SAIS or MBA/MA full tuition from AU

[winning]

My choice is between American MBA/MA (International Development) with a generous fin aid package, or SAIS (not Int. Dev) with no fin aid. I know that SAIS has a great program and is well known here in DC, but is the difference between the degrees worth the extra $90-120k in loans?

I plan to pursue a career in economic development.

I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer and worked for two years developing small businesses in an emerging market. Additionally, I am interested in addressing human trafficking issues in the United States and abroad. A legal background would probably be the most beneficial for this field, but I imagine that there are policy and other non-legal positions that would not require a JD.

GMAT 640, 6.0

GPA 3.75,

Undergrad: University of Washington Business Administration

[Jettinger]

I don't see how you can ever justify that sort of debt when another good program is offering you such a package

[Ahab]

My choice is between American MBA/MA (International Development) with a generous fin aid package, or SAIS (not Int. Dev) with no fin aid. I know that SAIS has a great program and is well known here in DC, but is the difference between the degrees worth the extra $90-120k in loans?

I plan to pursue a career in economic development.

I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer and worked for two years developing small businesses in an emerging market. Additionally, I am interested in addressing human trafficking issues in the United States and abroad. A legal background would probably be the most beneficial for this field, but I imagine that there are policy and other non-legal positions that would not require a JD.

GMAT 640, 6.0

GPA 3.75,

Undergrad: University of Washington Business Administration

Not worth it! Take that money!

[Ahab]

My choice is between American MBA/MA (International Development) with a generous fin aid package, or SAIS (not Int. Dev) with no fin aid. I know that SAIS has a great program and is well known here in DC, but is the difference between the degrees worth the extra $90-120k in loans?

I plan to pursue a career in economic development.

I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer and worked for two years developing small businesses in an emerging market. Additionally, I am interested in addressing human trafficking issues in the United States and abroad. A legal background would probably be the most beneficial for this field, but I imagine that there are policy and other non-legal positions that would not require a JD.

GMAT 640, 6.0

GPA 3.75,

Undergrad: University of Washington Business Administration

And congratulations! That's a fantastic offer from AU.

[hippieva]

take the money and never look back.

Edited March 30, 2011 by hippieva

[winning]

And congratulations! That's a fantastic offer from AU.

Thanks! It does seem like a good offer from AU, but I am just wondering if everyone who got into SAIS also got or would have received similar offers.

Also, I forgot to mention that I got an assistantship at AU, for what it is worth

[JAC16]

Thanks! It does seem like a good offer from AU, but I am just wondering if everyone who got into SAIS also got or would have received similar offers.

Also, I forgot to mention that I got an assistantship at AU, for what it is worth

Hi Winning. I also got a full ride from American. I got some funding from SAIS too though... so I'm leaning towards SAIS. If you didn't get any funding from SAIS, I would say... take the money and go to AU.

Edited March 30, 2011 by JAC16

[SaraDC]

I don't see how you can ever justify that sort of debt when another good program is offering you such a package

Agreed. If neither program was offering funding, I'd take SAIS. But with such a generous package from AU - I'd definitely go there! Congrats!

[newba1ance]

I don't see how you can ever justify that sort of debt when another good program is offering you such a package

Seconded, there is no way the difference in cost comes close to the potential difference in opportunity. You’re talking about taking out a hundred thousand plus dollars in debt and paying 7, 8% on it for an IR degree? Take the money and run.

[fadeindreams]

My choice is between American MBA/MA (International Development) with a generous fin aid package, or SAIS (not Int. Dev) with no fin aid. I know that SAIS has a great program and is well known here in DC, but is the difference between the degrees worth the extra $90-120k in loans?

I plan to pursue a career in economic development.

I am a former Peace Corps Volunteer and worked for two years developing small businesses in an emerging market. Additionally, I am interested in addressing human trafficking issues in the United States and abroad. A legal background would probably be the most beneficial for this field, but I imagine that there are policy and other non-legal positions that would not require a JD.

