LBJ or Ford (domestic interest)

[mlg2013]

I'm currently deciding whether I should attend the LBJ school or Ford. I'm really torn because I'm from Texas, which makes tuition for LBJ very cheap. I did get some funding from Ford but its pricey. So now i turn to complete strangers for advice. Any thoughts??

[JSW1]

What are your goals for after graduation? (Job/location/etc) How much of a difference in money are we talking about?

[lacanadiense]

Do you have specific interests that will be better served at Ford? Or do you just want to get out of your home state?

[mlg2013]

What are your goals for after graduation? (Job/location/etc) How much of a difference in money are we talking about?

I'm interested in education and social policy. Goal wise, I would like to work for the US Department of Education. The difference is big. I mean price wise, I can't beat UT. Tuition for me is a little over $10,000 a year. I still find myself liking Michigan more curriculum wise.

 

Do you have specific interests that will be better served at Ford? Or do you just want to get out of your home state?

 

I think my interests in education and social policy will be better served at Ford quite honestly. Austin is a great city but I think my fear is that my degree from UT will keep me here in Texas permanently, I'm not sure I'm 100% comfortable with this idea.

[MPPgal]

Where is your undergrad from? If Texas then definetly get out, if not you can stay there!

[JSW1]

I'm interested in education and social policy. Goal wise, I would like to work for the US Department of Education. The difference is big. I mean price wise, I can't beat UT. Tuition for me is a little over $10,000 a year. I still find myself liking Michigan more curriculum wise.

 

 

I think my interests in education and social policy will be better served at Ford quite honestly. Austin is a great city but I think my fear is that my degree from UT will keep me here in Texas permanently, I'm not sure I'm 100% comfortable with this idea.

 

Well I was going to say, if you want to stay in Texas, I would definitely have to recommend sticking with UT.

 

I can't really comment on DOE jobs - nor placement of Ford. Hopefully someone else can, though.

[state_school'12]

Figure out if there are U of T alums working in education in DC. Likewise for Ford. Have faculty in either program worked in DC on Ed Policy?

 

Also, if you're interested in DC work, look/ask about PMF finalists/placements at each program to give a sense of how many people they send each year to that program. Try to talk to current students about their prospects in DC/Ed Policy.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say Ford will have a more extensive network in Education, and in DC in general.

 

MPPGal, did you apply to programs last year, too?

[MPPgal]

Nope first year applying and luckily last year applying, I cant comment on domestic but internationally both schools are pretty well known and valued equally!

[mlg2013]

Figure out if there are U of T alums working in education in DC. Likewise for Ford. Have faculty in either program worked in DC on Ed Policy?

 

Also, if you're interested in DC work, look/ask about PMF finalists/placements at each program to give a sense of how many people they send each year to that program. Try to talk to current students about their prospects in DC/Ed Policy.

 

If I had to guess, I'd say Ford will have a more extensive network in Education, and in DC in general.

 

MPPGal, did you apply to programs last year, too?

 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I greatly appreciate you all taking the time to reply!

[method]

I think there's good advice here, but for starters, PMF is incredibly unpredictable.  You can't really prepare for the exam that keeps the gate to the semi-finalist stage.  That said, Michigan is actually one of the best PMF schools in the country, especially outside of DC, with 19 finalists in 2012 (for comparison: Harvard: 27, UT-Austin: 1)

 

The education policy faculty at Ford is awesome, you'll get a great education here.  In addition, our education research center just awarded 4 highly-paid internships for education research with the Michigan State Department of Education under the guidance of Sue Dynarski and Brian Jacob who are highly respected in the field.  One of my friends from the 1st year cohort will be interning at the US Department of Education in a new office that is expected to continue growing.  Bunches more of us are doing Education Pioneers or the Tennessee First to the Top fellowship.  (You should have seen our presence at the Education Pioneers final round interview in Chicago -- Michigan was far and away the top represented university, probably 1 in 3 or 4 finalists there.)

 

Won't attempt to compare this part to LBJ, but yeah, just wanted to throw out some assurances from the Ford side.

[Burnt Orange]

As an LBJer, I have to say we're pretty upset about our lack of recent PMF placements. And it's not for lack of trying by students. Some programs do a much better job helping students prepare for the application process, test, etc. That's something we've struggled with in all honesty. While I wouldn't want to steer you away from LBJ, @Method makes some great points and if PMF is a major consideration for you, then your choice might be clear. Additionally, CHASP, LBJ's Center for Health and Social Policy, covers all facets of Education research (with a fantastic group of students and faculty). But a Center at Ford dedicated strictly to education might be something to consider.

 

LBJ also had several Ed Pioneers selected this year with other folks working for the Texas Education Administration (TEA) and State Legislators covering Ed policy. We offer several education classes every semester at LBJ. And if you're interested in something not covered at LBJ, you can easily take classes in UT's top tier College of Education.

 

You've got two good options. Consider the debt, experience, education, and quality of life. Good luck.  

[state_school'12]

Ed Pioneers summer fellow here Waiting on placement information nervously.