[MPP Programs in DC Metro Area]

Hi all,

I just moved to Northern VA and have been looking at MPP programs in the area.

About me:

Studied engineering during the first 2 years of undergrad at a small private college; I had enough math courses to be a math minor.

Transferred to a top public college in VA, changed major to finance and got a BBA in 2010.

Overall GPA from both schools is 3.8ish/4.0.

No public policy-related job experience.

Planning to take the GRE, which I expect to do horrible in verbal as English is not my first language and my vocabs never go beyond the newspaper-level.

I think I will do okay on the GMAT (everyone except for GW accepts it), which I am also planning to take.

Non-US Citizen/Green Card holder, thus working on the hill or being on any kind of federal payroll is out of question. I really want to become involved in US policymaking arena though.

I found four schools of interest for Fall 2013 admissions.

1) Georgetown - GPPI: GPPI seemed okay (not that I think I can get in). The 'prestige' and super-elite alum/faculty network is what makes the school attractive. I do like their strong emphasis on quantitative skills, but not too sure if there is difference between taking GPPI classes vs. taking high-level elective quant classes at other grad programs. I think that this is the kind of school that gets international recognition. However, it was very expensive and stingy with merit based aids.

- Question: Is it worth to it do GPPI even with little or no financial assistance (I can't get FAFSA so I have to loan money from my folks... which I would hate to)

2) George Washington - Trachtenberg: I am not sure what's up with this school yet, but I will find out when I go to their open house next month. I heard that 1) their MPP is regarded pretty much at the same level as GPPI in DC area and 2) people there are extremely snotty... haha.

- Question: Could anyone let know more about the school's reputation, academics, and student body?

3) American University - SPA: The student population at my undergrad was homogeneous at best and it honestly got annoying sometimes. For grad school I really want to study with a diverse student body in terms of nationality, economic classes and race. I had a feeling that American University was not my best choice in that sense. I had a meeting with an admissions staff who was absolutely clueless about the program or student body. I can't stop thinking that at least for me, this is a mediocre choice at best.

- Question: But is it this early to dismiss? Is there any protruding strength in SPA that I should look into this school again?

4) George Mason University: I do work in VA under work visa and am eligible for in-state tuition. The total tuition needed for GMU MPP is only about $25k. Also, by looking at GMU's admissions standard I felt like I could get some merit-based scholarship. The programs here are very flexible and accommodating. Honestly, I didn't expect much from GMU until I arrived at the information session and was greeted with a number of impressive faculties and enthusiastic staff. I was completely sold by the time I left.

- Question: Would this school trump all others based on the cost? What is the advantage of going to a huge diverse school such as GMU?

And overall, what do you guys think? I have seen a lot of threads about GPPI and GW but less about American and GMU.

Thanks!