MPP: American U, George Mason, or punt until next year?

Graduate School
1

Hi all, first time poster.

I have been trying to switch careers into public policy, so I recently applied to a bunch of jobs and then some grad schools in the DC area. I got a think tank job that I am definitely going to take, and also got into MPP programs at American and George Mason. I applied to those schools in May because they were some of the only DC schools whose deadlines for fall 2016 had not passed.

I am considering whether to work full-time and go to school part-time, or whether to reapply to some better (but more expensive) schools for 2017, like Georgetown, GWU, or even Harvard Kennedy.

My GRE scores were 164 quant, 168 verbal, 5 writing. My undergraduate GPA (from Georgetown) was 3.3.

Would appreciate some advice on whether I have better options I should hold out for, or, if not, whether American or GMU has a stronger MPP program.

2

If you’re going to be working at a think tank, I think in 2-3 years you’ll have the kind of experience that will probably position you well to go to more prestigious programs if that’s what you want (although American’s pretty good). Your GPA will also matter less once you have more work experience behind you.