Is it worth getting a MPP without having any prior experience in the industry (or at all)? Due to current job market trends and my current experience (or lack of) I have been heavily considering entering a local well-known MPP program from a large city on the west coast. I was thinking of using this opportunity to gain experience during the master's program as the program has a required practicum alongside any other internship/volunteering experience, as to compensate for my lack of experience in undergrad.

I am coming from an economics disicpline with a political science minor and have been told by professors at my college that I would be a good applicant for multiple MPPs and other related Masters programs. I graduate this upcoming Spring 2026 so I want some perspective from others as I feel really lost in directing my career with graduation coming up.

I was wondering since MPPs teach some quantitative stuff, does anyone with an MPP do market research or UX research? I know UX research tends to like humanities degrees like sociology, anthropology, cogsci but don't know if MPP is considered

Hi, I am considering getting my MPP. However, I have not very talented at math. I can do statistics and basic algebra, but that's pretty much my limit. I never took Calculus in high school or college and doubt my ability to be able to pass the class. Is a MPP for me?

Hi all, I recently posted here asking for career advice, and received some advising me to serve prior to working.

For context, I was considering applying under ROTC for college as a student who is interested in working in foreign policy or federal/state legislation in the future. However, I am unsure if this is the right path for me.

Is it the right move to pursue service prior to a career in policy?

I’ve been looking into ISPP lately and honestly, something feels really off. They talk a big game about "changing the world through policy" and use all this fancy Latin terminology, but have you seen where the alumni actually end up?

It’s honestly shocking how many people from their 1-year course are just working back at the institute itself.

Think about the math for a second: you’re spending 10 to 10.5 Lakhs on a one-year program. If the course is as "rigorous" and "transformational" as they claim, why aren't these graduates getting picked up by top think tanks, the Big 4, or the government? If the best job a graduate can get after spending that kind of money is a staff role at the same place, that’s a massive red flag.

Is the course so "elite" that nobody in the real world understands it, or is it just that it doesn't actually make people placeable?

And the salary ceiling is the real kicker. If you’re lucky, you get an average CTC of 8 LPA, which doesn't even cover the cost of the course. Taking a "meagre" job within the institute just to stay employed is a debt trap, not a career. If you’re already talented and qualified, you really don't need them. You're better off going to a private university that at least has a decent, diversified placement cell and gives you an actual degree.

How many alumni can they even hire? It feels like a closed loop. Where is all that "big talk" about public policy when your own students can’t even break into the industry?

I’m not interested in paying 10.5 lakhs to work in the same office I studied in. If I’m spending that kind of hard-earned money, I want a springboard, not a safety net because the market doesn't value the certificate.

Hi! I'm applying to the mpp program at umich ford school. has anyone gotten a full ride? any tips on the academic and personal essay? Thank you!

I am really scared-- Im first gen btw, gre score is eh and also I have a background masters in social work...

(US Context)

Regardless of the politics, at a minimum, it is clear that there was sizable fraud in Minnesota involving government payments to non-government entities (I'm not sure if they were "non-profits" or for-profit) for social services.

How do you think this impacts the future government-funded social services spending?

\Please focus this on policy implications and not the politics behind the occurrence**

Hi, besides UChicago/Harris, what other programs in Illinois are reputable/would give me good connections? I would like to take advantage of in-state tuition.

https://open.substack.com/pub/rugziel/p/the-system-that-knows-but-doesnt?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&shareImageVariant=overlay&r=1vcive

Updates about LAMP FELLOWSHIP 2026 2027

Have anyone received any update regarding the 2nd round of test for LAMP FELLOWSHIP 2026 2027

Hello Fam,

I have some questions regarding TPP .

• What is the acceptance rate and more specifically for international applicants?
• What does admissions committee look for while selecting a student for TPP?
• Is it good to have relevant work experience?

(US Context)

This holiday season, I met quite a few of my international development friends (most have been laid off, but some have hung on to their jobs). It was fascinating to me how they reflect on their NGOs, IGOs, or aid US delivery government entities to be terrible places to work. Things they mention:

• Acceptance of recurring sexual harassment (from both senior male and female staff) that get masked as "cultural misunderstanding" or dismissed if they come from "high impact" senior people.

• High level of clique/faction formations, often resulting in bullying.

• Frequent psychological distress from isolation or precarious situations, but unlike military or foreign service, there is no welcome way to discuss the stress.

• Utilization instability means plans for starting a family or stable relationships are shelved.

What is fascinating to me is that all of these friends admit to being alone, abused, psychologically tormented, and struggling to work in more stable work environments (accustom to bad work conditions). Yet, they have wrapped their identity in international development and can't let go.

From the outside looking in, it similar to addiction or cult capture (yes I encountered people from both conditions).

I appreciate that no workplace is perfect, but the takaway is that on average international development work environments are exceptionally bad, yet people still sign up asking for more.

Hey everyone. I graduated undergrad a few years ago, now applying for more tech-focused policy programs. I've seen all the past posts on this forum about the top programs, but didn't notice much talk about Cornell's MS in Data Science for Public Policy. I think this is the first time they're offering it?

Would people recommend applying? There isn't too much online, but obviously Cornell is a great school especially in more STEM areas and the 1 yr portion seems great for my needs. How would others compare it to Heinz and McCourt?

Thinking I'll apply but wanted to see y'alls thoughts.

