<p>I am in the exact same situation right now, trying to figure out a life-altering decision that is very similar. I’ve been accepted to Columbia University’s SIPA and waitlisted and George Washington (but have a strong chance of getting in) and am still waiting to hear from American University. I’m trying to determine what exactly it is about Columbia’s SIPA that makes it that much better than the top DC schools (other than the fact that its Ivy League). Also, I’m trying to figure out if it’s worth it financially to go to SIPA because the tuition is $82K for the two year MA-International Affairs program and factoring in cost of living and other expenses my loan debts will be well above $100K upon graduation. With an 8.5% interest rate (standard for all graduate student PLUS loans, unless you go private and thsoe are risky b/c they are variable interest rates subject to change) that debt will definitely increase to at least $150k++ with the interest. What’s your take on that and do you think the price difference b/w GW and SIPA is significant? GW is about $50K for essentially the same MA degree, that’s a difference of about $32K…what do you think? Input will be greatly appreciated!!</p>