Top 3 MPP/MPA Programs for my Profile

[Rummy]

I am looking at pursuing a MPP/MPA next year. I am currently applying for a scholarship, and the scholarship application form needs me to list out my preferred top 3 schools and programs (the application is routed through them, so they will first send in my application to these schools). I’d appreciate advice and inputs on which program is the best fit for my background and requirements.

I am from India, and hold a bachelor’s degree in commerce and an MBA – both from India. My MBA is from one of the top 3 b-schools in India and is fairly well recognized internationally also.However, my GPA is very low – 2.44. Post MBA, I worked for 3.5 years with the consulting arm of a Big Four firm, in their development consulting division. I worked on projects in education, healthcare, infrastructure and energy. I then quit to start up my own website, selling GMAT coaching material –during this time, I also worked part-time as a Teaching Assistant for one term in my old b-school, for a Public Systems course. After 1.5 years of this, I very recently joined a small non-profit which works in the public health space in India.

I’ve also recently been accepted into the University of London International Programs for their Post Graduate Diplomain Policy Studies. This is their distance learning program, and I hope to complete the diploma by October next year. If, however, I do get admitted int oone of the US schools of my choice, I intend to discontinue the diploma and just show the courses I have already completed as Individual Professional Courses.

The purpose of a US MPA/MPP for me is to get into a UN agency, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank or other international development organizations. I have no interest in pursuing a career in the private sector or in academia.

Taking my background and future career plans into consideration, which school and program would you recommend for me? Another factor is that since my MBA and work experience has involved significant quant work, I am now more interested in courses which are not quant heavy.

Given all of this, my choices are:

- Harvard KSG: MPP/MPA2

- Princeton WWS: MPA

- Columbia SIPA: MPA/ MPA in Development PRactice

- Georgetown: MPP

- Syracuse University Maxwell School: MPA

- SAIS: MAIR IDEV

Among these, I'm not sure if SIPA, SAIS and Maxwell are right for me because my understanding is that they are quant heavy.

So given my background, and what I want to do, which three programs would you recommend I shortlist in my application?

[Rummy]

I am looking at pursuing a MPP/MPA next year. I am currently applying for a scholarship, and the scholarship application form needs me to list out my preferred top 3 schools and programs (the application is routed through them, so they will first send in my application to these schools). I’d appreciate advice and inputs on which program is the best fit for my background and requirements.

I am from India, and hold a bachelor’s degree in commerce and an MBA – both from India. My MBA is from one of the top 3 b-schools in India and is fairly well recognized internationally also.However, my GPA is very low – 2.44. Post MBA, I worked for 3.5 years with the consulting arm of a Big Four firm, in their development consulting division. I worked on projects in education, healthcare, infrastructure and energy. I then quit to start up my own website, selling GMAT coaching material –during this time, I also worked part-time as a Teaching Assistant for one term in my old b-school, for a Public Systems course. After 1.5 years of this, I very recently joined a small non-profit which works in the public health space in India.

I’ve also recently been accepted into the University of London International Programs for their Post Graduate Diplomain Policy Studies. This is their distance learning program, and I hope to complete the diploma by October next year. If, however, I do get admitted int oone of the US schools of my choice, I intend to discontinue the diploma and just show the courses I have already completed as Individual Professional Courses.

The purpose of a US MPA/MPP for me is to get into a UN agency, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank or other international development organizations. I have no interest in pursuing a career in the private sector or in academia.

Taking my background and future career plans into consideration, which school and program would you recommend for me? Another factor is that since my MBA and work experience has involved significant quant work, I am now more interested in courses which are not quant heavy.

Given all of this, my choices are:

- Harvard KSG: MPP/MPA2

- Princeton WWS: MPA

- Columbia SIPA: MPA/ MPA in Development PRactice

- Georgetown: MPP

- Syracuse University Maxwell School: MPA

- SAIS: MAIR IDEV

Among these, I'm not sure if SIPA, SAIS and Maxwell are right for me because my understanding is that they are quant heavy.

So given my background, and what I want to do, which three programs would you recommend I shortlist in my application?

[Rummy]

What? Come on! Nobody has anything to say in response???

[PKSkull]

I recently applied to MPP programs, and based on your profile as an international student with a background in business, I would say that Georgetown, Syracuse, and Harvard would be your best fits.

Georgetown is in DC, which is probably the best city to learn about and experience policy, and laso has excellent regional and international connections for jobs and internships with UN, Worldbank etc.

Syracuse is considered the best MPA in the US, so I am sure you would get a great education and be prepared to enter whatever field.I don't know much about Harvard's MPP/MPA, but you really can't go wrong with a degree from there.

Hope this helps!

[Rummy]

Thanks!

I think I shall be listing HKS, WWS and Gergetown as my top 3 preferences

[abogs78]

Just an info....WWS is quant heavy depending on the concentration you plan to focus on at the school. Good luck!

Thanks!

I think I shall be listing HKS, WWS and Gergetown as my top 3 preferences