broadinterests

I also got my notice on the 9th and I was not selected, so they are sending to everyone. Ferro, a huge CONGRATULATIONS!!! Reynolds (beyond the money) is a great opportunity. I wish you the best of luck at the selection panel. broadinterests

Received my acceptance today via postal (west coast), no funding though so it's not a real choice )-; This was my last decision, what a ride it's been- nearly a year researching schools, studying for GRE, writing SOPs, etc. Pretty fun all in all (-; Good luck to the rest of you, broadinterests

Hello all, Just wanted to let you know that Wagner has begun sending decisions. I was admitted via email this morning with a 75% tuition scholarship, pretty nice. Good luck to the rest of you. broadinterests

Just wondering if anyone else applied for the Reynolds Fellowship? They are supposed to notify you of your status no later than the 9th of March. If you are a semi-finalist for that you must be admitted, right?

I noticed that they sent notices via postal service in the past and it looks like they sent rejects and admits at the same time. Maybe some of our letters are already in the mail? Out of curiosity- has anyone else already made the decision to attend a different school and yet still feels anxious to receive their last decision or two? I got in to my top choice with a good offer but am still waiting for other decisions even though I know I will turn them down... strange. stresschicken- congrats! and good luck making your decision.

I have been wondering why some schools release decisions so early while others wait until much later. I remember reading that schools are concerned about their yield (ratio of applicants who decide to attend after being admitted) and was wondering what, if any, general effect the timing of the decision has on that number? Are there any generalizable effects this might have on the make-up of the incoming class aside from raising their collective anxiety? Do applicants make decisions before hearing back from all programs or wait (are you waiting and why/why not)? Curious what thoughts you might have.

also missing Cornell (CIPA).

I originally intended to apply to 7 programs and even had my applications complete for 6 of the 7 when, in early December, I gained admittance into my top choice. I had secured enough funding to pay not only my tuition but also my expenses for two years and reasoned that I would be better off saving the application fees that would go to the other two programs (I had already submitted 4 applications). A pity I spent so much time working on the applications only to not submit them, but I would not have attended even had I gained admittance (these last two were near the bottom of my list, albeit not by much). By way of anecdote: one of my undergrad advisers applied to 18 programs plus various outside fellowships when he applied to grad school. Crazy.

Program Applied To: MPA at CIPA and Wagner and MPP at GSPP and GW Trachtenberg Schools Applied To:CIPA, Wagner, Trachtenberg, and GSPP Schools Admitted To: CIPA Schools Rejected From: None Still Waiting: Wagner, GSPP, Trachtenberg Undergraduate institution: University of Oregon and Washington Bible College (and various others) Undergraduate GPA: 4.05 @ UO and 3.93 @ WBC (cumulative 3.75) Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 4.0+ Undergraduate Major: Biblical Studies and International Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 770 GRE Verbal Score: 710 GRE AW Score: 4.0 (apparently liberal arts and theology have not served me as well as I thought) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Complicated, but 1 year out of undergrad... kind of. Years of Work Experience: 6 total including 5 with US Army/National Security Agency and 1 yr with a humble plumbing company. Describe Relevant Work Experience: Language and intelligence analysis, administrative work, some supervisory and mentoring experience. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Excellent. I poured over the SOP for hundreds of hours, read several books on content (I highly recommend Donald Asher) as well as others on writing style in general (don't forget to review Strunk and White's classic, it will keep your style crisp-unlike this rambling reply). I also incorporated feedback from a Journalism & English major who graduated from GW as well as other capable writers and professors. It took me 4 months and more than 40 drafts. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): 2 Outstanding from people whom I have worked closely with and had ample time to impress (1 of whom served as my undergrad advisor and has decent connections in academia) and 1 letter from a professor whom I am sure thinks highly of me but who is not, in my opinion, the most articulate (in other words, 1 okay rec). I approached my recommenders months before I knew I would need a recommendation, though after I had already narrowed the schools, and wrote each of them a flattering-but sincere- letter explaining how their teaching and mentoring had impacted my way of thinking and future career direction. I requested a meeting to pick their brains as to possible directions for my career. During the first meeting one of the professors immediately offered (before I could bring it up) to write me a letter. I had no need to ask if it would be a good letter because of his apparent enthusiasm. The same with one of my other recommenders. The third recommender had to be explicitly asked for a letter after a few meetings but once asked he expressed his full support and said he could write me a good recommendation. All those conversations during office hours bore fruit both in my education and in their willingness to help out. Other: I was a little nervous due to lack of quantitative preparation. I took college Algebra a decade ago and received a D (yes, there was a member of the fairer sex involved) so I took a CLEP test to receive the credit for it a few years back. No other college math courses on my x-scripts. I also had only one intro level econ course, also taken a decade ago. I appended a memo to my application explaining that I thought my GRE a better indicator of my quantitative aptitude and assuring the admissions committee I would refresh my econ and math before the fall (which I have). On the good side I am a veteran, am fluent in Russian and semi-fluent in Spanish, come from a sordid family background (i.e. economic diversity), and have a a LOT of volunteer experience with the urban and peri-urban poor, including a project I started on my own a few years back. I also have received various military honors/awards. To all the future applicants, good luck with your applications!

