CC139

I would like to work in either consulting or government, mostly in policy design/evaluation (urban or information technology) or process redesign management.

Do you know how hard is it to get a TA or any type of assistantship as an MPAff student? Or any other student jobs on campus?

hey guys, do you know how easy is it to get a job on campus? Ideally, I would like to know about graduate assistantships, but non-academic jobs would be fine too. I'd be attending LBJ and I am an international student. What can I expect?

Guys admitted to Wagner, have you been receiving emails from faculty? I have received a couple of them but I don't know if I should reply or what to say

I guess waitlisted students should hear from LBJ mid to late April when/if admitted students decline their offers.

All of your choices are awesome! Based on location only, I'd rule out USC -not my top pick. However, Michigan and CMU have comparable programs at two very different but interesting cities. Have you contacted current students at both? I think this is key when deciding, I mean, job prospects are mostly luck and networking, but if you are happy in the program, you'll make the best of it.

Guys, I've been reading these forums all this application cycle and now time has come for me to choose where to go and I want you to help me decide. I never expected to be so lucky and face this choice. I know this post is long, but I would really appreciate your help. I applied to six schools and got into all. For one reason or another, I feel I would be very happy at any of them. I have made a list with the pros and cons of each. I hope it helps future applicants. NYU MPA: Prestigious program. Like the option to take electives from Wagners Urban Planning program. Internship options Cons: Cost (around $90k) Seems like a feeder to local NY goverment. Syracuse MPA: Certificate options. IT specialization. Cost (around $22k) Cons: Duration. 1 year. No internship options. Location. Received an assistantship, so I couldn't work more -international student. UT Austin MPAff: IT specialization. Cost (around $30k) I could work on campus. Internship options (mostly in TX). Cons: Don't know its employment statistics (can't open the page). Not sure about its overall prestige: seems to be regional. Hertie School of Governance MPP: Pros: Location -I love Berlin. Opportunity to become proficient in German. Cost? Middle of the road (around $45k). Internship opportunities - would love to intern at Transparency International. Exchange with some US and Asian schools. Cons: Very new program. Not sure about its rigor or skills. Not sure about its job placement. Not sure about networking opportunities. [*]Erasmus Mundus MPP: Pros: Prestige in Europe. Location (One year in York, summer in Hague and final year in Budapest). Cons: Just applied because of the scholarship and I am waitlisted. (cost without it is like 45k) Not sure about placement or anything. [*]CMU MSc Information Security Policy and Management: Pros: Great school. Awesome program, very new and specialized. I didn't expect to get in. Small cohort (25 students per year). Impressive job placement in government and industry. Internship opportunities. Could take electives from Heinz MSPPM. Cons: Don't know if I'll benefit more from a general program (MPA). Cost (around $60k). While I expect to come back to my country and work in the government after completing my degree, I am not adverse to staying in the US or work somewhere else for a while. I would also like to have the opportunity to work in the private sector. Unless you know something about Wagner I am missing, I am ruling out the program because of its cost. I am also ruling out Erasmus Mundus for I do not believe its academics are as strong while its price do is comparable to the other programs. So, if you have something to say about these programs, I'd really appreciate your comments.

I don't remember if I read it on its website or one of the MPA students I've been corresponding with told me that it is harder for dual degree applicants to receive assistantships (one of their most generous awards) because the heavy workload of the two degrees limits the time they have to complete those duties. Anyways, congratulation on your award. Any money, even if small, certainly helps!

Thanks for the info, Ched. $120,000 seems unviable for me, so I guess I'll be declining my offer soon.

I believe that for non-for profit NYU would be your better option because of its curriculum and location. I am not familiar with the MPA at Brown or the program at the New School but while I am sure that the others schools on your list with provide you with an excellent preparation, it's not as heavily focused on non for profits.

I too believe that if you get off the waitlist at LBJ, it would be your best option. Even without financial aid, it is considerably less expensive than the other programs and, from what I've heard -take this as a grain of salt, I am not in the US- it is highly regarded. Albeit I don't know whether it's prestige is national or regional.

Schools will not be free for international students starting this fall. You may want to check into that and look into additional funding opportunities if you're really keen on the opportunity of doing research there.

I think the cost of attendance is higher... The tuition is about 60,000 (almost 1000 per credit and you have to take 60 to complete the program) and I believe one would need at least 9,000 per semester to cover living costs, right?

Cool. Thanks for the info!

I've just received an email for Maxwell about a financial award I've received. Just like amj6c I've been awarded 24 tuition scholarship and a stipend via an assistantship. It covers roughly 65% of all expenses. I am only an MPA applicant and I have not yet accepted the offer.

I read somewhere on the website that you could only apply as a double degree student before matriculating at either McCombs or LBJ... is that true? if it aint, my balance is leaning towards UT heavily!

It do is really cheap. I remember reading that all Texas public universities, at least at the grad level (even med school), are significantly cheaper than public and private schools in other states.

What the MPAff website says under FAQs is that: "Fall 10 and Spring 2011 tuition only for students in the regular program are: Resident, 12 hour, per semester - $4,957 Non-Resident, 12 hour, per semester - $9,531" So, I assume -hope- it won't be much different for next fall.

Congrats on your funding. Sounds like a good package at a great program. I hope the rest of us hear something soon!

Any news about funding today? I was expecting to hear by the end of the week.

Just received mine. I received some funding. I am really happy!|

Soooo, any good funding guys? I am still waiting to receive my LBJ letter!

While I will pursue an MPA in the US, my goal is not to work there. I am hoping to return to my home country and continue working here, so it's not like I am competing for jobs with Americans, especially considering that many, if not most jobs in the government, require US residence or even citizenship.

Me three: I have almost three years of full-time relevant work experience, but yet I have to complete the professional experience requirement.

An alumn I spoke to said he received a full fellowship plus living stipend to attend Maxwell, though I have not met anyone who received any other type of scholarship. I wanted to call and ask about funding decisions, but I chickened out.