UVa - Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

[JAubrey]

Just came across this, it is a very young program, but sounds extremely interesting and sounds like it certainly has the money behind it. Does anyone know anyone who has done this? Is it mainly UVa alumni who've done it?

Any thoughts on it?

http://batten.virginia.edu/

[polaris85]

Just came across this, it is a very young program, but sounds extremely interesting and sounds like it certainly has the money behind it. Does anyone know anyone who has done this? Is it mainly UVa alumni who've done it?

Any thoughts on it?

http://batten.virginia.edu/

They've only just admitted their first post-grad class, entering this Fall, so presently, it's all UVA undergrads completing the 5-year program. I'm interested in it too, as I attended UVA undergrad (but missed out on being eligible for this program by 1 year). I have had several of the faculty, and know of others from the Politics dept. They have a pretty decent faculty in the program and are continually trying to draw new people in -- for instance, with the new collaboration with the Education school. I had email contact with Howard Hoege several times this year about the program and he commented on the flexibility to take classes in different areas outside of Batten, which is awesome since UVA does have some strong graduate programs in other areas as well. Although UVA is obviously not in DC and this hurts your competitiveness somewhat, I don't think it is a huge issue. DC isn't too far away and many of the faculty have connections to DC to help you network (not to mention, access to the Miller Center).

[bgreenster]

I'm definitely looking into it myself. I graduated from UVa in 2006, and absolutely loved my time there. I actually wanted to stay there for grad school, but they didn't have this program at the time I graduated- I only heard of it a couple weeks ago. I had talked to someone about International Relations back when I was still studying there, but I was basically told they only focused on academia, which isn't my thing.

There isn't much information on the website, is there? I think I'm going to email a couple of my former professors and see if they can tell me anything. I didn't have overly related majors (English and Spanish, plus Religious Studies minor) but they must hear about it around Grounds and such!

I wonder if it's easier to get accepted right now than it will be, since it's new and not well-known (yet)....

[JAubrey]

I am of the same mind, didn't go to UVA but have a number of friends from prep school who did and loved UVA when I stayed with them. And personally, I know I am going to end up in DC, but wouldn't mind being outside the beltway for my MPP...

[JAubrey]

I'm definitely looking into it myself. I graduated from UVa in 2006, and absolutely loved my time there. I actually wanted to stay there for grad school, but they didn't have this program at the time I graduated- I only heard of it a couple weeks ago. I had talked to someone about International Relations back when I was still studying there, but I was basically told they only focused on academia, which isn't my thing.

There isn't much information on the website, is there? I think I'm going to email a couple of my former professors and see if they can tell me anything. I didn't have overly related majors (English and Spanish, plus Religious Studies minor) but they must hear about it around Grounds and such!

I wonder if it's easier to get accepted right now than it will be, since it's new and not well-known (yet)....

Did you major in IR at UVa undergrad? I am surprised by your university choices, Duke I get, but UT and Tenn? Are you only looking in the south?

[bgreenster]

Did you major in IR at UVa undergrad? I am surprised by your university choices, Duke I get, but UT and Tenn? Are you only looking in the south?

I was an English and Spanish double major, with Religious Studies minor.

Yes, I am only looking in the south. My fiance and I are both from the south and aren't keen on moving up north. I am a Tennessee resident, so I'm applying there as my back-up and not-insanely-priced option. Texas is actually the program I am the most interested in, particularly because I can dual degree in Latin American Studies, although Duke is an extremely close second.

I'm looking into going the NGO and development route, with a focus in Latin American countries, so I don't need to be up in the cities and doing the whole government internship thing.

One good thing for me about UVa (other than my never-ending love of the school, ha) is that the International Rescue Committee has a regional office in Charlottesville, with whom I would definitely love to do my internship.

For those of you wondering about the location, I will add that it is extremely easy to get to DC from Cville. We used to go up there all the time when I was an undergrad; you literally just take 29 north up to 66 and can make it in less than two hours. Plus you don't have to deal with DC rent and living expenses.

