Syracuse Public Diplomacy or UMD MPP

[99_boy]

Anyone else deciding between these two programs? Overall, seems like Syracuse is better ranked, but Maryland has the DC location and therefore the networking opps. Anyone wanna weigh in on the potential drawbacks to the Syracuse location?

[firefly85]

I'm contemplating the Syracuse PD program, but didn't apply to UMD. As far as the drawbacks of the Syracuse location, I think it's somewhat negated by the fact that you do a summer off-campus (abroad or in DC) and your final semester in DC, so you will be able to make those govt/international contacts. I also heard there is a very large alumni network in DC which would help if you want to get a job there. The cost of living is also probably lower in Syracuse (although it might not be as nice as the area around UMD). I don't know much about the UMD program, but a big draw for me to Syracuse is being able to get 2 masters degrees from the program. Although sometimes I wonder how much that would really matter.

Have you heard anything about funding from the Syracuse PD program? I know they said by April 1st, but it's getting down to the wire and I haven't heard a thing! Do you have any other thoughts on the Syracuse program?

[99_boy]

I was wondering the same thing about the two degrees. I am not sure how valuable a PR degree is in general, and even moreso I am not sure if means much in public policy/IR circles. Some of the courses for the PR part of the degree seem somewhat far removed for what I want to be doing. Anyway, funding is supposed to be out by Apr 1st, which is in two days now...

[firefly85]

Yeah, I guess they'll tell us today or tomorrow (great on April Fool's Day!). I guess I was just hoping we'd hear a bit earlier since we were told we'd get our admissions decisions by March 11 and I heard almost a week earlier. Oh well. Does anyone else have any thoughts on the PR degree portion of the Public Diplomacy program?