SPEA vs Ford vs Evans

[skoolisout]

So I have been admitted to a few programs. Today I turned down LBJ and now thinking I should have visited and found out what it is like! I'm not seriously considering AU because I wont' be able to concurrently do a masters in environmental science and I really want a science aspect to my training. I know they are starting an environmental policy center but it's just policy and not science.

I am seriously considering between SPEA and Ford, and Evans is really just because it's a big city in the pacific northwest (and right now I live in Portland.) I've read that the student services guy is not helpful and I agree - it's hard to reach him and he did not help contact professors to arrange for me to visit classes, nor did he arrange for me to speak to a student.

As for SPEA vs Ford. I did my undergrad at Michigan so it's a love-hate relationship. Love certain aspects of the education but also hated that it was a large public school and too many students per class, etc. I also worked in Ann Arbor for years after that and realized that I have explored everything and don't care about the things that makes Ann Arbor novel or cute to live in. The winters also get me really depressed and unhappy, although I have found hobbies now that could potentially offset that winter boredom.

I like how Bloomington has more moderate weather, is a completely new town to explore, and has cool stuff to do (like being very bike friendly). SPEA put on a great experience day and I felt so welcomed there. The staff was just amazing and they answer all my questions very quickly. Ford is also pretty good but can't compare to SPEA.

I have to apply to School of Natural Resources at Michigan to get the science part, but having talked to people and professor that seems like a pretty straightforward process and acceptance rate is pretty high for current Ford students.

Michigan has Indiana beat in Law and Business rankings, and just about everything. But honestly I believe Indiana will do a better job in teaching and training. Having gone to Michigan I know it's a big research university and education plays second fiddle there.

So where is the dilemma? The name Michigan. My sister is convincing me that Michigan's "wow" factor is higher than Indiana and that will help me with a job after graduation. She is a lawyer so she believe that education doesn't really matter since they all teach the same thing anyway; what matters is the name.

So what should I do? A part of me believes and understands that my graduate experience will be very different from my undergrad experience so I should give Michigan a second chance. But a part of me really wants to spend my life elsewhere.

Opinions? Oh and no money from either, but Ford is way more expensive and cost of living is higher in Ann Arbor.

[mppgal55]

So I have been admitted to a few programs. Today I turned down LBJ and now thinking I should have visited and found out what it is like! I'm not seriously considering AU because I wont' be able to concurrently do a masters in environmental science and I really want a science aspect to my training. I know they are starting an environmental policy center but it's just policy and not science.

I am seriously considering between SPEA and Ford, and Evans is really just because it's a big city in the pacific northwest (and right now I live in Portland.) I've read that the student services guy is not helpful and I agree - it's hard to reach him and he did not help contact professors to arrange for me to visit classes, nor did he arrange for me to speak to a student.

As for SPEA vs Ford. I did my undergrad at Michigan so it's a love-hate relationship. Love certain aspects of the education but also hated that it was a large public school and too many students per class, etc. I also worked in Ann Arbor for years after that and realized that I have explored everything and don't care about the things that makes Ann Arbor novel or cute to live in. The winters also get me really depressed and unhappy, although I have found hobbies now that could potentially offset that winter boredom.

I like how Bloomington has more moderate weather, is a completely new town to explore, and has cool stuff to do (like being very bike friendly). SPEA put on a great experience day and I felt so welcomed there. The staff was just amazing and they answer all my questions very quickly. Ford is also pretty good but can't compare to SPEA.

I have to apply to School of Natural Resources at Michigan to get the science part, but having talked to people and professor that seems like a pretty straightforward process and acceptance rate is pretty high for current Ford students.

Michigan has Indiana beat in Law and Business rankings, and just about everything. But honestly I believe Indiana will do a better job in teaching and training. Having gone to Michigan I know it's a big research university and education plays second fiddle there.

