British student looking for some advice on MPP/MPA schools from Americans

[FranzFan]

Hi there,

I am a British citizen looking to study in the USA next year. My ambition is to study an MPA but am also considering MPPs where the course content fits my interests. Because I am international, I have no access to federal aid, nor do I have much in the way of my own reserves, and therefore am looking for schools that offer some fully-funded offers (tuition+stipend). I realise these are very competitive - particularly for international students.

I have scoured this forum as well as the websites of many MPP/MPA programs, but I still find it difficult to cut through to the truth at times. Therefore I would really appreciate the advice of some Americans who really understand US schools, their individual ethos and the funding process better than I ever can.

 

A quick profile of me:

Undergrad: Oxford University

GPA: 3.6 on final exams (the only ones that count to grades in the UK - I did much worse in first year when I didn't really try, but they do not count towards your degree so I assume I should exclude them). In the UK the whole GPA comes down to your grades in your final exams and some coursework. Also, my father passed away 4 weeks before my final exams which really restricted the revision I could do as well as my state of mind, so I have some mitigating circumstances.

Work exp: five years and counting, mainly in two roles in the non-profit sector at good organisations encompassing quite significant policy, research, strategy and evaluation projects.

Extra-curriculars: I am a director of a chain of three primary schools (I think the US equivalent is charter schools); Chair of governors of a primary school (not sure of US-equivalent - could be 'chairman of directors'); Chair of trustees of a small charity .

GRE: Yet to take it. Been studying for the last 2 months. Got a 158Q, 163V and 5AW on a recent practice test. Hoping to get these to low-to-mid 160s for Q and V by the time of the test.

Career interests: Ultimately looking to run a non-profit organisation that promotes social mobility in some form.

Motivation for doing an MPA: I want academic training to supplement the experience that I already have in public policy. I also want to strengthen my quantitative analysis skills, as well as develop organisation management skills.

 

I am looking to apply to schools that fit the following criteria:

- Offer at least some fully-funded places

- Have a strong focus on public/non-profit sector. I don't want to work in the private sector long-term

- Have a curriculum that combines some quantitative policy analysis skills with financial and organisation management skills

 

So far my shortlist is:

Pennsylvania - Fels, Princeton, Chicago - Harris. I want to add 1-2 more but am struggling to be sure which to go with. Does anyone have any suggestions based on my profile and the criteria I set out?

 

Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

 

 

 

[PeterQuince]

There are a few reasons why this might not be an appealing choice, but I would strongly encourage you to consider the Ford School at the University of Michigan. Their merit-based financial aid is excellent and entirely uncomplicated (and generous!). Inasmuch as all Universities are relatively closed and decentralized, Michigan is surprisingly open and actively encourages faculty and graduate student collaboration. Michigan has a well-regarded school of education practically on the same city block as the policy school, making cross-registering for classes that much easier. The MPP program (probably the best fit for you) is on the smaller side, which has benefits and disadvantages. Many faculty members there who focus on education are primarily economists, which is a huge plus if you're looking to develop analytical skills within a social policy or education framework, but one of my concerns as a fellow education-focused public affairs student was that there might not be as broad an offering of management training relevant for the social sector (as opposed to government work or nonprofit organizations more generically).

[Edit: I also don't know how transferable the education focus at Michigan will be to a UK context, so that too is worth some research].

I may need to check with some of my British classmates before recommending my program, which was incredibly generous toward me with respect to funding but was not so to all American students. No clue what finances are like for British students other than the few who secure named fellowships by competitive application.

 

Edited September 21, 2015 by PeterQuince

[PeterQuince]

You could also look at some of the programs at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. There is no requirement for quantitative rigor, but the courses are there, both at the Ed School and at other professional schools at Harvard. My understanding is that funding for international students is weak, but as the program is only one year long that in and of itself is a 50% reduction in cost.

[Kaneisha]

Hi FranzFan,

You've already received some great guidance from Peter. I would also second you considering the Doctor of Education Leadership at Harvard Graduate School of Education. It's a fully-funded three-year program run out of the Education school but with coursework across Harvard Business School, Harvard Kennedy School, and lots of internships and field work built in. It was just starting up as I was leaving Harvard and found it very appealing. If you plan to stay in education, I think this could be great for you.

Secondly, if you have the time, money, and energy, I would recommend you apply to at least 8 policy schools and search for and apply for fellowships within those schools. Once you get your financial aid packages from each, you can take your most generous offers and ask other schools to match. I guide my clients in doing this all the time, and I'd say it works at least 50% of the time, meaning they receive more aid. This is not something that many applicants do, but it is completely allowed and not frowned upon. It is called writing a financial aid appeal letter.

Here are two blog posts (post one, post two) where I write about how to write a financial aid appeal letter with a sample.

Some additional schools that I think may give you generous funding based on my client work (besides Michigan Ford) are: UT LBJ, Duke Sanford, and Berkeley Goldman. HKS has a lot of money to give out, but your current stats don't stand out to me necessarily as getting you a full ride. You could always apply though!

If you do end up applying at HKS (or any other graduate school at Harvard), I recommend you apply for the Frank Knox Memorial Fellowship.

Basically, the stronger your applicant profile as compared to the school's average incoming profile, the better your chances of getting a fellowship at the school.

Good luck!
Kaneisha

[FranzFan]

Thank you all for your suggestions and advice - very helpful indeed

[went_away]

In addition to HKS, you should also look at Syracuse, always a top ranked MPA program. As always, Princeton should be at the top of your list.