hikarizx

Hi everyone! It's been a while since there were posts in here.. so I got a last minute funding offer from LBJ and I have to decide if I want to go! I had already accepted another offer but it was at a local lower-ranked school.. but now with this funding it definitely changes things. Anyone have any advice or any info about why you chose LBJ? I think I'm going to take it but I am wondering if anyone else has an opinion. Thanks!

Do you have other debt currently? If not the $40k doesn't sound too bad. I had slightly less after undergrad and my payments were only about $300/month. Other than that I don't think I can give much of an opinion based on the limited information you provided.

I think it depends on how much of a cost difference you're looking at. I can't tell exactly the cost based on what you said, but if you're looking at about $40k vs the $62k in debt, I would go with your preferred program. If you were looking at something like $20k vs. $60k that might be different in my opinion.

I think a lot of it depends on what you want to study because all of your degrees are different programs. If you don't really want to study social work I don't know if I would go to Columbia, though.

I would just contact the financial aid office for clarification.

To my knowledge you can apply for PLUS loans but it's a separate process.

There is a maximum amount you can borrow for federal direct loans. They probably offered you the max.

You might want to reach out to current students in the program and ask them about it because it could vary depending on the school. I personally would find something that will allow flexible hours/working on the weekend. Or something that will allow you some leeway to study at work. Like I said, it could vary depending on the school - if electives from other departments are offered during the day, you want to do an internship, or there are campus events going on, that may make a difference. During my senior year of undergrad I took 15 credits, worked 20 hrs/week, and did an internship, but that's undergrad. From that experience I can say it was difficult but doable. You can find out from current students what to expect for how much time you'll need to spend on school work outside of class, which I think would be helpful.

Thank you for the information. I appreciate seeing the different perspectives and I think it's interesting they told you in that field they're looking for people NOT in the top programs. I'm also very considerate of the "stuff happens" factor. I haven't experienced anything like that, but it's true that you never know!

Would you have chosen a less expensive program if you had the option? Just wondering since that's what I'm trying to figure out.

For me I'm not necessarily worried about it for political reasons, but I'm not really willing to bank on it. I wish there was something more concrete. I think everyone knows there needs to be significant student loan/college cost reform but it just hasn't happened yet...

That makes sense. Thanks! I have undergrad debt as well as a car loan so it would be different if I was starting from 0 but I'm not..

I think if you want to live/work in Europe it makes sense to go to school there. I don't know specifics about how the UN makes hiring decisions though.. from what I've heard it's about who you know.

I thought schools were required to tell you by April 15. Are they non-US schools?

I'm applying to masters programs and not PhDs, but I would say you need to make a decision NOW and let the school know. I don't know the rules but if you're going to do it I think it's important that you do it as soon as possible.