GMAT 640, 6.0

GPA 3.75,

Undergrad: University of Washington Business Administration

You're kidding, right? Come on. I don't know why I'm even bothering replying to this thread...

By the way, I have a friend who graduated recently from SAIS Bologna. It took him 11 months to find a job. I guess you could always apply for forbearance while you wait for employment. The AU degree is imminently more flexible than what you would get from SAIS. (Not to say SAIS is a bad school, because clearly it is not).

I guess I'll say what I assume you're fishing for: "Congratulations on getting fully funded by AU."

Edited March 30, 2011 by fadeindreams

[carpecc]

That's such a sweet deal from AU, you gotta take it. The MBA/MA combo will make you a lot more marketable. I think the MBA gives you skills that are easier to apply to actual work. SAIS is great but it's no golden bullet for an awesome career. No one will look down on you for an MA/MBA combo from AU, and you can always mention in job interviews that they gave you full funding, a great credential. You'll have more flexibility in looking for work since A) you have the MBA and you don't have any debt.

Take it and feel awesome about it!

[carpecc]

Would you be able to apply for a dual MBA at SAIS in your first year? I think they have a deal with Wharton.

[winning]

You're kidding, right? Come on. I don't know why I'm even bothering replying to this thread...

By the way, I have a friend who graduated recently from SAIS Bologna. It took him 11 months to find a job. I guess you could always apply for forbearance while you wait for employment. The AU degree is imminently more flexible than what you would get from SAIS. (Not to say SAIS is a bad school, because clearly it is not).

I guess I'll say what I assume you're fishing for: "Congratulations on getting fully funded by AU."

So there are no takers for SAIS? Not one?

I guess my impression of SAIS was larger than reality. I have heard many stellar accolades about SAIS' program, faculty, and events - Clinton, Geithner, Cooper have all spoken there recently. So I know that it is a great school. I just didn't know how SIS compared. People have talked about SAIS being much more selective than AU too, which made me quite happy when I got the letter.

At the end of the day, it sounds like I might be at a disadvantage academically with a degree from SIS and thus have to work harder, network ect. But being almost debt free seems to win the vote over paying a premium for a premium name and premium contacts.

The only thing I was fishing for was a general consensus about my situation thank you very much

Would you be able to apply for a dual MBA at SAIS in your first year? I think they have a deal with Wharton.

Not really sure, but I would still be in the same situation financially.

[SaraDC]

So there are no takers for SAIS? Not one?

I guess my impression of SAIS was larger than reality. I have heard many stellar accolades about SAIS' program, faculty, and events - Clinton, Geithner, Cooper have all spoken there recently. So I know that it is a great school. I just didn't know how SIS compared. People have talked about SAIS being much more selective than AU too, which made me quite happy when I got the letter.

At the end of the day, it sounds like I might be at a disadvantage academically with a degree from SIS and thus have to work harder, network ect. But being almost debt free seems to win the vote over paying a premium for a premium name and premium contacts.

I think the disadvantage would be slight - if any at all. SAIS is more selective, but not $100k worth of more selective Plus, you'll have an MBA which will more than make up for it in terms of networking.

[ajc777]

If its the private sector that you're interested in, I'm not sure how much of a bump the AU MBA would give you over an MA from SAIS. For a non-MBA program, SAIS still pulls in some big names like McKinsey, Bain, BCG, etc. and I'm not sure if those firms recruit at AU. That is not a knock on AU, but it just seems that premier private sector firms are more concerned with the "name" of a school. My impression is that public sector jobs are not really concerned about prestige.

You wanted to hear an alternate opinion, so there it is, but congrats on your offer! AU is a great school and graduating debt free is huge.

**Just re-read that you are interested in economic development work so my point is probably irrelevant!

Edited March 30, 2011 by ajc777

[CC139]

This exactly:

Plus, you'll have an MBA which will more than make up for it in terms of networking.

Go to AU, you'd be getting two degrees that compliment each other for free!