Georgetown University - MSFS vs GPPI-MPP

[MPAIndia2010]

Hi,

Can any one help in differentiating between the MSFS degree at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the MPP degree at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute.

I am interested in taking the International Development and Policy Making route in both these degrees.

Which will be a better fit? Is one of them better regarded over the other?

Thanks in advance

[sky_blue]

Hi,

Can any one help in differentiating between the MSFS degree at Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service and the MPP degree at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute.

I am interested in taking the International Development and Policy Making route in both these degrees.

Which will be a better fit? Is one of them better regarded over the other?

Thanks in advance

I am applying to both programs too, so great question. any one familiar with either program?

My understanding is that MSFS is a multi-disciplinary program with a very strong international component. Graduates go on and work all around the world. In contrast the MPPi is, well, a public policy program. It will definitely have a heavier focus on analytical/quantitative skills ie cost-benefit analysis etc. I think there will be many more people in the MPP who are interested in domestic(US) policies as opposed to MSFS. Oh and there isn't a language requirement for MPP. look at the curriculum for both programs and see which one have more classes you are more interested in.

Do you know that you can take a dual degree in MSFS/MPP? It is a three years program if I remember correctly, so you can combine the best of both worlds. Btw, you can send up for one of the online chats with MSFS admission. I attended one of them and they are extremely helpful. you even get to chat with faculty members, so maybe you can ask them this question.

All the best!

[MPAIndia2010]

Thanks sky_blue

[greendiplomat]

I am applying to both programs too, so great question. any one familiar with either program?

My understanding is that MSFS is a multi-disciplinary program with a very strong international component. Graduates go on and work all around the world. In contrast the MPPi is, well, a public policy program. It will definitely have a heavier focus on analytical/quantitative skills ie cost-benefit analysis etc. I think there will be many more people in the MPP who are interested in domestic(US) policies as opposed to MSFS. Oh and there isn't a language requirement for MPP. look at the curriculum for both programs and see which one have more classes you are more interested in.

Do you know that you can take a dual degree in MSFS/MPP? It is a three years program if I remember correctly, so you can combine the best of both worlds. Btw, you can send up for one of the online chats with MSFS admission. I attended one of them and they are extremely helpful. you even get to chat with faculty members, so maybe you can ask them this question.

All the best!

Right. In short, SFS is a very profession-oriented program that produces people for the foreign service (i.e. diplomats), whereas GPPI is geared more towards public policy analysis. Note that, because Georgetown has SFS, their MPP is definitely not as international as MPPs at other schools (though this isn't to say that there isn't the ability to take internationally-oriented coursework, or to cross-register for a few classes at SFS).

[Cha]

Hi,

I am ALSO applying to both of these programs. Now my question is: because both personal statements are submitted with one application form, does this mean that the review committee will see your essay for the other program?

I know this is probably a dumb question whose obvious answer is 'NO,' but since I am planning to submit essentially the same essay for both programs (applying for Int'l Dev. stream in both), AND I'm itching to finally turn in the application, I can't help but get a bit paranoid. Alternatively, if the review committee WILL be seeing both essays, this probably means I should write two different ones, huh?

Good luck to all, and thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

-Cha

[fsowannabe]

Hi,

I am ALSO applying to both of these programs. Now my question is: because both personal statements are submitted with one application form, does this mean that the review committee will see your essay for the other program?

I know this is probably a dumb question whose obvious answer is 'NO,' but since I am planning to submit essentially the same essay for both programs (applying for Int'l Dev. stream in both), AND I'm itching to finally turn in the application, I can't help but get a bit paranoid. Alternatively, if the review committee WILL be seeing both essays, this probably means I should write two different ones, huh?

Good luck to all, and thanks in advance for any advice you can offer.

-Cha

Cha,

I have that same question. I think it's the same essay read by both program admissions councils. They asked me to submit two separate transcripts, one to MSFS and the other to MPP. I know that it is possible to be accepted to just one, or both (or obviously neither), and I am hesitant to submit an essay explaining my desire to be in a joint program, because I don't want it to ruin my chances of being accepted to the MSFS program alone. When I spoke to a MSFS rep the other day he said NOT to apply for the MSFS alone and the do a joint application but rather just do the joint application.

