NYU Wagner vs. Georgetown

[evalinece]

Hi all,

 

I've seen a few similar threads, but none with with this exact comparison so I hope it's okay that i'm starting one.  Regarding the MPP from Georgetown and the MPA from NYU, which would you recommend?  Funding is essentially similar in both so that's not a deciding factor - i'm looking at the quality of the program and career prospects after graduation.  Student life in NYC/DC is also important to me.

 

Any advice would be SO appreciated - I feel like i'm banging my head against the wall with this decision, and any outside perspective is useful.

 

Thank you!

[lemony]

What field are you looking to enter specifically?

 

I can only speak for NYU Wagner--as a recently admitted student, I was pleased to find that the alumni and current students I reached out to were immensely helpful with providing me additional information about the program, career prospects, and other alumni/students I should connect with. From what I've heard, the community at NYU Wagner is pretty tight knit and the career center does a great job of helping you with internship and job opportunities. Additionally, the courses at NYU Wagner are directly applicable to the responsibilities used in a variety of fields (even alumni in the private sector agreed). The community and overall "fit" of NYU Wagner has been a pretty important factor in my search, so I was happy to find that the alumni & students I spoke to reflected this impression.

[evalinece]

Thank you for your reply!  I'm considering education policy right now, but also hoping that graduate school will help me narrow down my interests and focus.  If you don't mind my asking, what additional information did you learn about the program?  I attended a class and spoke to some current students and they all said very positive things about the program, but I still feel unsure regarding career prospects and program specifics not available on the website.

[Denisse]

Even though I'm not attending NYU Wagner, I was accepted and did a lot of research into the school. I think if you are looking to narrow your interests down - possibly by taking various courses, it's a great place to be! I was really impressed with the breadth of their courses, everything from public health, sustainable development, economic development, finances of non-profits, etc. You can take courses in the other schools that are applicable to what you're interested and one of the things I really liked was that a lot of the courses also prepared you for any policy field - because they were broad enough.

 

I can't speak to Georgetown, but I don't think you can make a wrong choice here!

[imceiling]

Hi I am also a recent admiited student to these two programs who is struggling so hard between them.

I am an international student who wants to foucs on international development and policy.

Although I really want to go to NYC to study, I heard so many opinions about the high reputation of GPPI and how important the location of DC is.

(for students who want to work for NGOs or international organizations like me)

In my situation, is GPPI the top choice?

(Since there are more private sectors and less international NGOs in NYC)

Although my preference for life in NYC is obvious, I don't want to let it take over in my concerns for choosing the right school.

 

Thank you for any opinions:))))

[awphenomenally]

I am not sure how large Georgetown's program is, but at Wagner, you will have a huge cohort. This means actively seeking out faculty. I have also found the staff pompous and rude. From a friend currently attending, it is a bit cookie-cutter and the caliber of your peers is meh (from someone who attended an Ivy for undergrad).

[lemony]

Thank you for your reply!  I'm considering education policy right now, but also hoping that graduate school will help me narrow down my interests and focus.  If you don't mind my asking, what additional information did you learn about the program?  I attended a class and spoke to some current students and they all said very positive things about the program, but I still feel unsure regarding career prospects and program specifics not available on the website.

 

I wouldn't say the information was "new", in any way, but it felt good to hear it from an alumni & current student (as opposed to just reading the school website). I was asking about the HPAM track specifically, with the hopes of entering the healthcare consulting industry. They mostly praised the career center for setting students up with internships (a big plus) and the classes for being directly applicable to work done in their fields (also another plus). I wouldn't rely too much on the career statistics and information on the website since it may not be representative of the entire population at Wagner, but I can say that creeping on a few LinkedIn profiles and reaching out to students/alumni in my desired fields/companies was very helpful. I would definitely encourage you to do the same for your field!

[CreamTea]

Hi I am also a recent admiited student to these two programs who is struggling so hard between them.

I am an international student who wants to foucs on international development and policy.

Although I really want to go to NYC to study, I heard so many opinions about the high reputation of GPPI and how important the location of DC is.

(for students who want to work for NGOs or international organizations like me)

In my situation, is GPPI the top choice?

(Since there are more private sectors and less international NGOs in NYC)

Although my preference for life in NYC is obvious, I don't want to let it take over in my concerns for choosing the right school.

 

Thank you for any opinions:))))

 

 

I am not sure how large Georgetown's program is, but at Wagner, you will have a huge cohort. This means actively seeking out faculty. I have also found the staff pompous and rude. From a friend currently attending, it is a bit cookie-cutter and the caliber of your peers is meh (from someone who attended an Ivy for undergrad).

imceiling, I was accepted to Georgetown's GHD program and I worked for one of the multilateral orgs that you might be interested in,

 

I can tell you that I really wish that I were going to DC (I am going to SIPA- I wish that there way a subway from Columbia to DC). P.S. Gtown offered no funding so it made the choice but I actually have a professor and two former colleagues who prefer I take Gtown's offer

 

I am an international student like you but I did live in NYC for a year but I actually prefer DC but it's more international (and cleaner). NYC is great though. 

 

I didn't apply to Wagner because their staff weren't helpful.