LBJ School vs Georgetown McCourt?

[Undecided2016]

Hey everyone,

Longtime reader of the forum, but new poster. I have received offers of admission from the LBJ School at UT-Austin and at Georgetown McCourt. Also, I am wait-listed in University of Chicago. LBJ has offered me significant funding and Georgetown has not released their funding decisions just yet. Currently, I'm living in Austin and hope to practice policy in Texas. I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but I'm trying to get some folks perspective who have been to one or the other. My profile is that I'm an older grad student (thirty) who has worked for six years in public education, completed Teach For America, and have a family, so reapplying next year or the year after does not sound realistic for me. I'm not interested in foreign relations as much as I'm interested in domestic policy, focusing on things like education, welfare, housing, poverty, and other forms of inequity.  

I'm curious to know if anyone has thoughts to share why LBJ or why Georgetown McCourt. My understanding is that McCourt is a newer program. I used to live in DC and know it's a great university, but I wonder how much that would translate nationally, especially with it being a newer program. At the end of the day, I just want to make sure I'm thinking through my decision 100% as this is my one shot to attend policy school.

Thanks everybody!

Edited March 11, 2016 by Undecided2016

[mfmpp]

Given that you received significant funding from LBJ, want to work in Texas, and have a family to look after, I'd be leaning towards LBJ.

[DeputyDowner]

If you know you want to work in Texas, you should stay in Texas. Actually, if you want to work in DC, it won't hurt you to stay in Texas either. And if you're not interested in foreign affairs, then you should stick with Texas.

 

Like you said, its sort of a no brainer. Congrats on the funding for LBJ School!

Edited March 11, 2016 by DeputyDowner

[brianaleighblt]

Undecided 2016,

      If it helps, I think Georgetown's funding decisions will be forthcoming in the next couple weeks (I got notice of an interview for one of their scholarships, so I don't think they have made too many merit-based aid decisions yet).  Also, is your family relocating to the DC area with you?  I know you have lived there, but it's significantly more expensive and inconvenient than Austin.  If you are interested in domestic education policy (not at state level), then DC is a great choice, but if you are looking at state policy, I would agree with those above.  You could always do a summer internship in DC if you went to LBJ at UT.  If McCourt gives you lots of money, maybe go for it.  Are you a TX resident?  I'm all about leaving school with little to no debt, so if it came down to money, I would go with what's cheaper, especially since it sounds like you're torn anyway!

 

[Undecided2016]

Thanks Briana! At this point, I'm all but going to LBJ barring a huge upset in funding from McCourt (who said just yesterday via phone that they're sending out funding information in the next week). Not to mention, I've been spending some time at LBJ since I live in Austin, learning about the different centers & specializations they have. It seems pretty great. I'll likely be accepting in the next week or two.