I haven't been able to get anyone at MSFS on the phone today or yesterday, any input is appreciated.

[jndaven]

I struggled to choose between them too. I decided to apply to MSFS and MA Economics dual degree to combine quant and international focus without too much overlap in curriculum. My guess is I won't get into the MA Econ program, though I hope MSFS is good match...

[Cha]

OH, so this is to say that if you apply for the joint MSFS/MPP program you will be considered for both programs individually?

Huh. That simplifies things.

Thank you!

[jndaven]

OH, so this is to say that if you apply for the joint MSFS/MPP program you will be considered for both programs individually?

Huh. That simplifies things.

Thank you!

According to the website:

Does the admissions decision of the one program affect the other?

The admissions decisions of each program are reached independently and the decision of one Program will not affect the decision of the other.

[sky_blue]

GPPI's website states that the personal statement should be 500 words. I am finding it very difficult to keep it under 500 words..does anyone else here have the same problem? is 600 words still too many?

[carpecc]

GPPI's website states that the personal statement should be 500 words. I am finding it very difficult to keep it under 500 words..does anyone else here have the same problem? is 600 words still too many?

I would say yes it's too many, but look at the language they use in the instructions. Does it strongly suggest to keep it the word limit? Is the question addressed in their FAQ or on any admissions blog they have?

From the research I've been doing I'd say going 10% over is ok, but 20% is really pushing it. I would give it to a friend or two who are talented writers and ask them where to cut. There's probably something there you can compress or combine with something else. My SOP for SAIS is 600 words exactly, but my SIPA one only allows for 400 words. I was able to compress it down, it took a lot of the flavor out of it but my main points were in tact. SIPA says several times on their site, FAQ and blog that a major goal of the essay is to see how well you can follow directions and provide a concise explanation of who you are and what you want from their program, so there was no way I was going to push it.

[sky_blue]

I would say yes it's too many, but look at the language they use in the instructions. Does it strongly suggest to keep it the word limit? Is the question addressed in their FAQ or on any admissions blog they have?

From the research I've been doing I'd say going 10% over is ok, but 20% is really pushing it. I would give it to a friend or two who are talented writers and ask them where to cut. There's probably something there you can compress or combine with something else. My SOP for SAIS is 600 words exactly, but my SIPA one only allows for 400 words. I was able to compress it down, it took a lot of the flavor out of it but my main points were in tact. SIPA says several times on their site, FAQ and blog that a major goal of the essay is to see how well you can follow directions and provide a concise explanation of who you are and what you want from their program, so there was no way I was going to push it.

thanks for the advice, will def try and cut down on the words.

a note to everyone applying to MSFS, do try and attend the admission chat at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm (15:30 - 16:30) EST TODAY (jan7). they are immensely helpful! i think this may be the last one for this season.

[Cha]

GPPI's website states that the personal statement should be 500 words. I am finding it very difficult to keep it under 500 words..does anyone else here have the same problem? is 600 words still too many?

yes i was conflicted as to how many words the ps should be because i'm applying for the dual msfs/mpp degree, for which one essay will be used. while the msfs site encourages applicants to use up to 700 words, the mpp says no such thing. i'm planning on going over my word limit bc ultimately if it hurts me for the mpp i'd rather that, than submit a crappier personal statement for both, ya digg?

g'luck!

[sky_blue]

yes i was conflicted as to how many words the ps should be because i'm applying for the dual msfs/mpp degree, for which one essay will be used. while the msfs site encourages applicants to use up to 700 words, the mpp says no such thing. i'm planning on going over my word limit bc ultimately if it hurts me for the mpp i'd rather that, than submit a crappier personal statement for both, ya digg?

g'luck!

someone asked this question during the msfs admission chat session. the admission replied that they are happy to ready anything around 700 words (+/- 30 words or so) but they are not sure what GPPI thinks. so they advised pple applying to dual degree to email GPPI directly. hope this helps.

[s.bateman]

Hi, I am applying to the International Development programs at both schools too. Any news fromthe 2009 applicants who posted to this? What program did you chose? What are the major differences between MSFS and MPP? Thanks!