Harvard Kennedy, Yale Jackson or Columbia SIPA?

[greatgirl9]

I've been admitted to:

- Harvard Kennedy School MPP (with no financial aid - so it costs ~$52,000 a year)

- Yale Jackson Institute MA Global Affairs (with 50% of my course fees covered - so it costs ~$25,000 a year)

- Columbia SIPA MIA (with $22,000 a year of aid - so it costs ~$40,000 a year)

If it weren't for the money, I would be immediately accepting HKS (my dream school) but I am conflicted about taking out such a large loan. Is the loan worth it for the Kennedy school name, connections and prestige? What are employers' perceptions of the Jackson institute? How do these schools rank in relation to each other? Which degree would make me most employable in a human rights focused job? 

Any and all advice appreciated! 

[jenna01]

As a current MPA student at one of those schools I’d seriously reconsider taking on debt right now, considering the job market you are likely to graduate into in two years. You might want to take employment statistics from the last few years with a grain of salt and focus more on the employment outcomes around the time of the last recession (07-08-09). Many of my classmates have had internships and jobs cancel on them and there is a good chance next year will look the same in terms of the job market.
 

Also ask yourself how you would feel if fall classes are online, would you still be happy with your choice? What if most events/conferences are cancel for next year, would it make a difference in your decision? Also are those debt numbers just cost of tuition or do they include tuition, because cost of living will be much higher in NYC verses around yale. 

Edited April 12, 2020 by jenna01

[GradSchoolGrad]

On 4/11/2020 at 8:27 PM, greatgirl9 said:

I've been admitted to:

- Harvard Kennedy School MPP (with no financial aid - so it costs ~$52,000 a year)

- Yale Jackson Institute MA Global Affairs (with 50% of my course fees covered - so it costs ~$25,000 a year)

- Columbia SIPA MIA (with $22,000 a year of aid - so it costs ~$40,000 a year)

If it weren't for the money, I would be immediately accepting HKS (my dream school) but I am conflicted about taking out such a large loan. Is the loan worth it for the Kennedy school name, connections and prestige? What are employers' perceptions of the Jackson institute? How do these schools rank in relation to each other? Which degree would make me most employable in a human rights focused job? 

Any and all advice appreciated! 

1. So for Human Rights stuff, you are essentially all competing for the relatively small pool of jobs, so the outcomes are pretty much the same. As long as you go to a good school and have a compelling story, that is all that matters. Its not like HKS will give you that significant of a boost short of a really fanatical alum (which is few and far between). 

2 Yale Jackson only became a school last year 2019. They are super small to begin with (like approx 30 per class), so small alumni base and good luck finding more than 1 person that is interested in something like yourself. Sure, the Yale brand goes deep, but honestly, not that much depth as a program... I never met any Jackson people in any policy or IR thing ever... and I am involved in a lot of things + go to the Northeast for things. 

3. I really recommend SIPA. Honestly, you get the best balance of scholarship, being in NYC (a relatively speaking human rights Mecca, and it sounds terrible saying this, but living expenses after Corona will probably be a bit better (speaking specifically to rent) than you originally expected. 

 

[Graduate of "Elite" School]

Go to the cheapest.

[went_away]

On 4/11/2020 at 8:27 PM, greatgirl9 said:

I've been admitted to:

- Harvard Kennedy School MPP (with no financial aid - so it costs ~$52,000 a year)

- Yale Jackson Institute MA Global Affairs (with 50% of my course fees covered - so it costs ~$25,000 a year)

- Columbia SIPA MIA (with $22,000 a year of aid - so it costs ~$40,000 a year)

If it weren't for the money, I would be immediately accepting HKS (my dream school) but I am conflicted about taking out such a large loan. Is the loan worth it for the Kennedy school name, connections and prestige? What are employers' perceptions of the Jackson institute? How do these schools rank in relation to each other? Which degree would make me most employable in a human rights focused job? 

Any and all advice appreciated! 

Lol at Kennedy / SIPA prices. Such an easy choice. Go to Jackson. 

[Mppirgradschool]

This is a simple choice, head to Jackson. You’ll drastically minimize debt at an excellent program. Paying sticker price at any policy program, especially these days, is insane.

[Boolakanaka]

It’s Yale-period. And no worries that Jackson is the new kid on the block,  Yale itself will carry whatever aspirations or connections you might need,

[GradSchoolGrad]

6 hours ago, Mppirgradschool said:

This is a simple choice, head to Jackson. You’ll drastically minimize debt at an excellent program. Paying sticker price at any policy program, especially these days, is insane.

@greatgirl9, in all seriousness, have you tried to negotiate your funding with SIPA? They might be able to give more if your leverage your Jackson scholarship on them. 

[Boolakanaka]

15 hours ago, GradSchoolGrad said:

@greatgirl9, in all seriousness, have you tried to negotiate your funding with SIPA? They might be able to give more if your leverage your Jackson scholarship on them. 

Columbia does not have the resources of Yale, and it’s doubtful in my experience they would react to the leverage tactic ...

[GradSchoolGrad]

36 minutes ago, Boolakanaka said:

Columbia does not have the resources of Yale, and it’s doubtful in my experience they would react to the leverage tactic ...

Agreed... but you never know until you try! 

[Graduate of "Elite" School]

Try renegotiating. I got my offer increased from 50% -> 85%...