Fletcher vs Harvard Kennedy School

[mppapplicant1]

There is a very good blog written by a current Fletcher student who also takes classes at Harvard in which he compares the two schools. Worth Checking out http://demagoguesanddictators.blogspot.com/2010/02/fletcher-and-kennedy-school-comparison.html

[dan451]

There is a very good blog written by a current Fletcher student who also takes classes at Harvard in which he compares the two schools. Worth Checking out http://demagoguesanddictators.blogspot.com/2010/02/fletcher-and-kennedy-school-comparison.html

Thanks, that's really helpful!

[cafe au lait]

yeah, really helpful, thanks!!

[SdeS]

So it's essentially come down to this for me- lots of $ (and a fair amount of courting) at Fletcher vs. approx. $130k in loans at HKS. Even just by posting this, it's clear that I'm having some issues coming to terms with the reality that my (perhaps misplaced) dream to go to HKS would be a bad financial investment.

I suppose I'm just looking to be reassured that I won't regret giving up on the Harvard name to graduate with a relatively small amount of debt.

[s33]

So it's essentially come down to this for me- lots of $ (and a fair amount of courting) at Fletcher vs. approx. $130k in loans at HKS. Even just by posting this, it's clear that I'm having some issues coming to terms with the reality that my (perhaps misplaced) dream to go to HKS would be a bad financial investment.

I suppose I'm just looking to be reassured that I won't regret giving up on the Harvard name to graduate with a relatively small amount of debt.

No one can provide reassurance as to possible future regrets, but I can tell you that your present line of thinking is sensible and mature. Fletcher is an excellent program, and being able to graduate with negligible debt (vs. 100K+ at HKS) confers an enormous advantage. Among other things, it will give you much greater flexibility when you enter the job market. In my view (and I speak with some experience, having recently completed an MPP program as a mid-career professional), younger students do not pay sufficient attention to the implications of debt. You must decide what is most important to you, but if I were in your shoes I would choose Fletcher without hesitation.

[SdeS]

No one can provide reassurance as to possible future regrets, but I can tell you that your present line of thinking is sensible and mature. Fletcher is an excellent program, and being able to graduate with negligible debt (vs. 100K+ at HKS) confers an enormous advantage. Among other things, it will give you much greater flexibility when you enter the job market. In my view (and I speak with some experience, having recently completed an MPP program as a mid-career professional), younger students do not pay sufficient attention to the implications of debt. You must decide what is most important to you, but if I were in your shoes I would choose Fletcher without hesitation.

Thank you-that's really what I needed to hear

Edited April 2, 2010 by SdeS

[Batignolles]

Thank you-that's really what I needed to hear

I actually think Fletcher can be a better program, depending on your interests, as it has more flexible courses that you can customize to your own interests. Harvard's core courses make up nearly all of the first-year, so a big part of the decision for me was whether I wanted to spend a year (and the associated costs) taking that set of required courses, or whether I would rather be more targeted in what I wanted to learn.

In any case, with a good scholarship, I think you'd be crazy to turn down Fletcher for the privilege of paying for Harvard's full fees! Plus you'll be in good company if you choose Fletcher over Harvard, too .

Edited April 2, 2010 by Batignolles

[zourah]

So it's essentially come down to this for me- lots of $ (and a fair amount of courting) at Fletcher vs. approx. $130k in loans at HKS. Even just by posting this, it's clear that I'm having some issues coming to terms with the reality that my (perhaps misplaced) dream to go to HKS would be a bad financial investment.

I suppose I'm just looking to be reassured that I won't regret giving up on the Harvard name to graduate with a relatively small amount of debt.

I'll agree with s33. I love the Kennedy school, but Fletcher's program is also fantastic - you can always cross-register and be involved over here too, but don't take on that much debt if you've got the perfect financial aid package there.

[riz1]

SdeS, do I really need to echo everyone else? Of course, I have a natural bias -- but truthfully you couldn't go wrong either way. There are benefits and drawbacks to each school, but zourah is right in that you can always cross-register either way (did you know that Fletcher, when first started in 1933, was a joint Harvard-Tufts initiative? And the two universities share a very close connection at the graduate level to this day).

I say: Welcome to the Mafia.

[SdeS]

Thanks for all the great feedback-I can't wait to make a final decision!

