Michigan Ford School Strengths/weaknesses

[thefeather]

Anyone else having to choose between attending the first day of Spring Preview and the GPPI open house on April 3rd? I don't know what to do. I've heard that the 2nd day of Spring Preview is not nearly as informative as the 1st day, but I don't want to miss GPPI's open house either.. Why do they have to be on the same day? (I'm not attending GPPI's open house on 3/27 because Duke's is that day)

[therunaround]

I'm dealing with exactly the same thing.

Duke - 3/27

GW - 3/27 or 3/28

GPPI - 3/27 or 4/3

Ford - 4/3 - 4/4

I'm trying to choose either Duke or Michigan to visit because I think GPPI is my default right now. In other words, I'm waiting to see if something at Duke or Michigan makes me want to go there over GPPI.

[thefeather]

Yeah, I guess it forces you to choose which schools you are most interested in.. which I'm having a hard time doing between those three(Ford, GPPI, & Duke). Why is GPPI your default?

[therunaround]

Yeah, I guess it forces you to choose which schools you are most interested in.. which I'm having a hard time doing between those three(Ford, GPPI, & Duke). Why is GPPI your default?

There are a couple reasons, some personal and some academic/professional why I think GPPI is my default.

- I want to work on the Hill or for federal agencies, so the opportunity to intern during the year (which makes it easier to land a primo internship during the summer) is really appealing to me. I'm hoping to to intern at GAO, CBO, or OMB

- I already live in DC and have a strong network of personal and professional contacts; seems to me that a school has to offer something special above DC schools to leave the heart of the action

- While I recognize Ford's impressive quant and analytical core, I'm not sure that is what I want to get out of an MPP program. I studied econ in undergrad and expect to take a heavy quant. load with additional econ courses, but I consider that secondary to a foundation education in policy development and implementation. GPPI seems to me to be a better place to balance a practical education with quantitative skills. If you look at the bios for the professors, Michigan has some very impressive political science and econ PhD professors teaching MPP classes while GPPI relies more on practitioners and "economists" working for federal agencies. I thought about a Poli Sci or Econ PhD but chose the MPP route partially because I wasn't interested in becoming a professor or working in academia. Makes sense to me to go with the program that has professors who do what I want to do.

- Duke, and Michigan to a lesser extent, are really appealing to me because of their environmental policy expertise. I am interested in focusing on env and nat resource policy. GPPI clearly does not have a history of env policy. All the people in DC that I've spoken to about this, however, have told me that potential DC employers are going to be more impressed by my knowledge and work experience than if my degree came from an env heavy institution. we are studying public policy, of course, not environmental studies. many potential employers in DC will not even know of duke's env expertise.

- Couple positives for the others: Duke's admissions staff has been amazing. The program seems pleasantly sized to allow for a lot of close interaction with fellow classmates and professors. I think I would be very happy at Duke. GPPI's admission staff is terrible. They completely messed up every scholarship round, still haven't sent acceptance packets, and do not return emails or phone calls. While I can't comment on Ford's staff yet, I will say that I know half a dozen U Mich grad student who vouch for Ann Arbor's charm and pleasant lifestyle.

- a final thought: It is simply an unbelievable time to live, work, and study in Washington. There is a sense of urgency and historical importance that has engulfed the city. It is amazing. While a little cliche ( a lot cliche), the whole world really is looking to America and to Washington DC in particular. This is where it happens. I love it. Every day I am reminded of why I want to study public policy. It will take some impressive fellowship funding from Michigan or Duke to make me leave DC, even for two years!

[SHani]

Whoz the International student who posted an 'admit' to the Michigan for MPP.

Thumbs UP man 8)

[cerise]

Anyone hear yet about funding? Or, because I see no reason not to engage in useless speculation, does anyone know how generous they are with assistantships/etc for first year MPP students?

[therunaround]

Haven't heard anything yet. I emailed them this afternoon about it but haven't gotten a response to that either. I have a feeling that there will be some solid finanical support but nothing in the ballpark of full tuition - I think the recession has hit the university schools and their funding.

[cerise]

Ugh. You're probably right, but I hope not. I really like their program, but I'm not going to sink myself into serious debt for it.

[dagger]

Haven't heard anything yet. I emailed them this afternoon about it but haven't gotten a response to that either. I have a feeling that there will be some solid finanical support but nothing in the ballpark of full tuition - I think the recession has hit the university schools and their funding.

I can speak to the state of higher education in Michigan and its very ugly. The governor is asking universities to freeze tuition for the upcoming year amidst substantial cuts from capital outlays to each university. Each year, when the state budget needs to be overhauled, one of the first places legislators look towards is higher education. It doesn't make any sense.

I would be particularly surprised if UMich is able to extend full tuition to some of their students. No doubt I would be incredibly excited for those of you, but flat out surprised.

[cerise]

I have also heard that a lot of schools are looking to increase their aid, because they're worried that otherwise their yield will drop too much and they'll lose the students they really want. That probably applies more for undergrad though-- I can't imagine many schools will have trouble filling their incoming MPP classes this year, what with the across-the-board rise in applications.

Seriously, what an awful year to be applying to school.

[therunaround]

Just got a response to my email. Here's the info that might be of interest to you all:

Unfortunately, because our fellowship funds are limited, we are unable to offer you fellowship support at this time. Most years we do find that some additional funding becomes available as we move through the admissions process and, if this occurs, we will be in touch with you immediately.

