policy_applicant

hi eastcoastdude123, I applied and was accepted to USC's MPP program last year. If you do a search, you can find a thread that might provide a bit more information (but probably not much). To address your questions: 1) I believe SPPD is better known for it's MPA. It's a huge program and, along with the urban planning program, makes up the vast majority of the school (SPPD, that is). The MPP, by comparison, is quite small, numbering around 40 students per year. The career department for the two is the same (hence, potentially, the similarity in placement). They main difference is curriculum--the MPP requiring more quant and analysis classes. 2) I don't think USC releases those numbers, so your search may be in vain. Here's a link to the school's page on Peterson's. I believe the acceptance rate (at least for the MPP program) is pretty high, so I wouldn't be too worried. SPPD is also very generous with the money, which is a huge plus. Good luck with the school search and applications! I hope the board is beneficial.

I highly doubt that. I think it's much more likely that a number of people that received a large scholarship from HKS declined it for WWS (ahem, 78% yield) and some people that received middling scholarships declined for full rides elsewhere. This left HKS with a lower-than-expected yield and some money on hand to sweeten the deal for waitlisters so the school is sure to get the right class size. This is purely speculation, of course, but I think it's more reasonable than guessing that someone who wrote a good enough essay to earn a $20k scholarship would end up on the waitlist.

Congrats on picking a school, Plate! It sounds like a good match for you.

Do it, Plate. I'm in.

Sorry to hear about WWS, linden. 78% yield is insane.

:cry: dagger, I thought I was going to open this thread and see that you were going to gppi too! bummer. congrats on michigan!

Watch out GPPI!

I say keep the brackets to a minimum in your SOP and you'll be fine. :wink: Seriously, though, your main job will be convincing the adcom that you have a genuine interest in public service and policy. If you can tie your past experience to your future goals in a convincing manner, I'd imagine it could even work in your favor, e.g., make you stand out as a candidate. I'm coming from 3.5 years in public finance at private consulting and investment firms, and it hasn't seemed to hurt me too much. Good luck!

This was addressed at the visit day, and the students confirmed that religious ties within GPPI are non-existent. For catholics, opportunities to be involved in on-campus religious life are there, but for others, it doesn't seem like it will be an issue. I am also a non-believer and attended catholic high school and undergrad without any issues. Also, in response to RyeGuy's comment, since the Car Barn building is not owned by Georgetown (just leased), there are no crucifixes in the classrooms like there are in all on-campus classrooms.

Well, Decision Day/Tax Day/Tea Party Day (?) is upon us, so I thought I'd revive this thread and let everyone justify their choices. THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO ATTEND: Georgetown Public Policy Institute (MPP) OTHER SCHOOLS I CONSIDERED: USC, UCLA, NYU WHY I CHOSE MY NEW SCHOOL: -Quantitative Focus. Of the schools that made it into final consideration, GPPI stressed their quantitative focus the most, and I think the 3 semesters of quant and 2 semesters of econ will give me a solid skill set. -Thesis Requirement. I was drawn to the individual thesis requirement over the group capstone projects required at the other schools. I think it will give me a leg up, especially if I decide to go on for a PhD or a more research-oriented organization. -DC Location. There are so many opportunities to work internships during the year, see great guest speakers and network with policy professionals. Also, I am interested in federal issues and would like to work in DC after graduation, at least for a few years. Georgetown is definitely the best choice to make that happen. -Career Services. I was underwhelmed by USC's and UCLA's career services, and impressed by GPPI's. The career services person seemed energetic and enthusiastic, and the list of places the 2008 class interned and got jobs was more impressive than at other schools. -MPP Focus. I like that GPPI is focused on the MPP degree. The MPP don't get drowned out my MPAs or urban planners. -Facilities. Definitely a horrible way to pick a school, but it didn't hurt that the Car Barn is an amazing building with breathtaking views of the Potomac from the classrooms. I think those are the main reasons. I'm curious to hear how other people came to their decision.

Who else will be there in the fall? I'm going to send my deposit in tomorrow. Will I see any other grad cafers come August?

Hi mppguy. Your reasoning seems sound to me. I also attended the USC merit scholar event, and got the sense that it provided a very strong network in LA and Sactown (my home town ). If you are looking for a career in California, and a more applied education that will focus on internships and fieldwork in addition to academics, it sounds like USC is the place for you. While I've heard good things about Harris (and god knows there are some major boosters on this board), it doesn't seem like an ideal place for you--i.e., less internship focus, more theoretical curriculum and fewer west-coast connections. I say go to USC and don't look back. And please fix all of California's problems.

Interestingly, the sense I got from both programs is that USC's program is more applied, and they're willing to let academics take a back seat to internships if the two are in conflict. Also, USC is really focused on connections and the "Trojan Family." The USC students who took part in the student panel characterized UCLA students as more academic and "probably trying to go on for a PhD." The UCLA students and faculty, on the other hand, caricatured (?) USC as a place to go if you don't care as much about academics, but want to get hooked up with a consulting job. I'm currently leaning strongly toward Georgetown, and will probably end up there in the fall. The only thing keeping other schools in the mix right now is the money.

I went to the UCLA admitted students day on Monday. Overall, I came away with a mixed view of the program. Academics: The faculty and staff stressed the strong academic bent of the program. It seems that the school provides a solid quantitative base, with two quarters of microeconomics and two quarters of stats. Also, the professors had interesting areas of study, and there seemed to be a good mix between theory and real-world application. Almost all of the professors are academics--as opposed to practitioners--but they seemed to be actively engaged in local and national policymaking as well. That said, Michael Dukakis teaches a class in the winter, and he was there for the lunch on Monday. Student body: The student body seemed interesting and intelligent--at least the ones who mingled at the lunch. Also, the recent alumni they invited to speak all had interesting jobs: one was a PMF, one was working at a campaign consulting company, another was working for a private consulting firm and the last was director of sustainability at UCLA. Career services: Is non-existent. The university career services center is open to MPPs, but it doesn't seem like a very valuable resource. The SPA staff sends students opportunities that come along, but there is no one in the school dedicated to helping students finds jobs or internships. Opportunities after graduation: It seems that a majority of the opportunities come from within the Los Angeles area and California. The program is pretty new, so there are only about 10 years' worth of MPP grads, so the alumni network is small. I got the sense that there were opportunities throughout the city and state, but it seems that most of the Federal opportunities are at GAO and OMB (or was it CBO?), who both recruit at the school. If you're looking for employment in California, I think you will be fine, but if you're looking to go to DC for a while, it might be a bit dicier. I'm still considering the school, and it seems that the academics are strong. The academics is the main focus, though, so you're kind of on your own when it comes to getting internships or finding a job. Let me know if you have any other questions, and hopefully I can answer them.

I had a layover in Chicago today, and it looked miserable outside the plain--snowy and windy. I think it was the first time my plane had to be deiced (and all I could think about was that plane crash a month or two ago due to a poor deicing!).