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Tk2356

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Everything posted by Tk2356

  1. @JWSS I think that the number of schools you apply to should depend on what you want. If you’re intent on incurring the least amount of debt, I would cast a wide net. It also depends on how much time you care to devote to the process. Many people don’t have the time (or money) to apply to ten schools, so they zero in on their top 4-5. If you are on the fence about applying to MBAs, and have the time, I would seriously consider applying to those which will give you a joint degree. All I know about Yale Jackson is that it’s a smaller program and greatly values experience. I would be surprised if they are as competitive as WWS given the funding angle.
  2. @JWSS With your languages, peace corps experience, econ major and high GRE, and assuming you write stellar essays, I would be surprised if you aren’t accepted everywhere..except maybe WWS (which is always a crapshoot). With this in mind, here’s what I would advise: - you’re slightly under the average age of a few of the top programs (HKS, WWS, SIPA), so I would emphasize any leadership experience you have had. - think long and hard about who to ask for LORs, and work with them to align with your essays. - look up specific details of each program and highlight how they could help you get to where you want to be. - read the program admission blogs for advice and common mistakes. HKS’s in particular is a wealth of information, which when followed will automatically set you apart from a sizable percentage of applicants. Good luck!
  3. Hi @jxw, I would like to specialize in Advanced Economic Analysis, but have a nearly nonexistent quant background (just intro to micro) to my name and am worried about getting in over my head. Did you get the impression that, with the necessary time and effort input, students like myself could succeed in the specialization? Or is it designed for those who already have a solid quant base? Gaining practical quant skills is a major goal of mine while at SIPA, but I don’t want to risk a low GPA/losing my scholarship if no amount of effort in the advanced micro/macro courses can overcome a weak quant background. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
  4. That’s really good to hear. I was accepted into EPD, but have been leaning more and more towards switching to Urban Policy for the flexibility and desire to remain in NYC post-graduation. The more intimidate feel of TMaC also sounds very appealing...thanks for the feedback!
  5. Can any attendees pass on their thoughts of the day’s events? Any details regarding specific concentration/specialization impressions would be greatly appreciated!
  6. Hi @yellina122! Is it your impression that Wagner has better results than SIPA in placing grads in NYC government positions and NYC- based nonprofits in general? Or just those related to education policy? I just submitted my deposit for SIPA, by the way, so just asking out of curiosity Thanks again for the previous advice!!
  7. I’ve been a military analyst for eight years, and can only think of one civilian who didn’t get his start in the military. It’s possible, but just know that the deck will be stacked against you when trying to break into the field. You’ll be applying for positions against people with veterans preference and/or an already active security clearance. I would definitely think twice before paying for that masters degree. Those programs are used by military members to check the box for their masters degree, and aren’t highly respected in the community as a result of that. I’m sure you already know all this... sorry for not being more helpful!
  8. Hi @ExponentialDecay, where do SIPA grads fall on this multilaterals spectrum for you?
  9. I believe they chop the incoming class into 4 groups of 50ish, with whom you’ll take the core courses. It sounds like students really appreciate it as it allows you to really bond/get to know those other 50 people.
  10. @invincible49 I believe Matt mentioned it in one of the HKS Admission Blog posts. He said the Gandhi quote thing was one of his pet peeves... “I’d be admitting you — not Gandhi.” The single spacing comment came from the HKS admissions Twitter account. Basically, read the instructions thoroughly and follow them to the T. It will be appreciated I’m sure.
  11. Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP/MPA Schools Applied To: HKS, SIPA, Harris, Wagner Schools Admitted To: All Undergraduate institution: Large state school in the Southwest Undergraduate GPA: 3.65 Undergraduate Major: Russian & International Relations GRE Quantitative Score: 160 GRE Verbal Score: 164 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 9 Years of Work Experience: 9 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Air Force Intel Officer, a lot of international experience Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I didn’t feel great about my chances at HKS until their ADCOM lead commented on how so many people quote Gandhi and use single spacing for their essays. Tailor your SOP for each school, connect your past w/your goals and hit on how each school can help you succeed. Be specific. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Excellent. NGA GS-type (former HKS fellow), supervisor, and Russian prof from Middlebury who also happened to teach at Columbia Other: Struggling between SIPA and HKS, but leaning towards SIPA as my focus is international and they gave me $$. Very happy to be near the application process finish line and can’t wait to start the program.
  12. @Damis It would go towards my tuition -- thankfully I'll receive a stipend covering basic living expenses. Where did you find out about those work opportunities in Cambridge?
