Thanks for this post! Schwarzman seems especially promising for folks interested in policy, where a grad degree is often needed and where China expertise is valued.
I think it’s worth emphasizing that these degrees only take one year. This is a BIG advantage relative to e.g. law school, an MBA, and even many/most MPP programs. If you think education (particularly non-STEM grad school) is mostly about signaling rather than learning, then the opportunity cost of an extra one or two years of schooling is really significant. Schwarzman looks like a great way to get a shiny grad credential in a very reasonable amount of time.
I agree that the length of the program should be a medium to substantial consideration for folks; it definitely was for me (although/especially because I might go on to do more/other grad school after this)
Huh, I’m surprised you’re planning to do further degrees after the Schwarzman: that undercuts my point above. If the Schwarzman isn’t viewed by employers as a terminal degree, then I’d view that as a major downside of the program. The opportunity cost of a year of full-time work is high.
To clarify, the Schwarzman is a terminal degree and AFAIK is viewed by employers as such. From what I’ve seen in internal program data the vast majority of Schwarzman Scholars do not go onto further education; I think my case / specific niche is unusual for the program.
Thanks for this post! Schwarzman seems especially promising for folks interested in policy, where a grad degree is often needed and where China expertise is valued.
I think it’s worth emphasizing that these degrees only take one year. This is a BIG advantage relative to e.g. law school, an MBA, and even many/most MPP programs. If you think education (particularly non-STEM grad school) is mostly about signaling rather than learning, then the opportunity cost of an extra one or two years of schooling is really significant. Schwarzman looks like a great way to get a shiny grad credential in a very reasonable amount of time.
I agree that the length of the program should be a medium to substantial consideration for folks; it definitely was for me (although/especially because I might go on to do more/other grad school after this)
Huh, I’m surprised you’re planning to do further degrees after the Schwarzman: that undercuts my point above. If the Schwarzman isn’t viewed by employers as a terminal degree, then I’d view that as a major downside of the program. The opportunity cost of a year of full-time work is high.
To clarify, the Schwarzman is a terminal degree and AFAIK is viewed by employers as such. From what I’ve seen in internal program data the vast majority of Schwarzman Scholars do not go onto further education; I think my case / specific niche is unusual for the program.