Pardee Rand vs UW Evans

[ruppina]

Hi Folks,

I just received admission from Pardee Rand Graduate School and UW Evans School for PhD programs. One in Policy Analysis and one in public policy and management. I am interested in environment and energy policy research. I know both School has pros and cons but would like to hear everyeon'e opinion about each school. I am especially interested in any one who knows about UW's PhD program because it seems very young.

Many thanks in advance.

[ruppina]

Hmm, I see a lot of people viewed this post but no replies so far. I guess my main question is how reputable is Rand graduate school compare to other policy/econ programs.

[DCA-John]

RAND's well known in certain circles, particularly here in DC. I got waitlisted last year but decided not to reapply (just HKS masters this year - decided not to spend the next 4 yrs in school).

I am not familiar with UW Evans - in terms of brand, RAND would be better known. Plus, it's on the beach in Santa Monica - what's not to like?

Generally, RAND graduates don't teach, though. I was looking at the study of foreign aid, but most people there are probably studying something related to defense policy, so if your interest in energy has a defense angle, RAND would be a good fit. I would guess most RAND graduates wind up going to the Pentagon, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, etc..., think tanks (brookings, etc..) or working directly for RAND.

If you want to teach, you have a marginally better shot at UW Evans, probably. However, public policy PhDs tend not to be full-time professors (many policy school professors are either poli sci or econ PhDs)

[ruppina]

Hi DCA John

Thank you for your comments. I'd have to wait until I visit Rand then. I visited UW and was pleasantly surprised about the program.

RAND's well known in certain circles, particularly here in DC. I got waitlisted last year but decided not to reapply (just HKS masters this year - decided not to spend the next 4 yrs in school).

I am not familiar with UW Evans - in terms of brand, RAND would be better known. Plus, it's on the beach in Santa Monica - what's not to like?

Generally, RAND graduates don't teach, though. I was looking at the study of foreign aid, but most people there are probably studying something related to defense policy, so if your interest in energy has a defense angle, RAND would be a good fit. I would guess most RAND graduates wind up going to the Pentagon, defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, etc..., think tanks (brookings, etc..) or working directly for RAND.

If you want to teach, you have a marginally better shot at UW Evans, probably. However, public policy PhDs tend not to be full-time professors (many policy school professors are either poli sci or econ PhDs)