MPA Columbia SIPA or MPP Duke Sanford in Energy and Environment

[vananhdo]

Hi all, 

I am interested in a master program with a combination of public policy, management, quantitative skills and concentration in the energy and environmental field. I know it's a new area but I am actually working on this topic, and I am from a developing country. In my opinion, it's a growing global concern for driving low-carbon economy and developing clean energy sector after COP 21 climate agreement in Paris. 

I am just wondering whether anyone having this particular interest like me? These two programs at Columbia and Duke are both interesting to me, but I have to choose only one option (MPA or MPP) for my scholarship application. I don't really know other programs that have similar topics, some are more environment but less clean energy to me.  So which one is better to choose? 

I also heard about some MBA programs at Duke, Berkeley, UNC at Chapel Hill or Texas Austin with clean energy focus, but as I worked in a non-profit before, I think a program from a public affair school is more suitable than a business school, and it's also easier to get admission, I guess. 

Really appreciate if someone can give me a recommendation!

Edited March 23, 2016 by vananhdo

[chocolatecheesecake]

I'm confused as to why you can only choose one school. Is this a scholarship application from your country's government that they will only give you to one institution, regardless of which one eventually accepts you? It doesn't make much sense to me, because usually, you should only be making that choice between one school or another if you're already accepted. If you're just looking to understand more about each of the programs, I suggest you contact each program to ask to speak to a student concentrating in environmental/clean energy policy in the program. They can talk to you about courses, experiences, what the opportunities are like, and help you gain more insight on if that's where you want to be. 

[monocle]

What I understand is that on the application form you have to designate which type of degree program it is? MPP or MPA? Is that right?

If so, you could just put down MPA and then apply to both, then if you get in and end up deciding Duke is better... You can convince them that theyre functionally the same, or rather that you still deserve the scholarship but you want this MPP

I find it hard to believe the scholarship people would say "No! Ridiculous! you lied that you were applying to only MPA programs. We must rescind your scholarship offer now that youve changed one letter!"

[vananhdo]

Thanks all for your suggestion. 

I was explained by the staff of the scholarship program that I can only choose MPA or MPP, then I have to list some programs of that choice in my application form. I tried to explain to her that the two programs are very similar but it seems she doesn't accept it. She is not the decision maker though, but I just want to avoid any complicated situation then. And the problem is they will forward my application to the listed schools so that they can control the admission. Anyway, I have to follow their requirements strictly because I need a full scholarship. 

Besides these two programs, I don't really know any other, that's why I just go with one option and then find some other back-up choices. I will try to contact the school for more details. 

[chocolatecheesecake]

On 3/24/2016 at 8:05 PM, vananhdo said:

Thanks all for your suggestion. 

I was explained by the staff of the scholarship program that I can only choose MPA or MPP, then I have to list some programs of that choice in my application form. I tried to explain to her that the two programs are very similar but it seems she doesn't accept it. She is not the decision maker though, but I just want to avoid any complicated situation then. And the problem is they will forward my application to the listed schools so that they can control the admission. Anyway, I have to follow their requirements strictly because I need a full scholarship. 

Besides these two programs, I don't really know any other, that's why I just go with one option and then find some other back-up choices. I will try to contact the school for more details. 

Wow, I'm sorry you have to make that decision. Government red tape can be a !@#$%. The only thing I can think of is to suggest you look at which school offers more aid. Duke is typically pretty generous, but I'm not sure for international students. You should search around on the site for what Columbia's numbers are, or even just ask the schools directly and then choose the school that seems to offer less aid. I think you should still apply to both - don't rule yourself out until they do. There's always a chance one school could be very generous with aid, and basically give you something to a full scholarship. =) Good luck!