[JAubrey]

I'm definitely looking into it myself. I graduated from UVa in 2006, and absolutely loved my time there. I actually wanted to stay there for grad school, but they didn't have this program at the time I graduated- I only heard of it a couple weeks ago. I had talked to someone about International Relations back when I was still studying there, but I was basically told they only focused on academia, which isn't my thing.

There isn't much information on the website, is there? I think I'm going to email a couple of my former professors and see if they can tell me anything. I didn't have overly related majors (English and Spanish, plus Religious Studies minor) but they must hear about it around Grounds and such!

I wonder if it's easier to get accepted right now than it will be, since it's new and not well-known (yet)....

How have you found the alumni in terms of helping one another? Obviously at the undergraduate level it is a bit different, but any general impressions? The website is fairly bare, would you mind sharing any information regarding the program that you get from your former professors?

[bgreenster]

How have you found the alumni in terms of helping one another? Obviously at the undergraduate level it is a bit different, but any general impressions? The website is fairly bare, would you mind sharing any information regarding the program that you get from your former professors?

Well, i have lived abroad (and still am) basically since I graduated from undergrad, and have never looked for jobs back in the States, so I'm not the best to ask on that front. I will say that I found out about Batten from another alumni who saw that I was looking at MPA/MPP programs and let me know about UVa. Otherwise, I have heard good things about our alumni groups, and I know that there are active alumni communities in the major cities. I used to go to some things up in Chicago even while I was still a student, but up there on school breaks. I have really only had good experiences with my fellow Wahoos (and we're mostly super intense about UVa and so it's easy to bond with another alumni over having gone there).

I will definitely share anything I can find out about the program.

[bgreenster]

ps: The alumni clubs have websites, if you want to check it out:

The general site for all the locations is here

Chicago

New York

DC

A LOT of our alumni end up in DC and NY, so those alumni clubs are pretty big/active.

I feel like you should be able to check out the contact information on here and ask some questions of the alumni, or even look into attending an event wherever you live to talk to people. Just a thought.

[JAubrey]

ps: The alumni clubs have websites, if you want to check it out:

The general site for all the locations is here

Chicago

New York

DC

A LOT of our alumni end up in DC and NY, so those alumni clubs are pretty big/active.

I feel like you should be able to check out the contact information on here and ask some questions of the alumni, or even look into attending an event wherever you live to talk to people. Just a thought.

I am in the same boat, I live / work abroad AND went to university abroad for the most part (in the UK and France), however I'm American so I wouldn't mind going to a university that has a strong US based alumni group.

[bmb7z]

Grew up in Charlottesvile, went to UVA undergrad, and cannot recommend the University highly enough. As others have said, the quality of academics is very high, the town is wonderful, and the pride of being a Wahoo is almost unparalleled. All that said, I didn't even look at Batten when I was applying to MPA/MPP programs. My concerns were directly related to the "newness" of the program. If you look at other programs that have been started recently (for example the W&M Jefferson Program in Public Policy), their rankings are low and as a result do not get the most highly qualified applicants. I visited programs like this, and while the professors seemed generally good, I was concerned about the caliber of the other students. Many students in these programs were undergrads who had gone onto the Masters program to simply fill time -- continue athletic competition, no job opportunities, etc. There certainly were intelligent motivated students as well, but the average was a little lower than I was hoping for. While I'm well aware that UVA is a unique institution, I felt that it would be unwise to apply to a program without any track record of placing graduates in jobs, demonstrating academic excellence, and proven reputation. I have no doubt that in 10 years, Batten will be an excellent program -- I was just concerned about the present. My advice would be to consider these factors carefully before making your decision. There are many other excellent programs near DC (if that is your goal), as well as others slightly farther afield, which may offer similar (not the same -- UVA is incredible) programs with deeper experience and records of proven success.

[JAubrey]

Just wanted to update this as I recently had a long and very informative talk with Howard Hoege the Director of Admissions at the Batten School.

