Arizona State vs. George Mason (Public Policy PhD)

[phdinpp]

Hi!

I'm admitted to both programs with stipends and I am unable to make my decision! My main research interest is Science and Technology policy.

Arizona State:

- pros: high ranking, great support for students + small cohort, outstanding faculties in my research area (my research area is pretty big part in the department), summer research jobs possible, no winter (but not really great place to live), the department is evolving

- cons: tough program (attrition rate for comprehensive exams has been pretty high)

 

George Mason:

- pros: safety, comparably easier to proceed to next level (POI said that everyone in past few years have passed the comprehensive exams), good location, good placement

- cons: low ranking in general (my research area is not even ranked)

 

 

I'm struggling in making decision since passing exam in one important part and being in a good school where my research area is mainly focused is another important thing.

What do you guys think? I would appreciate any thoughts!

[OhSoSolipsistic]

What do you want to do after your program? It sounds like ASU would fit if you wanted to go into academia due to its more rigorous program, but GMU might be better suited if you're considering other career options since you may have more of a chance to explore. I'm not sure what type of non-academia positions there are in public policy, but you might have more potential connections for civil service/government internships considering Fairfax is close to DC.

Financially, ASU might make more sense even if GMU is offering a stipend of $10,000+ more since Fairfax has a much higher cost of living than the Phoenix metro area. Also, ASU is larger so you could choose from a wider variety of non-departmental elective courses if that's a possibility. If passing comprehensive exams is a concern, can you look into the requirements to get a better sense of the challenges? I would contact current students to get a better feel for that and other comparison questions.

[phdinpp]

Thank you @OhSoSolipsistic for your advice. I will ask current students for better comparison.

[UAM]

Hi, I am Umair from Pakistan. I have a funded offer (Fulbright) for a Phd in Public Policy for Fall 2017. In my submission plan (where Fulbright commission applied for me), unis included Arizona State University, Uni of Texas at Dallas, Uni of Washington- Evans, Syracuse Maxwell, and CMU Heinz.

My background is a bit on the low side, an undergrad from a top ranked uni here in Pakistan (but obviously unknown there in the US) with a CGPA of 2.83, where I studied Business Management/ Information Systems. I did a postgrad from Institute of Development Studies at University of Sussex UK, High Merit but not a distinction. 2-3 conference papers, a research project going on. GRE scores verbal 162 quant 164 AWA 4.5. Graduated in 2014. so 2-3 years of experience. 

I have been offered admission from Arizona State University and UT Dallas while Udub & Syracuse have already sent out a rejection. Have not heard from CMU.

I wanted to know if you people have any advice on this. My interests are in social policy/ health policy or a bit of IT policy (for CMU only). My essays were generally good, references were OK too. But no elaborate research plans/ focus. I am much afraid of ending up unemployed etc. after I am done. How is the reputation of ASU (SPA) or UT Dallas? Any comments please. Should I go for Arizona State or UT Dallas, if I get rejected from CMU as well, which most probably I will given my profile. I am motivated and ambitious to go for a PhD but I am also afraid I might even fail to complete (due to my weak background specially in calculus/ linear algebra/ statistics/ econometrics. Though I have had courses in all of these 4 mentioned subjects. I am willing to put in the hard miles to get through but doubts always keep coming back. I thought udub evans will admit me but they also din't.

And that comprehensive exam thingy at ASU IS SCARY!!! Phdinpp did you hear back from those students?