SIPA MPA vs HKS MPP (PLS HELP)

[anve]

Hi!

International student here.

I'm really frustrated and struggling with this decision, so your help is really appreciated.

I've been admitted to Columbia SIPA with a 64k scholarship (roughly 50%) and to HKS MPP with zero funding. Taking into account just the money, the answer is obvious, but I would really love some insights about the programs and if it HKS is worth the 64k additional debt. My parents will give me a loan to pay Columbia, so the additional 64k will be the only debt I would be acquiring from a bank.

 

FYI, I would like to focus in health policy and gender.

My current pros/cons list is this one:

 

Columbia

Pros:

• NYC.
• Scholarship.
• The curriculum has a concentration and a specialization.

 

Cons:

• Not really specialized in behavioral economics (love the topic and would like more insights). 
• Not known in the job market as much as Harvard, at least in my country. 
• They don't help you finding internship opportunities (that's what I've been told).

 

HKS

Pros:

• Alumni network
• Reputation (specially in Latin America)
• You can take MIT courses and meet students from other universities.
• Behavioral classes.

 

Cons:

• Additional 64k debt.

 

 

Thanks!!!!!

[HAlumni]

I already answered to a similar question here:

https://forum.thegradcafe.com/topic/167056-international-applicant-desperate-for-advice-uchicago-or-georgetown-or-rutgers-or-lse/?do=findComment&comment=1058963138

Sincerely, if you're planning on working in Latin America on health and gender policy you're going to be screwed trying to pay for the cost of the MPP even if it's from Harvard. I know that the Harvard name seems so prestigious and tempting, but it is not if you'll be working low-paying jobs, that won't really put a premium on your salary because of the Harvard name. Columbia would be just as prestigious and you will earn the same salary. 

Also, to go into that amount of debt for the Harvard Kennedy School, I think only the MPA/ID program might be a bit worth it if planning to make a career in consulting, banking, or the usual World Bank, etc. But as I mentioned in the other post, getting a staff job in the multilateral institutions is quite hard and most people don't make it and just work a few years as short term contracts, which don't pay well nor are stable, and you'll be in anguish with that amount of debt. 

Columbia is a prestigious name with the same opportunities as a Harvard MPP. I know MPPs from HKS and their job opportunities are not too great, unless you go into the private sector, develop a robust career, and then maybe you can work on your low-paying passion. But very few actually make it to the high-paying private sector to begin with. You'd have to be very well connected and most likely already have an Ivy league college degree. International students have it harder, and the HKS MPP is not STEM, so you'll only have 1 year to work in the US, before requiring an official working visa, which limits your opportunities to make more money than going back home. 

US student loans are vicious. You can never get rid of them, and if you only pay the minimum, you will never get out of that debt. Ever. 

I also know people from Columbia who make it to the World Bank just fine, for example (though they are really good and have great talent for networking). So, I really don't see a tangible, much less financial advantage, for going into debt for an HKS MPP versus Columbia with a half scholarship. 

Believe me. You don't want US$64,000 of additional debt, in addition to what you will owe your parents, with what the HKS MPP job market has to offer. Columbia will offer the same, it's a prestigious university, but you will have peace of mind, which is priceless. 

I'd say go to Columbia, or improve your application and try to get full scholarship at Princeton.

Congrats on Columbia. It's a prestigious university. You will love New York and the opportunities you'll have at your disposal. 👌