Help needed: USC vs CMU vs UMD Thank you!

[Begonia]

Hello all! I'm an international student applying for MPA/MPP program 2012 fall. I'm admitted by following programs: GPPI(with no funding) USC(half tuition) CMU(16k/y) maryland(33k/y).

I will choose the concentration of nonprofit and also have strong interest in education issues. I hope to work for IO or foundations in future.

Since financial aid is also a big issue to me, I'm currently not considering GPPI( well it's so hard to do so)

USC MPA:

Decent program considering the ranking( but I don't know why it is not mentioned much in this forum)

Strong alumni( I heard USC does really well in this aspect)

Location: although LA is a big city, maybe east coast is a better place to study MPP/MPA?

CMU MSPPM:

Rigorous curriculum: I believe CMU provides the most practical skills among these programs. It's actually a soft MBA program. But I don't know whether it's good thing. I've talked with several of its current students, and it seems that most of them are pursuing career in finance or consulting.

Location: location is concern to me. I guess there are comparatively fewer NGOs or IOs in Pittsburg. Thus it might be difficult to find internship.

Reputation: It looks like Heinz enjoys very good reputation in this forum, perhaps also in US?

Maryland MPP:

Scholarship: I have to admit that the scholarship is really a great temptation to me. It almost covers the tuition.

Location: College park is in the DC beltway, best location to study policy I guess.

Reputation: Maryland is not as prestigious in my country as other universities, I don't know whether it's same in US.

Another concern: Maryland is going to start a new MPA program which enrolled the applicants who are not able to be admitted by MPP program, and mainly for international students. Then there will be a large amount of graduate student. I guess it will hurt more or less, say some kind of degree inflation.

If anybody has any insight on this, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you !

Edited April 10, 2012 by Begonia

[see_bella]

Maryland is a great school! Especially if they're giving you money! You just hit the jackpot. They have a very large and strong alumni network and existing relationships with the policy big guns in the DMV area. I have first hand experience doing intercollegiate work with them so I know this plus A LOT of my friends and some family members went there and/or are still going there. Of course, it all boils down to your choice but I UMD is the best school in Maryland. Maryland is a great state and UMD is in a very diverse area in the state (a lot of international folks as you and I). However, Montgomery county, DC, and surrounding areas which includes College Park is expensive. It comes with the territory given the area (politically and economically) but there's a lot of good neighborhoods and wonderful connections (I know this first hand as well). What's important to you? I love Maryland; its not as rogue as New York but there's a lot to see and do. And if you don't have a car, the different metro and bus systems are great! Just my two cents...

[Begonia]

Dear bella， Thank you so much for your suggestions! Location is really a great advantage of UMD. I guess it's much easier to find quality internship/job there than in LA or Pittsburgh.

[OregonGal]

I think that when you're talking about quality internships/organizations, it depends on what your focus is. LA is the West Coast hub for international organizations, especially ones that focus on Asia, and also has a lot of NPOs. If you're more interested in government/congressional internships or a European focus then you'd want to go for UMD. Either location is a great place for education-based organizations.

[JAubrey]

CMU Heinz reputation-wise is head and shoulders above Maryland and Price. Also there is the better alumni network and access to DC via the DC track that Heinz has. Maryland degrees are distinctly average and USC a bit better (Marshall, their b-school places quite well on the West Coast), however I would say Price is the right choice only if you want to end up on the West Coast. Go with Heinz.

[benscho85]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-04-12-usc-shooting-20120412,0,6840970.story

[Sigaba]

http://www.latimes.c...0,6840970.story

Are you planning on posting this link in every thread that has anything to do with USC?

[Begonia]

Thank you all for giving me useful suggestions! The large number of NPOs focused on Asia is certainly appeals me. I already knew the shooting in southern california, but I don't think it counts a lot in my final decision.

It seems hard to give up CMU, while the location is really a concern to me.