Yass

I'm going to be alone on this...but as someone who went to Princeton and majored in WWS for undergrad...go to HKS.
I studied abroad through WWS and very, very few people know what Princeton was whereas everyone knew what Harvard was - even the program names "Woody Woo / Woodrow Wilson" vs. "JFK / John F. Kennedy" are received by people differently. As an international student, I would do HKS without a question. Yes, it is a significant amount of loans, but I sincerely believe that the network and brand recognition at the international level will pay you more dividends than WWS. We are likely about to go into a global recession. Will it be over by the time you graduate? Maybe. In a hyper-competitive job market, which school will access more doors for you? On an international level, it's HKS without a question. Also, the WWS curriculum has more of a domestic bent more focused for government policy wonks, whereas HKS is equally strong internationally and domestically *plus* it has a curriculum you want to major in and learn more about. Why would you go to a school, and have two years of opportunity-cost, to study something that isn't applicable to your career? Again, think about competitive job market - they will ask you what you studied, what will you say in return?
If the schools were more or less teaching what you wanted to study and had more or less the same name recognition *where you will be applying for jobs*, then go WWS without a question. But that's not the case here. I think HKS is the better fit and will get you further long-term.

You might want to try asking for an extension of the enrollment deadline first (and make sure they promise that an extension would still let you keep any scholarship of course). That way you might not have to lose the $500. None of mine should even overlap but that's what I plan to do for both SAIS and Fletcher because I don't want 2 days to decide in case the three schools I've been accepted to turn out to be roughly the same price. I can report back on their responses if that's helpful. 

Definitely Goldman. The program (and Berkeley) hit all the marks for me. I would be really happy to go there. 

I have an April 15 deadline at Georgetown's Walsh School. Waiting to hear back if I'm awarded the FLAS Fellowship there, which is apparently quite competitive. I'm planning to do the $500 deposit and confirm admission since that's my top choice, but if SAIS approves my request to more than double my scholarship... I'll likely end up reneging on Georgetown. I'm not sure how much that's frowned upon, but I'm sure they're aware it happens since they all coordinate admissions marketing and yet don't have a standardized enrollment deadline. I imagine that's what waitlists are for anyway. Don't think it's a big deal.
Per my comment above: I think it's fine to renege as long as you're okay with losing the deposit. You need to do what's best for your financial/career future. If SIPA ends up being $10k, 20k, $60k?! cheaper, then you need to put that first and not worry about whether an intangible institution is going to take offense after they made things more complicated for you.

I am in a similar position. Got 40k/yr from SAIS and 30k/yr from SIPA. No money from HKS. I am debating with myself now 

Not yet. I imagine it will be after April 3 once the deadline to submit the form has passed.

Nope it's due the April 3rd!  I tried to call both the D.C and Europe Office but it seems like the buildings are all closed... and nobody is replying back.. 
 

Hi there, do you mind me asking how you got SIPA to reconsider your funding? Or what led them to increase your scholarship?
I was so happy to get in to the MIA program, but I've only gotten a scholarship that covers a third of the total cost. I'm stressed about figuring out how to pay for the rest of it, or if it's even something I should consider.

What country are you from? I think the connections you'll make at Princeton will sufficiently make up for the clout that Havard carries in your country. That's not to say you won't make connections at Harvard, but I think you might be overestimating the difference that Harvard would have in your career prospects vis-a-vis Princeton.

I'd go for Princeton as well. Full funding with the stipend is unbeatable at Princeton.

Sure thing girl!!???  I am perpetually excited about the idea of adding more friends on my messing around list!!

Congrats Phoenixx!!! Yes we should!! Hit me up when you get to Boston. I guess you gotta be my wingwoman in terms of getting into HKS now in case I wanna try it next round! Shoot me an email if you wish: cosmosinpalm@gmail.com. Many thanks!!
Congrats to all admitted lads and ladies, and cheer up all my retreated heroes in this round! It's just a setback in life and we will all get over it as an united party!
Have fun, guys!
 

I've got to say, all this speculation is really unhelpful. Computer errors happen, they don't always mean something. Blog posts sometimes go unwritten when staffs are busy. The blog said it would likely be later this week, but it could just as easily be pushed back again. Just relax and go on with your lives.

Thank you! Yeah, I'm also waiting to hear back from HKS even though my hopes aren't that high... Fingers crossed

I sent an email saying I received other fellowships and asking if there's a way to be reconsidered. I will post their response next week.

Congrats! I find their fellowship consideration deadline policy not as good as that of other schools such as SAIS or HKS where you are automatically considered or where the funding deadline is after the application deadline. That way, even with an acceptance most people would have to pay back large debts just for attending the school. Or people rush it to meet the deadline but then don't submit the best application...

Yeah, I can always brag that I was admitted to the Ivy League and said no thanks. 

Yeah makes sense! As an international student from Europe, for me personally it is not that important to network in DC since I might be returning to Europe for jobs after graduation. I'd also consider jobs in China since my family is there so that makes it a bit different from your situation. 
Good luck with the financial aid reconsideration!

Should still feel proud that we got in, despite no funding information yet! Still a great achievement

Man, I gotta say, it's pretty cool that Harvard keeps applicants in the loop like this. We've been totally in the dark for the entire Columbia process, with only the reports of other students to go by. 

I’m in the same boat. Accepted to Georgetown, SAIS, SIPA and Fletcher... now just waiting on HKS.
I received the aforementioned language ... “in the next few weeks.... cost of attendance... possible sources of aid” ... I’m presuming this means I did not receive any scholarship assistance/shouldn’t expect any in the coming weeks? Would appreciate any thoughts on the matter. Congrats to all! ?

Congrats to all! 
 
Got accepted to SIPA MIA with a $60k total package ($30k/year). Waiting on HKS but will have to decide b/w SIPA, SAIS, Harris, Fletcher, and McCourt within the next month. Very stressful times! 

Thank you for the kind words! I will wait until HKS decisions are released (hopefully by next week) to make my final determination.
Congratulations on Johns Hopkins by the way!

Yeah, Ms. Saam from the HNC admissions office implied as much... but then in that case I'd be concerned that maybe 1 year isn't enough time to do a lot of networking in DC on top of a full time MA program, vs. having two years to find a job with the Georgetown one and the second year being part-time. Also, judging from past posts on this forum, it sounds like the SAIS career office is a little more hands-off than the Walsh one, so students have to hustle more on their own for internships. (It's probably easier at SAIS given proximity to think tank row, but still.)
In any case, I just sent my financial aid reconsideration form, so we'll see what happens.

Congrats on that amazing fellowship!! Already decided which program you will be attending?