sleeplesswithcoffee

Look what happens - I leave for a month, and come back to see so many people decided on Duke! That's pretty much the most exciting thing. 
This fall, please stay active on GradCafé when the application season comes around again! I think the best thing about Sanford is the community there - it is so strong, vivid, tight-knit, and I miss it all the time now that I've graduated. I like to play up the network, the curriculum, the quant focus, even the weather. But what really made it an amazing two years was the people I studied with and argued with and learned from every day. And I think that's the hardest thing for prospective students to glean from all the online stats and rankings.
So I hope that if you like what you find at Sanford, or if you have valid critiques about it (I certainly have many), please pass on that information here, and in other places, to help people understand what they're getting themselves into. This is a great resource, and we can all pitch in to keep it that way. Congratulations, and have fun in Durham next year! 

Thanks to @3dender, @dollybird, @thex11factor and @nahuja32 for your assistance and feedback.
I apologize for suggesting that McCourt might have been weaker with the last bullet-point there. I stand corrected and it sounds like McCourt is right up there with the best of the policy schools  I can tell from to some of the McCourt-set propsies that the students there are really nice and competent people. 
I believe I'll be able to work unconditionally following the first year at anywhere that doesn't require citizenship or has a residence requirement (like some state govs. will). I want to stay in the United States but not sure if I want to work in DC though I'm keen on interning there during the summer. 3dender, I don't know if you know but the Fall Course Offerings draft for Sanford has Democracy Lab as a course option! Sounds right up your alley. 
I'm updating what I wrote above with some more insight I gained from looking at Open House material and talking with students:
Columbia (SIPA)
I've heard it said repeated that coming here you should have an idea of what you want or you'll be lost. Overwhelming if you try to dabble in whatever looks interesting because too many things will.  Also, there's lots of Type A people, so it can feel academically stifling and competitive but this raises the bar for everyone.  Professional Development course and Career Services office has improved dramatically in 6 years with the feedback from current students and alumni. A few years ago, GradCafe really had poor things to say about SIPA's career services so this is a promising change. SIPA has apparently Regional Centers that do research with a ton of money and seemingly are eager for research internships. So if you're interested in policy in a specific region, I would go to SIPA. It makes sense that the faculty working at these centers specialize and teach corresponding classes as well.  Global alum. network is very helpful in a way Sanford probably wouldn't be if you want an international career. Example of alum in Sierra Leone who helped with a student's workshop project in class and difficulties they had in the country.  Sanford:
One con, and it's something I expected though didn't really think about, is there are fewer student groups than in the other schools. You can of course start your own but if you want to join in something existing, that may not be there for you.  I feel like they've been the most on top of it in terms of materials and access they gives students to help them understand their MPP program.  I'm choosing Sanford in the end! Thanks again, and I hope this thread can continue!
 

Bump for request of recap and thoughts on Admitted Student Open House that happened yesterday!

Did anyone here attend the admitted students weekend? 

@sleeplesswithcoffee, you get the opportunity to do both at McCourt. It depends on which professor you work with and what they're working on. I heard about it through 3 recent alumni (graduated in 2016). They are currently working in DC and their RAship helped them secure a job. 

I feel like I'm going to ask this several times for different schools but would any of the domestic admitted students here who are going to the Admitted Students Weekend (March 24-25) be willing to share their experiences? Can't make it as an international applicant but I'm intensely curious as to what the school feels like, quantitative or practical emphasis in the curriculum and how they'll try to distinguish their program from other MPP programs. 

@Garcia -- I have not received a letter yet, just an MPAff acceptance email that said I would receive formal information, including news on funding, later. Hopefully that means I got something. Now I am quite anxious. I got into Harris as well, with a 1/4 scholarship offer. Are you planning to attend the admitted students' day?
@sleeplesswithcoffee -- LBJ's biggest downside for me is the program's prestige/name recognition. I went to a less prestigious undergraduate institution and have worked at places with no name recognition since then, so I want to beef up that aspect of my resume. I doubt it has many implications for my future job search, though. Beyond that, the cons are few for me! I agree that the city is a great "lab" and the school's value seems unbeatable. I'm also interested in working at a foundation or in private gov't affairs, and alumni seem to be successful in those areas. I'm not sure I can afford to attend the admitted students weekend.
 

Columbia's one of my top schools @ironheart so I would strongly consider going if I'm accepted. Who knows, we might see each other in a class! I'm also international from Asia

Congratulations! Guess we'll be seeing each other at orientation?
What program did you apply to in UPenn?

Update:
Very excited to let you guys know that I just heard from the assistant director today that I was also accepted to the MPA ESP program! 
Waiting to hear back regarding fellowships, but I'm definitely leaning Columbia over UPenn. 
Glad to join you happy people!

Congrats ironheart! Must be great to know you're in so early. I submitted the rest of my applications today so now the long wait begins!

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