American v GW

[mppyayouknowme]

Hey friends,

Currently deciding between American's and GW's MPP program. I'm pretty torn and would love to hear some feedback! Anyone out there is making the same choice? What are the major differences between them? Better jobs? Profs? Classes? Community? Girls? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Snowden12]

the girls at GW are waaay hotter. sorry, i can't back that up at all. i'm not a public policy expert but i believe both schools are pretty closely rated in every department. both are part of the DC consortium and will have similar contacts, internships, etc. i can't say anything of the professors or the communities but i'd venture to say they're pretty similar. slight nod to GW for name recognition though. still, in DC, they're both well known and respected.

[dngo]

Has anyone received funding info from either school?

[mppyayouknowme]

No one else is deciding between these two?

[washdc]

I can't speak for everyone, but I know there are quite a few of us who still haven't heard from AU yet.. so I can't really choose between the two when I've only researched GWU thus far.

As for AU v. GWU- I did apply to both for undergrad, got in to both SIS and the Elliot School- went to neither (ended up going with Vassar- the only non-DC, liberal arts school I applied to). When I applied ^^ way back in the day, I actually leaned more towards AU, because they were more generous $$..

[policy_applicant]

My sense is that GWU is a bit more respected than American, but that overall the programs are not that far apart and both will provide a good DC network. If there is a big difference in funding, I'd probably go with the money, but otherwise, I'd choose GWU.

I know there's a fair amount of discussion on the board about the comparative merits of the three DC programs if you're willing to search for it.

Good luck with the decision!

[golonghorns]

My sense is that GWU is a bit more respected than American, but that overall the programs are not that far apart and both will provide a good DC network. If there is a big difference in funding, I'd probably go with the money, but otherwise, I'd choose GWU.

I know there's a fair amount of discussion on the board about the comparative merits of the three DC programs if you're willing to search for it.

Good luck with the decision!

i second this!

[DCbound]

No one else is deciding between these two?

I'm in the same boat. I am leaning towards GW though -- only because it has more name recognition outside of DC and the location is more convenient. Although AU's campus is more "college-y", I think I may prefer GW's urban campus. I've heard the programs are pretty equal, quality-wise. Neither of them gave me any merit aid :| -- so don't have to factor that into my decision. Got waitlisted at Georgetown, I think I may go ahead and get on it and see what happens. I think I would pick Georgetown over both of them if I had been accepted.

[Cornell07]

I'm leaning on taking GW over SAIS, Yale, and American because it is so much cheaper than the first two and because it seems like a superior program to American.

[stigMPA]

My sense is that GWU is a bit more respected than American

On the contrary, I've been advised to steer clear of GW.

It's come up a few times on GradCafe, too:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15586

[Snowden12]

On the contrary, I've been advised to steer clear of GW.

It's come up a few times on GradCafe, too:

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=15586

Just curious what advice you received. The post you linked to was a pro/con assessment of GW. Similar posts have been made about other schools as well. What did you hear that was contrary in the post? The comment that I think you were referring to was that GW is slightly more regarded than American. I've found nothing on this site that would refute that and I've never heard such a thing from any advisers. While Foreign Policy and US News aren't proof positive, I haven't seen a publication that ranked American higher than GW or that recommended one over the either at all.

If you've heard something that would make you steer clear, by all means share it.

[linden]

Snowden12:

The comments of many of my professional contacts and friends working in government and non-profit in DC is that GWU is a better name than American. Nevertheless, they have all said that GWU is not worth getting into debt for if you have generous funding from American.

[stigMPA]

The post you linked to was a pro/con assessment of GW.

Please read the thread all the way through. The comments I refer to begin on page 3.

Basically I was told by a well-informed mentor that GW's MPA program was to be avoided. The user "dagger" had heard similar concerns. I'd go into more detail, but it's all there in the thread.

[Snowden12]

The comments of many of my professional contacts and friends working in government and non-profit in DC is that GWU is a better name than American. Nevertheless, they have all said that GWU is not worth getting into debt for if you have generous funding from American.

I can totally understsand that. I've mentioned several times in this forum that financial aid should be a bigger factor than just a name. However, I think this post is just considering the difference between the two schools with all things being equal. GW is an expensive school, of course, but not more so than American. In fact it's one of the most affordable schools of its caliber.

My posts, I think, were aimed at explaining that GW and American are awfully similar is most regards. The only difference that seems to stand out is the recognition factor. Of course this shouldn't make up a differnce in financial aid, but it is a difference.

[africagirl]

And if GWU actually gives you a teeny merit fellowship (6k) and American's financial aid package is simply authorization to take out $20,000 in loans...well, there's really not a choice. That's my situation. Unless someone can convince me that Korbel is a better bet...anyone?

[mppyayouknowme]

Friends-- Okay. So I just had both the AU and GWU Grad Days. Here are my thoughts, and I'd love to hear back if anyone agrees or anyone thinks I'm crazy. Some differences, which are particuarly important and interesting to me:

1. GW is more quantitative than AU. More econ-focused, too.

2. Both expect you to work/intern. But I got the impression that AU was work first, and then you supplement your full time work with your classes. In GW, my impression was that the focus was on class first, then an internship. I got the impression that at GW you are more likely to try a few different internships.

Thats just the feeling I got from visiting both and talking to profs and students. Anyone agree? Or feel differently? I'm really interested in feedback on this because the AU deadline to decide by is so soon!

[nab190]

I visited AU's admitted day yesterday (for MPP) too, and I visited GWU today. I definitely like GWU better. Granted, I'm not in the MPP program at GWU, I'm in the MA program in Philosophy and Social Policy, which is affiliated with Trachentberg, but housed in the Philosophy Department. As well, I got to meet directly with the director and assistant director of the GWU program, so it was a different experience than at American.

I got the same feeling as mppyayouknowme, American seemed more work focused and GWU seemed more academic (although nearly everyone in the program works/has an internship).

To me, it seemed like AU was very run of the mill, I didn't feel a connection to any of the advisors or professors I met and the way the day was structured probably didn't help (with them sort of filtering us through rooms and having people talk at us for awhile). They were constantly trying to play up SPA and the whole thing just seemed generic and uninspired. Granted, Trachtenberg's day may have had a similar structure. But consider this, the faculty members at American said that their favorite part about working there was the other faculty members. When I asked people at George Washington the same question, they said, unanimously, the students. They loved that they worked with engaged and intelligent students who were challenged by the program, but also challenged them (the professors) as well.

I honestly left GWU very excited about the school (both Trachtenberg and the Philosophy Department). You could chalk it up to being a very personal choice, but its the way I felt. Sometimes something just feels right.