Nippon12

    Well, I'm going to play the role of Devil's Advocate foil to your idealist here! Speaking as someone who has been in semi-major debt before, knows plenty of people paying for "prestigous" degrees, and has seen the inside of a handful of world-renownded institutions, I would have to disagree with the idealistic standpoint. Don't get me wrong - name/brand does matter, but in the world of policy (with public sphere salaries), ~50-100k+ of debt is a cinderblock tied around the neck of your future financial well-being. Princeton, Harvard, Tufts, etc., etc. - all these programs are fantastic and would indeed open a ton of doors. However, no amount of open doors could make trying to pay off 100K+ of debt on a 60k salary a good idea. I know everyone has their dream schools and programs, but I really urge you to take a pragmatic look at your finances and what you plan to do before just "going for it". I know it's not the sexiest answer in the world, but the truth is debt can really make or break a career. We live in unfortunately pragmatic times, and an Ivy League diploma is not necassarily a one-way ticket to easy street any longer. This isn't law or business or medicine - it's policy, a field no less important but definitely less paid (most of the time, at least). I'd really urge you to think long and hard about how much you're willing to debt you're willing to leverage your future against, if it comes to that. Hopefully, though, you'll get a great finaid package and you can tell me to shove it! Fingers crossed !

Personally speaking, I would not. Don't get me wrong: the Harvard brand recognition and network is incredible. It would be a huge honor to attend with the best of the best, too. But possibly over $100k in debt for a policy degree? That's an INSANE amount of debt for someone entering into the nonprofit or public sphere. And the fact that it's non-dischargeable is CRUSHING in the event something goes awry. I just couldn't justify it! It would set me back on buying a home, starting a family, retirement, etc., etc. But hopefully all the funding packages make it so we don't have to worry about that! Congrats to all the admits! You earned it! Good luck!