Masters in IR --- which program? Go at all?!

[haplessdreamer]

So I got into: Harvard KSG, Stanford IPS, John Hopkins SAIS, UCSD IR/PS, Columbia SIPA

No funding with any of these schools. :'(

My top choice is SAIS, Stanford, then KSG.

I'm starting to worry about the enormous debt burden that I'm about to undertake.

I currently have a stable job making in the mid-40ks with my BA but the job has no career advancement. My passion has always been in IR and I want to work in DC, State Department, NGOs, international development, etc.

Cost of these schools: $80k for 2 years tuition + $20k for living costs... so realistically $100k in debt. It could be as low as $50-70k if I get a second year teaching assistantship.

Median income upon graduation: ~$60k.

I can stick with my current job and make over $60k in 5 years.

Or go back to school for 2 years, get $100k in debt, and make $60k to start and potentially advance faster than with just a BA.

Do you guys think it's worth it to get in that much deb? Or should I ignore the masters and try to see if I can get a career started in IR without the need for a masters?

[skk427]

I also got into SAIS and SIPA (top 2 choices) and some other schools for IR masters programs. To me, it's always been a no-brainer to get a Masters degree or something higher, like a PhD.

What is it that you do now? If it's not in IR, which you say is your passion, then you may not even be happy in that job 5 years down the line. My opinion is that if I were you in your shoes, with a huge collection of excellent schools to choose from, I would go to school. You may be making over 60k in five years, but in five years with a degree from one of those schools, you could be making much more. If you're really worried about the debt, take a look at the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

And having experience trying to get a job in IR with just a bachelor's degree, I've found it extremely hard to even get an internship because Master's students are also applying to these internships while in school. Also, places like DC think tanks and government departments do look more favorably at candidates with higher education. That has just been my experience and just my two cents on your situation!

I wish you luck with this decision and congrats on all those acceptances!