First, Howard, was absolutely fantastic to talk to. I had some significant concerns regarding its focus, namely, what I perceived Batten to be, a younger more domestic oriented program. In fact they are working fast and furious to expand their international / global focus and allow a fair bit of cross-registration with the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, Law School, and Darden (Business School). Especially important for me, is they allow you to do language courses as well and that is something I am extremely interested in and is applicable to my current and most likely post-MPP professional development.

Another thing I was extremely impressed with, was the financial arrangements, as I plan on staying in work with the federal government, I do not want to take on 120k in loans at HKS or Yale. UVa already offers overall lower costs, plus of the 21 graduate students in the new intake EVERY SINGLE ONE got at least some grants / fellowships. Additionally, 3 have already been offered research positions and they plan on also offering 3-4 TA positions to 2nd year MPP students based on merit and interest. Also their yield was very comparable to Darden and the Law School, which speaks well of the school.

Overall, I was very impressed with Howard and as I am not applying until next year, Batten has definitely made it onto my short list.

If you have any questions feel free to post them here or PM and I will do my best. Otherwise I would say DEFINITELY arrange a phone or if possible a face-to-face chat with Howard as he was not only knowledgeable, but also completely forthright in addressing the strengths, weaknesses, and future of Batten.

[bgreenster]

Hey guys,

So I think I have decided to apply to Batten. I have emailed a bit with Howard as well, although still in the middle of finding out details. He has been encouraging as to the international nature of the program, and it already feels like the program is growing. In his email, he sent me some recommendations for which professors to look up, and one is actually directly in my desired field (working in advocacy for refugees, etc) The website is definitely getting more helpful, at the very least!

I will post when I get more info, but I too recommend getting in touch personally. Howard is very easy to speak with, is very upfront, and I only wish I could make a phone call from out here so we could talk more directly! I'll be planning a trip to check out the program in November when I'm done here in the Peace Corps, and I'll keep posting on this as I get more information.

Edited August 2, 2011 by bgreenster

[bgreenster]

Got my acceptance phone call on Friday, now just waiting to hear about funding this week! Anyone else get some good news? Going to the accepted student info meeting in a couple weeks? I don't think I can make it because I live in another state, but I'm definitely wanting to meet professors and the possible cohort.

I would love to hear who else is considering the program, and what you're thinking of studying.

[MPAprospect12]

Got my acceptance phone call on Friday, now just waiting to hear about funding this week! Anyone else get some good news? Going to the accepted student info meeting in a couple weeks? I don't think I can make it because I live in another state, but I'm definitely wanting to meet professors and the possible cohort.

I would love to hear who else is considering the program, and what you're thinking of studying.

I also applied to the MPP program at UVA, but haven't heard anything yet. Did your application status change? i know you got through the news through the phone, but just wondering if they use the apply yourself website as well.

Thanks!

[bgreenster]

I also applied to the MPP program at UVA, but haven't heard anything yet. Did your application status change? i know you got through the news through the phone, but just wondering if they use the apply yourself website as well.

Thanks!

My application status hasn't changed yet. They're sending the official offer and such this week. I'm not really sure when the website will change - it doesn't even show on mine that a decision has been made.

[goingbananas]

Got call from Howard recently informing me of my acceptance...I'm definitly considering Batten...

[bgreenster]

Very cool - what are y'all planning on studying in terms of concentration/professors? I really wish I could go to the admitted students visit to meet people!

As I've mentioned, I went to UG at UVA, so if anyone has any questions about the university in general, or about Cville, feel free to hit me up I can't wait to hear about funding, since Batten is definitely one of my top choices!

Edited March 1, 2012 by bgreenster

[bgreenster]

Did anyone get their funding email today? I messaged Meg at the end of the day, saying I hadn't received mine (like that email said to do). I just wanna know if I'm getting any money! haha

Update: Meg replied and said they're "working on getting word out this weekend" so hopefully soon we'll know.

Edited March 3, 2012 by bgreenster

[bgreenster]

Sooo... I got the email with funding info and I didn't get a very good financial offer. I'm super bummed because UVA has been one of my top choices, and I don't think I can afford it. I don't think I can justify paying out of state with only $5000 per year (and health insurance... which isn't important to me since I'll be married and his company will cover me anyhow). Uber sad face