GPPI vs. SIPA vs. Heinz !>!?!?!?

[futurepolitician]

Hi.

So, I am currently deciding between GPPI (Georgetown), SIPA (Columbia) and Heinz (CMU) for my Masters in Public Policy. I am interested in domestic politics and urban planning (but I also have a strong interest in West African affairs and organizations like USAID). I have yet to hear back in regards to funding from GPPI, but I have received 20k from SIPA per year, and 22k from Heinz per year.

Does anyone have any thoughts on which program is the strongest? I've looked at the rankings, but those are so biased and often unrelated to the actual quality of the program. Please let me know!

[Dreams]

Hi.

So, I am currently deciding between GPPI (Georgetown), SIPA (Columbia) and Heinz (CMU) for my Masters in Public Policy. I am interested in domestic politics and urban planning (but I also have a strong interest in West African affairs and organizations like USAID). I have yet to hear back in regards to funding from GPPI, but I have received 20k from SIPA per year, and 22k from Heinz per year.

Does anyone have any thoughts on which program is the strongest? I've looked at the rankings, but those are so biased and often unrelated to the actual quality of the program. Please let me know!

Based on your interests, I would say SIPA is the better bet of the three in my opinion because you could take a few classes focusing on African Affairs and Urban Planning. I don't know how much of an area studies component the other two schools will give you in that regard. I also think it is fantastic that you got funding to attend two of the schools.