Full Ride at UMN or Pay Full Tuition at GSPP

[patricknyc]

Hi All,

I applied to MPP programs at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and University of California, Berkeley as well as an MPA program at NYU. I was lucky enough to get into all of them, but am looking at very different funding situations. As thrilled as I was to get into GSPP, I didn't get any funding and the thought of $32,000 in tuition plus high living expenses all being paid for through loans (unless I can find some kind of job) is pretty daunting. On the other hand, I was thrilled to learn yesterday that UMN has offered me full tuition plus a $20,000 stipend in year 1 and a graduate assistantship in year 2. I got a decent scholarship from NYU as well, but I'm not as interested in staying in New York City as I was when I applied.

I'm definitely leaning towards Minnesota, but still trying to think through the question of prestige versus cost. My impression is that what I do with my time in graduate school would be more important than the name, and not having to worry about money would open a lot of opportunities for me during those two years. Additionally, I've lived in Minnesota before and would love to live there again. At the same time though, GSPP is top-notch. What are your thoughts? I'm sure a lot of people are facing similar considerations.

Thanks!

Edited March 12, 2011 by patricknyc

[s33]

Hi All,

I applied to MPP programs at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and University of California, Berkeley as well as an MPA program at NYU. I was lucky enough to get into all of them, but am looking at very different funding situations. As thrilled as I was to get into GSPP, I didn't get any funding and the thought of $32,000 in tuition plus high living expenses all being paid for through loans (unless I can find some kind of job) is pretty daunting. On the other hand, I was thrilled to learn yesterday that UMN has offered me full tuition plus a $20,000 stipend in year 1 and a graduate assistantship in year 2. I got a decent scholarship from NYU as well, but I'm not as interested in staying in New York City as I was when I applied.

I'm definitely leaning towards Minnesota, but still trying to think through the question of prestige versus cost. My impression is that what I do with my time in graduate school would be more important than the name, and not having to worry about money would open a lot of opportunities for me during those two years. Additionally, I've lived in Minnesota before and would love to live there again. At the same time though, GSPP is top-notch. What are your thoughts? I'm sure a lot of people are facing similar considerations.

Thanks!

Minnesota is a fine and well-respected school/program, and they have offered you a terrific financial package. For persons who are pursuing public service careers, the minimization of debt is an especially important factor. As excellent as Berkeley is, there is no way that it is worth that much more for someone on a public service track, particulary when you have such an attractive alternative (both academically and financially). I really think this is an easy call.

Congratulations on the great admits/offers.

[OnEdge]

At GSPP keep in mind that you can do a GSR, GSI, Reader or Tutor positions and have partial or full fee remission (depending on the number of hours) plus get a salary. I think those positions might be a little bit more difficult to land in the first year within GSPP, but you can get one of those positions anywhere on campus at other departments. You would still have to pay the out of state tuition, but the salary and a small loan would definitely help.

[ca010]

Minnesota is a fine and well-respected school/program, and they have offered you a terrific financial package. For persons who are pursuing public service careers, the minimization of debt is an especially important factor. As excellent as Berkeley is, there is no way that it is worth that much more for someone on a public service track, particulary when you have such an attractive alternative (both academically and financially). I really think this is an easy call.

Congratulations on the great admits/offers.

Yeah I would second this advice. As a Berkeley undergrad I'm partial to the school but the difference in funding in your situation is too big. I would make an effort to land a GSI or reader position at GSPP before making the decision though.

[ihatevillanova]

I agree. Go to UMN if you have it covered. There was a NYTimes article I read about graduate schools (it was about law schools) that really shed some light for me. Prestige is fine and dandy, but when you're going to have to foot that cost down the road in an uncertain economy, it can come back to your haunt you. I was admitted into Columbia and UPenn for graduate school and was totally psyched about it, because I limped into college with a 74 average and an 890 SAT Score. But I stepped my game up at Temple University and have been fortunate to win internships at leading institutions and then graduate working for a great company in KPMG.

Columbia and UPenn sounds nice and all, but UC-Berkeley offered me a full ride for the Health Policy program and I didn't even have to think about twice. Berkeley is an awesome school and though I know that the Ivy League schools get all the fanfare, do I really believe that UPenn and Columbia are worth 50,000 more a year than Cal? Heck no. I believe they both attract the same student population, kids who work hard. Simply, the University of Minnesota is a great school and if you're a ranking freak, you'll see there's a marginal difference between U of M and the other schools you have noted above. Free at #9 vs $100,000 at #3 &#5? I think the answer is simple. Enjoy the full ride!

[abogs78]

I have to agree with what the previous folks have said. It makes sense to go to UMN with a full ride than go to a school where you will incur a lot of debt. Unless you have someone paying for your tuition and living expenses at GSPP, I will take that UMN offer quickly like a kid who got offered a icecream! Better to be sure you are not going to be coming out of school with debt particularly with the situation that the US government is in at this point in time. You never know what the future will hold in terms of job offers but it is better to graduate from school without debt and no job offer than graduate and then worry about both a job and the debt on your neck .

I was in the same situation as well, when I got my offer from GSPP vs Columbia. While GSPP is highly ranked compared to Columbia, GSPP gave me some money and Columbia gave me nothing, I was leaning towards Columbia as well because of the whole Ivy League factor. Although I actually got a better offer as time went on and I had to turn down both GSPP and Columbia. I guess if you feel GSPP is a better destination to your career objectives, then I will say consider it (of course, not putting reputation into consideration if this is the case) however, if you feel both GSPP and UMN will give you the same satisfaction career wise, I will say ride that UMN offer like a cowboy!