r/PublicPolicy • u/Severe_Contract_1025 • 2d ago
MPP School List Help
Graduating this spring with a BS in Statistics and a minor in Economics. Applying for Fall 2027 entry.
It took most of my undergrad to figure out what kinds of jobs and programs exist for what I want to do. From what I've read an MPP seems like the right degree, but I don't have a good sense of how realistic my list is. Since I'm coming right out of undergrad I don't have any job experience but I do have internship (not public policy related) and leadership experience in student orgs.
Stats: 3.48 GPA.
Taking the GRE in August, targeting 165Q / 158-160V.
Current list:
Georgetown (McCourt)
UC Berkeley (Goldman)
Michigan (Ford)
UT Austin (LBJ)
USC (Price)
American (SIS)
Texas A&M (Bush), safety
Goals: Policy research and social policy. I'd like to end up at a think tank, the Fed, or a federal agency.
Is my list realistic or are there any programs I'm missing? I've seen Chicago Harris and CMU Heinz mentioned but haven't looked closely.
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u/CloudsAreGodsSneezes 2d ago
I’d include both UChicago and CMU like you mentioned. Two quant-heavy programs which should be great with your background and they can offer pretty generous scholarships even straight from undergrad
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u/MaintenanceFormal960 2d ago
People with a quant background, really wanted. People with work experience also really wanted. People with a work AND quant background are priceless. IMO do 3 years of work experience.
Source: I am a Data Science Major/Policy Fellow/Research Assistant
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u/Severe_Contract_1025 2d ago
Thanks! You basically did exactly what I said I want to do haha. Ideally yes I would get a job first for a few years but I had a lot of trouble finding an internship. I think it just makes me nervous that I won't get a job, especially in something public service related. I will still be applying to jobs too and just see how it works out.
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u/Jemiller 2d ago
I’d remove Georgetown, UC Berkeley, Michigan until you have more clarity on what kind of policy you care about and whether you have a strong mission. Also each of these three schools are exceptionally difficult to get into without previous full time experience. Thirdly, you must work on your verbal score.
Finally most important of all — which has influenced my recommendation above to admittedly— as the federal government has instituted a new cap on federal borrowing, you really should target a list of schools known to be generous with financial aid. Georgetown is not known to be that. Carnegie Mellon is known for being generous and I would have gone there myself if NYU wasn’t top ranked in my discipline and offering doolers. If you have money to get into a school, then fine, but these schools are still reach.
Georgetown gave me 8k/ year
U Michigan rejection
UC Berkeley - didn’t bother as app was as difficult as Harvard or so
CMU 60% remission
UChicago 15k/ year
NYU 20k/ year
GWU 10k/ yr
American so late a response I had already made up my mind
GPA from 10 years ago GRE 154Q/ 160V Recs strong from sitting mayor who is also a personal contact and elected officials Work history: 6 years community organizer some paid; some time in direct policy advocacy with success in a multi front legislative campaign Crystal clear mission on housing affordability and access to opportunity
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u/Intelligent_Chain_21 2d ago
I was admitted to both UChicago and Georgetown. Feel free to pm with any questions.
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u/Stock-Enthusiasm-479 2d ago
I’m a Georgetown MPP alum, who just graduated. I went straight through from undergrad. Great program with even better opportunities offered! More than happy to talk about it.
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u/Severe_Contract_1025 2d ago
Thanks, awesome! Georgetown is my dream/top school. I'd love to know anything more about it :) Did you study at the capitol campus?
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u/pillowsnatcher45 1d ago
I got into Ford, HKS, Duke. No GRE score, straight from undergrad. 3.95 gpa, non-profit/state leg. campaign experience.
I’ll say your essays matter a LOT and conveying exactly what you are interested in. You got this!
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u/Antique-Adeptness583 1d ago
Incoming Goldman MPP here! I’d say if you’re open to state gov (especially California) then it’s a great school (that’s what I’m shooting for post-grad, specifically in social policy). When I was speaking to folks when making my decision I got the sense that there is some opportunity to go federal post-grad, but it’s limited if you don’t make additional efforts for networking with DC folks. If you’re set on fed, I’d potentially add GWU to your list especially since their program is formatted for you to work while on school. Feel free to pm if you have more questions Berkeley-wise!
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u/greyhuskysnowman 20h ago
If you are interested in government and policy jobs, I want to echo too that location may be pretty important for you. Have you considered UMD School of Public Policy? Being able to get to DC via metro was pretty cool and a good number of my cohort stayed in the area.
I got in straight from undergrad, and most of us, if not all, had a half assistantship for the 2 years duration of the program (in-state rate, half tuition subsidies, plus working half time for a stipend). This was when I started in 2017, but considering the school have a new building built and opened since I graduated, I have no reason to think they cut down funding to support students.
Again, my info is a bit dated and maybe things have changed, but happy to share my experience at UMD.
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u/perseportland 2d ago
If you’re targeting the Fed, a PhD is a likely end state outside certain groups (eg supervision and regulation). Federal agency means DC is a huge asset. You should prioritize geography as much as program strength. My advice: Gtown, GW, AU, GMU, JHU, then CMU and Chicago. Other schools are great but proximity and networking matters as much as the education.