  We compute the Milky Way potential in different cold dark matter (CDM) based
models, and compare these with the modified Newtonian dynamics (MOND)
framework. We calculate the axis ratio of the potential in various models, and
find that isopotentials are less spherical in MOND than in CDM potentials. As
an application of these models, we predict the escape velocity as a function of
the position in the Galaxy. This could be useful in comparing with future data
from planned or already-underway kinematic surveys (RAVE, SDSS, SEGUE, SIM,
GAIA or the hypervelocity stars survey). In addition, the predicted escape
velocity is compared with the recently measured high proper motion velocity of
the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). To bind the LMC to the Galaxy in a MOND
model, while still being compatible with the RAVE-measured local escape speed
at the Sun's position, we show that an external field modulus of less than
$0.03 a_0$ is needed.
