Fletcher vs. Georgetown GHD

[letterstocleo]

I know that forum users ask this question all the time. But I am completely stuck and have made no progress in my decision. So I am turning to the users of the gradcafe who, from what I have read, seem to be pretty knowledgeable in this field. I am primarily interested in international development (this is the background I am coming from). Also I visited both admitted student days but still have no idea what to do. 

My two offers: 

Fletcher - MALD - all included will graduate with approx. $50k debt. 

Pros: Strong academics, Fletcher alumni network, well established program, classes at Harvard & MIT, flagship program of Fletcher, research focused professors, careers trips to DC & NYC. Cons: Location - Boston isn't really the center of international development, lack of interesting work opportunities during the semester, and a relatively large program.

Georgetown - Global Human Development - all included will graduate with approx. $30K debt. 

Pros: Location - DC.., professional focus, small cohort (could be a positive or negative), close knit feel between faculty and students, faculty are well connected to the development World. Cons: Not always professional academic teachers (i.e. they are focused sometimes more on their work at the WB or USAID), faculty connections are focused on American institutions (I am an international student), relatively new program. 

If anyone has any insight I would appreciate it a lot. I know I am extremely lucky to have been made such good offers, but I am totally stuck.

Thank you GC community!

[QK91]

Congratulations on your acceptances! Those are both awesome offers. I really don't think you can go wrong either way, but thought I'd throw in two cents. 

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably pick Georgetown. The cost of living in Boston and DC is comparable, and based on the info you gave, you save $20k by going to SFS. Sure, GHD is a smaller program, but you are within the School of Foreign Service and benefit from all that comes with that (including the vast SFS alumni network). With Georgetown you save yourself some money, join an internationally renowned graduate school and can take advantage of numerous opportunities within DC. Plus winter is pretty mild in DC compared with Boston.  

That said, if the thought of accepting SFS and turning down Fletcher doesn't feel right - accept Fletcher! With all the factors considered, that gut feeling (well, and $$$) is how I decided. I kept trying to convince myself that I 'should' be in DC, even though I knew in my gut that a different program was a better fit. If that's the case for you, Fletcher will be very lucky to have you. Best of luck! 

[letterstocleo]

12 hours ago, QK91 said:

Congratulations on your acceptances! Those are both awesome offers. I really don't think you can go wrong either way, but thought I'd throw in two cents. 

If I were in your shoes, I'd probably pick Georgetown. The cost of living in Boston and DC is comparable, and based on the info you gave, you save $20k by going to SFS. Sure, GHD is a smaller program, but you are within the School of Foreign Service and benefit from all that comes with that (including the vast SFS alumni network). With Georgetown you save yourself some money, join an internationally renowned graduate school and can take advantage of numerous opportunities within DC. Plus winter is pretty mild in DC compared with Boston.  

That said, if the thought of accepting SFS and turning down Fletcher doesn't feel right - accept Fletcher! With all the factors considered, that gut feeling (well, and $$$) is how I decided. I kept trying to convince myself that I 'should' be in DC, even though I knew in my gut that a different program was a better fit. If that's the case for you, Fletcher will be very lucky to have you. Best of luck! 

Thank you for the input, certainly some wise words there. I guess part of me was worried about being able to tap into the SFS network as I would not be part of the MSFS program. Anyway, thank you!

[went_away]

The MALD is probably a superior program overall because it's far better established and will likely provide you with a stronger network and brand name over the course of your career.

Both, however, are great and both are very much overpriced. This will come down to your personal preferences and fit and feel.