Duke v. Georgetown v. Maryland

[splic]

So now with the HKS reject out of the way, I have to decide between Duke, Georgetown and Maryland. Duke is offering to pay for about 75% of my tuition, Georgetown is giving me less than 33%, and Maryland is giving me almost 100%.

I'm an Asian student, and I'm looking to come back and work on social policy in my home country, so the DC network isn't a factor. Brand name is definitely an issue. All these universities are still unaffordable, so I'll have to apply for external funding anyway. I'm leaning towards Duke at this point (so much that I'm in danger of tipping over), but I just wanted to ask the board - should I be considering Georgetown or Maryland a little more?

[zourah]

So now with the HKS reject out of the way, I have to decide between Duke, Georgetown and Maryland. Duke is offering to pay for about 75% of my tuition, Georgetown is giving me less than 33%, and Maryland is giving me almost 100%.

I'm an Asian student, and I'm looking to come back and work on social policy in my home country, so the DC network isn't a factor. Brand name is definitely an issue. All these universities are still unaffordable, so I'll have to apply for external funding anyway. I'm leaning towards Duke at this point (so much that I'm in danger of tipping over), but I just wanted to ask the board - is Georgetown's program so much better that I should be considering it more? Or is Maryland not so bad that I shouldn't be rejecting it (considering they're giving me more $)?

Which Georgetown program - Walsh or GPPI?

[splic]

The GPPI MPP

[linden]

Splic:

If you're going by name recognition, I think Duke is as well-known as Georgetown. And, considering that Duke is giving you a bigger funding offer, I would be tempted to go with them. I was also going to add, even though Maryland is giving you a full-tuition scholarship, housing costs will be much higher in the DC area. So, some of the difference in tuition will be eaten up by higher housing costs. You should also factor in the cost of buying and owning a car. I have only spent short periods of time in both of these university towns. I get the sense that you can get by without on at Maryland, whereas at Duke that would be difficult. But, someone who has spent more time at these schools can give you a better idea.

I was going to add, nevertheless, as someone who was born and raised in another country, I know in my country attending any U.S. university gives you leg up on your peers. You are considered more mature and your the authenticity of your grades is not questioned. If it works this way in your country, as well, then Maryland might not be a bad choice either. But, if you have plans to apply for optional practical training, I do think the Duke name will help you more.

Good luck with your choices!

[East_of_Eden]

Splic, congratulations on your acceptances! Being a UNC Chapel Hill graduate (Duke's rival), I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd go to Duke. I've heard nothing but great things about Duke's program. I almost applied myself, but my allegiance to UNC was too strong and I couldn't go through with the application. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area is great and housing is very inexpensive there. I lived in Durham my senior year (2003) and paid only $750/month for a gorgeous, new, two-bedroom apartment. I'm sure you can get a nice 1-bedroom for around $570, unless housing costs have risen astronomically since I left. While GPPI is strong, if you aren't planning to work in DC after graduation, it just doesn't seem worth it. It pains me to say this, but Duke is a phenomenal school overall, with great name recognition.

[splic]

Thanks linden and east-of-eden (you closet Duke-lover, you )

[mothernorth]

I would also give considerations to the town you are going to be living in as well. I have never been to Durham, but for a student coming from abroad, it might not be the best environment, anyone from Durham care to comment ?

On the other hand, College Park is 20 minutes from D.C., 40 from Baltimore, and Georgetown is in the smack middle of D.C. Maryland has a large international student population, which you might feel more at home and comfortable with, and the D.C. area is far more diverse (for obvious reasons) than Durham or the sorrounding areas could ever be. If you did choose Maryland, I would live in D.C., College Park is small and more undergrad friendly.

All three are great, top-notch programs, but you are getting a nearly free ride at Maryland, is the extra money for Duke really going to make a difference when you get back to your country? It's highly doubtful, it's going to be what you make of it at any of these universities. While Duke is very well known in the U.S., it might not carry the same "name weight" overseas . Just having a masters from the U.S. in general will help you in your country.

In terms of faculty, I know that Maryland Policy has, in either active teaching or research role, one Nobel in Economics (Tom Schelling) , a former CIA director (Stansfield Turner) , as well as the recent US Trade Rep (Susan Schwabb). In addition, they have a top rated economics and political science department . The policy department also has world leading economists like Carmen Reihart. In terms of faculty, Maryland can go toe to toe, if not have a better faculty than either Duke or Georgetown programs.

Good luck, either way you go, they are all great colleges. Congrats.

[mothernorth]

Oh and I forgot to mention, you are studying Public Policy in D.C. ! What could be more exciting than that ? The vibe there is completely different, very policy/politics oriented. It's like studying entertainment in Los Angeles.

There are tons of policy oriented events; you can go watch Senate committees, see a session of Congress, every week there is tons notable speakers speaking at the local universities and other places, and if you wanna do OPT or something, your in the smack middle of the action. I think that should be taken in consideration - what's there to do in Durham in comparison ? I am sure Duke has notable speakers drop by once in a while, but it's just not the same.

Also, being in D.C., you are an hour and a half from Philadelphia, four hours from NYC, five from boston. I mean, it's a different world really with a different realm of possibilities. The northern Virginia area, 15 - 25 minutes depending on where in the D.C. metro you are, is also quite nice.

[antipas]

If you don't care about the D.C. network, I think you answered your own question with respect to Georgetown. Duke is a better school than Maryland, and has a measurably lower cost of living to negate some of that cost difference. You can always make trips up to D.C. to see Congress in session, this is hardly a consideration I'd take into account in deciding upon a school. Go to Duke

[kbounty]

i think duke is rated better for mpp than umd and georgetown, go duke. i'm considering duke as well, cost of living is cheaper...