SIPA vs HKS (+$40k)

[Tk2356]

I’m feeling both extremely happy and foolish right about now. Because I had no intention of applying for loans (due to GI Bill+YR+savings), I didn’t fill out HKS’s Financial Aid application. It turns out this precludes me from receiving any type of merit scholarship — not that I would’ve expected much, but now I’ll always wonder. Ugh.

I now have to decide between an MPA at SIPA (free) and paying $40k for an MPP at HKS. I hope to work in the nonprofit/NGO sector after graduation, so a $40k difference is not insignificant. COL between NYC and Boston is a non-factor as the GI Bill provides a stipend amount that varies between locations.

Is HKS worth the extra cost? Or should I just take the money from SIPA and run? I would really appreciate any advice/opinions, as I am making a career switch and am not well versed in either program. Thanks in advance. 

[yellina122]

Hey there, congratulations! Columbia and Harvard are both incredible schools, and while no one can tell you which will be the perfect fit, here are some recommendations on comparison points from a lifelong compulsive list-maker:

 

1. What type of job in what field (i.e. nonprofit, municipal govt, NGO, etc.) would you want after graduating? What are the stats like for each school in terms of how many students go into that area? Be sure to also look at the average salary they report.

2. Classes and professors that interest you from both schools. Are there more from one school than the other?

3. Basic program stats: Class size, international population, average age, number of courses offered, number of alumni, and number of students in your graduating class.

My personal take on this (from the research I did) is that Columbia would be a slightly younger population than HKS, but with a more internationally diverse student body, and a larger veteran population. 

4. Which city would you be happier living in?

I'm a big believer in making decisions like these based not only on what's practical, but what excites you and suits your personality. I'm a born-and-bred NYer whose been living in Boston for the past 8 years, and I can say that the choice between NYC and BOS is an easy one for me- NYC all the way. But they are very different.

Boston, at least to me, is a quiet town. There's plenty to do if you go looking for it, but certainly not the endless possibilities you get in NYC. It's safe, proud, very white, and very homogenous in terms of the types of people who live here- college kids and lifelong Bostonians. Most of the non-college kids will tell you their major interests are the Pats, the Red Sox, the bruins, and drinking beer. That's not a bad thing at all, but it's definitely part of the culture! You'll of course most likely find more diversity in race, background, and interests on Harvard's campus and in your program. Boston is beautiful for at least 6 months of the year (fuck these March snow storms), and Cambridge (where I live!) is a really pleasant place to live. "Pleasant" is actually the best word I can think of to describe it. There's very little to dislike.

New York, on the other hand, is a true city. It's endlessly diverse, and no matter your interest you'll be able to find a group of people who share it. There are a million opportunities to try new things, get exposed to new ideas and new types of people. You can also find that same sense of homey camaraderie in your local neighborhood (depending on where you live) that you would anywhere else in America. There's this sense once you find your way in NY that you've earned something, and that you belong, which I've always loved. It's a place that can feel big and overwhelming, but IMO that's true of most places while you're still finding your niche. But once you find it, NYC has this way of feeling magical that other cities just never match. (Again...I'm a bit biased haha).

5. Is $40k worth your happiness? 

$40,000 is a lot of money. A free ride is a better deal by far. But the experience of going to your dream school (if HKS is your dream school) might be worth that $40k. You're the only one who can decide that

 

If you have any NYC/BOS q's, feel free to hit me up!

[Tk2356]

Hi! @yellina122! Thanks for the wonderful response. It sounds like you’ve had great experiences in both cities, and I’m happy you get to go back to NYC shortly!

I’d love to work for a NGO/nonprofit after graduation, and it looks like HKS grads make about a bit more out of the gate on average in those fields — that makes me feel better about the price difference. My wife and I are definitely fans of NYC, though, and it would probably fit us more than Boston. She’s a French architect, and I’m worried that Boston would have less opportunity for her to find work — that’s just an assumption on my part, though. Also, it looks like a lot of HKS grads find work in NYC after graduation, so that option isn’t going anywhere! 

I find it hard to not be excited about the others factors involved for both programs; the course options and professor quality are of course fantastic, which I guess is a point in SIPA’s corner, given the price. I’m going to visit HKS next week and try to get a feel for the place. You’re right though that $40k is a lot, so I think it will take a lot to convince me to forego SIPA. 

Thanks again for the reply!

 

Edited March 15, 2018 by Tk2356

[Damis]

How do you know you'll have to pay $40k? Have you already been notified regarding financial aid?

[Tk2356]

@Damis I foolishly neglected to fill out the financial aid application, thinking it didn’t apply to my situation. After my military scholarships, I’ll be paying about $20k a year out of pocket.

Edited March 15, 2018 by Tk2356

[yellina122]

3 hours ago, Tk2356 said:

Hi! @yellina122! Thanks for the wonderful response. It sounds like you’ve had great experiences in both cities, and I’m happy you get to go back to NYC shortly!

 

No worries! If you're based on the East Coast now, you should try to visit SIPA too in the next few weeks (if you haven't already been there). Even though I've already made my decision, I'm actually really looking forward to my the Admitted Students Day as a chance to be on campus now knowing that I can actually attend. 

If you're seriously considering doing NYC in the long-run anyways, I'd go for SIPA. That's at least how I'm thinking about it- better to make friends, lay down roots, and do internships in the city where I'm planning to stay. The thought of going to Cali or London for a couple years was tempting, but it can be hard to find connections in one city that'll give you an "in" elsewhere- though not impossible. And two years isn't that long! 

I do know a handful of people who work in the architecture sphere around BOS. It tends to be a split between people who went to Wentworth and people who started blue collar and worked their way up/did night school. There are definitely jobs to be had, but probably fewer than in NY just by merit of the fact that Boston is much smaller than NY is.

[Tk2356]

That is very good, albeit disconcerting, information about the Boston architect job market. Thanks!

I’m in my lower 30s, so HKS’s slightly more seasoned student body appeals to me. We’ve only spent a week in NYC, and loved it of course, but we realize that living somewhere is a completely different experience than being a tourist there. I did manage to sit in on a course at SIPA and know I would enjoy the program very much. Each time I start leaning that way, though, I think of the favorable HKS employment statistics and have second thoughts — hopefully next week’s visit to Cambridge clears things up for me. 

[Jigsaw_Saran]

Hello people,

I am from India, 26 years old. I have been admitted to MPP/MPA programmes at Harris ($65k aid), SIPA ($70k aid), HKS (no aid) and Goldman (no aid).

My aim right after graduation is to work for US media for at least a few years before returning to India. If not the US media, I'll settle for a consulting firm or a think-tank in US. As things stand currently, my first choice is Harris. But I am confused whether the Harvard brand makes it worth the loan, or whether SIPA's location and its journalism school would provide me better opportunities in the media.

Can someone please help?

[Damis]

On 3/15/2018 at 3:50 PM, Tk2356 said:

@Damis I foolishly neglected to fill out the financial aid application, thinking it didn’t apply to my situation. After my military scholarships, I’ll be paying about $20k a year out of pocket.

I see. That's unfortunate! Would that $20k be towards living or tuition? I ask because I'm quickly finding that there are a bunch of opportunities to do a little working even during your first year. 

I'll hopefully be doing some consulting remotely with my old job, for instance. 

[Tk2356]

@Damis  It would go towards my tuition -- thankfully I'll receive a stipend covering basic living expenses. Where did you find out about those work opportunities in Cambridge? 

[Damis]

I already had these connections via my mentors. It's sort of specific to my profession though. 

I just think you'll have a bit more opportunity to get into something than you may initially think. 

[Tk2356]

I think you're right!