Help me decide

[CC139]

Guys, I've been reading these forums all this application cycle and now time has come for me to choose where to go and I want you to help me decide. I never expected to be so lucky and face this choice. I know this post is long, but I would really appreciate your help.

I applied to six schools and got into all. For one reason or another, I feel I would be very happy at any of them.

I have made a list with the pros and cons of each. I hope it helps future applicants.

• NYU MPA:
  Prestigious program.
  Like the option to take electives from Wagners Urban Planning program.
  Internship options
  
  Cons: Cost (around $90k)
  Seems like a feeder to local NY goverment.
  
  
  • Syracuse MPA:
    Certificate options.
    IT specialization.
    Cost (around $22k)
    
    Cons: Duration. 1 year.
    No internship options.
    Location.
    Received an assistantship, so I couldn't work more -international student.
    
    
    • UT Austin MPAff:
      IT specialization.
      Cost (around $30k)
      I could work on campus.
      Internship options (mostly in TX).
      
      Cons: Don't know its employment statistics (can't open the page).
      Not sure about its overall prestige: seems to be regional.
      
      
      • Hertie School of Governance MPP:

    Pros: Location -I love Berlin.

    Opportunity to become proficient in German.

    Cost? Middle of the road (around $45k).

    Internship opportunities - would love to intern at Transparency International.

    Exchange with some US and Asian schools.

    Cons: Very new program.

    Not sure about its rigor or skills.

    Not sure about its job placement.

    Not sure about networking opportunities.

    [*]Erasmus Mundus MPP:

    Pros: Prestige in Europe.

    Location (One year in York, summer in Hague and final year in Budapest).

    Cons: Just applied because of the scholarship and I am waitlisted. (cost without it is like 45k)

    Not sure about placement or anything.

    [*]CMU MSc Information Security Policy and Management:

    Pros: Great school.

    Awesome program, very new and specialized. I didn't expect to get in.

    Small cohort (25 students per year).

    Impressive job placement in government and industry.

    Internship opportunities.

    Could take electives from Heinz MSPPM.

    Cons: Don't know if I'll benefit more from a general program (MPA).

    Cost (around $60k).

    While I expect to come back to my country and work in the government after completing my degree, I am not adverse to staying in the US or work somewhere else for a while. I would also like to have the opportunity to work in the private sector.

    Unless you know something about Wagner I am missing, I am ruling out the program because of its cost. I am also ruling out Erasmus Mundus for I do not believe its academics are as strong while its price do is comparable to the other programs.

    So, if you have something to say about these programs, I'd really appreciate your comments.

Edited March 23, 2011 by CC139

[namename]

What is it that you would like to do with this degree?

[CC139]

What is it that you would like to do with this degree?

I would like to work in either consulting or government, mostly in policy design/evaluation (urban or information technology) or process redesign management.

[nogone]

I just got back from the LBJ admitted students open house yesterday, so I can answer a few questions about that. As far as internships, they actually seem to be split pretty evenly between Texas, DC, and abroad. They gave us statistics for the 2010 graduating class, and 39% were actually working in DC 6 months out, and we were also told that they have a large and active DC alumni group. . I was told that almost 25% of the students offered admission this year are international students. They also gave the impression of being very quant heavy, though I'm not sure how they stand compared to other schools in that area. The work on campus thing seems like a reality, with most of the current students I spoke with working part time, either on campus as research assistants or with relevant outside organizations.

[CC139]

I just got back from the LBJ admitted students open house yesterday, so I can answer a few questions about that. As far as internships, they actually seem to be split pretty evenly between Texas, DC, and abroad. They gave us statistics for the 2010 graduating class, and 39% were actually working in DC 6 months out, and we were also told that they have a large and active DC alumni group. . I was told that almost 25% of the students offered admission this year are international students. They also gave the impression of being very quant heavy, though I'm not sure how they stand compared to other schools in that area. The work on campus thing seems like a reality, with most of the current students I spoke with working part time, either on campus as research assistants or with relevant outside organizations.

Hey, nogone, thanks for your input! Why do you say they are quant heavy? Any other impressions from your visit?

[Ahab]

Hey, nogone, thanks for your input! Why do you say they are quant heavy? Any other impressions from your visit?

LBJ, particularly the MPaff, is known for being quant. heavy, which to me is a huge plus. I also think they try to emphasize it because incoming students are routinely surprised at the quant. emphasis (this is what I've heard).

Thanks for the report nogone!

[CC139]

LBJ, particularly the MPaff, is known for being quant. heavy, which to me is a huge plus. I also think they try to emphasize it because incoming students are routinely surprised at the quant. emphasis (this is what I've heard).

Thanks for the report nogone!

I didn't know that, but I agree, it is definitely an advantage.

