HELP! Georgetown, NYU, or Columbia

[DancesWithDogs]

HI! I wasnt sure if i should post here, or in the 'decisions, decisions' area since well, this is regarding a decision, but is more specific to Govt Affairs

here we go:

I got into some amazing schools: Georgetown GPPI MPP, NYU Wagner MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy, Columbia SIPA ESP MPA (environmental science and policy)

now... how do i choose? I actually thought id be a beggar than a chooser, so i guess im pretty lucky here.

My main goal in life is to help animals through policy-- I hope my career can lead to many different avenues to help animals in all situations, starting with the poor living conditions farm animals live in now in the United States. Perhaps one day I can venture down to help sea animals, wild animals and so forth (treated politically and socially very differently from consumption animals). Whether I am helping them through lobbyist groups, nonprofits on the front lines writing up evil/abusive farms or through as a third party philanthropy expert... i actually don't know.

1) Georgetown (nonprofit policy and leadership track) isn't strong in environmental, but has policy down cold. Ive read through their website and no matter how strong their policy program is, i feel their environmental sciences is rather weak. They have supplemental courses available to me, but i feel they act as a band aide to cover the sore spot rather than the right magic potion i need to get great!

2) NYU is HUGE in environmental policy, but mostly in the urban domain. I did research on the faculty and am really enamored by 2 professors' research and work in the field of environmental policy. but all because i love 2 professors doesnt mean i will actually get to learn under them! Additionally, I know it sounds silly, but I worry about its 'brand name' of being only a fantastic school recently and not having a glamour or history as say... columbia. and speaking of which:

3) Columbia's ESP MPA is so SO brand new! (also worried Columbia is a cash cow and may not give me the best education, despite its lasting brand name. Furthermore, as a one year MPA, am i paying for a crash course, or something that will truly help me in my life goals? BUT the ESP program is heavy on the environmental sciences while states is top notch on the policy! (oh, and its an Ivy... which i know is stupid, but fulfills my childhood educational dreams! I went to a city school for undergrad)

Luckily, funding is not an issue. Although some schools gave more than others, I actually feel that my education comes first and debt can be dealt with later. Money is transient, life is all you have; I want to spend my life doing what i love most: helping poor animals. (and to further the point of it being a non-issue, my family and fiance decided to pool together to make my education happen no matter what)

Im awaiting decisions on 2 more schools: Princeton and Yale, but Im not going to hold my breath.

any input would be fantastic as i am going nuts here! Any ideas, personal thoughts or even just a funny joke?

Thank you all in advance!

DWD

[setiadi]

Congrats!

I think it would be better for you to make a priority list on your consideration: the program, faculty, internship opportuniy, or school's brand? Then, you can rank those universities and pick the best one. If I were you, I might take ESP since this program seems specific enough on the environmental issues and you might have chances to meet professors or professionals on environmental policy. Just a thought.

Good luck.

[RainbowInTheDark]

Congrats! I think one of Wagner's major strengths--even for a topic like environmental policy--is that it's really good at building an interdisciplinary education. In addition to the faculty, you'll also develop really strong career networks in the City, which I don't think Columbia can offer yet (given how new its program is).

May I ask when/how you heard of your NYU admission? I applied to the MPA too and am awaiting a decision..

[DancesWithDogs]

i got the admission email just earlier. but dont do as i did, obsessively click refresh!

hmmm, i heard about how great NYU is at personalizing education, but im also worried about the 'glam' feel. internationally, im wondering if it carries the same weight to get me into conferences and whatnot.

thx guys!

[adollarninetynine]

even though columbia has more lay prestige, i would go with the nyu mpa. from all accounts, columbia's standard mpa is a cash cow to the fullest and i would have to assume that its environmental mpa would be even worse seeing how new it is. if you are worried about name value, i would not worry too much. within the industry of public service, wagner is well respected. of course you should make this decision after you receive funding information, but if you get an equal amount of money, you should go to wagner.

[Rexbocker828]

Congratulations!! I bet a lot of people would love to have your problem I don't know too much about environmental policy but I would have say that Wagner is the best choice. As rainbow said, they're big on interdisciplinary education and the core courses allow that you'll have a solid structure in management and policy. Have you sat in any classes for any of the programs you mentioned above? In November I visited my top programs, toured campus, talked to faculty and students, and sat in on classes. Sitting in class and watching interactions between students and faculty really helped me when I was deciding.

[DancesWithDogs]

thanks guys! i just visited Wagner yesterday and setting up an appointment to sit in on a class for Columbia. I am also going to the open house for Georgetown.

So all of these votes for NYU, but any opinions on gtown?

thanks!

[demogurl]

What did you end up choosing?