Heinz MSPPM

[jlynch26]

Is anyone else attendng the Open House at Heinz?

I was also wondering if anyone had decided they are attending the Heinz-DC Track program? Do you have any idea how many students are in the DC track?

[mppgal55]

The DC track is limited to 25 students each year. If less than that choose to attend, then they will accept applications from other Heinz students in the first few weeks and make selections at that point to fill spots. They are willing to keep the number lower if they don't think the applicants at that point are a good fit. For example, we started the year with 19 students. They accepted 4 more, 3 of whom were on the 3-semester track (I believe something like 25 students applied to switch into it). They also accepted one girl this spring (she's in the accelerated undergraduate program, which is why it was so late). So, we'll have 24 unless anyone drops out last minute. <-- is all typical for each year the program has been in existence.

Is anyone else attendng the Open House at Heinz?

I was also wondering if anyone had decided they are attending the Heinz-DC Track program? Do you have any idea how many students are in the DC track?

[yeahgradschool!]

Bump! Would love to hear people's opinions on the CMU open house!!

[fishpoo]

Hey there! I went. I enjoyed. Here's the dish:

- MSPPM program has it's own career services set up. The DC track has their own coordinator, but I'm not sure if she splits her time with other duties as well b/c she has been busy enough to not respond to me for the past 2 weeks, and: 1) she didn't bother to make an appearance this weekend, 2) She was busy doing some kind of interview on Friday so she didn't even meet with students.

- Current students: nice, friendly! helpful. They study A LOT.

- Activities: the socials planned for the weekend were fairly disorganized, but they were hosted by the busy students themselves so you can understand the situation. Extra points for great food and free booze! CMU in general seems a bit lacking in the social arena...

- DC track alumni panel: I think all 5 of them already have jobs secured for this fall. Well-spoken. Confident in their curriculum. Confident in the CMU-DC network. Seems a bit competitive between students. Internship (in addition to the year-long apprenticeship) is required.

- Faculty: I had a really hard time getting a feel for the faculty... they are all amazingly accomplished, but I'm still unsure about how accessible they are to students. Perhaps MPPGAL can provide more insight on this?

Side notes:

- Campus is small, boring, clean

- The city is fantastic! Again, small, but very urban - lots to eat and see. Beautiful rivers and bridges. You can definitely live here without a car (bus access depends on which neighborhood you live in). Great bakeries and coffee shops are OK!

- Staff: warm, friendly, helpful

- Erm... I thought I had more to say but i can't think of any for now! Feel free to ask questions and I will try to answer as time permits!!

Overall perspective on the MSPPM-DC track: I know I will get a decent job if I go here. Quant work is doable by all (albeit can be very challenging considering the courseload for DC students).

[mppgal55]

Hey there! I went. I enjoyed. Here's the dish:

- MSPPM program has it's own career services set up. The DC track has their own coordinator, but I'm not sure if she splits her time with other duties as well b/c she has been busy enough to not respond to me for the past 2 weeks, and: 1) she didn't bother to make an appearance this weekend, 2) She was busy doing some kind of interview on Friday so she didn't even meet with students.

- Current students: nice, friendly! helpful. They study A LOT.

- Activities: the socials planned for the weekend were fairly disorganized, but they were hosted by the busy students themselves so you can understand the situation. Extra points for great food and free booze! CMU in general seems a bit lacking in the social arena...

- DC track alumni panel: I think all 5 of them already have jobs secured for this fall. Well-spoken. Confident in their curriculum. Confident in the CMU-DC network. Seems a bit competitive between students. Internship (in addition to the year-long apprenticeship) is required.

- Faculty: I had a really hard time getting a feel for the faculty... they are all amazingly accomplished, but I'm still unsure about how accessible they are to students. Perhaps MPPGAL can provide more insight on this?

The DC Program Coordinator, Marie, is not our only point of contact - Martin Black, former Director of the Career Center (now he's in external relations?) is our go-to guy in Pittsburgh. Anita, the MSPPM career person in the career center, is always there for us as well. I've gotten great help/advice from all 3. Marie primarily works on helping us secure our apprenticeship. We had a meeting with her on Friday via webcam as well. She comes to DC sometimes to meet us, but that isn't always possible.

FYI, internships are NOT required for DC students, but they are recommended and most of us try to find them anyways.

Also, the atmosphere between current DC students is anything but competitive. I'm "competing" with another student for apprenticeship positions in the sense that we're seeking exactly the same type of work, but we still exchange job postings, share advice on interviews, hang out and get drinks, etc. It's the same within all industries. Two of my friends are interviewing with USAID friday, competing for one position, yet they're helping each other prepare. This is typical.

Heinz gives us lots of free booze - sometimes they just put a keg and pizza in the foyer on friday night for us, other times they arrange off-campus happy hours, and there is a big social/dance thing each semester. We get free pizza a lot too, but you get sick of quickly enough that it loses its allure. There's also a bar across from our building where we go a lot during the week after class. ($5 pitchers!...just got back from there actually). That said, we do study a lot. Grad school is challenging, especially on the DC track.

As for faculty...I've had one prof who never answered emails, which sucked, but that was the exception. Most faculty are very easy to approach, and some even give out their phone numbers. I've had some profs offer to meet one on one for coffee, and they always stay after class to answer questions.