Sushitooth, Programs look at basically 5 areas: UGPA, GRE, S.O.P., professional exp, and LORs. Your UGPA is below average, your GRE is probably about average for the programs you are looking at, your letters sound as if they will also be about average (most applicants get good letters, some get great), you have little relevant professional experience, and I don't know about your SOP. I essentially agree with the previous post, you may get in to one of your top programs but you will not be bringing all that much, except maybe diversity. What is the rush to go to grad school? Take up a job and work in the public sector for a year or two, you will bring that much more to your program and get more from it. Don't count on your summer internship to make you competitive in the job market. Having said that, if you really want to get in then spend a lot of time on your SOP and have many people read it and provide feedback. Make yourself stand out from the pack by telling a compelling story which subtley highlites your best attributes and your preparedness to succeed not only in grad school, but as a leader in your respective field. I am of the opinion that most people can get into a great school with mediocre qualifications provided they can write a fantstic SOP. I highly recommend reading Donald Asher's book "Graduate Admission Essays: How to write your way into the grad school of your choice". http://www.donaldasher.com/books.php?pid=gae.book You can check it our from the library or read large excerpts online http://books.google.com/books?id=nH7jiuW3Bc8C&pg=PA161&lpg=PA161&dq=statement+of+purpose+Asher&source=bl&ots=LLrpQaN7uu&sig=5u9ckvhc-GEjNuiRj2pBNWRM0f8&hl=en&ei=YqTiSsOiF4XitgPf34SrAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=&f=false щастливого пути, броадинтерестс

I received a welcome packet of sorts with my admission decision. Beyond that, no, I have not received additional materials. I have done a considerable amount of research on the website though, looking at courses and programs as well as housing and affordability. I'll post if I get any more materials. broadinterests

Hello All! I was also accepted to CIPA with a fellowship and have decided to attend. I applied to 5 schools (CIPA Cornell, GSPP Berkeley, GWU Trachtenberg, NYU Wagner, and SIPA Columbia) and plenty of funding. The factors that influenced my decision for CIPA were: I was able to visit and the students and faculty gave me a very warm reception. In grad school (in a professional program) the friends you make are just as important as the coursework you complete and CIPA seemed to be the best fit in terms of its atmosphere. Next, I am impressed by the accomplishments of the faculty (especially internationally, which is where I intend to concentrate) and this is true across the entire school. The faculty was even more attractive since they came across as very down to earth, people I can sit down with and talk big ideas over a beer (or a glass of wine). Finally, the town was small, surrounded by woodlands, lakes, and streams, and is educated and progressive- I like the outdoors and would miss trees in NYC (I have lived in DC and spent considerable time in NYC). I am bringing my family with me and Ithaca is a place I would raise my children (they also have good schools and open enrollment). And in terms of finances, Ithaca is cheap and with the funding I have secured I should be able to complete the program completely debt free (I should note that I would have about the same financial standing if I attended NYU but CIPA just seems all around more attractive, by a hair). My impression of CIPA is that the program is great but young. They are likely speeding their rise to prominence by buying their students from stingier schools (SIPA for one) and, in my estimation, will probably elbow their way up in the rankings. Rankings aside, their program is solid and is backed by the Cornell name. Cornell is the largest IVY league school and as such has a fantastic alumni base (CIPA Maintains a searchable database of alumni). The only potential downside is less opportunities to network vs New York or DC. I think this will be mitigated by faculty contacts and trips to the city (I have family in NYC). My second choice would probably be NYU, I liked the faculty I met their and it seemed to have good energy and collegiality. There are my two cents, hope I helped out. broadinterests

