and most others in the same boat, Im sure).
However, I too am a bit apprehensive about the Boston location. Though the prospect of attending Harvard classes sounds great, I feel I really need the internship and other professional opportunites of DC or NY. All I`ve really done is the JET Program (ESL), period. </p>
<p>I have looked over the employment records from each program and while each is impressive, G-Town does seem to have an edge. It seems consistently 95% of grads have full-time employment 6 months after graduation.</p>
<p>The figures for Columbia seem to vary a bit more year to year, mostly falling in the 80-90 percent range.</p>
<p>Tufts was a bit more difficult as the stats on the website don<code>t indicate percent seeking for employment. I e-mailed the school a couple of times eventually learned that for a recent graduating class, 9% were still seeking employment six months after graduation, and 10% more were</code>unknown status<code>meaning they are waiting for security clearances or otherwise can</code>t indicate.</p>
<p>As far as which school will provide the best overall education, I think it`s a draw. Class sizes vary widely - intro SIPA classes can be pretty big I hear, while MSFS are capped at like 20 - so you may take that into consideration.
Regarding your interests in security issues and AFP, I would say that Georgetown has an edge there. Security seems to be their flagship emphasis. And the school is right next door to the U.S. State Dept. building. Regarding S. Asia and human rights and conflict resolution I am not too sure. Columbia might have one on GU in those departments.
Georgetown is in an upscale suburban area of DC. Not sure how you feel about that, but your housing will likely be more comfortable than in NY. If it has been your dream to live in New York, though, that counts for a lot I feel. I am wrestling with similar dreams about Georgetown. Particularly with your emphases of study though, I think you probably can`t miss with Georgetown. </p>
<p>What has been jerking my chain around is the finances. When I sat down and finally crunched the numbers last week, Georgetown and SIPA both translate into around $100,000 in debt, assuming a $10,000-$20,000 second-year award. Tufts would be more like $60,000.</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, it seems a sizeable proportion of forum goers just continue sounding off about taking the best deal you can get. But I can`t help feeling that a part of me will always regret not going to Georgetown and DC. That sentiment plus the greater opportunities to gain professional experience during the semester are pushing me toward the hundred-grand schools. But Fletcher has made a great case for itself, to be sure.</p>
<p>I am wondering whether I should be more ready to cast aside my dreams and ideas of prestige for the gift of smaller monthly payments after grad school (assuming I can land a job after Fletcher).</p>