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I was in a position similar to yours coming off of 3 years working in derivatives at an investment bank. I was pretty short on extracurricular involvement that screamed "I want to go into policy", save for my undergraduate studies. My biggest strength came from a strong personal statement that told a compelling narrative of why an MPP was the next step in my career. I'd focus on working hard to make sure your application aligns the triumvirate of work experience, career interest and degree program.

Anyone else end up committing to UMD? I'll be heading there in the fall.

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Syracuse Previous Degrees and GPAs: BA Political Science, Sociology, Marketing minor - 3.9 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 164/158/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 3 years in derivative operations at a major investment bank Math/Econ Background: basic training in the following - micro/macro, stats, qual/quant research methods, finance/accounting Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): nil Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPP, economic policy Long Term Professional Goals: institutional analysis and regulation of financial firms, impact investing (social impact bonds, green bonds, infrastructure investment) Schools Applied to & Results: Accepted 7/7: Georgetown McCourt, LSE MPA, Maryland MPP, American MPP, Syracuse MPA, UMass Amherst MBA/MPA, Albany MPA Ultimate Decision & Why: Maryland MPP - school's vision aligns well with career goals, it's accessible to DC and I was offered a great aid/assistantship package Advice for Future Applicants: Spend time defining and articulating your competitive advantage vs. other applicants and ensure it's delivered clearly in your resume and personal statement. Make an effort to visit where you are accepted. Use this forum for brainstorming but do not take direct advice from anyone or be intimidated, you control your own career.

@brmoran - Got the same exact offer as you. Similarly, I couldn't discern for myself if the award was renewable for the second year but frankly I wasn't too concerned about that after I saw the award amount. GTown is likely off the table for me as well

I received an email from American on March 11th with an offer of funding

Only info I saw on it was at this link: https://mccourt.georgetown.edu/newstudents/openhouse-orientation

I applied to 6 schools in America and LSE. The LSE application was pretty much apples to apples with US programs, with a few quirks: LSE does rolling admissions until the program is full. They started accepting apps on Oct 15 this cycle, which is pretty early considering most Americans will be looking to submit things in Nov/Dec for Jan/Feb deadlines. I would prepare to have your app materials ready a bit earlier if LSE is on your shortlist. LSE will only take academic letters of rec if you graduated college within the past 5 years or so. I believe providing GRE scores is optional The program code for the MPA is L2UN, make sure you fill this out as your first choice program. I was careless and selected MSc in Public Affairs and Policy or something to that effect when I applied, it took me 2 weeks to get this rectified.

Ah yes, you're right. I've just double checked my acceptance email. Funding decisions will be made the week of March 17th

Haven't heard any word on funding as yet

Similar story here, was accepted on Feb 17th

@pavlik - This is awesome insight, thanks for sharing! There's one point I hope you can clarify though. Are you saying you would have passed on McCourt even with a 40-50% scholarship because of your personal financial situation? Or because you feel the program is not worth the price tag, even at half price?

@dudeinspace - My application (MPA) was complete on Jan 5, I got my acceptance email on Jan 29