  13. Wow — congrats!!!
  14. No aid, as expected. @datik, are you still thinking of accepting?
  15. That is very good, albeit disconcerting, information about the Boston architect job market. Thanks! I’m in my lower 30s, so HKS’s slightly more seasoned student body appeals to me. We’ve only spent a week in NYC, and loved it of course, but we realize that living somewhere is a completely different experience than being a tourist there. I did manage to sit in on a course at SIPA and know I would enjoy the program very much. Each time I start leaning that way, though, I think of the favorable HKS employment statistics and have second thoughts — hopefully next week’s visit to Cambridge clears things up for me.
  16. @Damis I foolishly neglected to fill out the financial aid application, thinking it didn’t apply to my situation. After my military scholarships, I’ll be paying about $20k a year out of pocket.
  17. Hi! @yellina122! Thanks for the wonderful response. It sounds like you’ve had great experiences in both cities, and I’m happy you get to go back to NYC shortly! I’d love to work for a NGO/nonprofit after graduation, and it looks like HKS grads make about a bit more out of the gate on average in those fields — that makes me feel better about the price difference. My wife and I are definitely fans of NYC, though, and it would probably fit us more than Boston. She’s a French architect, and I’m worried that Boston would have less opportunity for her to find work — that’s just an assumption on my part, though. Also, it looks like a lot of HKS grads find work in NYC after graduation, so that option isn’t going anywhere! I find it hard to not be excited about the others factors involved for both programs; the course options and professor quality are of course fantastic, which I guess is a point in SIPA’s corner, given the price. I’m going to visit HKS next week and try to get a feel for the place. You’re right though that $40k is a lot, so I think it will take a lot to convince me to forego SIPA. Thanks again for the reply!
  18. I’m feeling both extremely happy and foolish right about now. Because I had no intention of applying for loans (due to GI Bill+YR+savings), I didn’t fill out HKS’s Financial Aid application. It turns out this precludes me from receiving any type of merit scholarship — not that I would’ve expected much, but now I’ll always wonder. Ugh. I now have to decide between an MPA at SIPA (free) and paying $40k for an MPP at HKS. I hope to work in the nonprofit/NGO sector after graduation, so a $40k difference is not insignificant. COL between NYC and Boston is a non-factor as the GI Bill provides a stipend amount that varies between locations. Is HKS worth the extra cost? Or should I just take the money from SIPA and run? I would really appreciate any advice/opinions, as I am making a career switch and am not well versed in either program. Thanks in advance.
  19. Im in as well, but no word on funding. Same for you guys?
  20. Best of luck!! Here's hoping they don't wait until 1300 for the release...
  21. Oh I’m definitely worried about the transition to school! I’m more just talking about investing so much money into something when, without much real-world experience, it’s hard to know if the field is for you. At 22, I was sure I would spend my career in military intelligence. Fast-forward 9 Years and I’m now very happy I am able to easily change careers — an option that wouldn’t be so easy if younger-me had taken on loads of debt. An MPA/MPP seems to work well in different sectors, though, so that works in your favor. Again, to each their own. I would just advise against taking on loads of debt for one of these programs without seriously considering working for a few years, reapplying, and likely receiving better funding opportunities. You know what’s best for your situation, though.
  22. To each their own, but I’m of the opinion that a few years experience is a huge benefit for attending all of these programs — not just SIPA. I’m (a crusty) 31, and it took me more than a few years after graduating to decide what exactly I want to do next in life, all the while gaining valuable experience that helped guide my decision. I’m a slow learner, though And if you do end up liking your chosen field, you’ll be much more competitive for fellowships than someone straight out of undergrad. If you’re set on grad school now, though, I don’t think the course design at SIPA would put you at a severe disadvantage compared to Harris. The average age of an incoming MPA/MIA at SIPA is 26 — Harris’s can’t be much younger. There is probably much greater opportunity to get “lost”, though, as the courses offered at SIPA are much more numerous. Just my two cents!
  23. I’m leaning towards SIPA for a few reasons: - The quarter system doesn’t seem as conducive to intern/work during the school year. This is important for me as I have other work commitments in the summer - Most Harris grads stay in Chicago, most SIPA grads stay in NYC. I prefer NYC. Add-on: SIPA has better DC connections - Columbia (and SIPA) are better known in Western Europe — important for my wife and me in case we decide to move back at some point - The foreign language incorporation at SIPA is a plus (MPA concentrating in EPD) - Harris’s reputation of being more theory-centric than most is a negative for me - Harris’s class size will be larger than previous years. That could spread their existing connections a little thin when searching for post-graduation employment All that said, if SIPA cost >20k than Harris for me, I’d probably be leaning the other way.
  24. My apologies --- I was repeating what applied to previous years. I edited my previous post to avoid spreading misinformation.
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