Priyasha Chakravarti
MPP'27
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Why did you choose McCourt? I attended Georgetown as an undergraduate student (graduated in May 2025), and am grateful to have been exposed to McCourt faculty and classes from my junior year. As an undergrad, I took "How Public Policy Works," taught by McCourt faculty, researched with Professor Thessalia Merivaki at the Massive Data Institute, and took "Social Media and Political Behavior,"" with Professor Nejla Asimovic as a senior at Georgetown. These experiences, and the warmth of the faculty, fueled my desire to apply to McCourt. During this time, I started to be more interested in public policy and international development. McCourt's practical curriculum would allow me to gain hard skills and improve my quantitative abilities to enter evidence-based policy roles. I also saw many alumni working in multilaterals at the intersection of communications and development, and wanted to do the same. Lastly, I wanted to be in D.C. because of the work opportunities around me and the diverse international community.
What professional/ work experience did you have prior to coming to McCourt? I am coming straight from completing my B.A. so I have prior internship experience in non profits and media organizations. I previously interned at the S M Sehgal Foundation in India, the BBC News Washington D.C. bureau, and the U.S. Asia Institute in D.C.
What has been the best part of your experience so far? Other than the vibrant sense of community, I have really loved my professors / the faculty so far. From the admissions team to the deans, everyone is so open, compassionate, knowledgeable and 100% here to support the graduate students. Shoutout especially to my quant professors (Paul Treacy, James Habyarimana, and Adam Thomas) for helping me overcome my fear of quantitative subjects and gain an appreciation for evidence-based policymaking.
What internships have you had so far during your time at McCourt? In my first year, I was the Editor-in-Chief of GradGov, which is an umbrella organization uniting all the Georgetown graduate schools. Along with my team, we reported on and wrote stories about the graduate community, and created and disseminated a bi-weekly newsletter promoting graduate student events.
Student organization involvement while at McCourt: I am the Editor-in-Chief of GradGov, which is an umbrella organization uniting all the Georgetown graduate schools. Along with my team, we report on and write stories about the graduate community, create and disseminate a bi-weekly newsletter, and plan other initiatives to make Georgetown feel more like home.
Undergraduate University, degree, and major: Georgetown University, Government major, Journalism and International Development minor
Hobbies/ Interests: I am very interested in the intersection between strategic communications and public policy/international development. In my free time, I love podcasting, writing, exploring new boba/coffee shops, and travelling between my home countries of India and the Philippines.
Reach out to me about: Starting masters right after undergrad, international student life, homesickness, coming from a non-quantitative background, interning while in McCourt.