Full-rides vs. Fletcher

[kasbah]

I had very good results across the board, and was fortunate to be offered a 100% tuition waiver + small stipend to both CMU Heinz and Fordham's IPED program.

At the same time, I was offered $13K a year at Fletcher. I am also considering MSFS, but I wasn't offered any funding, so I will probably decline. 

I have been reaching out to professionals in my field, and I've been getting mixed advice about the importance of the name and networking vs. actual technical skills.

My dream is to be an FSO, but if that doesn't work out, I am interested in working in some capacity, be it government or private sector,  in economic development and labor issues in the Middle East and North Africa.

My concerns about CMU is that it is more domestic policy oriented, and my concern about Fordham is that since it's pretty small, it lacks the networking opportunities that a big program offers. 

Would I be crazy to turn down a free ride for Fletcher?

Edited March 22, 2016 by kasbah
typo

[hina234]

I am also in this same situation!

I received a full ride from the University of Maryland's School of Public Policy in College Park, but was offered $10k from SAIS.  My dream is to work in international development, mainly for USAID or multilateral organizations like World Bank. But I didn't get accepted to the IDEV program at SAIS, and I am currently on the waitlist. I don't know much about UMD's reputation at all and not that many people on gradcafe have applied, but it is also in the DC metro area so I could potentially do a internship while here (I was accepted to SAIS Bologna my first year so would be out of luck trying to get a semester internship my first year).  Anyone have any advice for me as well?  It would be much appreciated!

[monocle]

22 hours ago, kasbah said:

I had very good results across the board, and was fortunate to be offered a 100% tuition waiver + small stipend to both CMU Heinz and Fordham's IPED program.

At the same time, I was offered $13K a year at Fletcher. I am also considering MSFS, but I wasn't offered any funding, so I will probably decline. 

I have been reaching out to professionals in my field, and I've been getting mixed advice about the importance of the name and networking vs. actual technical skills.

My dream is to be an FSO, but if that doesn't work out, I am interested in working in some capacity, be it government or private sector,  in economic development and labor issues in the Middle East and North Africa.

My concerns about CMU is that it is more domestic policy oriented, and my concern about Fordham is that since it's pretty small, it lacks the networking opportunities that a big program offers. 

Would I be crazy to turn down a free ride for Fletcher?

You both should ask nicely whether your top school would reconsider their funding for you. I just got my top choice to say yes they would reconsider (not that they have given me more yet though). Maybe things could work out for you.