adhoc

Hi all, I am looking into applying for an MPP/MPA/MAIR either for fall 2016 or 2017 but am unsure which programs I would even stand a chance at or have overlooked. Background: GPA: 3.325/4.0 For what it's worth I was getting 3.6's my final 2 semesters of undergrad and made dean's list. Major: Double major in Political Science and Economics. School: UConn graduated in 2014. Been working for 1 year. Work Experience/Internships: Interned for a state rep for 1 semester, Interned for the state democratic party which later hired me on as a finance assistant out of college where I managed several interns. Currently, I am working in Purchasing/Supply Chain at a major defense contractor. Languages: Only the bits and pieces of Spanish I can remember from high school. Quant background: Intermediate Micro/Macro, Calc 1, Stats 1, Econometrics, Quantitative Analysis in Poly Sci, Methods in Survey Reseach Research: I worked with 2 of my economics professors studying the economics of religion. GRE: Haven't taken it yet. I have heard however that many foreign schools (outside US) do not require it though I will likely still take it. LORs: Here is where I worry, it seems most programs want academic letters and I am not sure I can obtain any strong ones. I went to a very large school and did not develop much of a rapport with my professors. I have been out a year and am unsure if any would even remember me well enough to write a strong LOR but I suppose I could reach out. The state rep. I interned with would definitely write one as well as several of my former employers. So I am living in New England now but do not really care where I end up so the location of a program is no issue. My main interests are in Foreign policy, international relations, development, economics. So if anyone could recommend a decent program for these areas I would be thankful. My ultimate career goal would be to work for the State Dept. as a FSO. As I have looked through this forum and browsed some program sites I feel as if I am woefully under qualified. Any advice on how to become more competitive would be welcome.