Hertie School of Governance (Berlin, Germany)

[DennisK]

Hey there,

has anyone heard of the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, Germany? I didn't find any information on here or other student forums, so I was just wondering how the reputation is at all and if it's comparable with some of the top schools offering MPAs/MPPs?... Since the school offers double degrees with Columbia, LSE, and Sciences Po Paris I figured it might be okay, but really I haven't got a clue.

Well, I'm holding an offer by both LSE (MPA) and Hertie (MPP), (still waiting for Columbia). Although I'm opting for LSE, I don't wanna decline the offer just yet. Any opinions?

[stilesg57]

I don't know anything about the school, except that Sanford does a one-semester study abroad exchange with Hertie. The two students we had last semester from that program were awesome and very smart.

[Amorphous]

Hey there,

has anyone heard of the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, Germany? I didn't find any information on here or other student forums, so I was just wondering how the reputation is at all and if it's comparable with some of the top schools offering MPAs/MPPs?... Since the school offers double degrees with Columbia, LSE, and Sciences Po Paris I figured it might be okay, but really I haven't got a clue.

Well, I'm holding an offer by both LSE (MPA) and Hertie (MPP), (still waiting for Columbia). Although I'm opting for LSE, I don't wanna decline the offer just yet. Any opinions?

Hey there,

I am currently in my first year at Hertie and am very happy with my decision to come here (I also had an offer from LSE). Not having been at any of those other school you mention, it is hard for me to tell you how we compare. What I can tell you, is that I know that several of our dual degree students that we have here are very happy with the school. One of the students that are here from Columbia/SIPA said he felt he was getting a better education here than back in NYC, and also the other SIPA- students seem generally very satisfied (We also have a couple of dual degree students from LSE here, but I haven't talked to them that much). We also had an exchange student from Duke/Sanford here last semester, and she said that in her opinion Hertie et least meassured up to that school.

As far as reputation goes, Hertie is obviously not as well known internationally as for instance LSE, the school is after all only five years old. However, this is something the administration is working very hard on, and in my opinion it is pretty impressive how much of a repuation the school has managed to build up in only five years.

Hope this helps you at least a little bit, and if you should have more questions concerning Hertie, do not hesitate to ask!

Good luck wih your choice!

[DennisK]

Thanks stilesg57 and Amorphous.

I guess I'm going to LSE, but may consider Hertie for the dual degree in the second year.

Comparing the two, LSE just seems to be way ahead.

[bestfootforward]

realize you have already made your decision, but just wanted to weigh in just in case prospectives use the 'search' function -- i've known (well and in passing) four people associated with hertie (profs, students) and i can say that they are all terrifically smart and motivated. the school has come tremendously far in the short time it's been around, but the question is at what point it will start to plateau (if at all).

the only, huge, downside is the fact that berlin's job market sucks and getting a work permit in germany/europe can be tricky. that way, the location seems like a disadvantage (other than a fun place to spend two years) than a plus point.

Hey there,

has anyone heard of the Hertie School of Governance in Berlin, Germany? I didn't find any information on here or other student forums, so I was just wondering how the reputation is at all and if it's comparable with some of the top schools offering MPAs/MPPs?... Since the school offers double degrees with Columbia, LSE, and Sciences Po Paris I figured it might be okay, but really I haven't got a clue.

Well, I'm holding an offer by both LSE (MPA) and Hertie (MPP), (still waiting for Columbia). Although I'm opting for LSE, I don't wanna decline the offer just yet. Any opinions?

[papercuts]

I worked there for two years while they received their first-ever students, and I was very happy to be at Hertie. The people are great and the students were very good. For Germany it was incredibly prestigious to be there because they put together an amazing group of scholars known very well across Germany. They have a high standard in terms of education and research so if you want a good education it's definitely one of your best options. As a new school the only area it would lack in comparison with other institutions is the alumni base and connections, but they're working hard to make both of these better and have come a very long way already (Their first graduates were in 2007 mind you). They also make up for this by creating a more personal relationship with each student and taking extra care. It will still be a while until Hertie gets the recognition of an LSE, so if name and connections is why you want to do MPP (which is understandable) LSE will be better but Hertie is a great school in every other way.

[steiner-5]

I worked there for two years while they received their first-ever students, and I was very happy to be at Hertie. The people are great and the students were very good. For Germany it was incredibly prestigious to be there because they put together an amazing group of scholars known very well across Germany. They have a high standard in terms of education and research so if you want a good education it's definitely one of your best options. As a new school the only area it would lack in comparison with other institutions is the alumni base and connections, but they're working hard to make both of these better and have come a very long way already (Their first graduates were in 2007 mind you). They also make up for this by creating a more personal relationship with each student and taking extra care. It will still be a while until Hertie gets the recognition of an LSE, so if name and connections is why you want to do MPP (which is understandable) LSE will be better but Hertie is a great school in every other way.

Are classes taught only in German?

[DennisK]

Are classes taught only in German?

it's entirely in English.

[macpri]

Are there any current students or alumni around? I have been accepted and I would like to hear from someone with experience in the school.