Elliott v. SIS - Decision time!

<p>Ok I know I know. There are lots of discussions on here about Elliott and SIS for graduate MA programs. But some of them are really old and I have a specific path I want to go on. So I'm wondering what y'all's opinions are about which one I should choose for my Master's degree. </p>

<p>Here's my situation. I've been accepted to both schools, but have gotten funding for neither outside of loans. I'm currently interested in going into the Foreign Service. If not the foreign service, I just want to go into international affairs with a focus on East Asia - particularly Korea and somewhat of a focus on China as well. </p>

<p>I've looked at the rankings and it would seem they're pretty much neck and neck. Both programs seem to have professors with a focus on the Korean peninsula. Elliott, I'm told, is regarded higher than American and maybe has a better quality degree just all around. However, at American I can get a dual master's degree at Korea University and they have more options for courses focusing on Korea, US-Korea relations and the US-China-Korea dynamic. If I want to work at a policy institute or something similar then I'm thinking maybe it would be better to show more of an expertise in my field rather than a higher ranked name, but I don't know.</p>

<p>Any input would be really appreciated!</p>