vananhdo

Hi everyone, As the title says, anyone having any comments on these 2 programs? I would be highly appreciated. I have seen very limited online information, so I am not sure how is everyone's perception about these programs. Thanks.

Well, I am a bit sad with the atmosphere here. I think if you are great, you will find ways to overcome difficulties and be successful no matter whether you hold a HKS degree or not. Resilience over challenges is also a quality that HKS highly appreciates. There are many different solutions and pathways in this life that I hope we can find the most suitable one for ourselves. If I were younger, I must have been very disappointed when things went wrong so I can understand and tolerate that emotion, but now I have learnt to take it easy and find ways to move forward. Keep positive energy is more important

What I meant is I secured external funding for my study this year that I cannot defer. I have to choose to study at one of the MPPs that I get admission to.

Of course not - so I am losing 70k if I am not coming to HKS or other lower ranked MPPs this year. Not feeling comfortable with that thought though.

no

Yes but I already secured 70k for this year only, that's what I can't defer. Very tough decision to make.

I have some leadership experiences, won 2 prestigious awards, international experiences in 2 countries (people who were with me at that time got MBA at UC Berkeley and Ross - but they have other experiences that's different with mine) unfortunately I come from non-profit background so I am not sure whether business schools like me. I am stuck now because I don't have a back up plan if I am not coming to HKS this year. Btw, I have full ride with some lower ranked MPPs but I am thinking they're not worth my 2 years as I already have a MSc.

How do you come up with this conclusion? I decided to apply for HKS because of the school mission that fits me well rather than an MBA. Unfortunately the cost is too high. MBAs from those schools seem not very compelling to me.

So how do you compare a non-Harvard top 10 - 20 MBA vs. HKS degree for private sector jobs? Looking at this amount of loan, I regret that I didn't apply for MBA this year.

Is 46k per year = 92k for total loan worth the MPP at HKS? Any thoughts? I am an international student so I think the HKS loan is max. at 15k per year only.

Just to confirm: only CPL requires interviews for their fellowships.

Anyone having a comment on Maryland program regarding energy policy? I have been admitted to HKS but I haven't got funding yet, so this is my back-up choice.

I don't remember which fellowships require interview or not - it seems I can't check it online now

Oh did you ask them directly about all the invites for fellowships?

For CPL people, what exact fellowship you're talking about? I applied for Louis Bacon one.

Oh gosh keep me updated if you receive an email - I start my worry now

Anyone applied for Belfer fellowships received invitation email for interview?

Oh my god I am in

I applied for MPA - waiting time is terrible now

Mine (MPP) doesn't change - what should I think for now?

Hi arbitist, Would you mind sharing with me why you chose CIPA instead of SIPA and Duke? It would be great to hear your experience as I am overseas and can't visit the school to understand how it works there.

Hi Jawn, Congratulations on your offers. I am going to apply next year, so it's great to hear your experiences. I am also interested in CIPA and Maxwell for their environmental policy focus, do you have any idea about this track? I also like SIPA MPA or Duke MPP but right now I am thinking about MPA because I have to choose only one direction for my scholarship. I've heard that CIPA has good connections with UN/ WB and NGOs in NYC or DC, and also seen a Maxwell graduate intern in UN in Geneva. Cornell is an Ivy, so it's a great name when I come back to my country, but Maxwell is not popular to us. All the information I know are from official resources, but I'd love to hear more independent review.

Hi windmills, It's interesting to see that you are also looking for a program with energy/ environment focus. Would you mind sharing with me which schools did you apply for, and what is your impression on their programs? I have a difficult situation where I have to decide whether MPA or MPP or MA for my scholarship application from my country now, so it's great to hear more from your insights.

Thanks all for your suggestion. I was explained by the staff of the scholarship program that I can only choose MPA or MPP, then I have to list some programs of that choice in my application form. I tried to explain to her that the two programs are very similar but it seems she doesn't accept it. She is not the decision maker though, but I just want to avoid any complicated situation then. And the problem is they will forward my application to the listed schools so that they can control the admission. Anyway, I have to follow their requirements strictly because I need a full scholarship. Besides these two programs, I don't really know any other, that's why I just go with one option and then find some other back-up choices. I will try to contact the school for more details.

Hi all, I am interested in a master program with a combination of public policy, management, quantitative skills and concentration in the energy and environmental field. I know it's a new area but I am actually working on this topic, and I am from a developing country. In my opinion, it's a growing global concern for driving low-carbon economy and developing clean energy sector after COP 21 climate agreement in Paris. I am just wondering whether anyone having this particular interest like me? These two programs at Columbia and Duke are both interesting to me, but I have to choose only one option (MPA or MPP) for my scholarship application. I don't really know other programs that have similar topics, some are more environment but less clean energy to me. So which one is better to choose? I also heard about some MBA programs at Duke, Berkeley, UNC at Chapel Hill or Texas Austin with clean energy focus, but as I worked in a non-profit before, I think a program from a public affair school is more suitable than a business school, and it's also easier to get admission, I guess. Really appreciate if someone can give me a recommendation!