<p>I am an international student who has been accepted to KSG (MPP--no funding), SAIS (MA IR--no news yet, but prob. no funding), SIPA (MIA--no funding), CMU (MSPPM--1/3 funding), Brown (MPP--1/2 funding), American (MPP--full funding) and UConn (MPA--full funding + generous stipend). </p>
<p>I'd like to international development work, either in the international sector, govt. sector or non-profit sector. I have been in education for the past three years out of college. </p>
<p>Based on my focus--international education policy--I think KSG would be the best place for me to be b/c of the benefit of Harvard's Ed School + international recognition. However, it is hard to turn down American's free ride, and it is a fine policy school! For personal reasons, I'd prefer to be in the New England area, so there's always U Conn, but I think American is the better choice in this situation. U Conn is too domestic in focus, I think. </p>
<p>I think I have narrowed it down to KSG, SAIS, and American. I would absolutely LOVE to go to KSG. I am applying for various scholarships and will likely get a part-time job (as a residential director) in Boston, which would take care of my living expenses. Do you think it is worth it? I don't want loans to prevent me from pursuing less lucrative careers.</p>
<p>Go American. Boston is an expensive city (as is DC), so it'd suck if you have to take out loans for living expenses on top of paying back that tuition. That's really outstanding that you got into KSG. However, you could probably get the same experience out of American, only difference being you didn't have the "prestige" of Harvard. I mean that is really what Harvard's about, no?</p>
<p>I think the consensus is that KSG without funding is mostly good for:</p>
<p>1) Students who want to leverage their degree into a private sector job, specifically consulting.</p>
<p>2) International students who want to use thwe Harvard name as leverage when they get back home, either in the public or private sector.</p>
<p>Although neither of the above reasons seem rock solid to me, I can still see the point, in some ways at least, of picking up the Harvard degree for the name alone in certain circumstances. In your situation, however, I might advise against it just because it is truly a huge debt load for a masters degree (80K+ living expenses), so much so that it will likely keep you out of the public sector altogether after graduation.</p>
<p>My advice would be to think long and hard about what EXACTLY you see yourself doing in the future, after your masters degree. If you see yourself in the public service, American is a fantastic pick, especially if youre funded.</p>
<p>Your list of acceptances is quite impressive so I am sure that wherever you end up, you will be very succesful.</p>
<p>Harvard, Columbia, JHU then American. (really it is more like Harvard--then a one mile space--then a tie between Columbia & JHU, then another mile or two space, then American University.) To many, a Harvard graduate school degree is worth much more than $100,000. If you're not willing to invest in yourself, then why should anybody or any firm do so?</p>
<p>Lately it seems to have become fashionable to call Harvard "overrated" or "cliche" (not necessarily by people in this thread) and to tout other well-known-but-not-quite-at-that-level schools such as Stanford and Johns Hopkins. Strange phenomenon that I thought I'd point out. That is all. :)</p>
<p>Perhaps Nauru is right in the case of undergrad, but I agree with Samonite. When it comes to IR, SAIS and SIPA are definitely as prestigious as Harvard. In fact, when strictly talking about IR, I would say certainly SAIS and probably Columbia SIPA have a leg up on Harvard, as the Harvard program is an MPP with an optional focus on international relations. </p>
<p>That being said, ladyseacow, if you think that an mpp would fit your needs best, then I can see how you have narrowed your choice down to KSG and American. I understand your prediciment with the money, and it is a tough call. If it were me I would lean towards KSG.</p>
<p>Wow, many people on this forum are really head-over-heels for SAIS (or at least a few very active members are). I'm sure it's a great school, well respected in the US and certain parts of Italy, but for internationals having the Harvard name can actually make a substantial difference -- more than many Americans might realise -- for decades to come.</p>
<p>Rightly or wrongly, that's the way it is. Does it mean Harvard has a better program than is offered anywhere else? Probably not. However it is the most powerful academic brand in the world by a considerable margin, and there's nothing any of us can do about that. </p>
<p>If all any of us cared about was the joy of learning, none of us would be in university in the first place because we'd be spending the bulk of our time at a large public library. </p>
<p>Anyway, to protect me from the coming onslaught of flames, GO SAIS! ;)</p>
<p>For research-based degrees, then the situation changes drastically. However for a taught masters, the general reputation of the university is still very important.</p>
<p>Nauru, I understand your point, and I agree that the Harvard name is big and can often make a significant difference in job opportunities. </p>
<p>That being said, speaking from my own experience and referring to IR circles only, I can say that SAIS enjoys an excellent reputation in Asia. At my current work place, the two most well known IR masters programs abroad are SAIS and Tufts Fletcher. I don't know if this is the case or not in the region of the world that ladyseacow is from. In any case, I get the sense that he/she might be more interested in a public policy program rather than a strictly international relations one. In that case, I think Harvard KSG has a clear edge, and I personally would probably choose it over the offer from American. I understand the dilemma though!</p>
<p>You always seem to have pretty good advice, but I fid it hard to understand why you would suggest going to KSG no matter what. What if OP doesnt want to significant and life changing debt? What if she wants to work in the public sector? Going to KSG will likely keep her our of the public service for decades.</p>
<p>^^ That is a very important point, and creates quite a predicament indeed. However the OP does seem to be exploring options to reduce the financial burden. I don't believe I've said it is best to go to KSG regardless of the other circumstances. I've only tried to express how many more doors may be opened with Harvard on the old CV. It may be unjust, and KSG may not deserve that kind of respect, but what can we do.</p>
<p>And regarding public sector work, it may be that due to debt it becomes unaffordable to work in the public sector at the beginning of her career, but that says nothing about what she will choose to do after 7 or 8 years' top quality private sector experience -- around the point when she becomes qualified for some of the higher impact jobs in the public sector.</p>
<p>I have numerous IR friends from SAIS, SIPA, and Harvard. KSG is just considered one of Harvard's weakest grad programs in terms of admissions and my friends were remiss at the school's reputation when I visited them after my open house at MIT.</p>
<p>What does "in terms of admissions" mean? Who cares?</p>
<p>I just don't understand the whole sentiment because it's hard for me to go a day without reading my blogroll and news links and not coming across more brilliant research being done by professors and graduates from KSG and MPA/ID.</p>
<p>(disclaimer: I'm a Georgetown student, no affiliation with Harvard)</p>
<p>Students at harvard do not respect it as much simply due to the fact that it is easier to get into compared to the other divisions of harvard with single digit acceptance rates. People are arguing that KSG is tremendously respected out of harvard. I find it ironic that within Harvard, it may not be as respected which is indicative of something.</p>