Advice: Georgetown SFS vs DU Josef Korbel

[aquifolium]

Hey all!

 

I thought I was done with the decision-making process, and had chosen DU Josef Korbel, but I just got off the Georgetown MSFS wait list, and am now less certain.

 

Finance-wise, Denver has Georgetown beat.  I've received a $20k yearly scholarship with Korbel, which is very, very tempting; Georgetown hasn't offered me any funding.  Denver is also considerably cheaper than DC in terms of cost of living.  Plus, I was in the top ~10% of students admitted there, so I might have better opportunities research-wise, whereas Georgetown gives me full-on impostor syndrome, haha.

 

However, Georgetown is THE top program for my interests (Foreign Service)...plus its DC location is definitely better than Denver for internships and networking.  My fiancé will also be in DC attending law school, which would mitigate the cost of living difference, as we'd live together.

 

Any thoughts?  I'd really appreciate other perspectives (current students, others who have just made their decision, etc).  Thanks!

[went_away]

I'd say Georgetown wins. By a lot. Just be prepared to be paying off those loans for a long time to come. 

[jujubea]

For what it's worth, the FS will not be concerned whether your degree came from Georgetown or DU. 

 

I'd go wherever would give you the best quality of life overall, cuz there's no telling what you'll get in the FS

 

Also, you will do home tours in DC with the FS... however that might factor in to your decision-making.

 

-former FSO

 

And congratulations on being a top applicant, and being accepted to both schools period!

Edited May 5, 2015 by jujubea

[aquifolium]

Thanks for your thoughts, folks.

 

At this point, I'm leaning towards Georgetown.  It is such a good program - practically a feeder school into the State Department - and the loss of scholarship money will be slightly offset by living with my SO / not flying to visit him and network in DC on the reg.  I'll have to cross my fingers, work hard, and hope for a second-year scholarship.

 

Can't help but cringe thinking of those loans, though.

[crisisdiplomacy]

The loans will be worth it. It's the #1 IR program and difficult to get into.  The location and opportunities are unbeatable. I'd say go for it. 

[Guest]

I might be wrong...but Korbel seems to be more tailored for people with  interests in security/intel and international development/humanitarian work compared to prospective FSOs. I applied there too, so that's why I am implying this.  DC seems to win if you 'want' the FSO-related connections compared to Korbel (imo).

Edited May 6, 2015 by Guest

[jujubea]

Oh I missed the SO factor.

Having done an inter national LDR... I highly recommend weighting that factor considerably. Makes a big diff in quality of life!

[ZebraFinch]

Normally I'm always against debt, but I think in your case, Georgetown.

[intotherainbow]

Hands down SFS #1 IR school.

[KenBesonders]

Korbel has a semester in DC you could look into. Otherwise I am generally against the hive mind of taking in debt because a program is ranked #1. However I would encourage to assess what you want and see what program fits best. Try to avoid the whole rankings and prestige mindset. Foreign service and government work is an area where prestige won't land you jobs in the way that think tanks or academics can.

[aquifolium]

Hey everyone - thank you for the crowd-sourced life advice.  I'm going to Georgetown!

 

 

Korbel has a semester in DC you could look into. Otherwise I am generally against the hive mind of taking in debt because a program is ranked #1. However I would encourage to assess what you want and see what program fits best. Try to avoid the whole rankings and prestige mindset. Foreign service and government work is an area where prestige won't land you jobs in the way that think tanks or academics can.

 

KenBesonders, I'm usually with you on choosing less debt over prestige - I chose Korbel over SAIS for those reasons.  But GU's program is such a solid fit for me that I can't say no, and there's an enormous amount of resources for wannabe-FSOs; plus, jujubea's right about LDRs being rough on quality of life.  (And, if I don't make it into the Foreign Service, I think Georgetown will put me in a better position to work on policy than Korbel.)

 

Anyway, thanks again, and see you in DC!

[KenBesonders]

If the fit is great, then by all means go for it!

[went_away]

I despise the utility of student loans, particularly for public interest related careers and IR grad degrees. But, for this specific situation I'd say the SO made a very good decision indeed.  

 

And major congrats on your acceptance and upcoming attendance! 

Edited May 9, 2015 by went_away

[missgord]

Apply for GA's at GT.. you never know!