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CondorConor

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Everything posted by CondorConor

  1. I see that you mention many FSOs start out in Civil Service positions before moving on to take the FSOT, was that the case with you? Do you have any advice for securing a position in the CS after completion of a graduate degree? Is it essential to have contacts in State or to complete an internship there? Thanks for taking the time to answer questions!
  2. I would recommend sticking in SF with Berkeley. Just because their ID program might need some more organization, I think you will benefit from the strong economics and political science programs. Since you want to work on Latin American issues, I don't think there is much need for a DC based program, and the Cal name is more well known internationally. I'm not sure of your undergraduate degree, but I know my ID program at UCLA was relatively new and had a few kinks to work out, nothing major. I was able to take advantage of the strengths of all the departments that feed into the field. Development is such an interdisciplinary field anyway, I wouldn't worry about a lack of core courses or the newness of the degree. My two cents. Go with your gut, sounds like you'll be out there making a difference regardless of the name on your degree.
  3. Previous Schools: UCLA Previous Degrees and GPAs: B.A. in International Development Studies - Environmental Systems Minor (3.37 overall, 3.78 major) GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing):165 / 159 / 5.0 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): ~2 years in separate AmeriCorps (VISTA and National/State) positions (internships scattered thru college and work) Math/Econ Background: Statistics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Development Economics courses, Environmental Economics Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Intermediate Spanish Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPA/MPP Long Term Professional Goals: International Development / Food Policy / Disaster Response (Federal, NGO, Private, whatever position best fits) Schools Applied to & Results: Syracuse Maxwell (Accepted, $$$), GWU Trachtenberg (Accepted), American SPA (Accepted, $$), Georgetown GPPI (Accepted, $), Maryland SPP (Accepted), NYU Wagner (Accepted, $), Princeton (Rejected) Ultimate Decision & Why: The Maxwell School at Syracuse University. Top ranked program for MPA (even if rankings are dubious), best financial aid package (with an admin/research position for another resume boost), intensive year-long program, faculty has professional experience best suited to my interests. Essentially I'm getting a master's degree from low tier-1, or high tier-2 (depending on your view of Maxwell) for free in a year's time, seems like the best ROI. All interactions with the faculty and administration have been wonderful so far. I already have the UCLA brand attached to myself, so although Georgetown or NYU would have been great (my runners-up), I didn't feel the need to take out a bunch more debt just for the (perhaps) better prestige. Also, I've been a SoCal public school kid my whole life so I'm interested to see whether the eastern private school experience is markedly different. Advice for Future Applicants: Start early; I knew in the last few months of my second AmeriCorps stint I needed more training if I wanted to get into the career tracks I was aiming for. This allowed me to plan to take some time off to boost my academic resume with some economics classes at the local community college, and gave my recommenders plenty of time to write my letters without feeling pressured. Also, external funding has some very early due dates as well, most fellowships are due right alongside the actual applications. Don't wait until after you've been accepted and have received an aid offer to start looking for more funding. You don't want to get accepted to your "dream" school, only to find out that you can't afford it. Don't feel intimidated by the student bios at the schools your looking at, or even any of those on this website (especially not me! I'm certainly humbled by the offered made from the schools I was accepted to).
  4. Thanks for the update WakeMe, I sent in my Intent to Register form today, and this makes me even more sure of the decision. Is anyone else going to Maxwell just so they can jump on the Final Four bandwagon? I'll be looking at housing options in the meanwhile, if anyone is interested in getting something together PM me. Go Orange.
  5. I will be attending beginning in July as part of the MPA program at Maxwell. Very excited, although I need to exchange my SoCal wardrobe for some cold weather gear.
  6. I second this. Not often you find good news in the spam folder. I received a graduate assistantship, which is 24 remitted credits and a stipend for admin or research work. I was very surprised at the offer. Go Orange(men)!
  7. Will you post some thoughts on your visit? I don't know that I'll be able to make the trip out for the admitteds day. Is Maxwell your top choice or are you strongly considering some other candidates?
  8. I received the 5k / semester award and I will most likely decline. I just can't rationalize 100k in loans, as much as I like Georgetown and the program. Hope some of it goes your way!
  9. Thanks for the info. I wonder how early is a reasonable date to move? Mid June too late? Does anyone know if there is an admitted students Facebook page or Google group somewhere?
  10. Has anyone who is already decided on Maxwell started looking at housing options? What neighborhoods do grad students typically frequent? Maxwell is solidly in the lead even before getting funding info. Barring a miracle from WWS this week.
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