So where is the dilemma? The name Michigan. My sister is convincing me that Michigan's "wow" factor is higher than Indiana and that will help me with a job after graduation. She is a lawyer so she believe that education doesn't really matter since they all teach the same thing anyway; what matters is the name.

So what should I do? A part of me believes and understands that my graduate experience will be very different from my undergrad experience so I should give Michigan a second chance. But a part of me really wants to spend my life elsewhere.

Opinions? Oh and no money from either, but Ford is way more expensive and cost of living is higher in Ann Arbor.

It seems like your gut is saying go with Spea. Go with your gut. If you listen to other people, you'll regret it later. Name matters insomuch as the network it gives you. If you already have networking via Michigan, than you would be expanding even more by going elsewhere. For enviro, especially enviro policy, IU is one of the best in the nation. Everything you wrote indicates you would be happier and more fulfilled at IU, plus it is less money, so I don't see why you wouldn't go there!

[skoolisout]

It seems like your gut is saying go with Spea. Go with your gut. If you listen to other people, you'll regret it later. Name matters insomuch as the network it gives you. If you already have networking via Michigan, than you would be expanding even more by going elsewhere. For enviro, especially enviro policy, IU is one of the best in the nation. Everything you wrote indicates you would be happier and more fulfilled at IU, plus it is less money, so I don't see why you wouldn't go there!

It looks like you are in Indiana now so maybe a current SPEA student? Anyway, I appreciate the advice but it could be biased!

[stilesg57]

The name Michigan. My sister is convincing me that Michigan's "wow" factor is higher than Indiana and that will help me with a job after graduation. She is a lawyer so she believe that education doesn't really matter since they all teach the same thing anyway; what matters is the name.

Your sister is more correct than most of us want to admit

However, it's not like SPEA grads don't get jobs, and the school IS known within the enviro community, so I wouldn't worry too much about that side of it. It sounds like you want to go to SPEA.

[mppgal55]

It looks like you are in Indiana now so maybe a current SPEA student? Anyway, I appreciate the advice but it could be biased!

I applied there, but decided not to go, actually! I'm from Indiana, but have never at any time attended IU. For me, SPEA didn't fit my needs. I really want the policy focus, not the overall public affairs, and I wanted a program with proximity to DC.

[RH7]

So I have been admitted to a few programs. Today I turned down LBJ and now thinking I should have visited and found out what it is like! I'm not seriously considering AU because I wont' be able to concurrently do a masters in environmental science and I really want a science aspect to my training. I know they are starting an environmental policy center but it's just policy and not science.

I am seriously considering between SPEA and Ford, and Evans is really just because it's a big city in the pacific northwest (and right now I live in Portland.) I've read that the student services guy is not helpful and I agree - it's hard to reach him and he did not help contact professors to arrange for me to visit classes, nor did he arrange for me to speak to a student.

As for SPEA vs Ford. I did my undergrad at Michigan so it's a love-hate relationship. Love certain aspects of the education but also hated that it was a large public school and too many students per class, etc. I also worked in Ann Arbor for years after that and realized that I have explored everything and don't care about the things that makes Ann Arbor novel or cute to live in. The winters also get me really depressed and unhappy, although I have found hobbies now that could potentially offset that winter boredom.

I like how Bloomington has more moderate weather, is a completely new town to explore, and has cool stuff to do (like being very bike friendly). SPEA put on a great experience day and I felt so welcomed there. The staff was just amazing and they answer all my questions very quickly. Ford is also pretty good but can't compare to SPEA.

I have to apply to School of Natural Resources at Michigan to get the science part, but having talked to people and professor that seems like a pretty straightforward process and acceptance rate is pretty high for current Ford students.

Michigan has Indiana beat in Law and Business rankings, and just about everything. But honestly I believe Indiana will do a better job in teaching and training. Having gone to Michigan I know it's a big research university and education plays second fiddle there.

So where is the dilemma? The name Michigan. My sister is convincing me that Michigan's "wow" factor is higher than Indiana and that will help me with a job after graduation. She is a lawyer so she believe that education doesn't really matter since they all teach the same thing anyway; what matters is the name.

