Finances versus Prestige

[Sapstradamus]

Hey everyone, I have till Friday to make my decision and need some advice. Quick background: I'm interested in international policy (applied to all MPP and MPA), prob towards the development side, but also in security. I'm also in the position of having to pay for everything myself, so funding is a big issue for me. After rejecting Trachtenberg (GW), Harris (UC), American SPA, and UCLA, I settled on Cornell's CIPA program, due to the very generous package they offered me. I knew at the time this program wasn't as highly ranked as others, but just figured I'd work harder during my time there and deal with less student loans later on. However, just last week I was admitted to Georgetown (GPPI) off of the waiting list; the decision-making process should largely be the same, as money is really important here, but Georgetown was really my top choice and has always been a dream of mine to attend (esp in our field). I know I won't receive any funding off of the wait list - is it worth taking on that large load of debt for a position that won't necessarily guarantee me any greater pay? Please help, I need to make this decision ASAP!

[Dreams]

is it worth taking on that large load of debt for a position that won't necessarily guarantee me any greater pay? Please help, I need to make this decision ASAP!

I don't think you need anyone to give you the answer to this. Once yo answer your last question, then you got it. Ask yourself also if the prestige is worth the debt? Who will you be impressing by going to either school? Hopefully no one at that point. The purpose of a grad degree is to further yourself professionally. If both schools will net you the same opportunities, then are you willing to turn down funding at one to rack debt at the other?

[East_of_Eden]

I do not believe it is worth taking on the extra debt. In terms of going to GPPI, while it does have a very strong reputation within the policy field, I feel that being in D.C. is primarily about the connections you'll have the opportunity to make while in school. I'm not interested in the IR side myself, but yes, I'd bet GPPI has far greater opportunities for students interested in pursuing such careers. However, I'm guessing that Cornell offered you $24k-$26k. (Most of us who've been admitted to CIPA have received the same/very similar offers.) Overall, you're looking at being at least $50,000 less-stressed post graduation. That's huge. Also, if living in D.C. is a highly appealing prospect for you, CIPA does have a semester-long program in D.C. in which you could enroll immediately following your first year. So, you could do an internship in D.C. over your first summer and then continue on there to take CIPA classes that next fall.

In regards to the rankings, I'd not worry so much about CIPA. I'm not headed there myself, but in no way, shape or form does it have anything to do with rankings or prestige issues. I have been nothing short of tremendously impressed by everything to do with CIPA. From their director, to their students, to their career services, CIPA will be an upper echelon program in short time -- if it isn't already considered so.

Lastly, the two programs in question are very different in scope too; look into that and it might be a deciding factor one way or the other. GPPI is supposed to be great. I visited there prior to application season, but never applied. From looking at the forums here, there are some incredible people heading off there for next year, which'll bode well for classroom dynamics. But your initial question had to do with prestige and money. I don't feel that there's that much of a difference in quality between the two programs -- at least not enough to warrant spending $50k more. Hopefully, I'm not offending any GPPI folks Good luck!

[fall09]

I don't think you need anyone to give you the answer to this. Once yo answer your last question, then you got it. Ask yourself also if the prestige is worth the debt? Who will you be impressing by going to either school? Hopefully no one at that point. The purpose of a grad degree is to further yourself professionally. If both schools will net you the same opportunities, then are you willing to turn down funding at one to rack debt at the other?

I disagree on two grounds: first, I generally would argue that GPPI is the better programme and within the context of your dilemma I think it offers a better network and the better internship opportunities that thus may lead to better job options once you graduate. Of course this is somewhat subjective. Secondly, and more importantly, you say it was your top choice all along. I say go for the school your heart is set on, go with your gut. For all the logic and objectivity in the world, if you go against your gut instinct you are more likely to think back and going "what if".

[sommelier]

If you were debating between Georgetown and a funded program at a mid level state university, then I can see taking on the extra debt. But you would be turning down Georgetown for Cornell! I love Georgetown, and I want to do my PhD there after I am done with my masters. But if given the choice, even though I am not crazy about Ithaca, I would choose Cornell with the great financial package. Especially if they can offer you a DC internship or connection.

Not knowing much about your desired program or concentration field... even if Georgetown offered you the opportunity to have a slightly higher starting salary (say 70k over 60k), that gap is easier to make up quickly rather than trying to pay off a gigantic student loan.

Do you really believe you are giving up that much prestige, inclined academics or networking to justify another $300 - $400 a month payment for 15 years?

G town is an amazing school... but Cornell ain't exactly leftovers!

[d08]

I was in a similar dilemma between the two schools after recently getting off the wait-list too. At the end of the day there was no way to justify the type of debt load that I would receive by going to Georgetown's GPPI. Having graduated from an ivy for undergrad, I know that name alone will not get you the coveted job that you desire. I also know that most of the people on the board are using their masters not just to get the needed tools in order to help them professionally, but firmly believe that the school's name and prestige alone will magically open doors for them. Applicants need to understand that going to a competitive program, you will not only be competing with other schools but also your fellow students for all the internships and job opportunities (hence why i did not even dream about SIPA...way too big). Plus a masters is only a 2 year program. Do you really think you will get that much more information from classes and networking opportunities that will help you with your career at GPPI than CIPA?

The only downside about CIPA is its location, but because of the study abroad programs it makes it more manageable. I also believe that CIPA is currently doing a lot of the right things in order to become one of the premiere public affairs schools in the future. Personally, after heavily weighing my options, I have decided to attend Cornell's CIPA because of the great faculty, the interdisciplinary nature of the program with the other graduate schools, the flexibility of the curriculum, and most of all the personal attention that I received from current students and the program

[lbjane]

I know that it's a personal decision for everyone, but I just can't see much logic in taking out massive amounts of debt for an MPP/MPA/MAIR degree. Unlike law and business schools, that extra debt for an MPP-type degree isn't likely to result in a higher salary. Most MPP applicants and students aspire to work in the public or non-profit sector and managing a huge debt load when you're only making about 50k a year, living in DC or NYC, and maybe eventually wanting to start a family is pretty difficult. So, I would think long and hard before taking out tons of debt.

I turned down GW in favor of LBJ because I knew that LBJ would be about 80k less over two years after I took the differences in tuition and living expenses into account. It was hard for me to give up GW's location in DC and the accessibility to internships and networking, but I figured that 80k of debt would probably close more doors for me than GW's program and location would open. I couldn't have known this when I made that decision, but I ended up being very happy at LBJ and ultimately finding a job in DC that I really enjoy. So, it all worked out fine for me, even though I wasn't in DC and attended a lower-ranked program. Plus, I can live a lot more comfortably and save for important things like a down payment on a house and retirement, since I don't have a huge monthly loan payment.