talltaleheart

I applied for Heinz’s MSPPM-Pittsburgh track, Ford’s MPP, and Duke’s MPP. Duke gave me the lowest in terms of financial aid so I can’t consider it anymore. I received 100% funding plus $8k stipend from Heinz. With Ford I got the Rackham Master’s Award with 100% tuition, health fees, and $23k stipend. So I’m really leaning to Ford but I think CMU has a bigger data/tech presence. Which school has better employment outcomes? I’m looking for a strong quant/data curriculum & looking to make the turn to tech policy. If not tech, then a data analyst or scientist in the private sector. After graduating I’d like to work abroad or go back to California in the tech space. I know CMU has a little more placement in the private sector. Which school has a stronger quant program? I’m coming in with low quant skills, hence why I didn’t apply for the DA track at Heinz. But I was told that I could eventually work my way into it or just take as many DA classes as I can. It’s a huge tech powerhouse & I’ve spent a summer in Pittsburgh & I liked it. Lower cost of living & better, more connected public transport. (I don’t want to get a car) With Ford, they have the STPP & the school is also quant heavy. Also huge network. I haven’t visited Ann Arbor yet but the rent prices shocked me. I have a friend who is there right now and says Ford has more in depth data courses that CMU. Why don’t you apply for a MS in Data Science? I can’t afford to pay out of pocket for school. I did a fellowship where they offered significant scholarship for participants, but only applied to MPP/MPA programs. Better weather? I know I should go with the most money but I’m having a little sticker shock with Ann Arbor & I’ve never experienced a Michigan winter and I’m just worried about how my mental health would fare. But I know Pittsburgh wouldn’t be any better.