HKS or SIPA

[Mala kafa]

Ok question is now MC-MPA in Kennedy School or PEPM in SIPA. I do not know actually how HKS MC-MPA program is graded internationally?

[2010Applicant]

You sound like HKS MC-MPA has released results already???

Anyway, the two programs are very different. HKS MC-MPA surely scores high internationally. In fact it should be second to none. But that of course is not in terms of academics. Anything 'mid-career' isn't much about rigorous academic training, but you get to know the leaders of the future. If you're admitted you're likely one of them yourself. SIPA PEPM is instead a standard economic policy program for much more junior people who would want to polish up their modeling skills etc to get a decent job.

I think if you're already mid-career, and if you didn't get tons of $$$ from SIPA, there is not much reason to throw away your ticket to HKS. Even if you're very into the hardcore econ stuff, MC-MPA is flexible enough to allow you take quite a few of those courses.

[Mala kafa]

You sound like HKS MC-MPA has released results already???

Anyway, the two programs are very different. HKS MC-MPA surely scores high internationally. In fact it should be second to none. But that of course is not in terms of academics. Anything 'mid-career' isn't much about rigorous academic training, but you get to know the leaders of the future. If you're admitted you're likely one of them yourself. SIPA PEPM is instead a standard economic policy program for much more junior people who would want to polish up their modeling skills etc to get a decent job.

I think if you're already mid-career, and if you didn't get tons of $$$ from SIPA, there is not much reason to throw away your ticket to HKS. Even if you're very into the hardcore econ stuff, MC-MPA is flexible enough to allow you take quite a few of those courses.

1. No I still do not know the results but I am preparing since I expect them this week.

2. Why do you think that HKS mid-career MPA isn't much about rigorous academic training. Courses are the same like for classic MPA studies and you can pick any course as other MPA's and you attend same lectures. In addition, MS's have additional program created just for them. This means that MC-MPA is even more difficult. At least, that is how I understand this.

[2010Applicant]

You are certainly correct, but it wasn't really about the courses. After all, I did acknowledge that if you are really into the hardcore stuff, the MC-MPA always gives you the flexibility to take them.

When I said the MC isn't rigorous, I mean the culture of the cohort. They are unlikely to spend a lot of time talking about quantitative policy analysis or any other theoretical stuff like the PEPM students. They have the option to do so to be sure, but as experienced mid-career officials with a lot of WC, they'll probably move beyond that.