So what should I do? A part of me believes and understands that my graduate experience will be very different from my undergrad experience so I should give Michigan a second chance. But a part of me really wants to spend my life elsewhere.

Opinions? Oh and no money from either, but Ford is way more expensive and cost of living is higher in Ann Arbor.

I think your sister rightly put Michigan over IU from a lawyer's perspective. I would assume the name of your law school is very important as a practicing lawyer. But in environmental policy, I'm sure these differences aren't nearly as important. So if this is all it boils down to, I don't think it would be a very good reason to go against what you actually want.

FYI, my dad went to/taught at SPEA several years ago, so I lived in Bloomington for about 10 years growing up. So feel free to PM me if you have questions about Bloomington.

[pajarero]

So I have been admitted to a few programs. Today I turned down LBJ and now thinking I should have visited and found out what it is like! I'm not seriously considering AU because I wont' be able to concurrently do a masters in environmental science and I really want a science aspect to my training. I know they are starting an environmental policy center but it's just policy and not science.

I am seriously considering between SPEA and Ford, and Evans is really just because it's a big city in the pacific northwest (and right now I live in Portland.) I've read that the student services guy is not helpful and I agree - it's hard to reach him and he did not help contact professors to arrange for me to visit classes, nor did he arrange for me to speak to a student.

As for SPEA vs Ford. I did my undergrad at Michigan so it's a love-hate relationship. Love certain aspects of the education but also hated that it was a large public school and too many students per class, etc. I also worked in Ann Arbor for years after that and realized that I have explored everything and don't care about the things that makes Ann Arbor novel or cute to live in. The winters also get me really depressed and unhappy, although I have found hobbies now that could potentially offset that winter boredom.

I like how Bloomington has more moderate weather, is a completely new town to explore, and has cool stuff to do (like being very bike friendly). SPEA put on a great experience day and I felt so welcomed there. The staff was just amazing and they answer all my questions very quickly. Ford is also pretty good but can't compare to SPEA.

I have to apply to School of Natural Resources at Michigan to get the science part, but having talked to people and professor that seems like a pretty straightforward process and acceptance rate is pretty high for current Ford students.

Michigan has Indiana beat in Law and Business rankings, and just about everything. But honestly I believe Indiana will do a better job in teaching and training. Having gone to Michigan I know it's a big research university and education plays second fiddle there.

So where is the dilemma? The name Michigan. My sister is convincing me that Michigan's "wow" factor is higher than Indiana and that will help me with a job after graduation. She is a lawyer so she believe that education doesn't really matter since they all teach the same thing anyway; what matters is the name.

So what should I do? A part of me believes and understands that my graduate experience will be very different from my undergrad experience so I should give Michigan a second chance. But a part of me really wants to spend my life elsewhere.

Opinions? Oh and no money from either, but Ford is way more expensive and cost of living is higher in Ann Arbor.

First of all, don't worry excessively about the rankings. It's more important how the school you go to will connect you to your future goals (whether through training, internships, connections), whether you have a good experience there, and how it is viewed by people in your desired field. That being said, do re-check the rankings of public affairs/policy schools on U.S. News: SPEA is ranked higher than the Ford School in both Public Affairs and Environmental Policy (SPEA is #2 and #1 respectively). I searched for lots of info too, and it sounds like SPEA grads are extremely well-connected to the employer market, especially in environmental issues.

One reason I can think of to go to UMichigan however, is that their scientific research is better known and more prestigious. If there are certain labs or professors you want to work with there, UMich might be a good idea. But IU is no slouch, and the MPA/MSES dual program allows you to get two degrees without dealing with two different bureaucracies. One thing I LOVED about SPEA when I visited last year was the fact that professors of all different disciplines were down the hall from each other. And like you mentioned, they have great student services! I also grew up in Bloomington, so I can personally attest that it is a GREAT place to live, and inexpensive.

Good luck with your decision!