nycmpp

Apparently Zuckerman letters were mailed yesterday. I got a follow-up email from a program coordinator today.

I was also accepted to both and offered some funding from GPPI (supposedly will hear about HKS funding tomorrow). My choice includes some other schools too, so it's not precisely like yours, but I would say that if it was just between GPPI and HKS, Kennedy would be the clear winner. My thinking is that the core skills taught are probably similar at both schools, perhaps a bit more quant-heavy at Georgetown, but that the broader environment, student body, and network of HKS offer more lifetime benefits.

Hi Texas, I'm not sure if it was any one thing. My stats: top ten liberal arts, GPA 3.9, GRE 800V/730Q. I'm in my fourth year of professional experience since college and have worked in a couple nonprofit settings (advocacy and policy analysis) as well as city government. I did the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs, which was a great experience that let me pivot professionally and perhaps gave a leadership gloss to my application. Visited campus and classes prior to application and poured a lot of time and care into my essays.

Just got the email! Congrats to all who are in!

I can offer answers on a couple questions but have several of the same ones... 1) Would also like to know... what's the external perspective on Wagner vs other schools? 2) I've heard from recent alums that the degree is very flexible, both within what's offered by Wagner and across the various NYU schools. You are not held that closely to your declared specialization and can take pretty much anything once some core classes are out of the way. 3) Wagner has strong ties with NYC city government and with NYC generally. I am also very curious about it's perceived value in DC and in the private sector (for govt consulting). 4) I have heard good things about the community. I've visited and so far everyone seems pretty friendly and community oriented - that said, it's a huge student body (over 800). 5) Not sure about research. It might be hard to gain access to professors given the size. 6) Can't comment on capstone. 7) Dual degrees work much like other places - you have to get admitted to both schools and then they're typically 3 years. Don't know about the MPA/JD. I've heard that the MPA/MBA with Stern has a bit of redundancy in the core classes required by each program. Hope that helps. I'm also interested in perspectives on Wagner's reputation outside NYC.

I realize this might belong in the "decisions, decisions" forum but it appears most of the MPP people hang out here, so... I need help sorting out my current options for grad school: Berkeley GSPP - accepted, no aid, possibility for teaching assistant position Syracuse Maxwell - accepted, 80% living expenses/tuition covered, but with a Graduate Assistantship work expectation NYU Wagner Health MPA program - accepted, 100% tuition covered Georgetown GPPI - accepted, awaiting scholarship decision Columbia SIPA - accepted, no financial aid HKS - awaiting decision WWS - dinged I'm interested in health policy and want to gain a strong analytic skill-set. I'm paying entirely with loans and aid so that's a major factor. I would love a program with private sector credibility, in case I want to move into government consulting in the future, but am very leery of paying for Columbia when I don't believe the core curriculum is of much value over Berkeley (cheaper in general) or NYU (free). GPPI falls somewhere in between and I'll know how to think about it when I know about scholarships. My inclination is to choose between Berkeley and NYU. If I get into HKS I would need financial support to go there (which I've applied for). Berkeley offers an adventure (I've been in NYC for several years), proximity to my GF, a great "feel", and a strong analytic program. The Health MPA program at NYU appears well-regarded and I've been offered a fellowship that would improve my access to professors and help make the most of what might be on paper a less prestigious program (what _is_ Wagner's credibility level?) Any thoughts would be so deeply appreciated!

Thanks for your help! Since my initial post I took the GRE and got an 800 V / 730 Q score. So relieved to have that hurdle out of the way. I'll also be taking an evening macroeconomics course at NYU starting in a couple weeks. Hopefully those elements will help boost my quantitative profile a little bit (I feel like micro may have been a more compelling choice but there was nothing that worked with my schedule). I have been looking at Maxwell and will probably apply there in addition to my original list. My follow-up questions are on financing and scholarships. Anywhere in particular I could look beyond scholarships linked to the schools?

This is my first evening on GradCafe. I'm applying to MPP & MPA programs this fall/winter for 2010. Trying to figure out where, apart from my current list, I should apply so I have a range of choices in terms of school quality and possibly financial aid. About me: Undergrad: Top ten liberal arts school, interdisciplinary major (history/philosophy of science & medicine) GPA 3.9, Phi Beta Kappa Relevant experience: 1.5 years work experience in HIV/AIDS advocacy organization, general research assistant 6 months work experience as research assistant at MDRC (well-regarded social policy research non-profit) Simultaneous freelance research assistant work for health care policy professors at Yale and NYU Coro Fellow in 2008/2009 (full time yearlong public affairs leadership program) Now working as a project manager in the NYC Mayor's Office GRE: Taking in a month, latest practice scores are Q:540, V: 790 (working on getting that quant up!) Current school list (in no particular order): Goldman, Woodrow Wilson, HKS, SIPA, Wagner Thought process/questions: I've realized that law school is not the best fit for my interests and I see lots of people in government and nonprofits with MPPs. I recognize that my quantitative skills aren't great (and I don't have econ or calc classes under my belt). I'm looking for a program with broad applicability that will let me capitalize on my strong academic skills, broad policy interests, and supposed leadership potential. I have an multi-sector background and hope to have a multi-sector future, so I'm eager for a program that will age well over time and prove applicable to many professional pursuits. Specific questions: Any guesses on my chances at the schools listed? What other schools should I be looking at? Am I a better fit for MPP or MPA? Should I take a non-credit evening economics course (say, at NYU) to round out my academic history? Would it make a difference? I would greatly appreciate any and all advice.