Defer SAIS MAIR (70K aid) to get a shot at better institutions.

[Grospatapouf]

Hi, I am a French, 28 years ex-military, currently studying in the Netherlands. 

I have applied for SAIS MAIR and I was recently notified of my acceptance with 35K of institutional aid renewable to the second year (did not write any optional essay). I am now waiting for Columbia SIPA's answer, for which my preference goes so far (because allows a better focus on Int'l Finance and Quant). However, I don't think they are likely to match SAIS in terms of aid. 

Initially, I wanted to apply for Harvard and Princeton but I chickened out because I could only produce so many applications in a timely manner. So I chose to focus on my match schools.

However, I now consider just postponing my admission at SAIS from a year to give it a shot. Especially since Princeton could give me the full ride, in addition to the sheer brand prestige and the work opportunities that come along. 

Furthermore, I also want to apply MBA degrees, which are, in fact, my true preference but less consistent with my background. Postponing would be necessary if I want to get into the dual degree between Wharton and SAIS per se.   

Here is a quick summary of my profile: 

• Background: Former high school dropout, worked as an electrician from age 15. Resumed my studies after 6 years of duty in the military (Special Force unit)
• Undergraduate institution: Leiden University ;  GPA: 8.5/10 Dutch Scale, Cum Laude (US = 4.0) ;  Major: International Relations ; Extracurricular and Electives:  Honors Track: Science & Society (15 US credits) 
• Overseas experience (work, study and teaching): Korea (2021) => Winter School with courses in Finance and Strategic management (A+) + Korean language (200 hours) + Exchange at Yonsei Uni
• GRE: 327 - 164V and 163Q + AW: 5
• Languages: French, English (C2), Spanish (B2), Korean (A2)  
• Quant: Intermediate Macroeconomics, Intermediate Microeconomics, Mathematics for Economists, Money and Banking, Statistic I,  Statistic II (SPSS and Python), Principles of Finance 
• Relevant Work Experience:  Human Intelligence and Special Action. Deployed twice on combat operations in Sahel as OMLT twice. Instructor on basic training for 6 months.  

Edited March 12, 2022 by Grospatapouf

[Grospatapouf]

Thanks for your answer. 

Indeed, after thinking a bit about it, I feel like deferring is not my best option. If I defer and get admitted admitted to a top 10 MBA school next year, I would probably pass on any IR degree just to save time.

Now, I guess my real question is whether to go for SAIS (70k) - and potentially Wharton, Stanford or Tuck - or SIPA (30k) and only CBS. I wonder whether having a foot in one institution or the other would help my applications to their partner business schools.