sgoodspeed

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Top 20 private liberal arts Previous Degrees and GPA's: BA, Political Science, GPA 3.7 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 680V 790Q 5.5W Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 3.5 years (1.5 years as US Senate staffer (current), 2 years as management consultant at USAID) Math/Econ Background: Math - through Calc 3 and some stats; Econ - intermediate micro/macro Foreign Language Background: Decent French Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPP/MPA - focus in international security policy Long Term Professional Goals: Position in federal government - International security analyst of some sort. Schools Applied to & Results: Accepted: Columbia SIPA MPA (67% tuition), Chicago Harris (full tuition), GW MPP (full tuition), University of Maryland MPP (full tuition, grad assistantship), Syracuse Maxwell MPA (80% tuition), Georgetown MPP (40% tuition), Duke MPP (40% tuition) Rejected: Harvard MPP, Princeton MPA Ultimate Decision & Why: I'm leaning Columbia because (1) it's the most internationally-focused MPA program I applied to, (2) I find the academic structure of the program (core, concentration, and specialization) incredibly appealing, (3) a wealth of interesting public policy and international affairs courses to choose from, (4) incredible scholars and professors. The major downside of SIPA is financial - I'd be turning down better offers from other very good schools (Chicago, GW, Maryland, Maxwell) and taking on a bunch of debt due to the expense of New York..... any/all advice would be greatly appreciated. Good luck to everyone!