skk427

I also got into SAIS and SIPA (top 2 choices) and some other schools for IR masters programs. To me, it's always been a no-brainer to get a Masters degree or something higher, like a PhD. What is it that you do now? If it's not in IR, which you say is your passion, then you may not even be happy in that job 5 years down the line. My opinion is that if I were you in your shoes, with a huge collection of excellent schools to choose from, I would go to school. You may be making over 60k in five years, but in five years with a degree from one of those schools, you could be making much more. If you're really worried about the debt, take a look at the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. And having experience trying to get a job in IR with just a bachelor's degree, I've found it extremely hard to even get an internship because Master's students are also applying to these internships while in school. Also, places like DC think tanks and government departments do look more favorably at candidates with higher education. That has just been my experience and just my two cents on your situation! I wish you luck with this decision and congrats on all those acceptances!

Hi Alex, I didn't apply to GW, so I can't speak about that. I did get accepted at SAIS too and will be in DC for both years. I have similar interests as you, but definitely want a more quantitative/econ heavy IR program. That's why I like SAIS. It seems like we will come out of the program with really strong econ and quantitative skills, which, in my opinion, seems like an advantage in this current job market. I know that SAIS is probably the most reputable school in DC (Georgetown is comparable), but I can only say that from what a relative, who works in DC and in that field, told me. In addition, SAIS has a great name within the IR community. I have also heard that the SAIS alumni network is excellent, with many SAIS alums willing to help SAIS students in whatever way possible. One con that many people on this website have said is that SAIS is nowhere near the Hopkins campus which means you can't take classes at other colleges within Hopkins. I would say SAIS is the way to go, but at the end of the day, it's what you do with the degree and your time in grad school that really matters. And you seem to really like the program at GW! For me, I'm leaning towards SAIS but it's still a toss up between that and SIPA.