Harris vs. Georgetown MPP

[CrossingMyFingers]

I want to do international development, but my background is in finance and I want to leave my self open to pursuing the private sector in finance as well. I love D.C. and find Chicago way to cold, but from a quantitative standpoint I have heard Chicago is better. Can anyone tell me if its worth it to suck up the 2 years and fight the cold or if I want to end up in D.C., that is where I should start? (might I mention I was born and raised in south Florida, so it's really cold to me) Also, comments on the pros/cons of each program would be great.

[jndaven]

Sounds like you are really on the fence. Can you attend both open houses? I feel like a wimp, but the weather is a big deterrent for me too about Chicago. I love the reputation of their economics faculty and their quant-heavy MPP, but I am not sure if their IR coursework is robust enough...

Personally, I live in DC already and dread that I will be stuck here for my entire career/life, so I WANT to get out of this city. But, if you aren't here yet, I can see the benefit of starting networking in school.

[policyaz]

Sorry I can't give you great advice, but I just wanted to mention that I am having the same conundrum. I'm trying to decide between Harris and Gtown as well... it's a tough decision. I also want the quant focus, but I want the Int'l focus as well, and it seems like Harris is better with the first, while GPPI is better with the second. I visited DC last October and it just seems like a great place to network and get involved in a lot of NGOs. Most of the students at GPPI work part time at great jobs where they can use what they're learning while going to school. I'm sure Chicago has options like that, but it will be limited for International Development pursuers. I'm attending the visit weekend to look into it further.