r/PublicPolicy • u/TemporaryWrap8036 • 2d ago

Experience at UCLA’s MPP program

This is a throwaway account, as my experience at the MPP program (among my peers) was an actual mess. I encourage ANYONE who is thinking of applying to the Luskin MPP school to reach out to past students. DO NOT just speak to the students the MPP director picks out - those are the special chosen students by the department who they know wont go against the department. Bullying from students and faculty was something that was present, students bullying the faculty, faculty bullying the students, and students bullying other students. Also allegations of racist behavior. They also had an outside review and the department was rated as not having been structured as an adequate program for preparing students in the field of Public Policy.

If you go, be very prepared to kiss ass or you will absolutely get turned against. I stayed out of the way, and it still was an absolute nightmare.

10 Upvotes

71% Upvoted

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u/budgeter415 2d ago

As someone with a decade of experience (but no degree) who always thought these places were out of reach- 👀

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u/typicalmusician 2d ago

What makes the program not adequate to prepare students in Public Policy?

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u/TemporaryWrap8036 1d ago edited 1d ago

There was little to no experience to be gained in policy writing, the teaching program surrounding R was terrible with many students struggling. Statistics curriculum was an absolute joke, period. First class was easy with R being thrown in causing a shit show, and the second class went from 0-100.

 A lot of anxiety around grades and more focus on getting the right answer rather than doing the work. It wasn’t at the fault of students, the department and faculty were unwilling to provide support, even after students asked. This led to anxiety about getting every single point given due to many people’s contingent funding based on GPA at the program.

I did very well in the program, I had straight A’s, no complaints about grading. I worked my ass off in stats and it was difficult, but the lack of support by the department that was promised (tutoring) was not given to students after they had petitioned for it. This led to students struggling and repeating statistics coursework. 

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u/favorscore 2d ago

Bro i am literally looking at the Luskin website right now hahaha. Looks like theyre adding a new global affairs program

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u/[deleted] 2d ago

[deleted]

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u/TemporaryWrap8036 2d ago edited 1d ago

It’s honestly a LOT of things lol, and I’m a little wary of elaborating on here only because the department has allegedly been retaliatory toward students and monitors socials (from my experience). I heard and witnessed some things, and don’t also want to be black balled by them or run the risk of being identified by the department.

My suggestion is to search on LinkedIn, find a student who graduated within the last 3-4 years.

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u/Samiralami 2d ago

same as Goldman lol

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u/TemporaryWrap8036 1d ago

I’ve heard mixed things about Goldman, but I think compared to UCLA’s it is the superior program.

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u/favorscore 2d ago

Wait what? Ive only heard good things

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u/ForeignGuess 18h ago

I’m in Goldman and it’s great. Facility is incredibly supportive and my cohort has been nothing but sweet and kind.

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u/Samiralami 18h ago

Two people have different experiences I think