HKS MPP vs. Georgetown MSFS

[GradSchool96]

Currently debating attending HKS MPP (International and Global Affairs) and Georgetown MSFS (Global Politics and Security) and would greatly appreciate insights into either program/how they compare between each other (I'm broadly interested in American foreign policy and grand strategy). I also got into Hopkins SAIS, Columbia SIPA, Tufts Fletcher, Stanford, and UChicago Harris, but am leaning towards HKS or Georgetown. Would also be interested in hearing if these programs are worth it over HKS or Georgetown. Money is not a concern.

[GradSchoolGrad]

21 minutes ago, GradSchool96 said:

Currently debating attending HKS MPP (International and Global Affairs) and Georgetown MSFS (Global Politics and Security) and would greatly appreciate insights into either program/how they compare between each other (I'm broadly interested in American foreign policy and grand strategy). I also got into Hopkins SAIS, Columbia SIPA, Tufts Fletcher, Stanford, and UChicago Harris, but am leaning towards HKS or Georgetown. Would also be interested in hearing if these programs are worth it over HKS or Georgetown. Money is not a concern.

The programs are very different. HKS MPP is interesting because its probably the only MPP school that can legitimately say they produce MPP students focused on international relations (that isn't IDEV). However, your core education will be the same as people doing domestic policy. So if you don't care for a core that that doesn't get to the chase of focusing on IR, that is a ding against MPP. Another thing to realize is that although there is a sizable IR focused group at HKS MPP, you are small sub-section of people within the graduate program. You are going to have to network your way into an IR field/job you are interested in - which is pretty easy because HKS is very career focused (culturally). Another great thing about HKS MPP is that it is very easy to coordinate and collaborate with the Harvard Enterprise and they have lot of potential synergies to play with.

Georgetown MSFS is basically a big blast of IR and you have lot of awesome opportunities to do live projects with the DC IR infrastructure. I will say that they also have a fair of collaboration with the business community (especially along trade matters). Your peers will simply be all IR focused rather than a hodge lodge of policy.

So things to think about:

1. Who do you want your peers to be? Diverse crew interested in government or IR focused

2. Do you feel like you need live project experience to enhance your professional goals. If you want to do something more niche, the answer is probably no. If you are a major career pivoted, the answer is probably yes. MSFS will give you a lot more live project opportunities.

3. How much do you want to collaborate with MBA, Grad programs, and etc. Collaboration happens in both, but Harvard has greater depth and breadth than Georgetown. However, if you want to focus on trade issues, Georgetown does take the cake

4. Posses - if you go into the foreign service or defense establishment, there are lots of Georgetown posses that will help you out. As an HKS person, you'll be well respected with a few high end connections, but you won't have a posse. If anything, you might have a target on your back as the Harvard person. 

[GradSchool96]

On 3/28/2022 at 12:46 PM, GradSchoolGrad said:

The programs are very different. HKS MPP is interesting because its probably the only MPP school that can legitimately say they produce MPP students focused on international relations (that isn't IDEV). However, your core education will be the same as people doing domestic policy. So if you don't care for a core that that doesn't get to the chase of focusing on IR, that is a ding against MPP. Another thing to realize is that although there is a sizable IR focused group at HKS MPP, you are small sub-section of people within the graduate program. You are going to have to network your way into an IR field/job you are interested in - which is pretty easy because HKS is very career focused (culturally). Another great thing about HKS MPP is that it is very easy to coordinate and collaborate with the Harvard Enterprise and they have lot of potential synergies to play with.

Georgetown MSFS is basically a big blast of IR and you have lot of awesome opportunities to do live projects with the DC IR infrastructure. I will say that they also have a fair of collaboration with the business community (especially along trade matters). Your peers will simply be all IR focused rather than a hodge lodge of policy.

So things to think about:

1. Who do you want your peers to be? Diverse crew interested in government or IR focused

2. Do you feel like you need live project experience to enhance your professional goals. If you want to do something more niche, the answer is probably no. If you are a major career pivoted, the answer is probably yes. MSFS will give you a lot more live project opportunities.

3. How much do you want to collaborate with MBA, Grad programs, and etc. Collaboration happens in both, but Harvard has greater depth and breadth than Georgetown. However, if you want to focus on trade issues, Georgetown does take the cake

4. Posses - if you go into the foreign service or defense establishment, there are lots of Georgetown posses that will help you out. As an HKS person, you'll be well respected with a few high end connections, but you won't have a posse. If anything, you might have a target on your back as the Harvard person. 

Thanks for the info! What do you mean by a target on your back?

[GradSchoolGrad]

Just now, GradSchool96 said:

Thanks for the info! What do you mean by a target on your back?

it can range from light hearted to legitimate tagging (depending on how well you are liked), but people know who is the person that went to Harvard - if you catch my drift. 

[Boolakanaka]

29 minutes ago, GradSchoolGrad said:

it can range from light hearted to legitimate tagging (depending on how well you are liked), but people know who is the person that went to Harvard - if you catch my drift. 

I mostly agree except to add: that tagging can be thought of in the same light as that really cute guy/gal--not always liked but always admired .

[GradSchool96]

Got it! I am so stuck on deciding between the two, even after speaking with people at both schools. I haven't been able to visit either and won't be able to.