[Georgetown (McCourt) MPP 2021]

On 3/25/2021 at 12:36 PM, GradSchoolGrad said:

I agree it definite can't hurt to call.

However, it totally makes sense for 2nd year funding bump since McCourt (as a school) loses students between end of 1st year and graduation (my year I think the count was around 3 or 4). Supposedly the main driver is funding. Ability to graduate is another. I would be surprised if they pitch it to incoming students since McCourt is by comparison already more generous with funding than others schools this year by all indications regarding application bump this year vs. other schools from COVID. 

Has anyone heard any additional information about this? I contacted the grad financial aid department in regards to a scholarship increase and they told me to contact Julie Ito. I am still awaiting for a response to my email. 

[The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING]

4 hours ago, GradSchoolGrad said:

There are lot of things that concern me here.

1. Why are you posting and not your husband? This is the first time I have ever knowing seen posting by proxy. It is a bit strange. 

2. Why does he want a dual degree? I have seen 4 different cases of JD/MPP (McCourt)?

a. Seeking to focus soon a part of law that is extensively social policy oriented (working with abused children is an example).

b. Trying to have 4 years of school in order to avoid going to the job market (I'm serious)

c. Passion in policy but realizing the paycheck will come from law

d. Trying to get scholarship from McCourt, hoping it can be shared with GULC

Usually b, c, and d have regretted the MPP part of the JD/MPP --> at least with McCourt. 

As for scholarship.

McCourt (like most MPP schools) do not publicize their stats. Mostly due to how it can swing wildly from year to year in terms of the quality of people they get. This year will likely be extra competitive, I just don't know how much so.

As for taking the LSATs --> I know a few people who convinced McCourt admissions to accept the LSAT as a substitute for the GRE. However, those were years when McCourt struggled to get applicants. This likely a good year for McCourt admissions. 

Being an URM does help him to a certain extent in terms of getting scholarship, but is relative to his cohort of diversity. It also helps for him to be interested in a policy area that is not excessively over-represented. I think your husband should be able to get into McCourt easy. Given the uncertainty around application numbers due to COVID, it would be difficult for me to guess the extent of scholarship he gets. I bet he would get some, but not sure how much. 

Please note that if your husband is a go-getter, he will find McCourt extremely frustrating. Most people I know who were dual degree JD/MPP with McCourt highlight how they really didn't like their McCourt experience due to the low interest of individual achievement. The only exception I know is someone who focused on the policy side of things and never really delved into the law side. 

I have written extensively about McCourt here:

 

1.  My husband is not a big fan of online forums. He was raised in a rural area without access to bandwidth so he didn't grow up using forums like reddit or thegradcafe to gain information. I found this forum and I thought it was a good place to ask for advice.

2. My husband has always had a love for the public sector. He wants to master the legal and policy analysis skills necessary to have a career in policy making. The flexibility and prestige of Georgetown gives him the best chance to reach these goals. (Mainly GULC has been his dream school.)

a. My husband is focusing on immigration law and human rights law. He plans to work in big law for a few years to narrow down his debt before doing what he loves. He eventually wants to work on capital hill influencing policy or with a non-profit like the ALCU. 

b. The 4 year programs is more of a cheaper option to earn both degrees. Credits between the two programs can be used for the completion of the other degree. It also does give him time to wait out the repercussions of the recession. 

c.  Although the public sector does have loan forgiveness options, the big money comes from working in big law. Like most GULC grads, he plans to sell his soul to a big law firm for a few year before pursuing his interests. 

d. From what I read from this forum, it seems like the scholarships from McCourt are a little lackluster when compared to the money GULC typically offers. He's interested in the McCourt Scholar Program though but do you know how selective it is? 

With regards to replacing the LSAT with the GRE. You don't have to convince McCourt to accept the LSAT, they are willing to do it. Law schools are willing to accept the GRE as well as an alternative to the LSAT. McCourt is not requiring any test scores right now due to the pandemic but he wants to increase his scholarship chances so he is submitting his LSAT. 

My husband is hoping for the McCourt Scholarship. GULC has an OSP scholarship program which is around 55K each year that he should qualify for. GULC offers a need-based grant which is half of tuition so he will at least qualify for that. He wants to get at least 3/4th of his tuition paid for by the MPP. How realistic do you think this is? 

 My husband is a "gunner" as you would say in the law school atmosphere. However, he plans to use the master of public policy program mostly to supplement his law degree to earn better career positions later on. He loved his undergrad in economics and honestly prefers numbers. I know he would really love the Georgetown's MPP program.

[The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING]

I am writing this on behalf of my spouse who is an underrepresented minority (URM) Latino looking to apply to graduate schools. We are currently living in Washington DC, so he is apply for a 4 year dual degree program from Georgetown MPP & GULC JD. Can y'all give us some advice or suggestions to boost his chances for grad schools and some insight in their MPP programs.

In law school admissions, URMs get a huge boost in their admission chances and higher scholarships. Does the same hold true for MPP programs? He has not taken the GRE and will apply with his LSAT score. In law school admissions, GRE is seen less favorable than the LSAT. Does anyone know if the MPP admissions think less favorably of the LSAT? Also, does anybody know Georgetown's medians for the MPP program (GRE/GPA)? I can't find this information anywhere.

Thank you guys for your help!

Applying to: Georgetown McCourt MPP

Undergrad institution:  Large State School

Undergrad Major: Economics and Political Science-double majored and graduated in 3 years

Undergrad GPA: 3.67

Grad GPA: N/A

LSAT: 164 (90th percentile)

Years out of undergrad: 1.5

Quant Background: Majored in economics and took numerous 500 level and above econ courses including Econometrics. Took one stat & calculus course. Have experience using Stata.

Relevant Work Experience:  In undergrad, I have worked mostly supervisory roles; and in my post grad, I worked on a political campaign (2.5 years of work experience altogether).

International experience:  Studied the African diaspora in Amsterdam for a Maymester 

Strength of LOR: One letter from Econ professor that I took 3 courses with including econometrics, so I think she will write me a strong letter. She has a PhD in economics. Another letter from undergrad professor who I was very close with that I know will write me a strong letter. Last from my supervisor who I worked with a year and half. I am very close with them as well, so they will write strong letter.

 

Strength of SOP: I grew up in a state that has one of the worse public educational systems in the US. Due to firsthand experience with dealing with one of the worst public schools in the nation, I want to study education policy. I am very passionate about this and I have a lot of experience tutoring in low income neighborhoods to show my commitment to educational policy. After MPP & JD, I want to work in the public sector to create legislation to help our school systems and better the US overall.