gradpros12

Hi all! Long time reader, first time poster. Some background: I’ve about 4+ years of professional experience working in international development. I applied to grad school to gain some quantitative skills that I lack and to explore climate policy. I am open to a career in the US Foreign Service but am also interested in working in the private sector, INGO or UN body afterward. Any advice/perspective on thinking through these offers is helpful - thank you in advance! LSE MPA: Unconditional offer. It’s a double degree (still within 2 years) with the University of Toronto (Master’s of Global Affairs). No financial aid, but can afford it without taking loans. I’m most excited about this one because of it’s a relatively small cohort, diverse and international, and affordable. Syracuse Maxwell MPA/MAIR: full ride merit scholarship. Seems like a solid program based on my research and conversations with students/alumni. But, I’m not so thrilled about being in Syracuse especially after having weathered most of the pandemic in rural Texas. Harvard MPP: no financial aid. Would need to take about $50K in loans. Can’t deny the brand but I’ve also heard from current students it’s not as academically rigorous.