HDPFDan

All the points arguing against taking on that level of debt are well-made, but I'll throw in my 2 cents arguing the other side.

Right now I'm in the SIPA MIA or nothing mentality, and I didn't ask for funding from the school because I've been hoping that it would increase my chances of admission. Also, given the makeup of the student body there, I don't think they reserve much funding for white American men (not a complaint at all.) I'm hoping to get much more for the 2nd year - hopefully an assistantship. But I'm pretty resigned to the idea of graduating with 6 figures of debt.

I'm OK with it for a few reasons.

First, I do not see many advancement opportunities without an elite graduate degree from where I am. I've spent 3 years working as a research assistant at a fairly prominent think tank in NYC, which has been a great experience, but there are really no doors open to me from here without a graduate degree. And I'm not interested in an MBA, JD or PhD - those feel more restriciting in a way, and the education itself doesn't exite me the way the MIA program does.

Second is simply mentality, but my dad (who borrowed and worked off debt for both his MD and MPH) is the one who got me into this line of thinking. Debt for graduate school, or education in general, isn't simply debt. It is an investment in yourself. I hate the idea of living with all that money to pay off, but again, I think so many more doors will be open to me with a graduate degree (call me an optimist) that it is worthwhile.

Part of it is long-term. The jobs and salaries right out of grad school might not be ideal, but it's putting myself on a trajectory for greater success and earnings in the future. I know that my organization, and just about all similar ones, wouldn't dream of hiring and/or promoting anyone past my level without some sort of advanced degree.

That said, I am considering pursuing consulting out of school, which is a more lucrative path (and I am well aware of how competitive it is; it won't just happen. But I'm going to make it work. Again, optimist.) Based on the work I've done in the past 3 years, my natural abilities and skill set, and the nature of the industry, it seems like a good direction.

Finally, although MYRNIST made a very astute point about one's "wants" not necessarily being an adult/wise basis for making major decisions, when I first learned about the MIA program a few years back, it just immediately clicked in my head that it is the one for me, and that never changed despite learning all about all of the other top/simliar programs. It just feels right, and I can see several paths forward that will work for me.

So consider this the dreaming optimist post of the thread

I was admitted off of the waitlist early last evening. I will be accepting and am thrilled to start this fall! I know I missed the group high-five sesion when everyone was admitted in March but hope to meet and see you all in a few months!

I'm pretty ticked off that I have to go into this weekend without knowing.

Just went and double-checked, got my "application complete" email on January 16th.

This is really the wrong week for this decision to happen. It coincides with my 2 main projects at work coming to a head and causing a ridiculous amount of rushing/stress/grunt work; the kind of week I haven't experienced in nearly a year, workload-wise. And it's reminding me of the 3 1/2 years I've put in here (and a year suffering at a big law firm before that) just to get to the point where I could say I earned the right to pursue a grad degree, and that I soo badly want the moment of YES I'M IN that will make all of this time and effort worth it. Not getting the decision is compounding all of the work stress.

I'll be in a pretty bad place if I am rejected after this. I need a stiff drink.

Well, being disturbed by my position is your problem, not mine. Your points are all valid, but you ought to check the tone of that last post.

I already acknowledged your points about the odds against it "just working out." I have no illusions, but I believe in approaching things with a positive outlook. And I'm not counting on consulting as a lifeline, it's just something I'm looking into and possibly going to work towards. That's why I used the word "considering." There are several avenues I'm open to, which is one aspect that I like about the program

I'm also not incurring the debt "just because of optimism." As I clearly outlined, at my current position and with similar employers, there is no way up without an advanced degree. I also tried the job market in a range of industries about half a year ago, as well as looking at fellowships. The responses I received all advised pursuing a degree. You yourself said half a page up that "you pursue a professional degree for career advancement".

At no point did I compare an MD/MPH to the MIA. Just explaining that the attitude towards educational debt is based off the experience of someone who has been through the experience, and I provided the context. Nice critical reading skills you have there.

I think measured expectations, understanding the debt burden and odds against you are all very important considerations, which is why I've weighed this against other avenues. I think this is the best path for me at this time.

All the points arguing against taking on that level of debt are well-made, but I'll throw in my 2 cents arguing the other side.

