Thoughts On Graduate Institutions & Programs

Graduate School
1

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am coming up on finishing my first year of graduate school and I need some input regarding something I have been going back and forth on. I am getting my master's in public policy and administration (MPPA) at California Lutheran University. Looking back on the year I have done quite well. I have kept a 4.0 and earned A's in every course I have had thus far. I am working two graduate assistantships one through student life and one working directly with my program director doing outreach work. I will also be assisting in establishing an honor society this summer for MPPA students. Lastly I was appointed to the graduate student council as well. All of this has taken place in a matter of less than a year.</p>

<p>However lately I have been wondering something. When I was deciding on graduate schools and programs I was also accepted into the MPP program at Cal Poly SLO. Deciding between CLU and Cal Poly was a tough decision. Both had different pros and cons. In the end I chose CLU. However I did recognize that Cal Poly is a larger more well known institution. </p>

<p>My question is what is more important; having a master's degree or the institution where you earned it? I guess I ask this because I often wonder if Cal Poly looks more impressive than Cal Lutheran in regards to where you earned you master's degree. Additionally, given my success at Cal Lutheran is that more important than going to perhaps a better institution? </p>

<p>These are some of the questions I have been going back and forth on and would love some outside opinions regarding this.</p>

2

<p>At this point, it hardly matters as you have already made your choice.</p>

<p>Having a master’s is of course more important, and the bottom line. But it does matter where you get your master’s from. Of course, if we were talking about an MPA from Princeton vs one from CLU, that would be a no-brainer. But I’m not sure where California Lutheran ranks against Cal Poly SLO in terms of public policy and administration.</p>

<p>How you performed is going to be a bigger difference. I’m not sure, though, that employers will care that you got straight As or that you helped establish an honor society. They’ll care more about your internship experience and how you will transfer that to a job.</p>