Perspective needed!

[nycmpp]

I realize this might belong in the "decisions, decisions" forum but it appears most of the MPP people hang out here, so...

I need help sorting out my current options for grad school:

Berkeley GSPP - accepted, no aid, possibility for teaching assistant position

Syracuse Maxwell - accepted, 80% living expenses/tuition covered, but with a Graduate Assistantship work expectation

NYU Wagner Health MPA program - accepted, 100% tuition covered

Georgetown GPPI - accepted, awaiting scholarship decision

Columbia SIPA - accepted, no financial aid

HKS - awaiting decision

WWS - dinged

I'm interested in health policy and want to gain a strong analytic skill-set. I'm paying entirely with loans and aid so that's a major factor. I would love a program with private sector credibility, in case I want to move into government consulting in the future, but am very leery of paying for Columbia when I don't believe the core curriculum is of much value over Berkeley (cheaper in general) or NYU (free). GPPI falls somewhere in between and I'll know how to think about it when I know about scholarships.

My inclination is to choose between Berkeley and NYU. If I get into HKS I would need financial support to go there (which I've applied for). Berkeley offers an adventure (I've been in NYC for several years), proximity to my GF, a great "feel", and a strong analytic program. The Health MPA program at NYU appears well-regarded and I've been offered a fellowship that would improve my access to professors and help make the most of what might be on paper a less prestigious program (what _is_ Wagner's credibility level?)

Any thoughts would be so deeply appreciated!

[IR Dude]

I don't know how qualified I am to comment on this, but it seems like if you're interested in moving to the private sector after a career in the public sector then where you went to graduate school seems like it shouldn't matter, or at the very least, be nothing more than a nice little resume conversation piece. At that point a consultant firm (I would assume) would be more concerned with years of experience, highest position attained, and depth of knowledge of your sector, and less concerned with "image". I can only comment on experience of my father who worked for the DOE for 20 years, rose to a fairly high position, and is now making a killing as a consultant. He went to a no-name state school and has no problem finding work.