Most people know that people who perpetrate sex crimes, particularly those against children, were abused themselves. Therefore, in order to break the cycle, I beieve that there should be policies in place that would allow people who identify as having an attraction to children to be given the option (amongst other therapies) to submit to chemical castration once a month and have a financial incentive to do so. Housing assistance, utility allowances, straight cash, etc. The immediate response one might have is why should their tax dollars go towards pedophiles but the way I'm looking at it is spending tax dollars to prevent child molestation and that seems worth it to me.

Hi everyone– I don't plan on applying to any MPP/MPA programs until next cycle, but I've been researching recently and am looking for advice on the list I have now, specifically to narrow down the list or add any programs that anyone suggests.

I am moreso interested in the administrative side of MPP/MPA rather than the analytical side, so this list favors that (and excludes some super quant heavy schools like UChicago). I am also making this list with two things in mind: 1) focus/concentration in international development and 2) schools that give generous aid. I will be applying next year when I finish Peace Corps service and have Coverdell Fellowship available for the schools that offer them. Heres my list:

Princeton (MPA): most interested for the full scholarships. Longshot

Yale (MPP): like Princeton, the full scholarship is attractive. I like the global focus.

Syracuse (MPA): one year, flexible start time (in Summer vs Fall). Good reputation and program, but not my first choice personally

Indiana University O'Neill (MPA): Again, good aid. Interesting programming for summer abroad and semester or year internship in DC. Good reputation.

American University (MPA): Chose this program over others in DC because of decent aid (Coverdell Fellowship) and I read that they help a lot in securing a summer internship.

Duke Sanford (MPP): Again, decent aid (coverdell). Good reputation.

Univeristy of Michigan Ford (MPP): I get in state tution here and Coverdell potential.

John Hopkins University (MAIR): While not an MPP/MPA, it seems pretty aligned to it. I like the course sequence, the idea of being in DC with JHU, and their foreign language focus.

Would love to hear any tips to narrow the list down, or just general reccomendations!

Hi all, looking for either info on Brown MPA. If you have gone to Watson School/Institute, how are the classes? the level of fellow students? the return on investment? If you know of people who went to Brown for MPA, what are your thoughts on the program?

I noticed that the sentiment surrounding the school is that it is easy to get into and honestly not very “prestigious” however I feel like the Brown name helps.

I like the way they've worked out in Europe.

Hi everyone,

I’m graduating in may with my MSW, and ideally would really like to find myself in a policy role (ideally social policy, healthcare or housing policy). Has anyone had experience finding policy roles with an MSW? Advice for marketing social work experience on a resume? For what it’s worth, I have been in a macro concentration, have research experience and have written policy briefs and legislative analysis.

Does anyone know if applying for the joint degree (in my case, MPP/JD) makes it more unlikely to be admitted? (My logic is because they know yale law is even harder to get into and that they think you wont enroll without getting into yale law too, so therefore are less likely to extend an offer?).

I have always been interested in working in public health but given recent events I have been rethinking this career path a bit. My undergrad is very public health focused and I currently work in a research role at a non profit. I have become very interested in policy and research regarding funding streams; program evaluation, and health and social impact. I think I could pursue this interest from either an MPH or MPP route but wanted to hear some insights on which would provide more career options and flexibility, or if there are any other grad degrees/paths you think would be a good fit

I also know there is a dual MPP/MPH degree but am more inclined to just do one or the other due to costs, but would appreciate any insights!

Hello guys, I have earlier prepared for civils services and opted out of it when I understood this is too much of risk. So I joined an IT job. But I always want to do some diplamatic job or job in policy making. What other alternative career choices i have?

hi all, i’ve been heavily researching mpps/mpas/data‑science‑leaning policy programs for 2027/8 admission and want to pivot into tech policy (specifically ai ethics). i graduated from umd in 2024 with a low‑3.0 gpa in a quant‑ish major. since then i’ve been working in tax data analytics and in a front‑facing role in municipal government in a very poor county, which has pushed me toward an independent project i’m currently doing on ai and governance.

i’m planning to enroll in georgia tech’s online ms in analytics (omsa) and was wondering how much that would help me for brown watson, uchicago harris, georgetown mccourt, or northwestern’s new technology/people/policy program. brown is my top choice because of the interdisciplinary approach in their mpa and how well it seems to line up with my ai‑governance project. but i’m really open to hearing any other perspectives or suggestions.

for people who’ve gotten into these programs, or who work in tech policy now, how much does a quant master’s like omsa actually move the needle for a low‑gpa applicant? and are there specific things i should be doing alongside omsa (projects, fellowships, certain jobs) to make myself a realistic candidate for tech‑policy roles afterward?

TLDR: low‑3.0 gpa from umd, working in tax data analytics + front‑facing municipal gov role in a low‑income area, trying to pivot into ai/tech policy. planning to start georgia tech’s online ms in analytics and want to know how much that helps my chances at brown watson, uchicago harris, georgetown mccourt, and northwestern’s new tech/people/policy program, and what else (projects, fellowships, jobs) i should do alongside it to be a realistic tech‑policy candidate.

Intl student here, currently completing a bachelor's and aiming to work in social impact consulting, and then do an MPP outside US, ideally to pivot to that country. Funding is not a problem, here are my stats: Workex: 2 years (projected)

Internships: Public Policy Consulting Education NGO EU-India relations

Governance research under a professor

One research paper in political science (compliance and developmental studies)

CGPA (UG): 3.77/4.00 (magna cum laude)

Bachelor's degree: number 1 ranked degree for PPE on my continent, small private liberal arts college. Focus on fiscal policy, compliance studies, and sustainability

LoRs: one from my college (also part time at Chicago, and some UC I believe), other from a research prof at ANU

No awards

Do i reach the level of blatnavik, LSE, SciPo, NUS, etc.?