Hi, everyone! Thank you for starting this thread. I would also appreciate some advice on my situation.
Coming from:
A developing country where I currently work for the foreign affairs ministry.
I’m hoping to pursue a career in international development, preferably in international organizations such as the UN or World Bank.
Deciding between:
Harvard Kennedy School: MPP - International and Global Affairs (COA: $85k/year)
Notre Dame Keough School: Master of Global Affairs - Sustainable Development (COA: free)
How I'm leaning:
It’s tough. Notre Dame is giving me a full-ride. But the Keough School is relatively new and untested, and I haven’t seen much discussion about the quality or reputation of the school in these forums.
On the other hand, the Kennedy School is well-established, and the Harvard brand name speaks for itself. Unfortunately, there is no way I could afford it besides going into debt.
For now, I’m leaning towards Notre Dame for practical reasons. But I don’t want to look back at this moment 10, 20 years from now, and regret that I passed up the chance to go to Harvard.
Is the difference in quality between these two schools big enough to justify going into debt?