Is it crazy to drop Columbia SIPA ($75k) to apply for Harvard MPP (HKS) next fall?

[StillWondering]

I applied to and was accepted into a number of top-notch IR programs for fall 2015, but  I did not apply to Harvard Kennedy School. My impression is that HKS is largely domestic-focused, and the IGA (International and Global Affairs) concentration is a relatively small group within HKS, whereas SAIS, Gtown, SIPA, etc. is more internationally-focused to begin with.

 

I received an amazing funding package from Columbia SIPA ($75k). However, my brain is being really fickle about the fact that I did not apply to HKS -- I am admittedly too hung up on the prestige of the Harvard name.  

 

My focus is on international human rights, namely conflict resolution. SIPA has an amazing program concentration on this, and I don't know much about Harvard's focus on international human rights or conflict resolution. I don't expect to make amazing money in this career, but I just feel that I have missed out on the chance of being admitted to HKS, which to me would be a dream (though probably a misguided dream).

 

I am inclined to reapply entirely and include HKS. I can't find that many sources on how many HKS candidates get funding, but I imagine not many. Would I be crazy to turn down Columbia SIPA to reapply entirely for this upcoming cycle? I can't defer without losing my scholarship from SIPA. 

[chocolatecheesecake]

Yes, it is crazy.

[Jay's Brain]

Are you regretting not applying to HKS simply for the Harvard name? Columbia isn't THAT far off from Harvard in terms of prestige, and you do want to consider fit and the ranking of the program as well. I'm not in IR so I can't provide you with concrete advice, but from a general what-program-should-I-choose perspective I would say a program that offers you all the things you want, gives you amazing funding, and has the ranking to back it up, should be considered closely. 

Not downplaying your aptitude, but anything can happen within a year (maybe the next cohort is amazingly bright) and you may not even get into the same programs you did this year. 

 

It might be a bit on your part for not considering HKS a bit closer when you first applied, but regardless of that you've been accepted to a great program so it doesn't seem that ideal for you to risk it and wait another year.

[ZebraFinch]

Yes.

[CakeTea]

Can you afford to pay full fare if admitted to KSG? Do you think KSG can help you achieve your goals better that SIPA can't?

[IRgradApplicant]

Take the money and run

[shrimps]

Take the money and run

YUP. Also, congrats!!! SIPA is amazing, and also that is a huge fellowship from a place that is notorious for not giving them.

[leon32]

I've taken classes at HKS and thought highly of it, but it is not an IR school and for what you are talking about doing wouldn't make sense doing if it required turning down that much funding, also there are always mid-career masters you could consider later on that are popular at HKS. I can't recall seeing many/any human rights/conflict resolution classes at HKS when I scanned their course catalog, although there probably is at least 1 or 2, and you could cross-register at Fletcher down the road which actually has a program for it, but then what would be the point for getting hung up on the Harvard name?

[StillWondering]

Thanks, all. I just needed some confirmation that I would be, indeed, crazy.   Relieved to hear this a number of times, actually!

 

Are you regretting not applying to HKS simply for the Harvard name? Columbia isn't THAT far off from Harvard in terms of prestige, and you do want to consider fit and the ranking of the program as well. I'm not in IR so I can't provide you with concrete advice, but from a general what-program-should-I-choose perspective I would say a program that offers you all the things you want, gives you amazing funding, and has the ranking to back it up, should be considered closely. 

Not downplaying your aptitude, but anything can happen within a year (maybe the next cohort is amazingly bright) and you may not even get into the same programs you did this year. 

 

It might be a bit on your part for not considering HKS a bit closer when you first applied, but regardless of that you've been accepted to a great program so it doesn't seem that ideal for you to risk it and wait another year.

 

Last fall, I only really checked out the MPA/ID program at HKS (which is a highly economics-based, quantitative program which doesn't really fit with my career interests). I didn't realize the MPP or MPA programs at Harvard had an international concentration option (and with that, human rights course offerings), and so that was a admittedly fault of my own. Comparing programs though, SIPA has far more course offerings in human rights (the school offers an entire concentration focused on it after all) and so I think SIPA does confer an advantage with my career interests and background.

 

 

Can you afford to pay full fare if admitted to KSG? Do you think KSG can help you achieve your goals better that SIPA can't?

 

I definitely would not be able to pay full fare and would have the additional obstacle to look for external funding. I was very close to receiving some full-ride external fellowships, and I considered that I might be able to pull together a stronger application/interview for them -- that is, if I even got selected again if I reapplied. I've met some KSG alums during my work abroad this summer (short-term consultancy projects) where I Have been reconsidering the strength of KSG's alumni network. Previously, I met many SIPA alums in my work. My observations are that there are more SIPA grads in my field, but only am I now seeing a few KSG grads (in higher level policy work).

 

 

I've taken classes at HKS and thought highly of it, but it is not an IR school and for what you are talking about doing wouldn't make sense doing if it required turning down that much funding, also there are always mid-career masters you could consider later on that are popular at HKS. I can't recall seeing many/any human rights/conflict resolution classes at HKS when I scanned their course catalog, although there probably is at least 1 or 2, and you could cross-register at Fletcher down the road which actually has a program for it, but then what would be the point for getting hung up on the Harvard name?

 

That's what I thought. I did check out course offerings at KSG (I was also accepted to Fletcher, with very little funding) and noticed that while there were a few human rights/conflict resolution courses, a bulk of them are at Fletcher. KSG has not been to be traditionally an IR school, and those I've met in my field of work abroad who are KSG alums almost all pursued the mid-career program since they had years of regional and professional experience. That being said, cross-enrollment is possible with Fletcher, and I like that idea. Losing a massive amount of funding in an excellent program that's already a fit in my field seems pretty unwise, though.

 

This has been really helpful!

Edited June 11, 2015 by StillWondering

[kbui]

Wow. $75,000?! That's amazing! Congratulations!

And yes, I concur that it is crazy because Columbia SIPA is amazingly international and is very comparable to HKS in many ways, but in this case, funding is most likely not as generous.

Edited December 7, 2015 by kbui

[Bombaygunner]

$75k from SIPA is crazy money. HKS is obviously great but do you really think you will get a similar offer from them? You might do. But a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. 

If funding/time is no concern then of course you can wait. Otherwise, go enjoy New York as one of the few SIPA students not massively in debt/bank-rolled by their parents.

[Kaneisha]

First of all congratulations!!! Second of all, as an HKS alum with crazy grad school debt and as an admissions consultant who helps about 100 people apply to these schools and fellowships every year, YES, you would be very crazy to turn this offer down. This is a time for celebration!