Merkincoat

Long time lurker, first-time poster. Thank you to everyone on this site. It's been an incredibly useful resource! Coming from: U.S. Deciding between: Fletcher MALD (some $) Syracuse Maxwell MAIR (more $, about 2/3 the total cost of Fletcher) Hertie School of Governance in Berlin (some $, less than half the total cost of Fletcher) Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna First Year (no $. Probably not going) Background: Just under 2 years of international experience in the Netherlands (study abroad) and Vietnam (ESL Teacher). Currently working as a consultant, but hoping to combine the international and private sector experience with the MA to pivot towards IR related work. Ultimately, my career goal is to join the Foreign Service, but I'm open to other opportunities like Political Risk/International Development (especially considering the long, unpredictable process of FS hiring). Deciding Factors: Like many, I'm balancing prestige, fit, location, and best career opportunities with the total cost of attendance. How I'm leaning: I've essentially eliminated SAIS because it seems to be in the same tier as Fletcher and I received more money from the latter. They're pretty different programs overall (SAIS having an econ tilt, in DC, having the Bologna option), but it seems they would produce similar career opportunities. However, I'm open to arguments for SAIS over Fletcher with funding. Overall, I have two decisions to make: 1) School in the U.S. or Berlin 2) If U.S., which school. 1) The benefits of Hertie seem clear: being in Berlin and all of its history, language immersion (I have some German skills now and would come out close to fluent after 2 years there), international student body, studying post-Soviet States in a prime location, VERY cheap cost of living, and cheapest tuition. The cons are mostly that it's unclear how helpful the degree is back in the U.S. (doesn't have the same name recognition/vast American Alumni network as Fletcher) and it seems very difficult for Americans to be hired in the EU over EU citizens. Would love to hear some thoughts on this. It seems like going overseas would still provide great education and experiences, but I'd be sacrificing some hiring opportunity. 2) Between the American schools, I'm leaning Fletcher. It seems to be a more established program than the Maxwell MAIR (granted their MPA is excellent) and has alumni all over the world. Fletcher seems to have great career services and recruiting for the fields I'm interested in. They've also been more helpful throughout the application/decision process than the others. But damn... That price tag. I'm very debt averse and not fully convinced it's worth 20-30k more debt than Maxwell. That being said, if anyone has any insight into the Maxwell MAIR reputation and experience and would like to push me in that direction, I'm all ears as it has been difficult to get in touch with Maxwell alumni. Thanks in advance, strangers of the internet! I look forward to you influencing the most important decision of my short career.