GSPIA vs Maxwell vs SIPA vs SIS

[hsiehk25]

I've been accepted to GSPIA, Maxwell, SIPA, and SIS (all acceptances are for International Relations programs). None of the schools have offered any funding and SIPA is generally double the cost of all the other schools (but is the best option). I'd like to focus on China. GSPIA, SIS, and SIPA all offer Asian Studies certificates. Maxwell has amazing abroad/internship programs and would be the cheapest option.

Help! Is SIPA worth the 140k? Are the other programs around the same quality? Thanks!

[fadeindreams]

Are you an international student? If so, do you have sufficient funding for SIPA?

If you are domestic, do you intend to take out government backed loans (via the FAFSA)? Do you intend to work for at least 10 years in the public sector (note: Foreign Service and other federal jobs overseas count)? If so, then I would take into account the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). You should be able to come up with a reasonable estimate of future earnings in order to calculate your repayment schedule on Income Based Repayment (IBR). Once you have that, times that monthly by 120 and get your total repaid over 10 years. Anything over that amount is forgiven!

In any case, I don't think SIPA is worth it, frankly. That is, and this is my subjective assessment, unless you are looking to work in the private sector and feel reasonably sure that you can secure a job raking in six figures.

I really don't understand why you would think that SIPA is such a dramatically better option than your other choices. Maxwell is an outstanding school with an outstanding reputation. SIS and GSPIA are fantastic places from which you can launch an international career.

In short, calculate your estimated IBR and what you'd pay over 10 years. If your choices all have total COAs above what will be forgiven, then this choice is moot. Go for the one you are most comfortable with. Keep in mind, however, that if you go for the PSLF you are committing yourself to 10 years in the public sector.