<p>My dilemma is where to go: SIPA (Columbia U) with no funding vs. Maxwell (Syracuse U) with funding.</p>
<p>I know this may not seem like much of a contest (although Maxwell still has an excellent program in IR on its own IMO, but it's just not in the same echelon as SIPA/SAIS/etc. unfortunately when you take all things into consideration). </p>
<p>But to me personally it really is a difficult choice because --due to the shorter length of the Maxwell program (16 months) and the fact that I got offered a 50% tuition waiver while Columbia offered no funding at all-- it could ultimately end up costing me over 60,000 dollars more to take the two-year programme at SIPA. </p>
<p>Considering this, do you think it would still be worth it to pick SIPA over Maxwell? Keep in mind that while I hope I'll be making a good living after SIPA, this is unfortunately not guaranteed like a JD or MD for example. The workfield is just much more unpredictable. It could turn out great financially (100k+ a year) or just average (30k+ a year). And 60k in debt can be very worrisome then.</p>
<p>Your input will be much appreciated, because I'm having a lot of trouble deciding.</p>
<p>Go to Maxwell. After your first year or so no one will care what school you went to. They will be interested in your work. You will be glad not to have $60,000 in debt.</p>
<p>Try to defer and seek outside funding until next year if possible (apply to various foundations, scholarship contests etc.). Going to SIPA and working with Stiglitz and Bhagwati is not only amazing but the networking opportunities are much better! NYC over upstate NY...I would pick NYC obviously!</p>
<p>I've said it before and I will say it again, taking 70K+ in graduate debts is a huge gamble if you aren't doing a JD at a T14 Law School or an MBA at a Top Ten program. If you are actually planning on working in International Relation, especially in the public sector, you would be a fool to go 70K in debt for grad school, no matter how awesome "working" with Stiglitz will be.</p>
<p>If you are planning on going through SIPA and then selling out and getting an I-Banking job, take the loan. If you actually want to work in IR, think long and hard about money. There is NOTHING that saddens me more than seeing people take out huge loans to go to SAIS and SIPA wo work in International Development, only to have to pimp themselves out ot Big Pharma after they graduate to cover their loans. Life is not all about money, but money manners. Be smart.</p>
<p>ConJuror; The final decision is ultimately up to you, but if you don't want to have the burden of huge debts on your shoulders for a long time I would say Maxwell, especially if they are offering you 50% of the funding. </p>
<p>I was in the same tight spot as you are right now. I gave up NYU after realizing that with the little fundings they offer me, I was still going to have a huge debt on my back after graduating, we are talking over 70K in just loans. After careful consideration I decided to give it up and look for a much more affordable school for grad studies. My choices now are UW- Madison and Penn State. I'm not willing to get into huge debts just because of the weight the school name carries, for me personally it's not worth it.</p>