PKSkull

I recently applied to MPP programs, and based on your profile as an international student with a background in business, I would say that Georgetown, Syracuse, and Harvard would be your best fits. Georgetown is in DC, which is probably the best city to learn about and experience policy, and laso has excellent regional and international connections for jobs and internships with UN, Worldbank etc. Syracuse is considered the best MPA in the US, so I am sure you would get a great education and be prepared to enter whatever field.I don't know much about Harvard's MPP/MPA, but you really can't go wrong with a degree from there. Hope this helps!

While I do not have personal experience with CU-Denver, I have been attending the University of Denver (small private school close to CU-Denver and downtown), and all I can say is that Denver is a GREAT city to be a student or young professional. The city has everything you could want but isn't ridiculously huge like NYC/LA/Etc so you can actually get around with ease. CU-Denver is well-respected here, and I'm sure that at least socially you would enjoy the experience here. Hope this helps!

GRE: Q/V/A 640/600/5.0 GPA: 3.2 Work Exp (in years): 6 months a campaign intern, 6 months (3 summers) as staff member at leadership training program for high-schoolers. Final decision (with funding details if any): Still deciding between American MPP and UDenver MPP. Denver is where I already live and has a solid program that I am very familiar with. American would offer DC prestige and opportunities but is unfamiliar to me. Denver is also cheaper, but American is in DC.

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): University of Denver (#80 in US News College Ranks) Previous Degrees and GPA's: BA in Public Policy, Political Science GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 600/640/5.0 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): Just campaign internships and staffing leadership programs for teens. Math/Econ Background: 1 Stat and 2 Econ classes as an undergrad. Not my strong suit. Foreign Language Background: English, some Hebrew and Dutch Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MA Public Policy (MPP) Long Term Professional Goals: I want to begin my career in policy analysis, and then move into either developing, lobbying, or advising on policy in either Education or Foreign affairs. Schools Applied to & Results: American (SPA) MPP, University of Denver (IPPS) MPP, George Mason MPP, George Washington MPP, Maryland MPP. Ultimate Decision & Why: Still deciding between AmericanU and and UDenver (have been admitted to both MPP programs). Any advice to Future Applicants? Work hard on you personal statement, but don't fret about GRE scores. As you can see mine are very mediocre but I was still able to get into very good MPP programs. Think about where you want to work after grad school, and apply to schools in that area -- that's always the best way to ensure that you get a job where you want one.

Hello All, I have recently been admitted to the University of Denver (CO) and American University (DC) MA Public Policy programs. I am currently an undergraduate at UDenver, and as a Public Policy major, I have become very familiar with the program, faculty (same profs do undergrad and grad courses), university, and city of Denver. I believe UDenver has given me a solid foundation in policy, and I am confident that I would continue receive a great education if I stay at UDenver for my MPP. I also have friends and a social life here in Denver, and it would be hard to leave that for the unknown of Washington DC. In addition, the DU program is cheaper and has smaller class sizes than AmericanU, and the city of Denver has the second most federal jobs in the country (DC is first obviously). I also already have a place to live lined up if I stay in Denver, and know how to get around the city well. I was offered an $8,000 scholarship to UDenver as well, and have yet to recieve aid from AmericanU. However, AmericanU is in DC, the USA hub of policy opportunities, and would offer access to DC that UDenver probably would have trouble accomplishing. Also, I have a brother who is an undergrad at AmericanU, so even though I do not have friends in DC like I do in Denver, I would be closer to family than in Denver. AmericanU's MPP program is ranked higher and is more well-known than UDenver, but I do not know what to expect as far as the quality and difficulty of the program -- which I can predict at UDenver because of my experience there. Also, I am a bit concerned about the commute from AmericanU to downtown DC where my internship or job would likely be located. I know the metro is great, but I'm not sure if want a 30-45 minute one-way commute to work every day. It would also be more expensive in terms of tuition and living expenses versus UDenver. Basically, I am weighing the certainty and familiarity of UDenver versus the prestige and opportunities but unfamiliarity of UAmerican. Please help me weigh and consider these two options, any advice or info on either program would be helpful. Sorry for the length, I have been thinking very deeply about this for a few days. Thank you.