[abaabeel]

Hi everybody

I am an international student and now leaning towards MPAff at LBJ. My other option is SPEA at IU-bloomington. I intend to concentrate in the energy policy/studies (mineral resources etc) and a touch of environment courses. Though SPEA offers specifically designed courses in energy as well as environment and it is also ranked very highly in the World News etc but still I know that UT-Austin is a more recognised brand in USA as well as my part of the world, and that it also offers good courses in energy etc. Besides that I have heard so much about the diversity in Texas and the warm weather that it has very much reinforced my interest in attending LBJ. However, in order to be more decisive (still a bit of doubt yet) is the job placement of LBJ grads in the international jobs- not US since I wont be staying in US after graduation. Specifically, how much are the chances for LBJ grads in the international instituitions such as UN, WB, IEA (specifically the energy related depts) etc. And that how is it regarded by consultancies and multinationals working around the world. I would appreciate if I get any kind of information just to make my decision easier and faster. Thanks a lot

[CC139]

Hi everybody

I am an international student and now leaning towards MPAff at LBJ. My other option is SPEA at IU-bloomington. I intend to concentrate in the energy policy/studies (mineral resources etc) and a touch of environment courses. Though SPEA offers specifically designed courses in energy as well as environment and it is also ranked very highly in the World News etc but still I know that UT-Austin is a more recognised brand in USA as well as my part of the world, and that it also offers good courses in energy etc. Besides that I have heard so much about the diversity in Texas and the warm weather that it has very much reinforced my interest in attending LBJ. However, in order to be more decisive (still a bit of doubt yet) is the job placement of LBJ grads in the international jobs- not US since I wont be staying in US after graduation. Specifically, how much are the chances for LBJ grads in the international instituitions such as UN, WB, IEA (specifically the energy related depts) etc. And that how is it regarded by consultancies and multinationals working around the world. I would appreciate if I get any kind of information just to make my decision easier and faster. Thanks a lot

Where are you from abaabel?? I am an international student from Mexico and I know that because of the large Mexican population in Austin and its proximity to Mexico, there are several employers looking for Mexicans or at least bilingual graduates, so in my case, it is an advantage no other school has (maybe NYU).

I don't know LBJ's placement in internatinoal organizations, but if you're looking to return to your country, you'd be better served with a school that has some recognition there.

It'd be great if someone could answer your question about consoultancies and multinationals. Anyone?

[StellaHaiti2]

. However, in order to be more decisive (still a bit of doubt yet) is the job placement of LBJ grads in the international jobs- not US since I wont be staying in US after graduation. Specifically, how much are the chances for LBJ grads in the international instituitions such as UN, WB, IEA (specifically the energy related depts) etc. And that how is it regarded by consultancies and multinationals working around the world. I would appreciate if I get any kind of information just to make my decision easier and faster. Thanks a lot

You should send an email or call the career services or admissions at both schools, they keep stats at where their graduates are employed.

[abaabeel]

Thanks CC139 and Stella. To your query CC139: I am from Pakistan. Anyways, I have talked to people in the energy sector here in Pakistan and they hold UT-Austin in high regard. Now I am sure where to go, the LBJ.

[CC139]

Thanks CC139 and Stella. To your query CC139: I am from Pakistan. Anyways, I have talked to people in the energy sector here in Pakistan and they hold UT-Austin in high regard. Now I am sure where to go, the LBJ.

Awesome! I am still deciding, but if I end up at LBJ, I'll drop you a line. Congrats on your decision

[zerolife]

I can't comment on the other programs but in regard to MSISPM at CMU, do you have a real interest in security?

If so, then you got hands down the top InfoSec program in the nation and perhaps the world (I might be biased here as a MSISPM student but I think with Cylab on campus and most security classes taught by senior CERT staff says a lot).

However, if you are leaning more toward MPA/MPP, then MSISPM may not be for you. I think everyone in the program is looking for a career in the security or a technical field. Yes, we are under the same roof with the MSPPM students but MSISPM is part of the Information Systems Management side. You can definitiv take MSPPM classes but that's not the norm.

btw the class size is actually 15. They experimented with 25 a few years ago but decided to go back to 15. There are a couple of good reasons why the class size is intentionally kept small.

[CC139]

I can't comment on the other programs but in regard to MSISPM at CMU, do you have a real interest in security?

If so, then you got hands down the top InfoSec program in the nation and perhaps the world (I might be biased here as a MSISPM student but I think with Cylab on campus and most security classes taught by senior CERT staff says a lot).

However, if you are leaning more toward MPA/MPP, then MSISPM may not be for you. I think everyone in the program is looking for a career in the security or a technical field. Yes, we are under the same roof with the MSPPM students but MSISPM is part of the Information Systems Management side. You can definitiv take MSPPM classes but that's not the norm.

btw the class size is actually 15. They experimented with 25 a few years ago but decided to go back to 15. There are a couple of good reasons why the class size is intentionally kept small.

I appreciate your input, zerolife. I've sent you a PM.

[abaabeel]

Awesome! I am still deciding, but if I end up at LBJ, I'll drop you a line. Congrats on your decision

Thanks cc139. Plz do inform me if you decide for LBJ..