Berlin

I ended up deciding to go with Georgetown, but Brown was my 2nd choice (above Berkeley and Michigan, for what it's worth). I really liked the program, I just decided I wanted to go somewhere with 1) a bigger class (Brown is SMALL), and a city more exciting than Providence (no offense, of course). I think there are about 15-20 MPP's and a few MPA's per class. Most of the MPA's are older, although I know that for Brown undergrads, you can do a 5 year BA/MPA so I suppose there are some right out of college as well. I was VERY impressed by the current students, and obviously if you went to Brown you know it's a nice campus. I didn't realize that West was leaving, but I think it gives Brown an opportunity to bring in another big name and take the program to a new level. I don't see any reason that in a few years it won't be one of the top 10 or so programs out there.

okay, I've finally decided! THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO ATTEND: Georgetown! OTHER SCHOOLS I CONSIDERED: Michigan, Berkeley, Brown, Texas WHY I CHOSE MY NEW SCHOOL: All 5 schools had something interesting to offer. Texas I really liked the student vibe on campus, but I was put off by limited national/international opportunities after visiting. Brown I was super impressed with, but decided the program size (15-20 per year) was a bit too small. Michigan was my 2nd choice, but ultimately the weather and ann arbor got to me. I really respect the university and the program, but quality of life wise, I am going to be happier in DC. Berkeley was too domestic-focused for me, and I found the students to be somewhat full of themselves. Obviously not everyone, but I just got the sense I didn't fit in well there. Georgetown meanwhile did everything right. They admitted me very quickly. I was really impressed with their admitted students day, I LOVE the international opportunities, and I like their approach to quantitative studies (i.e. you have to do a lot of it, but we don't expect you to know it all coming in). Good luck to everyone else!

Obviously a lot more goes into a school than its reputation, but Georgetown is a school whose reputation I can't quite figure out. Do you guys consider it one of the top few policy schools? Obviously it's strong in DC, but do you think it carries well to other parts of the country/world as well? I'd love to hear any other thoughts!

I thought it would be helpful for those of us (i.e. almost all of us) still wrestling with the pros and cons of our various options to have a thread where once a decision is made, people can explain why. So, when a decision is reached, fill out: THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO ATTEND: OTHER SCHOOLS I CONSIDERED: WHY I CHOSE MY NEW SCHOOL: good luck everyone!

Georgetown pretty much blows USC away in terms of reputation of the university. For me, personally, I don't put as much credence on the US News department rankings, as they seem so arbitrary. I care much more about the reputation of the university to give me a sense of their MPP/MPA program. I guess that's why I'm considering Brown, even though it's not on the US News list.

Just my personal opinion: I visited as an undergrad, and found the students to be really elitist, and the Duke community as a whole to be very segregated from the surrounding neighborhood. This doesn't necessarily reflect on their MPP program, but I just didn't like the vibe at all when I visited (albeit a few years ago).

So, unfortunately I couldn't make it. Did anyone go? I'd love to hear thoughts on the school!

I don't really know the answer, but I'm curious to find out as well!!

I heard back from Georgetown in the first week of February. I got an email a couple of days later telling me to apply for a scholarship; I did, and then a few days later found out about the scholarship. First of all, I think you are stressing too much about all of this. Any of the places you go will be fine, and ultimately, it will be you, not the school that gets a job. Michigan is just a great school, and I like Ann Arbor a lot. They also have a lot of opportunities for joint degrees, which interests me.

Anyone going to the admitted students day next week?

Has anyone else that has applied to the Ford school not heard? I know a few people got accepted, and one person (sadly) didn't, but I still haven't heard anything! Just wondering if this is good/bad/neutral? I really like Michigan, and thought I had a shot, considering I got a scholarship to G-Town. Anyone else with me in the not-heard-from-Michigan boat?

I'm interested as well! I got admitted, like many others, with full funding and $10k assistantship on top of it. I wasn't really considering it too heavily, but that offer seems almost too good to pass up. It's hard to find information on the school though, so anything anyone can share would be great!

I'm so glad that I found this website and forum! I just found out I got admitted to Brown's MPP program today. To be honest, I applied based on the strength of the university itself, and don't know too much about the program itself. I'm wondering if anyone else knows much about the program. I know it's relatively new, but it's hard to figure out how big the program is, and how strong the program itself is. Any thoughts would be appreciated!