GSPIA (got $$) vs Elliott (no $$)

[chojnacm]

Hey guys, I got into GSPIA and Elliott. I'm going for an MPIA in security and intelligence studies at GSPIA or for an MIA in international security and U.S. foreign policy at Elliott. GSPIA gave me a full tuition grant. I'm also listed as an "alternate" for Pitt's Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowship ($12,000), which I could get if somebody would reject their admissions offer. Elliott, on the other hand, is giving me no money. I hear that they are very stringent with fellowships. I am graduating from undergrad this May; so as of yet, I have not payed off any of my student loans, which are significant ($50,000). If I would go to Pitt, I would only pay for housing, books, and misc. expenses, and if I were to receive the FLAS scholarship or any additional grant money, I would get my MA for free. At Elliott, however, I would be mired in debt ($90,000 in loans to pay for tuition and cost of living in DC). That's a somewhat frightening number in my mind, given my undergrad. debt and this terrible economy. Elliott though has the better program, being in the heart of D.C.. Their network of alumni is vast, and I would be certainly on a great career path if I were to graduate from there. So, for academics and professional experience, it remains my top choice. Furthermore, Elliott is in the top ten in the nation and GSPIA is in the top twenty. Nevertheless, one of the big pros of GSPIA is that after completing my MPIA, I could transfer to the PhD there, having already advanced standing due to the MPIA. That means that four years from now, I could have my PhD. Another possibility would be to go into the work force for two-three years after getting my MA, and apply afterwards to some of the really prestigious PhD programs in IA (SAIS, Fletcher, American, Georgetown, Columbia, etc). I was rejected from SAIS, Fletcher, and SIPA this time around, due to my lack of "relevant, full time, professional work experience," but I think I would have a great shot at a PhD from those schools once I have work experience and an MA. If I were to go to Elliott, I would have to put my PhD dreams on hold for a while to pay off all my debt. At GSPIA, I could also study for a semester in DC due to their "washington connection," and during my time there, network as well. Anyway, I am heavily leaning towards GSPIA. It seems illogical to give up so much free money to go to only a somewhat more prestigious school with the better name. However, I want to get your guys' opinion. Is Elliott really worth that debt or is it a "cash cow?" I personally think that rankings don't mean all that much, and that at Elliott I would be paying more for the name than anything else. All these IA schools seem to have similar programs of study and really the only realistic difference between Elliott and GSPIA seems to be the location and networking opportunities in DC. The big pro for Elliott though is that I would be grounded already in the nation's capital, where I want to live and pursue my career. I also know D.C. very well, but I have never been to Pitt yet. So, what's your advice? Any of you who are currently attending Elliot or GSPIA your opinions would be really helpful! Thanks!

PS: Also I applied for the Pickering Fellowship. I figure it's a long shot, but for those of you who have applied, do you know when we hear back? If I would get the Pickering, I could pay off Elliott easily.

Edited March 27, 2010 by chojnacm

[HopefulIR]

If you applied to pickering, I assume you want to join the foreign service?  In that case, I'd take GSPIA over GW.  To become a FSO, I think it's more about doing well on your written/oral/QEP than where you went to school.

[chojnacm]

Yep, I think the foreign service would be great. After graduation, I basically want to go either into the public or private sector. So, State Department, Department of Defense or if I get my PhD work for a think tank such as the Rand Corporation.

[dfk]

I would definitely take the money and enjoy GSPIA. You don't want to be in a mountain of debt. I've been in DC for several years and while Gtown and SAIS graduates are impressive, GW is more hit and miss.

[gotmusic702]

Forget GW. Take the money and run.

[chojnacm]

bump