1) Like your mother told you, if it is doubtful it is dirty. The good programs are relatively easy to determine, the debate occurs at the margin... so stay away from the margin. (PS. RA is no guarantee of cleanliness). 2) Act locally, look globally. Yes virgina, credible "foreign" degrees imput and export just fine. There may be a great opportunity for you in another country than the one you are in. Don't restrict yourself unnecessarily. 3) If you must ignore #1 and #2, don't pretend that you did't and realize that knowledgeable people will be laughing there asses off at you but if it achieves a specific goal for you anyway... you win.