agh423

Years ago, I used this forum to gauge my chances of getting into an MPP program. I got into all 3 that I applied to and graduate in August 2012 from GWU's TSPPPA. Loved the school and thought it was a great program. I am now considering a PhD because I like the research aspect of my current job. I want to get more in depth with it, and transition to a think tank or academia. To that extent, I was hoping I could get help gauging my competitiveness in a PhD program in public policy/administration. Undergrad: 3.7 GPA, B.S.B.A. - Econmics Grad: 3.7 GPA, MPP - State and Local Budget and Tax Policy GRE: (old scores) 770Q, 580V (both in the 90th percentile); can't remember writing score Work Experience: Research assistant with George Washington Institute of Public Policy Research assistant/intern with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Research work with Pew Center on the States Program Management Analyst for the National Science Foundation Fiscal Analyst at Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee Policy and Research Analyst at Arizona Association of Counties The schools I am considering are: ASU (I live in Phoenix, so could get in state and keep my job/benefits); UC-Denver; American U; Georgetown; GWU; UI-Chicago; UMD - College Park; NYU or Columbia (maybe a stretch?); Pitt; George Mason; UVA Are these schools too far a reach? Or are other schools not listed a better idea? Any feedback is much appreciated

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Good afternoon, all. Years ago, I used this forum to gauge my chances of getting into an MPP program. I got into all 3 that I applied to and graduate in August 2012 from GWU's TSPPPA. Loved the school and thought it was a great program. I am now considering a PhD because I like the research aspect of my current job. I want to get more in depth with it, and transition to a think tank or academia. To that extent, I was hoping I could get help gauging my competitiveness in a PhD program in public policy/administration. Undergrad: 3.7 GPA, B.S.B.A. - Econmics Grad: 3.7 GPA, MPP - State and Local Budget and Tax Policy GRE: (old scores) 770Q, 580V (both in the 90th percentile); can't remember writing score Work Experience: Research assistant with George Washington Institute of Public Policy Research assistant/intern with Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Research work with Pew Center on the States Program Management Analyst for the National Science Foundation Fiscal Analyst at Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee Policy and Research Analyst at Arizona Association of Counties The schools I am considering are: ASU (I live in Phoenix, so could get in state and keep my job/benefits); UC-Denver; American U; Georgetown; GWU; UI-Chicago; UMD - College Park; NYU or Columbia (maybe a stretch?); Pitt; George Mason; UVA Are these schools too far a reach? Or are other schools not listed a better idea? Any feedback is much appreciated

I applied for last year and remember receiving a very similar e-mail and being just as confused. I was also told last year from the school directly that the e-mail is an, as has been described, and unofficial acceptance. Basically, they can't see yes yet because the dean of the college has to approve it (which they most likely will do). I don't think any school out there would say they'd recommend you if they would turn around and reject you or think that the dean would say no. Congrats!

Sandmole, I am in the exact position you are in. I went to GPPI's admitted student day and really enjoyed it but was scared to death of the price tag. I got the same awards package from GWU as you did. In the end, I decided to go with GWU (despite having not visited). Both schools offer what I want in the same city ranked the same position. The same opportunities are there. Also, working directly with the faculty/staff will help make connections easier because they will know people and have those connections. Send me a PM. Would love to hear more about your situation.

Thanks! Not yet, still waiting to hear back on $$.

Program Applied To: MPP Schools Applied To: American, Arizona State, George Washington, Georgetown Schools Admitted To: American, Arizona State, George Washington, Georgetown Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Undergraduate institution: Jesuit school in the midwest Undergraduate GPA: 3.66 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.82 Undergraduate Major: Economics, International Business GRE Quantitative Score: 770 (87%) GRE Verbal Score: 580 (82%) GRE AW Score: 4.5 (62%) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 1 Years of Work Experience: 1 Describe Relevant Work Experience: One year with AmeriCorps Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I thought they were pretty strong. I did have about 4-5 people on these boards critique them and give feedback, which I suggest everyone do. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I got 2 from Econ professors who I took for a total of 5 classes and a supervisor from a place I volunteered with in my undergrad. I was scared to ask some of them with being just a few months out of undergrad, but I'm glad I did. Don't be afraid to ask! Some one said no to me and it was okay!! Other: I didn't think I could have gotten into the schools that I did, so go ahead and apply to where ever you want!! You could get in. Good luck!

In this post, those who have been accepted and/or rejected from schools can post their experience. Like most other people on this board, I used these kinds of topics to help guide my graduate school application process. So let's help out all future grad school applicants!! Use this format to keep things uniform: Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.) Schools Applied To: Schools Admitted To: Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Undergraduate institution: Undergraduate GPA: Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: GRE Quantitative Score: GRE Verbal Score: GRE AW Score: Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Years of Work Experience: Describe Relevant Work Experience: Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Other:

I received this e-mail, but no e-mail regarding my admissions. I checked online and all it says is "Application under review" (or something similar). Where on the applyyourself.com website would it have the decision?

I was complete on January 11th. Steiner-5, when did you apply?

I haven't heard either. When did you apply, OP?

This may be a loaded question, but here it goes: Do adcomms absolutely not start evaluating your application until EVERYTHING is in? Including LOR's? I completed applications, transcripts, SOP, scores, etc. for all the schools I applied to about 2 months ago although ALL LOR's didn't arrive until about 2 weeks ago. That being said, a school I applied to has already made a decision with the results in the mail. Is this a good or bad thing? Thanks!

A few questions regarding this: Does a fast decision usually mean good or bad news? Also, do adcomms absolutely not look at applications until ALL materials are in (ie, LOR's). What if you sent in everything but LOR's months ago, LOR's were submitted two weeks ago, and a decision has been reached?

Hey all- This is geared more towards admitted students, but how long is the wait to hear back from schools? Also, is there a way to check updates online through the application site? All mine says is "submitted", but will that change down the line? Thanks!

Hey all- This is geared more towards admitted students, but how long is the wait to hear back from schools? Also, is there a way to check updates online through the application site? All mine says is "submitted", but will that change down the line? Thanks!