Sorry to hijack this thread, but there are so few people who applied to this type of program that I'm interested in talking with you all!
I am curious in others' opinions -- for those that are also interested in RAND: so I got into USC's Pub. Pol & Management PhD, fully funded and a very solid stipend (higher than what I understand RAND gives and full program commitment rather than piecemeal like RAND's). I guess what I'm wondering is -- is there any real...point in still keeping RAND's option going in my mind? I find their hybrid model interesting, but I have to say my major concerns are:
1. I often have to give a lot of explanation and backstory about what exactly this program is, which worries me about how universal it's value will be; and
2. So you get one year of guaranteed funding, and then the rest of your funding is contingent on finding work? I guess that aspect makes me nervous, because I am wondering if people ever *don't* get projects to staff on. Just don't want to be worried about making my rent during the program, if that makes sense. Especially in contrast to a traditional program like USC.
Just curious what your thoughts are!