looking!

I would say, follow you heart. Quite honestly there are pros and cons to everything. I was making a similar decision a few years ago (not with HKS and not in MPP though), and I had the option of getting an ivy league brand name+ financial debt and no brand name+no financial debt. However at that point, I WANTED to go to the kind of intellectual environment, connections and possibilities that come with the tag of the Ivy League. So I chose the more expensive option. In retrospect, I would say that i DID get those things (the networks, the chance to interact with great minds, meeting really talented people from around the world etc).. HOWEVER, yes the financial situation IS restricting and the ONLY reason I dont HATE my decision is because I KNEW what I was walking into (mostly). Harvard is Harvard, and what it might bring you, few others can. However, Ivy Leagues are not temples of education devoid of any imperfection. There is more competition, and NOT all the people you meet are the superior thinkers you think you might meet. (There are egotistical trolls EVERYWHERE, but they probably especially thrive in an elitist environment such as Harvard or any of the other Ivy's). Also a big name degree can definitely help you get your foot in the door, but honestly speaking, what you make of your career is mostly you and some part of where you go to school. Also, if you dont want to end up in academia or such, and are possibly looking to work for NGO's in development, your success on the field wouldn't be determined by your university tag. To make the long story short, focus not on tuition or name tags but what you want and would value in the longer run. Then look the place that would best help you meet that goal. Education is an investment. And the best way to make one is gain a better understanding of your dividends and evaluate your risks. When choosing between two options that are competitive (like Harvard and Duke) there are bound to be trade offs. Just make sure you choose the ones you really care about. As for money... debt hurts. But I have friends who are making money, living a life without debt and buying expensive things too... Doesnt really make them happier than me, to be honest. They always wonder "What it would have been like...". So make a decision that doesnt leave you with any regrets and you are bound to enjoy that more.

To your point about feeling like you are no.2, I totally understand. I was waitlisted for one of the schools, and i did get in. But by that time I had an offer from my top choice and chose it anyways. I feel that some of it may have been because I didnt feel like accepting the school where I was a second option. However, being on waitlist simply means they want you but they need to make hard decisions if they wish to fund everyone. So dont let it affect your decision. Back up plans... I waited for a yr and worked on the weaker aspects of my profile and I would recommend the same.

I think it depends on what you want from the experience. SIPA attracts some of the most well accomplished students from around the world. However, yes Columbia is known for taking too many Masters students and being NYC the competition is high. Especially because you are also competing with people who are extremely well accomplished. However, that being said SIPA is one of better graduate schools at CU, and most of my friends who went there enjoyed the experience. Also, quality control notwithstanding, CU does have the intellectual atmosphere most people choose Ivy Leagues for. And, its New York and close to UN. So they have fancy stuff like important people speaking at events. Not sure about Maryland. Either ways, I think you should base your decision on whats important to you and not rankings or a few angry posts. I would be wary of a program where everyone was all happy anyways. Hope this helps and good luck with your decision.

Thats a very high quality problem you have there. I would say all things remaining equal, choose a place where you can find more than one person to work with. If thats Berkeley then so be it. In the end, you dont want to be stuck in the program should your POI decide to move, or should your research interests change a little. Plus, honestly you would WANT to work with more than one person in ur PhD right?

I completely understand this feeling. I am choosing between School A and B and they are both great schools! One has a GREAT POI and structured program, the other is a prestigious university with 2-3 really interesting professors. Both schools have been in touch with me about my decision and the former school even pressed me a little hard to come to them. While all that is flattering, you can only say yes to one school. And honestly, I like the latter because I can see myself there. I havent yet sent my decisions out as I want to make a "logical" informed decision, but I will say you are facing a good problem. Because you will end up in a place you like for whatever reasons, no matter what u choose. Also, even if there are a few regrets later, you ll know why you chose that school over the other. Which makes a WORLD of difference, trust me. All the Best!

I would add that TC and GSAS work very separately because TC gets autonomy over its management. This also means that when you cross register for courses (this should be mentioned in your syllabus if you can at all. Some programs dont have choice of electives), you will be treated below GSAS's original students. I would ask TC to give you an extension, and see if thats possible. Also, TC is more education focussed, so you might want to check what EXACTLY their political science program is specialized in.. That being said, chances to work with faculty are always dependent on students. Also, you could ask GSAS to tell you of your chances of acceptance, and say that they are your first choice but you have other offers that you need to reply to. They might at least give you an idea of your chances for the Masters program..

Thanks for your reply! It really made me think about the issue and make a decision. I am visiting the school and liking it so far, and I am sure I ll make a more informed decision in the end, no matter which school I choose.

So, I was waitlisted for one of my second choices (school A) but after some time found out that I got into my top choice (School . However, I was in a dilemma as I personally like the first choice more (better school, more prestige and I just know more about it as I visited) however personally the second one is better (closer to my partner geographically). A few days ago the POI (School A) I was in touch with contacted me saying that one of their original applicants was not coming and the person who might be offered admission next (from the waitlist) depends, among other things, on their probability to accept. I told her that I had an offer from another top choice, I preferred their school for location and was more inclined to accept at this point. But that I was still deliberating the decision. (which is about the most accurate reflection of the state of my mind at THAT point) I was recently informed that I have an offer from that school. Now here is the dilemma 1) As the days pass and I find out more about my first choice, I like it more and know I want to go there (and not just for reasons like 'prestige'). Admittedly I am not so knowledgeable about the second choice. However if I am quite convinced that I will go to the first choice school, I feel it is unethical for me to go for visit the school A (given they spend some amount of time and energy on it). Also, while I dont intend to take my time and inform both schools ASAP, I feel that I might be depriving another applicant on the waitlist of this chance. 2) However, I feel it might be weird to tell the professor I am not coming for the visiting weekend, when I told her the school is one of my top choices. Mostly, in the last few days I not only found out more about my first choice that strengthened my decision, but I gained more clarity regarding my personal life (if that makes sense). Again this is a tough choice to start with because this isnt a back up school or anything. Which is why I am even deliberated till so long... Any thoughts would be really helpful.

So I just received the offer letter for one of my top choices. However, it came a few days later than the department had informed me, due to some drama, in their words. This is making me a little jittery about the prospect of going to the school.? Am I making a quick assumption that the school administration is bureaucratic? The school itself can also be central to academic success and so I am having second thoughts ... Thoughts?

Given its Northwestern, they take their words seriously. But try asking if they are taking students. They wont entertain anything more than that.