Rishi123

Hey chocolatecheesecake, many thanks for your detailed reply. I think you are right about the approach that I should be taking. Instead, I have already written to them and they have come back with the list of professors that I should be looking at. Few on my list are : Jennifer Bussell (http://gspp.berkeley.edu/directories/faculty/jennifer-bussell), Alain de Janvry, Hilary Hoynes, Rucker Johnson, and Eugene Smolensky, among others. I will certainly write to them at the earliest. In addition, the equations have clearly changed. I have just received an admit from NUS, with full funding, stipend, travel and other allowances and even accomodation expense. If I go for it, I will perhaps have huge saving by the end of course whereas in case of GSPP, I will incur enormous cost relatively. Now this proposition terribly changes the proposition. It becomes GSPP versus NUS. I believe joining NUS will not give me access to global public policy elite and keep asia focused. The right network will elude me. Plus, a phd from a more reputed institute will further become distant. You know my area of interests, and I want to get into global policy advocacy before stepping back into India with experience and goodwill. does not GSPP fit better in my picture? Do you think trading that kind of money for long term goal is justified? Are there any things that should I be looking at while doing a comparison. Prof. Brussel's research precisely maps what I want to learn. thanks a lot for bearing with me!

Guys - thank you for such an elaborate reply. It really helps but I think eventually the decision will depend on the funding opportunities more than anything else. As for berkeley, is the lack of international diversity and employment opportunities internationally a handicap. or is it just a misplaced notion? my area of specialization is social policy - poverty and inequality. which school would you all will suggest me? @chocolatecheesecake - why was berkeley your top choice? Purely on the international brand value, what would be world's top 5 MPP schools and where does berkeley and Chicago figure in it? I understand its a very generic question, but I am also looking at a non-specific answer. thanks all.

Hi, I have received two admits - Goldman School of Public Policy (University of Berkeley) and Harris School of Public Policy (University of Chicago). I was a deferred candidate at Harris. Both the schools have not given me any scholarship/funding. I am an applicant from India and after my masters, I wish to return to India for ground level work. I have got 5 yrs of work experience - 3 for equity and 2 for social. My questions: - which of the two schools are better? I wish to specialize in social policy for poverty and inequality studies. which has a more international value? - I have been told after RA/TA ship at berkeley, the college is relatively more affordable. How realistic is this opinion and what are the chances to get RA/TAship? - can existing and alumni guide me on the tentative expenditure for both these colleges? - what other options should I explore to secure full or partial funding? - are there any other 'right' questions that I should be asking? thanks!