Denver Korbel vs. JHU SAIS

[La Voz]

I'm torn.

Background

I was accepted into a few other schools (see my signature), but the choice is basically coming down to Denver Korbel (Global Finance, Trade, & Economic Integration [GFTEI]) versus Hopkins' SAIS (Latin American Studies [LASP]). My goal is to focus on Trade Policy in Latin America.

I'll be moving with a fiancee and a dog to Denver or DC and accordingly they factor into my decision (my fiancee has extended family in the Denver area). Price also factors into my decision; Korbel is up to $50k cheaper when you factor in aid I received at Korbel ($30k) with Denver's much lower cost-of-living ($20k < DC).

Initial Impressions

I visited SAIS last week and had the opportunity to speak with the Associate Director of LASP and sit in on a class taught by the Director. Though a brief visit (2-3 hours), I was thoroughly impressed with the staff and program. By contrast, I visited GWU later that day and was rather disappointed.

I just got back from Denver's Open House event this week (1 day of general school info, plus sitting in on one class the next day). While Denver wasn't as impressive as SAIS, it was more impressive than GWU. Where Denver fails competitively against SAIS is in Latin American Studies, which is very new at Korbel. However, what is neat about Denver is the Quarter system they operate on (10 week long course terms w/ 3 terms per year) as opposed to the typical Semester system employed by SAIS (16 week long terms, 2 terms/yr). This means more time off for travel/internships/educational supplements while also being able to take more classes.

Specific Factors

As mentioned above, Denver is $50k cheaper. That's a lot of money that can be spent on language immersion programs, networking trips to DC & NY (organized by Korbel), and summer courses at SAIS. However, it's worth noting that the remaining cost of Denver coupled with my bit of undergrad student loan debt means Denver and SAIS would cost the same *IF* I had my remaining loans forgiven after working for the government for 10 years (assuming average salary of $75k year, more info here).

I do believe my fiancee would be happier in Denver, which is important to me of course, though she supports my decision to go to Denver or DC. Denver is also much more dog-friendly, and it's not completely devoid of internship opportunities in its own right (though my summers would send me to DC for the best internships if I were to attend Korbel).

Final Thoughts & Question

I'm leaning Denver only because I think it would be a better living situation for my little budding family (no kids) and because I can much more easily justify spending money on language immersion and trips and long distance internships if I know that Korbel is $50k less than SAIS (but again, if working for the govt for 10 years, they both basically have the same cost after loan forgiveness).

If you've read this far, thank you.

So, any suggestions for solidifying my decision one way or the other?

[flyers29]

I'd say Korbel is the better bet in your situation. One point from what you said though about the quarter system: make sure you understand DU's weird way of doing tuition. It's essentially a disadvantage NOT to have a full courseload (12-18 hours) in any given quarter.

[sypher2k3]

I think you should go to Denver. It's always best to go to the school that will enable you to do everything you want to do most easily. Hopkins has the nicer name, but if you want the financial freedom to be able to study languages, do internships, go abroad for some reason, etc., and if you also want to be setting up camp with a family, and if you are thinking about your happiness, it seems like it would be best to go to Denver.

Hopkins is a better school, but if you are a go-getter and you are happy at Denver, nothing is stopping you from going farther than any Hopkins grad.