u/CharmingWelcom

Rutgers vs Notre Dame

Looking for some guidance on the best decision possible

I currently have 2 offers that I can realistically consider:

Notre Dame Keough School Master in Global Affairs - fully funded with 9k stipend - leaving me with 17290 to pay per year - Concentration in sustainable development (STEM)

Rutgers Masters in Public Informatics - 75% tuition scholarship - so I will have to pay 38,975 USD per year -

The cost difference is significant for me as I am an exchange student from South Asia and the Rupee to Dollar conversion is terrible. There is also the chance that the Rupee may devalue further in the next few weeks and my savings will depreciate. Funding is a major concern of mine. Rutgers has said that this is the maximum scholarship they can give me and I can look for GA/TA positions once I arrive at the university. So, that is not guaranteed.

However, I also want to choose the option with the best career prospects

I currently work as a consultant with an international development organisation and hope to continue work in international development after I complete graduate school. I am also interested in Data Science/AI and integrate it into my work.

Which option should I take ? I may also have get an admission to 2 programs in KU Leuven in Belgium but not too keen on that. Also, those will not be funded.

reddit.com
u/CharmingWelcom — 3 days ago

Where to go?

Looking for some guidance on the best decision possible

I currently have 2 offers that I can realistically consider:

Notre Dame Keough School Master in Global Affairs - fully funded with 9k stipend - leaving me with 17290 to pay per year - Concentration in sustainable development (STEM)

Rutgers Masters in Public Informatics - 75% tuition scholarship - so I will have to pay 38,975 USD per year -

The cost difference is significant for me as I am an exchange student from South Asia and the Rupee to Dollar conversion is terrible. There is also the chance that the Rupee may devalue further in the next few weeks and my savings will depreciate. Funding is a major concern of mine. Rutgers has said that this is the maximum scholarship they can give me and I can look for GA/TA positions once I arrive at the university. So, that is not guaranteed.

However, I also want to choose the option with the best career prospects

I currently work as a consultant with an international development organisation and hope to continue work in international development after I complete graduate school. I am also interested in Data Science/AI and integrate it into my work.

Which option should I take ? I may also have get an admission to 2 programs in KU Leuven in Belgium but not too keen on that. Also, those will not be funded.

reddit.com
u/CharmingWelcom — 3 days ago