Feedback re Stanford MA (POLS)/MPP

[potential_mpp_2021]

Hi team!  Does anyone have any experience or thoughts re the Stanford MA (POLS) / MPP program?  Specifically, I'd love to learn more about -

1. The biggest strengths / weaknesses of the joint program
2. Typical exit / career opps following the program (i.e. foundation work, education consulting, etc.)
3. Any other important factors to take into account while considering the joint degree

Any and all feedback appreciated!

[GradSchoolGrad]

15 minutes ago, potential_mpp_2021 said:

Hi team!  Does anyone have any experience or thoughts re the Stanford MA (POLS) / MPP program?  Specifically, I'd love to learn more about -

1. The biggest strengths / weaknesses of the joint program
2. Typical exit / career opps following the program (i.e. foundation work, education consulting, etc.)
3. Any other important factors to take into account while considering the joint degree

Any and all feedback appreciated!

I can't speak to the MA (POLS) side, but I will speak t the MPP side. Stanford MPP is known as the ultimate example off a great university with a not so great policy program (the other being Cornell's Policy program). Even within California, Stanford MPP is not seen as one of the big players in the policy space among the policy schools (the big ones Cal-Goldman, USC - Price, UCLA - Luskin, and UCSD. Stanford MPP is simply is underinvested + under structured and those within the politics/IR space in Stanford (as PhDs) have informed me as such. I have never encountered a Stanford MPP in any professional setting or even heard of them matriculating into any role in the policy space (granted my experience comes from DC, but everyone goes to DC).

As for joint degrees, unless you have a really particular career track in mind that necessitates both degrees (classic example are MDs who get their MPH to focus on public health oriented medicine or JDs who get an MBA to have an advantage in corporate financial matters) and are really intentional about it throughout the entire recruiting/academic process, you truly derive your economic value from one degree and the other degree is for fun. 

Edited March 6, 2021 by GradSchoolGrad

[Berber]

1 hour ago, GradSchoolGrad said:

I can't speak to the MA (POLS) side, but I will speak t the MPP side. Stanford MPP is known as the ultimate example off a great university with a not so great policy program (the other being Cornell's Policy program). Even within California, Stanford MPP is not seen as one of the big players in the policy space among the policy schools (the big ones Cal-Goldman, USC - Price, UCLA - Luskin, and UCSD. Stanford MPP is simply is underinvested + under structured and those within the politics/IR space in Stanford (as PhDs) have informed me as such. I have never encountered a Stanford MPP in any professional setting or even heard of them matriculating into any role in the policy space (granted my experience comes from DC, but everyone goes to DC).

As for joint degrees, unless you have a really particular career track in mind that necessitates both degrees (classic example are MDs who get their MPH to focus on public health oriented medicine or JDs who get an MBA to have an advantage in corporate financial matters) and are really intentional about it throughout the entire recruiting/academic process, you truly derive your economic value from one degree and the other degree is for fun. 

I was thinking about applying to this program but from what I read it's only available to Stanford undergraduates or alumni, or those students who are partaking in joint programs at another Stanford professional school... here's what the website says:

"The MPP is available to current Stanford seniors and graduate students, Stanford alumni (who have graduated within the past 5 years), and external applicants seeking a joint degree. The MA is available to current Stanford graduate students."

Edited March 6, 2021 by Berber

[Fruit]

@Berber, if it's of any help I did some extensive research and informational interviewing for Stanford joint degrees earlier this year and can add a bit more to the MPP discussion.

I second most of what @GradSchoolGrad mentioned, especially since I know a good number of public policy undergraduates, 1-year MAs in public policy (co-terminal degree graduates mostly), and MPPs and it's an unfortunate chicken v. egg situation. Given the small number of students in a program that doesn't give/get as much funding as other policy schools, Stanford's less invested Haas Center of Public Service that has to serve all students, and the Bay Area's focus on tech, most students will go into consulting/tech-oriented/quant roles. There's more information on job placement on their webpage that reflects GRG's statement that few students go to DC, but enough find their way into more local policy spaces if they so seek it. 

FWIW, the joint degree I'm pursuing requires some flexibility, and when I spoke to the team they seemed very lenient on some MPP requirements. This seems like such a program will benefit students who are not so much in the exploratory phase, but rather using the MPP as a time to accelerate their career; you would also benefit from having a stronger joint-degree cohort than working alongside students who are coming straight from Stanford's undergrad and presumably have less work experience.

That being said, the folks leading the program and its admin (Greg Rosston, Kelly Walsh) are incredibly responsive and will connect you with joint degree students, alumni, and certain opportunities without hesitation, and as with most elite private schools, there's definitely money to fund your internships if you ask or look for it. In my analysis of programs I've been accepted to, Stanford seems to require a student be more proactive than they otherwise would be at larger policy schools if they're looking for a specific outcome. Just some things I considered during the application/outreach process, hope that helps!

Edit: I didn't consider or apply GSPP in this response, and I know they're clearly a contender in Bay Area policy spaces. By sheer numbers, I've met more GSPP alumni but I can't speak to their joint degrees.

Edited March 7, 2021 by Twiste