Hello! I have about a week to decide on the masters program that I will attend for the Fall. I have been accepted to the following programs:
-American University SIS (Global Environmental Policy)- 10,000/yr funding
-Johns Hopkins SAIS (Energy and Environment)- no funding
-Columbia University SIPA (Environmental focus)- no funding
-Boston University Pardee (International Relations and Environmental Policy)- 30,000/yr funding
I would like to focus on environmental policy, and pursue employment in the government with the State Dept. or a non-profit such as World Wildlife Fund. I know that Johns Hopkins SAIS has a great reputation and accomplished alums. Columbia SIPA also has a strong alumni base and great ranking. American SIS is also ranked very well and one of the larger IR programs. BU is a newer program but seems to have a very strong faculty. I also got a graduate assistantship at BU so this would give me a chance to work directly with a professor.
I am currently living in Rhode Island so BU would be the easiest move and I already have a community of friends and peers in the area. My family is all from NY so Columbia would be most convenient for family visits. Washington DC is an amazing city with so many opportunities in the field and an endless array of attractions and activities.
I am trying to figure out whether the prestige of a program like Johns Hopkins or Columbia would be worth the 80,000-100,000 in debt, as opposed to a maximum of 30,000-40,000 that I would need to take out for either American or BU.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
