Public Policy: Harvard vs. Chicago vs. Michigan vs. Columbia

[Namash]

Hi all,

 

I am new to gradcafe but reading through the discussions i have learnt alot about colleges you do not otherwise find out. I am a business graduate from Pakistan. I have almost a years experience as a research analyst in the public sector.

 

I am a fulbright candidate. Which means fulbright processes my admission and decides where i will eventually go based on admission and cost share offered by the university. My application was sent to the following programs.

 

• Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs, MPA, Economic Political Development
• Harvard University - John F. Kennedy School of Government, MPP, Political and Economic Development
• University of Chicago - Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies, MPP, International Policy
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor - Rackham School of Graduate Studies, MPP, Economic Development

I have been accepted at Harvard, Chicago and michigan. I have not been informed of the decision from columbia yet. Based on your information what do you guys think about these programs, which one would be the best in my field and which one is most likely to offer an attractive cost share to fulbright. My preference is in the following order: Harvard, Columbia, Chicago and michigan. But i am guessing Michigan being state would be the cheapest for fulbright so most likely to be picked. What do you think?

[lacanadiense]

Michigan's tuition is like $36k/year out-of-state, so you're really not getting much of a discount there.

 

Anyhow, what are your goals for after the degree?

[Namash]

I have to come back to Pakistan after the masters. Currently I am working on research which is interesting but i want to be in a role that goes beyond research to project management, program evaluation and execution in the development sector. So I think balance of management and quantitative analysis would be important. 

[soaps]

I answered this in the other subforum you posted this question to, but Michigan and Chicago are nowhere near the quality of Columbia or Harvard for these programs. SIPA is mostly known as an international affairs school, which makes Harvard the obvious choice.

I'd recommend looking at the Government Affairs subforum. People there are more familiar with these schools.