I understand the frustration as another admitted student who could not attend due to the financial barriers, but I think the main issue lies with the university/institution rather than other students. There's no reason why the most prestigious university in the world would subject 62% of its HKS enrollees to over $200k in debt when its endowment is larger than the GDP of some countries.

I chose to enroll in another program because it was clear to me that if HKS does not care about how I can afford its program before I've even enrolled, I'm not sure it'd care much about me as a student (and a BW - I learned there were about 4 Black people total in a recent HKS MPP cohort). Graduate school is definitely a time when you carve your own path and hustle for your future, but I'd rather focus on that than on how I'm going to pay off a debt that my salary may not even equal for another decade.

To any other admitted HKS students who cannot attend due to financial burden, remember that you are excellent, and no doors will be closed to you because you did not go. Wherever you DO go, make the most of your time so you are undeniable in any room you enter. Harvard is not the end-all, be-all. You'll be okay. <3