prospectiveMPP

I dealt with the same dilemma, so I think it's quite a legitimate concern. I applied for MPP and MEM programs and, after looking at the various curricula, decided I wanted to pursue the MEM because I could take more courses that interested me. I found I could only take 4-6 environmental courses if I entered an MPP/MPA program, compared to 16+ with an MEM, and I'm fairly certain my career path will include environmental issues, so it made the most sense for me to get an environmental degree with a policy focus, instead of the reverse. I found it quite helpful to print out and review the curriculum of each program, highlighting the courses that most grabbed my attention. With the MEM programs, every semester looked exciting. In contrast, the MPPs looked more like a forced march until I could take the electives I wanted. I hope this helps. Best of luck with the application process.

I'm heading to the Nicholas School this Fall to pursue the MEM. Any other Nick School folks out there?

Program Applied To: MPA, MPP, MEM Schools Applied To: Cornell (CIPA), Duke (Nicholas), Duke (Sanford), UC Berkeley (GSPP), U Chicago (Harris), Yale (FES) Schools Admitted To: Cornell ($28K), Duke Nicholas ($14K), Duke Sanford ($10K), U Chicago Harris (No Funding) Schools Rejected From: UC Berkeley (GSPP), Yale (FES) Still Waiting: None Decision: Duke Nicholas School Undergraduate institution: Big State School Undergraduate GPA: 3.99 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 4.0 Undergraduate Major: Political Science/German GRE Quantitative Score: 770 (88th %ile) GRE Verbal Score: 720 (98 %ile) GRE AW Score: 5.0 (%81 %ile) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2 Years of Work Experience: 1.5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: 10 months in corporate-government relations in an unrelated field, 8 months at an environmental consulting firm in Germany Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Berkeley was certainly the curse of the first application, due at least one month before all the others. In retrospect, my essay for Berkeley had some good content but lacked focus. I think this mediocre personal statement helped move my application into the reject pile. The Sanford School had a similar essay format (both 3-5 pages), but the deadline was five weeks after Berkeley's, giving me time to revise the essay. I used an altogether different essay format for Cornell, Duke Nicholas, U Chicago and Yale and I thought this essay was quite strong. I think the word limits (between 500-800) suited better my concise writing style. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Fortunately for me, and unfortunately for those looking to glean lessons from my application process, getting LOR's was very easy and all of my letter writers were eager to help me. One was a former professor who told me she wanted to write me an LOR for grad school before I even asked. Other: I would be lying if I said I weren't disappointed to have my application rejected from two schools, however I had been planning for four years to enter graduate school in the Fall of 2010, so I knew my work experience would be a relative weak point for these professional programs. That being said, The Nicholas School extended me an attractive offer (approximately half-tuition) and the MEM curriculum fits my interests well. I am excited to enroll at Duke in the Fall.

xnormajeanx, Thank you for offering this service to us prospective students out there. I appreciate your insights immensely. I was wondering if you'd be able to comment on the Harris School regarding an Environmental Policy concentration? I'm interested in applying quantitative analysis to environmental policy, but I'm not familiar with the UofC's curriculum for environmental course offerings. Any input would be much appreciated.

Cast the second "Other" vote, this time for German.

Duke is currently my top choice (the other three are Harris, GSPP and HKS) though I will not apply until this coming Fall and this list is by no means final. I'm particularly attracted to the dual MEM/MPP with the Nicholas School of the Environment; in fact I think this is Duke's strongest selling point for me. None of the other schools on my list has a dual MPP/MEM, though I know Indiana SPEA offers a similar program. The location is certainly not NYC or Boston but unless you need to live in an urban environment I wouldn't hold it against Duke. Even urban schools operate within their respective bubbles to a point, though I grant that big cities offer an endless array of extracurricular entertainment that Durham/Chapel Hill can not match. I have lived in the Northeastern megalopolis for most of my life so I look forward to experiencing another part of the country. Plus, I'm a big fan of the outdoors. If you're interested in international policy issues, as I am, the summer Geneva Policy Internship Program might be appealing. If I should end up at Duke I hope to take advantage of that opportunity. In response to your strengths/weaknesses list: I agree with 3 out of 4 listed strengths. -Class size, cost of living, funding - I can't personally comment on the strength of the social/health policy concentrations I'm ambiguous about all three listed weaknesses. -I already shared my thoughts about the location. -As a simple matter of arithmetic the alumni base will be smaller than an HKS or other school with large class sizes, but I'd guess the quality of the Sanford Institute's alumni base is pretty high. I know networking is important but I'm trying to focus on the substance of the degree program first and foremost. -Duke's Public Policy school may not be as venerated as HKS, WWS, etc. but it's not far enough behind to make a big difference. I find this a peripheral concern. I hope I provided you some helpful information.