I hope y'all had a great time visiting!

[fishpoo]

Hey MPPgal!

Please allow me to clarify that my comments were intended to be objective - not negative - in case that's how my comments are being read. That said, thank you for your input on all these aspects of the MSPPM program and staff! It's much appreciated (certainly better-informed than from my 2days alone at CMU). Your enthusiasm is obvious, and you support the program very well.

Martin was super awesome during the alumni panel, but I'm surprised that he is the go to guy in Pittsburgh if Anita (as I'm told), is the designated coordinator for the DC program. I didn't expect Marie to attend, but I didn't see Anita anywhere. Martin may have explained her absence during the beginning of his presentation, which I missed due to a long lunch line (where I got a delish sandwich!)

You know, i thought that internships weren't required until I asked about it this weekend. The alumni panel had mentioned that it was, so I asked either Gladys Perez (Director of the MSPPM program) or Martin (i can't remember which... maybe it was Wil Gorr, Chair?) directly whether summer internships are required for DC track students. Gladys (or Martin or Will! haha) confirmed that in the past internships were not required, but are now a required part of the curriculum. I guess whomever I asked may have misheard my question... I'll have to verify this then.

Regarding competitiveness and studying: I agree with you - I don't think the DC track is any more competitive than other top-notch schools. I could have left that part out. My comment on the "study A LOT" was meant to be reflective of the program's rigeur, which I appreciate. I'm confident that the program will equip me with the skills I need to be an amazing super analyzer

Lastly, thanks for the info on faculty. Approachability and mentouring is something that is always beneficial when researching faculty.

The DC Program Coordinator, Marie, is not our only point of contact - Martin Black, former Director of the Career Center (now he's in external relations?) is our go-to guy in Pittsburgh. Anita, the MSPPM career person in the career center, is always there for us as well. I've gotten great help/advice from all 3. Marie primarily works on helping us secure our apprenticeship. We had a meeting with her on Friday via webcam as well. She comes to DC sometimes to meet us, but that isn't always possible.

FYI, internships are NOT required for DC students, but they are recommended and most of us try to find them anyways.

Also, the atmosphere between current DC students is anything but competitive. I'm "competing" with another student for apprenticeship positions in the sense that we're seeking exactly the same type of work, but we still exchange job postings, share advice on interviews, hang out and get drinks, etc. It's the same within all industries. Two of my friends are interviewing with USAID friday, competing for one position, yet they're helping each other prepare. This is typical.

Heinz gives us lots of free booze - sometimes they just put a keg and pizza in the foyer on friday night for us, other times they arrange off-campus happy hours, and there is a big social/dance thing each semester. We get free pizza a lot too, but you get sick of quickly enough that it loses its allure. There's also a bar across from our building where we go a lot during the week after class. ($5 pitchers!...just got back from there actually). That said, we do study a lot. Grad school is challenging, especially on the DC track.

As for faculty...I've had one prof who never answered emails, which sucked, but that was the exception. Most faculty are very easy to approach, and some even give out their phone numbers. I've had some profs offer to meet one on one for coffee, and they always stay after class to answer questions.

I hope y'all had a great time visiting!

Edited April 12, 2011 by fishpoo

[fishpoo]

Oh! And CMU's gym is really small!! well, compared to the HUGE RIMAC at UCSD and gyms at other large UC campuses where they spend ridiculous amounts of money on activities to lure students in.

But there are private gyms nearby, including LA Fitness.

[yeahgradschool!]

Oh! And CMU's gym is really small!! well, compared to the HUGE RIMAC at UCSD and gyms at other large UC campuses where they spend ridiculous amounts of money on activities to lure students in.

But there are private gyms nearby, including LA Fitness.

Thanks for all the info fishpoo (and mppgal)! Have you decided where you´re going to attend? I´ll be headed to CMU in the fall, maybe I´ll see you there?!

[mppgal55]

The gym definitely kind of sucks, it is really small. The best fitness options my friends and I have decided on have been swimming at the CMU pool and hot yoga in Shadyside. CMU's been subsidizing/paying for yoga lately, but before that it wasn't that expensive. There's a gym near my house I almost joined, but it was out of my budget. When it is nice out, the parks are great for walks/hiking/running.

Oh! And CMU's gym is really small!! well, compared to the HUGE RIMAC at UCSD and gyms at other large UC campuses where they spend ridiculous amounts of money on activities to lure students in.

But there are private gyms nearby, including LA Fitness.

[Heel2632]

I think I will be attending CMU in the fall-- the DC track. It was a hard decision between Duke and Carnegie Mellon but I think it comes down to the curriculum and the possible career opportunities from the DC program.

[fishpoo]

Thanks for all the info fishpoo (and mppgal)! Have you decided where you´re going to attend? I´ll be headed to CMU in the fall, maybe I´ll see you there?!

You're welcome, YeahGS!

I am really torn about where to attend. I would say my gut is telling me to go to CMU, but for personal reasons, I am unable to commit at this time. So, maybe you will see me there in the fall - given some strength and courage .

Oh, but I REALLY do LOVE the DC track. I'm sure it'll give you everything you need!! Congratulations to you on committing - must feel good ()