Help Mits make a decision

[الله أكبر]

Hey y'all.  As you know, I'm headed off to graduate school for international relations in the fall.  The problem is that where exactly is TBD.  I've narrowed my choices down to 3 schools:  Syracuse University, American University, and the University of Pittsburgh.

SYRACUSE
I really like their program.  Part of the curriculum includes an internship either inside or outside of the US.  Furthermore, there is a chance I could get my first year of tuition paid if I receive a language fellowship (will receive the decision in about a week).  The downside is that I've already spent time at a cold school in the middle of nowhere, although I hear the Finger Lakes region is gorgeous.

AMERICAN
I also like American University's program.  The curriculum requires a substantial research paper, so I'd have a long paper in my name come graduation.  American also has the advantage of being in Washington, DC.  They've also approved me for federal loans.  This is the most expensive-yet-highest-ranked school in the running.  Lastly, I already have a roommate lined up if I were to go to DC.

PITTSBURGH
I was initially not going to consider Pittsburgh, but then yesterday, I received an email stating that I'd be receiving scholarships which would pay all but about $4,000 of my tuition.  Furthermore, their program is increasingly prestigious in IR school rankings.  Pittsburgh is a cool city and rent would be much cheaper than rent in Washington, DC.

I will be visiting Syracuse this coming weekend, and American in mid-April.

So, I'd like your opinions on this issue.  It's a very tough and important decision, and yeah, I trust the advice of a purple forum.  The programs are of comparable curricula, so I think the decision will mostly be influenced by financial aid and location.  Still, what do you all think?  Are there other factors that I should be considering?

[Pube Truth]

I really feel like locale is the biggest factor here. As far as international relations goes, it seems that you would want to be in either DC or NYC....seeing as you do not have a school in new york city on your list, I'd go with American. Especially because it is the highest ranked program...prestigious school in advantageous location? Winner.

[Rhino......................]

Yeah, the prestige of American probably can't be beat, but the Finger Lakes region is gorges. It's also not too far from Ithaca, the happiest place. But, a lot of potential employers probably won't care as much about where you went against what you can bring to the table, so if you can get the credentials you want without burying yourself under a mountain of debt, the Pitt option might be too good to pass up.

Ack! I can't decide either.

[WWW.SETH.COM]

I went to Pitt for undergrad and I liked it a lot. But American's got the state department in the same city, which could be good for internships and things like that.

[Pube Truth]

But, a lot of potential employers probably won't care as much about where you went against what you can bring to the table,

...so idealistic...so naive...(but, yes you should not bury yourself under a mountain of debt, but honestly, a little's kinda ok if you know you'll eventually earn enough to pay it back w/o much of a problem)

[الله أكبر]

I've been told that if you're not from Harvard, Princeton, Yale or Georgetown, it's more or less the same (in my field, that is).  It's depressing to think so, and I don't think that it's quite entirely true, but I do think name recognition might have some sway.  The work I want to go into requires an examination though, and that's where the quality of education comes in, not the university's name.

Pitt really seems to want me; basically, graduate school would cost me around $4,000 per semester with the amount of scholarship money they've offered me.  Plus, I've received several personalized emails from their research centers encouraging me to matriculate.  But...I still like SU's and AU's programs more.  The more and more I read about American, though, the more I like it.

I'm not too worried about debt, which is also why American is still high in my running.  The schools I'm considering are among the cheaper options ($57,800 plus $20,000+ living expenses?  No thank you, Georgetown).  I'm a reasonably fiscally responsible person, plus if there's anything I'd be willing to go into debt for, it's an education.

I dunno, dudes and dudettes.  Thanks for your insight.  Visiting these schools will help me in my decision-making process.  I'll keep you all posted as new developments occur.

[Violent Unrest in Allentown]

I went to Pitt for undergrad and I liked it a lot. But American's got the state department in the same city, which could be good for internships and things like that.