steiner-5

Well, EJ does have a PhD from Oxford and is a senior fellow at Brookings, so I wouldn't brush him off so easily! I can't speak as to whether or not going into debt is worth a degree for anyone, as we all have diverse interests. I am a GW alum (BBA 2003) and I have also taken a grad course at Trachtenberg. I am also a current MPP candidate at GPPI. Both have positive things to offer (and negative, depending on your point of reference). When I tried to decide between the two, I just had to look at what I really wanted to get out of the programs. I wanted a rigorous, quantitative program, and GPPI has that. In fact, in terms of required coursework, it is probably the most quantitative program in the US (definitely more than HKS and the "usual suspects"). We are also required to write and defend a thesis as part of our degree. If you are someone for whom this a negative thing or just have a fear of numbers, GPPI would be very challenging. Also, if you want to do international policy, GPPI beats Trachtenberg there. Both programs draw on the DC policy community extensively. We are always having big policy-heavyweight guest speakers (Pres Obama spoke on energy policy this week on campus). I suspect GW has the same. I would take issue a bit with the dismissal of the "celebrity" faculty. Frankly, the reason many of them are "celebrities" is due to unbelievable success in the policy world. And without exception, no professor is unavailable. Alice Rivlin, EJ Dionne, Paul Begala, etc have the same old office hours as anyone else and are on campus frequently. As for the PT vs. FT thing, both programs have PT structures (GPPI calls this the "Evening Program"). I will say that GPPI tends to focus energy on the FT program simply because there are more students going FT. This also tends to make the program more cohesive, though I can't really judge the full experience at GW. Most students in the FT program do actually work though, some full-time. I am not sure that having a PhD program necessarily makes GW's MPP program "better" somehow. I tend to think NOT having one helps make GPPI's MPP program more focused. There is a joint MPP/PHD in Government program, and taking classes in other schools is pretty easy to do. There are also great study abroad programs at GPPI (not sure if GW has any). I will be studying this summer at Oxford University this summer with a few classmates, which is of of about 10 summer or spring semester programs GPPI sponsors every year. All in all, they are just different types of programs. GPPI is a pretty quantitatively rigorous program where everybody knows everybody and there is a "campus" life, and I think GW has a bit more of a "go to work-go to class-go home" kind of vibe. All that said, you really have to think about what kind of experience you want and what your own strengths are. I'd be happy to answer any further questions if you have any.

I am not sure I'd do an EMPA for a career change. In my experience, EMPAs/EMBAs are usually sponsored by companies for their management to, as you say, burnish their credentials. I suspect your law degree will be much more valuable than an EMPA OR an MPA, regardless of what field you're transitioning to. I just perceive it as a money maker for the university, and it is, since most students are in fact sponsored. This is not to say it's a waste of time. You may very well gain valuable exposure in the field and make good contacts with similarly situated students. Whether it's worth that kind of tuition, on the other hand, is up to you. I have to wonder why they are offering admission to the EMPA if they rejected you from the MPA if the curricula are equally rigorous. It can't be just age. I am also a mid-career changer, and I was not encouraged to look into any executive programs at all. I suspect your instincts are correct about the program, though, again, programs are often what you make it. I would just consider the opportunity costs of enrolling here versus another program. Good Luck!

I recall sending in my stuff last Thursday or Friday via USPS. I live in DC, so that might make a difference timewise. I also didn't have to send a deposit check since I got a little scholarship money, so perhaps processing time is less. As I recall, the fin aid forms are sent seperately from the enrollment form, so I don't think that should make a difference. In any event, the email wasn't that substantive. It basically said that more info will be available in June and you can go to http://gppi.georgetown.edu/newstudents for more information as well.

I've enrolled at Georgetown Public Policy Institute for their MPP program. Their curriculum is very quant heavy and they have partnerships with a lot of international universities around the globe. Plus, I've lived in DC for 11 years, and I didn't really want to leave the area, so it was the perfect fit for me.

I guess I spoke a few hours too soon! Just got an email that they've received my enrollment paperwork, welcome to the university, etc... They said orientation and registration info will be available in June.

Did you want to start?

I sent in all the paperwork back to indicate my acceptance of the offer of admission as well as the fin aid package. Does anyone know what comes next? I am not sure if we get a confirmation email that they got everything or what.

I just got a dupe email too. My original acceptance was dated Feb 2, and I already got funding, so I'm guessing this is just a little computer system snafu.

Are classes taught only in German?

I just got an email from them that they sent out a few hard copy formal acceptances and a bunch more today.

Mine was for the full time program.

My last correspondence (received yesterday) stated that admission letters were being mailed out this week via USPS. I'm not sure whether or not GPPI sends rejections by email or not. I think things will look clearer in a week's time FWIW.

I've been accepted with (a pittance of) funding, and my status at apply yourself doesn't reflect acceptance either, so don't fret!

lucky you! I only got 10k per year. Sort of feels like a drop in the bucket! Hopefully GSPP pulls through...

I imagine it's merely a decision to go on to the next round. I can't imagine they would have hard numbers quite yet (though it would be nice to know).