Right now I'm in the SIPA MIA or nothing mentality, and I didn't ask for funding from the school because I've been hoping that it would increase my chances of admission. Also, given the makeup of the student body there, I don't think they reserve much funding for white American men (not a complaint at all.) I'm hoping to get much more for the 2nd year - hopefully an assistantship. But I'm pretty resigned to the idea of graduating with 6 figures of debt.

I'm OK with it for a few reasons.

First, I do not see many advancement opportunities without an elite graduate degree from where I am. I've spent 3 years working as a research assistant at a fairly prominent think tank in NYC, which has been a great experience, but there are really no doors open to me from here without a graduate degree. And I'm not interested in an MBA, JD or PhD - those feel more restriciting in a way, and the education itself doesn't exite me the way the MIA program does.

Second is simply mentality, but my dad (who borrowed and worked off debt for both his MD and MPH) is the one who got me into this line of thinking. Debt for graduate school, or education in general, isn't simply debt. It is an investment in yourself. I hate the idea of living with all that money to pay off, but again, I think so many more doors will be open to me with a graduate degree (call me an optimist) that it is worthwhile.

Part of it is long-term. The jobs and salaries right out of grad school might not be ideal, but it's putting myself on a trajectory for greater success and earnings in the future. I know that my organization, and just about all similar ones, wouldn't dream of hiring and/or promoting anyone past my level without some sort of advanced degree.

That said, I am considering pursuing consulting out of school, which is a more lucrative path (and I am well aware of how competitive it is; it won't just happen. But I'm going to make it work. Again, optimist.) Based on the work I've done in the past 3 years, my natural abilities and skill set, and the nature of the industry, it seems like a good direction.

Finally, although MYRNIST made a very astute point about one's "wants" not necessarily being an adult/wise basis for making major decisions, when I first learned about the MIA program a few years back, it just immediately clicked in my head that it is the one for me, and that never changed despite learning all about all of the other top/simliar programs. It just feels right, and I can see several paths forward that will work for me.

So consider this the dreaming optimist post of the thread

All the points arguing against taking on that level of debt are well-made, but I'll throw in my 2 cents arguing the other side.

Right now I'm in the SIPA MIA or nothing mentality, and I didn't ask for funding from the school because I've been hoping that it would increase my chances of admission. Also, given the makeup of the student body there, I don't think they reserve much funding for white American men (not a complaint at all.) I'm hoping to get much more for the 2nd year - hopefully an assistantship. But I'm pretty resigned to the idea of graduating with 6 figures of debt.

I'm OK with it for a few reasons.

First, I do not see many advancement opportunities without an elite graduate degree from where I am. I've spent 3 years working as a research assistant at a fairly prominent think tank in NYC, which has been a great experience, but there are really no doors open to me from here without a graduate degree. And I'm not interested in an MBA, JD or PhD - those feel more restriciting in a way, and the education itself doesn't exite me the way the MIA program does.

Second is simply mentality, but my dad (who borrowed and worked off debt for both his MD and MPH) is the one who got me into this line of thinking. Debt for graduate school, or education in general, isn't simply debt. It is an investment in yourself. I hate the idea of living with all that money to pay off, but again, I think so many more doors will be open to me with a graduate degree (call me an optimist) that it is worthwhile.

Part of it is long-term. The jobs and salaries right out of grad school might not be ideal, but it's putting myself on a trajectory for greater success and earnings in the future. I know that my organization, and just about all similar ones, wouldn't dream of hiring and/or promoting anyone past my level without some sort of advanced degree.

That said, I am considering pursuing consulting out of school, which is a more lucrative path (and I am well aware of how competitive it is; it won't just happen. But I'm going to make it work. Again, optimist.) Based on the work I've done in the past 3 years, my natural abilities and skill set, and the nature of the industry, it seems like a good direction.

Finally, although MYRNIST made a very astute point about one's "wants" not necessarily being an adult/wise basis for making major decisions, when I first learned about the MIA program a few years back, it just immediately clicked in my head that it is the one for me, and that never changed despite learning all about all of the other top/simliar programs. It just feels right, and I can see several paths forward that will work for me.

So consider this the dreaming optimist post of the thread