2026-02-06 10:07 Note Type: insight Tags: higher-education, debt, loan, money, high-income, work, RCA, cambridge

I was incredibly tempted to take a debt to pursue my masters in RCA. Who wouldn't want to pursue a degree in the world's best art and design college?

I am glad I was saved by a scholarship. The scholarship landed literally after I had taken the debt. It covered the entire tuition fees.

As I reflect back today I realise how lucky I was to get this scholarship from Apple. I read something in a reddit post lately which I resonate with so badly.

I will just quote it straight up as it is.

One slightly tangential point, I wouldn’t shell out money to pay for attending Cambridge out of pocket unless (i) money isn’t a concern for you or (ii) you’re in a huge rush to get to grad school right away.

I was INCREDIBLY tempted to take out debt to pay for it, but am super glad I didn’t. Given how prestigious Cambridge is, it feels bizarre to turn it down just for cost. I would simply apply the next year. I could be wrong about this, but I would strongly doubt that they would accept you into the program one year and turn you down the next year.

In terms of my own experience, I ended up getting the Rhodes the next year. Even though the “Rhodes” is arguably more prestigious and harder to get, I didn’t even get to the interview for Gates. It’s funny how this stuff works.

I remember talking through with my dad about whether to try to finance it on my own, and I remember him saying “these kinds of schools aren’t made for families like us.” I think my dad’s take was a bit broad. If you’re going to do a degree in banking/comp sci and this degree will help you get those jobs, taking out debt to cover it might make sense. However, if, like me, you’re not planning to do high-income work and would struggle to pay off the debt, then might not be worth it.

References:

https://www.reddit.com/r/TopFellowships/comments/1mw7ynh/gates_cambridge_application_thread/