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texjew21

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  • Application Season
    2013 Fall

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  1. What are some programs out there that are more qualitative based? Also what are typical careers you see come out of qualitative based public affairs programs?
  2. It seems like going to law school is such a bad idea now a days. I've always wanted to go, but I just don't think it is worth the debt. I wouldn't get into a top law school either. Plus, I have a general interest in public policy so I am leaning toward that route. I have relevant public policy work experience as well. However, I hear differing things on this issue. My cousin was an attorney in NY, and she just got laid off after her firm did some downsizing. She warns me not to go to law school. I know several people who graduated law school as well who are having a tough time finding a job in a firm, and if they do it is a low paid position which is not helping their massive amount of debt. I have searched around, but I am not sure what the employment statistics look like for MPAs as opposed to JDs.
  3. Schools I'm interested in so far: UT Austin-LBJ (MPA), University of Washington - Evans (MPA), Baruch-CUNY (MPA), University of San Francisco (MPA), University of North Texas (MPA), American University (MPA), still looking at more schools, but these are the ones that interest me the most right now. Undergraduate institution: UT Austin Undergraduate GPA: 3.15 Undergraduate Majors: Government/History GRE Quantitative Score: N/A - Studying for it now. GRE Verbal Score: N/A - Studying for it now. GRE AW Score: N/A - Studying for it now. Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2.5 Years of Work Experience: 2.5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Interned for a U.S. Senator. Worked as an Account Executive for a political media firm specializing in PR work for political campaigns and public interest groups. Just accepted an internship position as a "Public Policy Intern" at a non-profit group for children's advocacy and education reform. Languages: English, Spanish (rusty). Activities: Work/Travel program in Australia and New Zealand. Worked for an energy company, as well as volunteered at a earthquake relief in Christchurch, NZ. Member of Non-Profit for Cancer where I individually raised $6,700 which went to MD Anderson Cancer Center and rode a bike from Austin, Texas to Anchorage, Alaska to educate people on getting screened for different types of cancer and spread awareness. Member of a philanthropy organization while in undergrad that helps the city of Austin in many different areas such as helping the homeless, to improving the environment. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Two non-profit directors and a U.S. Senator. Other: Still trying to decide between MPA or a J.D.. More interested in going the MPA route, as I feel I can make more of a difference, and the market for attorneys is too saturated. I am obviously not as far in the application process as the majority of people who posted in this thread. However, this is where I am at now. I am going to try and take the GRE in a month or so, I doubt I will do well as standardized tests are not my forte. I am going to shoot for the fall 2014 enrollment. Baruch allows spring enrollment, so I may apply for that one earlier.
  4. Kaplan and Princeton Review are expensive, but considering how poor I perform on tests such as these I think it is still worth it. Anybody know a significant difference between these two prep companies? Any other prep places out there that you'd recommend?
  5. Do you or do admissions expect you to be able to speak another language fluently for IR programs?
  6. Thanks! I will definitely check out some grad school fairs. I really want to look into some of the schools in Seattle, New York, and D.C.
  7. In terms of Jazz and music, Dallas is one of the best cities in America for it. Norah Jones, Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu and many others are originally from the Dallas area. I think Norah lives in New York now, but Dallas is great for jazz. Most of the jazz areas are in Deep Ellum and Oak Cliff. As far as the overall positives and negatives about the city... Positives: There are endless amounts of activities. Dallas has more shopping malls/centers than any other city in America per capita. It has more restaurants than any other city in America per capita as well. Great bar scene, terrific sports town. There are many festivals that go on through out the year. Negatives: Downtown is not a very happening place. It is only seen for business. Most of the places to go out are in Uptown or Addison. Also transportation is not terrific, it is getting better but other cities tend to have it better. DART is ok, but can be inefficient and very slow compared to the trains and buses in other cities.
  8. I'm in sort of the same situation as you. I cannot decide between a J.D. or an MPA. Right now I am leaning towards an MPA due to the over-supply of lawyers in the U.S., as well as the high cost of tuition which is significantly higher than getting an MPA and also a year longer. I'm still undecided.
  9. Hello, I am interested in getting a Masters in Public Affairs but not quite sure which path. Careers in the Civil Service for Public Affairs, Visa/Passport specialists, and international affairs have all sparked my interest. Policy analysis and consulting are also interesting to me. Ideally I'd like to stay in the U.S. so the foreign service is out of the question. I wanted to go to Law School for quite some time, but with the way the job market is with the over-supply of lawyers and the high cost of getting a J.D., I have pretty much ruled that out. I got my bachelors at UT Austin in Government and History in 2010. Since then I have worked on political campaigns (which I loathe), worked and backpacked abroad in Australia and New Zealand, and now I am currently back in Dallas working as a Realtor. There is no future for me in real estate, as I really am not interested in it long-term. I never believed in going straight to graduate school after undergrad and felt that gaining life/work experience was more important (hopefully this will help on any applications). I would go talk to a counselor about this situation, but often times they don't help and still expect payment. I've learned that talking to people who have experience in these areas tend do be more beneficial. What would you suggest for a person in my situation? I look to forward and appreciate any response. Thanks, Michael
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