Getting an MPA @ NYU or GWU?

[GetinyourHauser]

Ok so I've been accepted to both George Washington Trachtenberg School's MPA program and NYU Wagner's MPA program and I'm not sure which is better or the best fit.

I'm interested in international and sustainable development, through nonprofits, government, private sectors and the collaboration between these sectors.

GW has the DC pulse and the huge # opportunities there. I went to the accepted student day and the faculty was just amazing, i've never seen such a happy, caring, knowledgable and collegial group. The students were great and left feeling completely comfortable.

GW's campus feels more like a campus being all grouped together and DC offers no skyscrapers to block out the sky and its easy to get in and out of the city. I've been to DC many times and know it well.

NYU and NYC are much more unknown to me. I'm going to the accepted student weekend in a couple days and should be able to offer more after that but so far people seem very nice. Both programs are good. I'm definately excited about the Global clout and reach NYU carries with it (esp. since my interest is global/international)...plus all their satallite campuses around the world.

I know very little about NYC and know that choosing to go there would be a more challenging road in this regard (very few friends there, unfamiliar city, etc...). But I am concerned about how the internship and post-grad opportunities stack up between NYU and GW...

And as a final thought I've been offered an outside assistantship that includes an ok stipend but also completely free housing...the potential competing assistantships at GW haven't interviewed yet and i'm running out of time before I have to give my decision on the NYU assistantship....

[golonghorns]

I would like to know the answer to this as well. I am in the same predicament. I am leaning towards NYU though....although I did find GWU friendlier. It is just that NYU has more name brand recognition and a stronger program I feel.