This makes Michigan about 5k more than Georgetown for me so screw it. No reason to leave DC.

[decisiontime]

Did anyone receive funding from Ford? I was offered full tuition plus a stipend from Chicago, but got the same e-mail from Ford last night..."small number of fellowships available, nothing to offer at this time", etc. etc. I am, to be honest, really surprised that Chicago is offering full tuition and I got nothing from Ford. Has anyone experienced something similar? I'm originally from Michigan and was leaning heavily toward Ford, but full-tuition vs. free doesn't seem to make any sense...

[NebBronco]

I'm dealing with exactly the same thing.

Duke - 3/27

GW - 3/27 or 3/28

GPPI - 3/27 or 4/3

Ford - 4/3 - 4/4

I'm trying to choose either Duke or Michigan to visit because I think GPPI is my default right now. In other words, I'm waiting to see if something at Duke or Michigan makes me want to go there over GPPI.

I'm sort of in the same boat. I'm going to Duke on 3/27 and Ford on 4/3-4/4, but I just recently got a great offer from Humphrey so I'm flying from Detroit to Minneapolis for a quick visit after the Ford open house. That's going to be a long weekend.

[NebBronco]

I just received my financial aid notification via email this afternoon.

[cerise]

I just got mine too, and it wasn't especially good news. Hrrmph.

[MagiciansAlliance]

I also just received scholarship information from Michigan (about 2:15 Pacific Time).

[dagger]

As did I. Anyone with a good size?

[MCneelified06]

Interesting. I received the EXACT same offer from the Ford school that I received from U Chicago -- $17.5 K per year.

I'm sure that they're both great programs but I can't turn down full funding somewhere else.

[MagiciansAlliance]

I also got the $17,500 at Michigan, but I've had a difficult time figuring out from their website what the yearly tuition is. Here is their website:

http://www.umich.edu/~regoff/tuition/full.html

Under Public Policy, it looks like it's $16K plus $5K candidacy. So, does this mean it's about $21K a term, or $42K a year? Can anyone confirm this?

Thanks.

[cerise]

I think it's per term.

http://www.finaid.umich.edu/Financial_A ... s/cost.asp

[MagiciansAlliance]

Thanks Cerise, that's quite helpful.

[goodlife]

Hey All,

Congratulations to those accepted to the Ford School. It looks more and more like I will be going there, so hopefully I'll get a chance to meet some of you. I also wanted to mention a few things:

1) Tuition - Unless I'm mistaken the rates that Cerise had a link to are for the whole year (Sept - April), so if you are an out of state student, it will probably cost you about 67K in tution for the whole program (assuming you do not receive any funding). Check it out again below:

http://www.finaid.umich.edu/Financial_A ... s/cost.asp

2) Admitted Student Website - In one of the admitted student emails, the U-M staff sent us a link to an admitted students website. If you go to the site and click on the login link on the top right corner of the screen, you can use your U-M ID to login and create a profile. A few people, including myself, have typed in a brief bio so that other prospective students can get to know some of the students who already attend the school and others who are considering attending. If you have time, make a profile so we can see what you've been up to and get to know each other. (I visited the school in the fall and may not be able to make it in April, so I'm really trying to get students who are likely to attend to make a profile!)

http://www.fordschool.umich.edu/admits/

3) Ford School Strengths/Weaknesses? - While I think I'm going to the Ford School, I'd like to hear if anyone is set on going to the school or on the fence, and if so, why? Maybe talking about it can help some people make decisions, or give future Wolverines a chance to get to know each other. Just a thought...

Hope to meet some of you soon, and good luck to those still waiting for admissions decisions (I'm not holding my breath for Harvard).

[MagiciansAlliance]

Hey Goodlife,

I'm leaning towards Michigan as well, but I haven't had a chance to visit Ann Arbor yet. It sounds like you're pretty set on Michigan, so I'm curious what you like about it and why you think it's the best fit for you?

Thanks!

[Gonefishing85]

I just visited the Ford School this week as part of another U Mich school admit day (I am interested in a dual degree) and left with a good sense from both the Ford students, speaking to the strengths of the program, and Ann Arbor, which has a fairly vibrant culture. Sure, it's no DC, Boston, or Berkeley, but it does have a lot of both wrapped into a Midwestern hamlet of liberal affluence. I forgot I was in the mid-west, which in my book is a good thing.

While i haven't decided on Michigan, I was impressed by the caliber of students and attracted to the cross-disciplinary opportunities among the professional schools. I am interested in a dual MPP/MS, but I met a lot of students who were pursuing dual degrees across Business, Law, Health, Natural Resources, Public Policy, etc. The school makes that easy. And, even if you don't want to graduate with a dual degree, the other professional school courses are open to you. I see this level of institutionally supported interdisciplinary opportunities as one of the biggest strengths of Michigan.

[NebBronco]

I'm also giving the Ford School very serious consideration. Its strength in domestic policy aligns very well with what I'm interested in and what I want to get out of an MPP. I also like the quant emphasis since even though I have some quant background (econ minor), I know I need to develop it further to land the type of jobs in DC that I'm interested in (GAO, CBO, etc).

I'm going to the open house in a couple weeks and really looking forward to it. I've never really been to Michigan before, except for a few layovers at DTW.

Oh, and they also gave me a very healthy financial package.