[JBrodsky]

Thanks for all the great feedback-I can't wait to make a final decision!

I feel you on this one. I'm still on the fence about the same decision.

[wcasey5]

Has anyone made a spreadsheet of what you'd likely be paying back under the Income Based Repayment plan?  If you take all loans from Harvard and work for government or non-profit for 10 years, it's a hell of a free lunch.

[SdeS]

I've looked at a few different calculations based on possible income levels that I could expect after graduation, but I need to get some clarifications on what is considered "public service." Not sure if the UN would qualify, and not sure if one would need to stay in the US, or be employed by a US agency to fulfill the requirement over the 10 years. In any case, if the plan works out as advertised, there are big savings to be made.

[zourah]

I've looked at a few different calculations based on possible income levels that I could expect after graduation, but I need to get some clarifications on what is considered "public service." Not sure if the UN would qualify, and not sure if one would need to stay in the US, or be employed by a US agency to fulfill the requirement over the 10 years. In any case, if the plan works out as advertised, there are big savings to be made.

The UN doesn't qualify. Still, the UN pays well enough that it's somewhat less of a concern.

[carpecc]

Fletcher all the way.

I've only heard and read great things about their program. A friend of mine is taking classes at both and says the quality of teaching at Harvard doesn't even compare. I think the only advantage of Harvard is if you want to work abroad internationally with that big name. But it's definitely not worth the debt.

From what I understand you get a much better education at Fletcher, I myself slightly regret not applying there.

[Octavia]

Why doesn't it qualify? I've been working for the UN for 3 years now and I always thought of it as public service at the international level. In fact, each new hire has to sign something called "the declaration of rights and duties of an international civil servant". And it is true that salaries are competitive, especially that they are tax-free (depending on your nationality).

The UN doesn't qualify. Still, the UN pays well enough that it's somewhat less of a concern.

[zourah]

Why doesn't it qualify? I've been working for the UN for 3 years now and I always thought of it as public service at the international level. In fact, each new hire has to sign something called "the declaration of rights and duties of an international civil servant". And it is true that salaries are competitive, especially that they are tax-free (depending on your nationality).

The plan is set up by the federal government, which limits service to local/state/national public service or nonprofits - I don't know why, but I'm guessing it has to do with political considerations.

[Wonkery]

I'm going to resurrect this thread. I am in the same boat, but with a pretty significant difference.

 

HKS is offering me nearly half tuition, and Fletcher if offering me none. My interests and professional background are both focused on international affairs, and the more flexible program at Fletcher really appeals to me. However, I cannot help but feel crazy for turning down HKS funds for Fletcher without funds. 

 

Thanks for any feedback!

[Ana Pascal]

I can't help but wonder if Fletcher would offer you funding (at least something) if you tell them that you're considering Harvard but would prefer Tufts. I have no personal information or tips to offer you, but it seems like it would be worth calling to talk about it with their admissions staff. 

[Africa1985]

I'm going to resurrect this thread. I am in the same boat, but with a pretty significant difference.

 

HKS is offering me nearly half tuition, and Fletcher if offering me none. My interests and professional background are both focused on international affairs, and the more flexible program at Fletcher really appeals to me. However, I cannot help but feel crazy for turning down HKS funds for Fletcher without funds. 

 

Thanks for any feedback!

 

Question: how did you hear about your HKS financial aid already? I thought those decisions don't happen until late march early april.

[Africa1985]

@Wonkery  any update?

[X-Thor]

I understand that you can take Fletcher courses while attending HKS, so that might help weigh in your decision. Also, maybe you can leverage Fletcher into offering you more money?

[Gov2School]

You definitely shouldn't be shy about at least talking to schools about matching your offer, if you feel strongly about attending that particular school.  The worst they can say is no, and then you're no worse off than you are right now.  

[azuljen88]

Does it make any sense to turn down $12k/year at Fletcher to go to HKS (MPP) with no aid? I'm really torn about which school to attend. I feel like they both have strengths and weaknesses. Though Fletcher seems like a better fit for me now since I want to work in international development, I think an MPP from HKS might be more versatile and benefit me more long-term, when I may want to work domestically (US). I could also take up to four classes at Fletcher. I don't want to base this decision solely on funding because the $35k difference isn't so significant over the long term, and there is a possibility of getting research assistantships, etc at HKS. Any insights welcome!