I Need Help Deciding

[Brian100]

Decisions, decisions. I have been accepted to the below schools/programs but cannot decide which to attend. 

Quick backstory, I have over 20 years of work experience, and I just finished my BS in Political Science from ASU in 2021. 

I have a passion for fighting against social injustice and defending Western liberal democracy, which is in peril. Ultimately, I hope to become a member of the US Congress. I hope to earn the MPA, followed by a law degree with a concentration in constitutional law. My expectation is the knowledge from these degrees will inform my policies and enable me to be the most effective civil servant possible. 

Any feedback or recommendations on these schools is much appreciated.

Note: I only applied to one year MPA programs. 

Brown University, Master of Public Affairs
Georgetown University, Master of Policy Management
The University of Michigan, Master of Public Affairs
Johns Hopkins University SAIS, Master of International Public Policy
Northwestern University, Master of Public Policy and Administration

[Brian100]

Bump

[PolicyApplier]

Since you want to go to law school eventually, I'd go to the spot with the law school you most want to go to. If I understand admissions decisions correctly, they generally value degrees from their own institutions pretty highly. The one that also that makes you go into the least amount of debt would be good (presuming all MPA's are roughly ranked equally).

[Brian100]

1 hour ago, PolicyApplier said:

Since you want to go to law school eventually, I'd go to the spot with the law school you most want to go to. If I understand admissions decisions correctly, they generally value degrees from their own institutions pretty highly. The one that also that makes you go into the least amount of debt would be good (presuming all MPA's are roughly ranked equally).

That’s a good point and one I considered. My number one law school choice is Harvard Law School. However, Harvard’s MPA program is two years, not one, so I did not apply. Do you think going to Brown for my MPA would have a similar effect on Harvard Law School admissions? The Brown MPA partners with Harvard and offers students one Harvard class as one of the three required electives.

[PolicyApplier]

Provided you can do all the things needed to get into Harvard Law, I don't see how the Harvard connections would hurt you. As to how effective it would be, the advisors would likely be the best ones to ask. You could also look at the post-graduation stats and see if any of the students from those programs went on to the law schools/universities you were interested in after graduation.

[Boolakanaka]

17 hours ago, Brian100 said:

Decisions, decisions. I have been accepted to the below schools/programs but cannot decide which to attend. 

Quick backstory, I have over 20 years of work experience, and I just finished my BS in Political Science from ASU in 2021. 

I have a passion for fighting against social injustice and defending Western liberal democracy, which is in peril. Ultimately, I hope to become a member of the US Congress. I hope to earn the MPA, followed by a law degree with a concentration in constitutional law. My expectation is the knowledge from these degrees will inform my policies and enable me to be the most effective civil servant possible. 

Any feedback or recommendations on these schools is much appreciated.

Note: I only applied to one year MPA programs. 

Brown University, Master of Public Affairs
Georgetown University, Master of Policy Management
The University of Michigan, Master of Public Affairs
Johns Hopkins University SAIS, Master of International Public Policy
Northwestern University, Master of Public Policy and Administration

FYI--all law schools by the very nature of the education have a concentration on constitutional law. By way of specific example, Con Law 1 and 2 are typical required classes. As to your question--it really depends on other factors, price, geographic preference, etc....as they are all well suited to your general objectives. Of the the five schools listed, only GU, UM and NW have law schools---of those three, there are fairly close in ranking and all re considered a T14 school.

[kleenex89]

Georgetown MPM is a part time right?

[Brian100]

1 hour ago, kleenex89 said:

Georgetown MPM is a part time right?

The program can be taken part-time or full-time. The full-time option is one year, Jun-May.

[Westpolicy]

Just FYI HKS does offer a one year mid-career masters as does some other policy schools including Princeton (if you are admitted to Princeton SPIA you receive 100% tuition paid for and living stipend for graduate degrees).  
 

I would look at the classes at each program and do some research on each program by attending sessions they have/ speaking with current students and go from there.  Good luck!  

[Brian100]

On 3/17/2022 at 7:11 PM, Westpolicy said:

Just FYI HKS does offer a one year mid-career masters as does some other policy schools including Princeton (if you are admitted to Princeton SPIA you receive 100% tuition paid for and living stipend for graduate degrees).  
 

I would look at the classes at each program and do some research on each program by attending sessions they have/ speaking with current students and go from there.  Good luck!  

You're right. I remember now why I didn't apply to HKS; I missed the deadline.  

[Brian100]

BTW, I was also accepted to Columbia University for a MA in Political Science. I know the MPA will benefit me much more, but my heart wants to go to Columbia. To me, it's like going a car dealer to buy a sensible and economical sedan, but then laying eyes on a brand new Porsche 911 GT3 on the showroom floor and being like, "F it, I am buying this GT3." 

[Boolakanaka]

2 minutes ago, Brian100 said:

BTW, I was also accepted to Columbia University for a MA in Political Science. I know the MPA will benefit me much more, but my heart wants to go to Columbia. To me, it's like going a car dealer to buy a sensible and economical sedan, but then laying eyes on a brand new Porsche 911 GT3 on the showroom floor and being like, "F it, I am buying this GT3." 

Resist buying the flashy red car---it initially looks cool and then you are stuck with something that takes a lot out of the pocketbook and you don't get a lot of practical usage.  Nothing for nothing, this particular MA will most likely not come with any real financial assistance, and in most cases, is a pathway for potential  PhD candidates, ie, entirely different career path.

 

I would be disciplined in your choices to career goals, that is to say, don't get distracted, and all of your decisions should have the following posit: how does this appreciably contribute to career goals?

[Brian100]

1 minute ago, Boolakanaka said:

Resist buying the flashy red car---it initially looks cool and then you are stuck with something that takes a lot out of the pocketbook and you don't get a lot of practical usage.  Nothing for nothing, this particular MA will most likely not come with any real financial assistance, and in most cases, is a pathway for potential  PhD candidates, ie, entirely different career path.

 

I would be disciplined in your choices to career goals, that is to say, don't get distracted, and all of your decisions should have the following posit: how does this appreciably contribute to career goals?

You are absolutely right. Thank you for talking me out of the GT3.