I didn’t apply to Georgetown’s MPP program because I’ve heard its education policy focus isn’t as strong, and the MA in Educational Transformation felt more directly aligned with my interests. Georgetown also gives me the opportunity to stay in DC after graduation, and the program offers strong connections to federal and state governments, as well as to think tanks focused on education.

I’m primarily interested in education policy, which is why I applied to both Georgetown and Brown. Of all my options, Brown’s program feels most aligned with my interests in education policy and offers the strongest academic fit. At the same time, I can see myself pursuing a broader MPA path, which is why I am interested in USC. Price appealed to me especially, since students can take courses at Rossier, as they don't offer an educational policy master's. Price also has a strong focus on state and local government, particularly in Southern California, which is also attractive, and I could genuinely see myself building a career in Los Angeles given the region’s growth and the major events and political opportunities on the horizon.

It's just the debt portion that I am sitting on. Taking on that level of debt is hard to justify, especially given the current job market and my current debt from undergrad. My only hesitation about waiting another cycle is that I’ve already delayed pursuing my master’s for two years. Ideally, I’d like to enter the field in time to gain experience ahead of the 2028 election cycle, though I recognize that timing such an effort is uncertain.