Ranking of MPA programs

[pritinsp]

Hello everyone

I have applied to MPA programs and in my initial research to narrow in on programs shortlisted the following as my criteria for selection of colleges to apply to.

I now found this wonderul website with such bright people giving and discussing their views and I thought I could get some opinions on the schools I applied to based on the following criteria:

1) Strenght in economics (faculty)

2) alumni (numbers, ability to network with them,etc)

3) Funding

4) Brand name in the development community/policy circles

The schools in question are :

1) Harvard kennedy school

2) Princeton WWS

3) Syracuse

4)chicago

5) NYU

6) Georgetown : MPM program

7) USC

I also wanted everyones opinion on University of Utah. It is ranked no 10 in US news rankings. The only reason I am considering this school is because there is a possibility for my husband to fund a job in Utah - so we could be together if my college and his job work out in the same place.

Acceptances : USC (half tuition scholarship), Un iversity of Utah

Rejections : SIPA

Waiting: harvard,princeton,georgetown,chicago harris school,NYU,syracuse,

[younglions]

Given your criteria and schools, I would say:

1. Princeton WWS (great funding, great economics and public policy track, great everything)

Tied 2. Harvard HKS (name recognition, strength of economics faculty and availability of more rigorous quant courses.)

Tied 2. Chicago Harris (name, strong economics focus, availability of rigorous quant courses, stronger funding than harvard but less brand name in development community)

4-7. Difficult to rank, so I won't try. In my opinion there is a large jump between 1-2-3 and 4-5-6-7.

Based on the criteria you provided, I'm somewhat surprised you didn't apply to Michigan, Berkeley, or Duke.

Good luck!

[stigMPA]

NYU has been described to me as a feeder for New York city government and Georgetown attracts too many part-timers working in DC to fit in with the others you listed. Chicago is quantitatively rigorous, but doesn't have the best name recognition on the coasts. Likewise, USC is great if you want to work on the west coast, but I've heard that their networking connections elsewhere are limited relative to the others you listed. I would recommend against Utah unless you intend to work in Utah or have a very specific plan of study in mind. A degree from Utah just won't carry the same weight as the other schools you applied to.

It would seem that Syracuse, Princeton and Harvard would suit you best. They all have strong alumni networks and consistently place graduates at top jobs in the field. Whatever that means for you - be it academic track or professional - you would do yourself a favor by choosing one of those three if you're lucky enough to have that option.

As close as they are, I'd say that each of the three fits one of your concerns best: Princeton probably has the best pure Econ focus of the three, Harvard the best name among those in the developmental community, and Syracuse the best alumni network (the "Maxwell Mafia"). In truth, though, you couldn't go wrong with any of the three as they are all world-class programs.

Assuming that you had the chops to be accepted to these programs you could probably thrive anywhere. I'd be more specific with my advice, but "economics" and "development" are far too broad. I would recommend that you focus less on the school and instead on a faculty member or two that you would like to work with.

Best of luck.

[Demetrios2011]

Not that a put much stock in Usnews, but Utah is definitely not in their top 10. It may not even be in their top 50, if I remember correctly.

[pritinsp]

Hello!

Thanks for all the responses!

Demitrios2001 : The ranking of univ of utah i am talk about was under the "non profit management specialization" ranking of US news - I do intend to specialize in the same. The univ was ranked No 10 in that.

Younglion: About my decision to apply to USC rather than Berkeley, it was more of a personal decision since I thought if my husband and i are staying in different cities, it would be easier for him to visit LA than berkeley (since we would only have the weekends!!). And i also saw that they had comparable rankings (though I do agree of thats not the best standard to evaluate schools!).

On michigan - was more of a locational decision

On Duke - It did not come up in my initial research as a top notch college - besides, not being in a big city was a detriment.

I would further like to get all your views on USC from an angle of its brand name as well as an ability to get placements at international development organizations (UN/world bank) and internation al large NGO(ford foundation,etc)

I do understand that USC is def second rung comapred to harvard/princeton and syracuse, but what if one were to compare it with NYU/georgetown and chicago. The reason I ask is that I have been getting a lot of blank stares when I mention my admission to USC.

Look forward to hearing your views !

[policy_applicant]

Hi there pritinsp,

For more (albeit limited) info on the USC program, check out the USC Strengths/Weaknesses thread. Also, I'll be happy to add any information I can glean after attending their visit day on the 27th.

[therunaround]

It is definitely hard to develop an opinion of USC from what I

[pritinsp]

Policy applicant : Do update me on your thoughts after the event on march 27th . I will not be able to attend it since I will not be in the country then.

What is the specific area you are interested in at USC? I am interested in Philantrophy (under non profit management) and am also looking at being able to get into international organizations such as UN and World Bank (in areas such as microfinance).

Will really appreciate it if you could share anyhing that crops up that day that gives one an indication of links of the professors/alumni with these organizations since its an open secret that placements in these organizations happen through networking.

Any idea on econ focus at the school - quality of the professors in this area - eg. chicago and friedman.

and yes.. i do agree with others.... its strange that it is so difficult to come by information for such a highly ranked school.

[pritinsp]

and runaround: where do you work that you have obama's entourage walking all over the place:)!! that is certainly cool !

[pritinsp]

Dear All

Thanks so much for the inputs...

So far I have the following options(still waiting to hear from NYU/Harvard/Chicago)

1)USC: with half tuition scholarship

2)Syracuse :waiting to hear abt funding

3) Georgetown :MPM program

Any thoughts on how these would rank in terms of having opportunities to get into world bank/UN, big NGO's such as gates foundation,etc working in the areas of non profit management and international development.

Which of these schools would have professors and alumni with connections in these organizations?

Inputs would be appreciated!

[therunaround]

and runaround: where do you work that you have obama's entourage walking all over the place:)!! that is certainly cool !

Haha. I work in Dupont Circle and we get various entourages that travel up and down conn ave. i remember the first time i saw a large one (it was Cheney's going to the VP mansion) because it is quite an experience.

[pritinsp]

Dear All

Now that most of the results are in(am only wiating fro NYU)... this is the situation

(1) Harvard :MPA program(no news of funding)

(2) Syracuse MPA - no funding

(3) Univ of chicago - MA program - no funding

(4) USC - MPA - half tuition

(5) Georgetown univ

Which would be the best bet for internation ak development/non profit management - am not interested in U domestic policy.

Please advice! (dont want a mountain of debt either!!!!)

Really value the advice in this forum - look forward to hearing your views!

[dreamer]

interesting! i also got into chicago AM and KSG MPA2. will u be visiting harris next week?

good luck with your decisions!

[undersec]

All other things equal, I think Harvard comes out on top based on your initial criteria. Hopefully they throw a few $$$ your way and make the choice that much easier

[pritinsp]

Hi dreamer...

I decided against harris since its too theoretical for my liking and also because the program seems to lack flexibility (you take more core classes than electives)

I am going for the new admit event at Harvarad. Are you going to be there too?

undersec.. harvard seems great but tooo expensive!

Am seriously considering Syracuse....anyone care to comment on that?