Coming from: a year out of undergrad at UCLA, spent working on campaigns and interning at public offices in the SoCal/greater Los Angeles area
Deciding between: UCLA Luskin (waiting on funding), UCSD GPS (full ride + stipend), Georgetown McCourt (20k), GWU Trachtenberg (0), Michigan Ford (0)
((still in process of negotiating funding))
Other Factors: currently have a paid internship in Downtown LA area that I can continue as a student at Luskin. but also as someone who grew up from birth in the LA area, moving to DC would be a worthwhile experience for me
Leaning: UCLA. I can continue expanding existing networks, relationships with professors, and my job. My main hesitancy is how much less opportunities I'll have for working in DC/for the State as a Luskin grad versus as a McCourt grad - BUT I intend on interning in DC during the program's summer interim. Also very, very tempted by UCSD's generous offer, but taking a risk on their alumni networks/career services when I am already familiar with UCLA is hard.
Also for context, I intend to complete my MPP with a concentration (formal or not) on health policy, specifically relating to U.S. racial/ethnic disparities when it comes to healthcare access and services. Academically, my favorite courses have always been related to ethnic studies, whether from a historical or genetic perspective. I want an MPP program where I can expand on those studies AND equip myself with much-needed quantitative training. And from my work experience, I want a politically active student body that engages with local issues.
I also intend on interning during my studies at legislative office/s and heavily networking among political circles, as I hope to go into a career as a policy analyst for specific parties/candidates OR for local government offices (county, state). With this in mind, will a degree from Luskin be enough to make myself stand out, especially as a young professional with relatively little experience? Or would taking on $$$ in debt at McCourt/GWU be worth it? Alternatively, is GPS the answer and I am overthinking things?