Decisions! Dev Econ: Harvard, Tufts, McGill, Oxford?

[pesar]

Hi, I need advice!

I am shuffling the cards of where to go to school this fall 24/7. Here are the programs I have been accepted to:

Fletcher School at Tufts, MALD (accrue $60000 debt)

Harvard, Kennedy School, MPA/ID (accure $70000 debt)

McGill University, MA ECon/MA Development Studies (accrue $10000 debt)

Oxford, MSc Economics for Development (acrrue $0 debt), only one year program

Me: I have a BA in Development Studies from a top-tier US university. I'm interested in developing my quant skills further to do program and policy analysis and evaluation. While I want a very strong applied economics training, I do NOT (repeat: do not!) want to work for the World Bank or other IFIs. I am interested in working for A) Global Development NGOs or Corporate Philanthropy Organizations like Google or C) UNDP/UNICEF, WFP.

I love the economic rigor of the MPA/ID, but am concerned that it is going to be math hell for an entire year for this Development Studies person. I am also concerned that it is the right program for my career goals. No one can deny the brand name effect. For Fletcher, is it going to feed my enough quant? What is its reputation in development circles as a subset of IR? For McGill, can anyone shed any light on the quality of its econ department? It's reputation in development circles? And Oxford, my biggest concern is...how can I possibly get the education of 2 years in North America in 7 months of instruction there? Is it applied enough?

Any advice would be very helpful. I have to make my decisions in less than 4 weeks! I posted my expected debt because that is part of my calculus in this decision-making progress! Thanks!

[eve2008]

Considering your career goals, I'd go for no debt!

I don't know much about the UK system or Oxford, but isn't the M.Phil two years? Is it possible to enroll in the MSc program, and elect to stay for a second year?

Have you had a chance to do a side-by-side comparison of the syllabi of the courses at Harvard and the tutorials at Oxford? I find that if you're trying to beef up your quantitative skills, the basic tools are the same everywhere, and so you can probably get a good sense of what you're going to miss by going to school for only a year by simply comparing the requirements and course offerings at both programs. Depending on your background and preparation, you might be able to take all the economic theory and econometrics classes you need or want in a single year, or you may not. I've found looking at course descriptions and syllabi incredibly helpful; they enable me to make my comparisons in the concrete.

Unless you have substantial savings or a trust fund, 70,000 is a lot of debt to get yourself into for a non-profit career, especially when you have a free option. Does the MPA/ID program offer a loan repayment program?

(Although, I guess the UN can pay quite well, especially if you're living in a cheap but uncomfortable situation in some poor country. In fact, if you live in Africa and are willing to not eat imported food all the time and not live in a massive compound, you could easily pay off your debt in two or three years on a UN salary.)

[pesar]

Considering your career goals, I'd go for no debt!

Thank you Eve for replying.

I don't know much about the UK system or Oxford, but isn't the M.Phil two years? Is it possible to enroll in the MSc program, and elect to stay for a second year?

The M. Phil is 2 years, but it is straight up Econ. I don't know if I can stay on a second year, I'll look into that, but of course that may change costs, too.

Have you had a chance to do a side-by-side comparison of the syllabi of the courses at Harvard and the tutorials at Oxford? I've found looking at course descriptions and syllabi incredibly helpful; they enable me to make my comparisons in the concrete.

No, and I think that is an excellent idea. A task for today.

Unless you have substantial savings or a trust fund, 70,000 is a lot of debt to get yourself into for a non-profit career, especially when you have a free option. Does the MPA/ID program offer a loan repayment program?

You've addressed one of my biggest concerns. I am not looking at high-paying careers. Plus, I am in my mid-30s, so I need to be careful about assuming debt. I just need to think (beyond the right program), what is the premium on my income in any sector with a Harvard name, the alumni network, the LORs, the people and conferences that come to the school, etc. I have lived on $20K for a few years now, so I think my plan, if I did assume this debt, would be to live

on half of my initial income for 2-3 years and pay it all off. I could do that.

I just hear such mixed reviews of the MPA/ID, I just don't know if it's the right decision. Thank you

[zigazowohnow]

Fletchers reputation is great, it's right up there with Harvard.

Also concerning quant. don't you get to design which classes you would like to take in some sense. Have you spoken to the schools about the courses offered. At Fletcher because the program is shared with Harvard and MIT between the three I'm sure there are a variety of quant. classes. I think Fletcher seems great, the students LOVE their time there, they work hard but fletcher has a really unique student body that really look out for each other and have an amazing since of camaraderie. I've really never seem this replicated anywhere else, you should really consider visiting so you fully understand what I'm talking about it. It's hard to put it all in writing. They also have top Profs. and a lot of resources. If I died and came back interested in IR you bet i'd be at Fletcher! (Full disclosure: I did my undergrad. at tufts)

However when going into a field based on pure benevolence and altruism you don't get paid much so I would be concerned about the amount of debt you would accrue.

Lastly, I would really recommend asking for email addresses from students and alumni at the schools your considering to be able to have in depth chats about all of your concerns. I know visiting would be quite expensive.

[pesar]

Hi, Thank you so much for your reply.

I did visit Fletcher last fall and came away with the same thing everyone says....the people are REALLY nice. That's something I shouldn't ignore. There really is something special about the people that I haven't yet felt at Harvard when I visited there as well. The debt is about the same. I am going to go to visit both next week. I guess if you are going to take on a whole bunch of debt, then this important visit is worth it. I'll start looking more closely at the courses...and you are right, there is a LOT more flexibility in the Fletcher program.

Thanks again and good luck getting off that waitlist!

[fchow]

I don't know much about the specific programs but I would say you can't turn down Harvard MPAID. They've got a great reputation and world class faculty, the eminent Dani Rodrik being one of them.

Debt should not be an issue. Think of it as an investment. As part of your lifetime earnings 70K isn't a whole lot after coming out of any of these programs.

Choose which program that will open the most doors. Look at past alumni placements. As prospective employers what they think.

[pesar]

Thank you FChow....consensus seems to be building. A thorough discernment process usually leads us to the right answer. Thanks for your contribution.