And I thought I was the only one. I started studying two months ago and my baseline tests led me to think I was doing fairly well. The first two practice tests I took were on paper out of the official ETS 10th edition book. I studied for about 30 more hours then took the free practice test on the Princeton Review site which says it is a CAT. My scores dropped about 150-180 points. I didn't panic, though I was a little depressed. I studied another week (about 20 more hours) and took another computer adaptive (it said it was computer adaptive... though I wonder if it is just computer not adaptive) on Peterson's site. My score dropped an additional 150 points. I recovered about 150 on my latest test (on computer) but am still way below what I was getting on the paper-based tests in the ETS book. The good news, my essays have stayed the same. Any ideas? Broadinterests

(post edited to be more succint and ask specific questions) An MPA brings all my interests and ambitions together but I worry that my application will not be competitive for entrance into top schools. What follows is an overview of my qualifications/weaknesses. I am especially interested in your perspectives regarding how military experience may be evaluated, how much going to no name schools hurts me, and whether the overall qualifications seem competitive. Strengths: Pretty good GPA ~3.8 cumulative with over a 4.0 for the last 90 credits. 700 on Q in my first practice test and 670 V (I just started studying and will be able to study full time until I take the test in 4wks, aiming at 740-Q, 700-V, and 5.0 on the writing... but just assume 700Q, 650V, and 4.5AW to be safe). Weaknesses: UG Institutions not top notch, little work experience in policy setting, only 1 econ class and no calc/stats classes, and my work experience came during college rather than after (except the internship which I completed over my final term). Not Sure: Army experience 5yrs as a Russian Language Analyst (3 of those at NSA), Began a faith-based garden project to feed homeless and disaffected youth (2yrs ago, taken up most of my time since), volunteer work with a faith organization in Baltimore and DC doing homeless outreach 1yr. 1 month stint studying Russian abroad at private lang school (good marks). Things which I hope might help: 3 month internship on local CBPR project aimed at lowering childhood obesity, Biblical Studies, military experience, and Russian fluency as diversity. UG Institutions attended include: Defense Language Institute A.A. of Russian (3.6 GPA), Bible College in DC area B.A. in Biblical Studies (3.97 GPA), and University of Oregon B.A. in Intl Studies (4.05 GPA). I am looking to concentrate on social policy, urban policy, or possibly IR and have a stong interest in NGO's/Non-proftis. Some of the schools I am looking at are Carnegie Mellon, Syracuse, Indiana (Bloomington), GW, and NYU (as well as some of the others, I am still working on narrowing it down by which schools are the best fit). Do these qualifications seem competitive? Which schools might be more likely to accept me without a heavy quantitative background (I know Carnegie Mellon offers the possibility of a summer institute to help incoming students lacking in Q skills/experience)? Should I wait a year while I take a couple econ classes and gain more experience? Thanks for any input, BroadInterests

Hello all, what a great forum. I got off to a late start and just this last month pegged down the MPA so I have a lot of research ahead of me (and thankfully a good deal behind me). A little about me: Undergrad Institutions: 1yr at community college (3.3 GPA), 1yr at the Defense Language Institute, A.A. of Russian 2003 (3.6GPA), B.A. in Biblical Studies (2006) from small Bible college in the D.C. area (3.97 GPA) and a B.A. in International Studies (2008) at the University of Oregon (4.05 GPA)... Overall GPA 3.8 and change. GRE: Still studying but current practice tests are about 700Q and 670 V (would like minimum of 740 and 720 respectively)... not sure about the writing portion. Work Experience: Unfortunately little in the policy arena. I was in the Army for 5yr as a Russian Language Analyst where I worked at the National Security Agency. I also completed an internship (3mos) at Oregon Research Institute on a CBPR project aimed at lowering childhood obesity rates in the local area by bringing together diverse actors from the community, research institutes, schools, gvt. and more. Interests: Social Policy, Food Systems, Homelessness, Inequalities related to development, urban policy, and leadership broadly (or, in terms of organizations, management). I should probably add foreign language and culture... and maybe history. I also just love to read. Volunteer Work: Homeless outreach for Christian organization in Baltimore and D.C., began a faith-based garden 2yrs ago in order to feed people who would otherwise go without- was able to partner up with a local organization working with "at risk" youth in order to teach homeless teens (and early 20somethings) how to grow food. As far as Schools: NYU's MPA, Syracuse, Carnegie Mellon, GW, Indiana (and I am still researching.. I plan on applying to 5 schools for fall 2010) I would like to find a school with less focus on quantitative and more focus on communication and social sciences. Like I said, I have a long way to go and I look forward to reading the rest of your posts.