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!

Hey all- I am applying to grad schools (duh... ) and some of these schools require two (2) LOR's while the others require three (3). I asked two professors and a supervisor to write recommendations for me in mid-November. They all said they would do it and I sent the necessary instructions on how to go about submitting the letters. Flash forward about two months letter and only one of the three has submitted anything. I sent an e-mail to the other two last week reminding them that applications are due next Friday (the 15th). One of them responded saying he had been very busy and will get to it. I send some supplementary information his way so I am banking on him getting the recommendations in (he has asked and I have sent in a list of classes I took with him, what I researched, the grades I received, my resume and a personal statement). I haven't heard from the other professor, though. I am thinking that the other professor is still in winter break mode and will get to my e-mail hopefully this week (I hope!). I want to send another e-mail her week on Wednesday just wondering how things are going. This is where I need advice!! Should I just say something along the lines of "I just need to know whether or not you'll do this for me so I can look for another person if need be", "let me know so I can sleep easier", etc. Should I do this for the other professor, even though he has told me how busy he is? I'm freaking out!! Applications are due next Friday and I will be damned if I don't go to grad school because of things out of my control

Does anyone want to critique some SOP from me? I would be happy to do the same for you in return!

Thanks for the great advice!! Interesting to hear that many applicants are over-qualified. Public work is something that I want to work with though. I took the GRE (got a 770 Q and 580 V) and am looking at American, Georgetown, and George Washington. Hope to get at least one of those with some money

Can anyone help me with this question? Based on my stats, listed above, and assuming a strong SOP and LOR's, what are my chances with the following schools. I don't want to shoot too high and not get into any school at all! -Arizona State -George Washington U -Georgetown -American -George Mason -William and Mary -Harvard (worth a shot ) -University of Chicago Thanks for the help in all of this!

This may be a stupid question, but oh well. When applying for grad schools, and I need my LOR's turned in, do I have the writers send them directly to the schools? Or do I have the writers mail them to me so I can bundle the whole application together? Does it vary by school? Thanks!

I'll start looking more in depth into schools now that my GRE is over (thank God!). Dose anyone know what my admissions chances are for those schools listed (assuming a strong personal statement and LORs)?

Thanks for the advice! What schools do you suggest looking at? I am considering Georgetown (long shot?), GWU, American and ASU. I am finding it hard to even find MPP programs to begin with.

Just updating this to see if anyone can offer any more advice. More importantly, does anyone know a good site that lists all the MPP programs in the country? I can't find a list with ALL of them (some of them are missing are different lists). Undergraduate Work 3.66 from Saint Louis University (ranked 88th on US News) Economics and International Business (through the business school, so took lots of finances and statistics classes) Service Leadership Certificate (300 hours of community service, 24 leadership workshops, 5 social classes) Study abroad in Panama and Rome GRE Quant: 770 Verbal: 580 Total: 1350 Work Experience -One year as a research intern at my undergrad university -One year as an AmeriCorps member Volunteer Experience -Four years tutoring -One and half years serving as tutoring coordinator

Wendy!! So funny to see you on here!! This is Andrew H from SLU/Tutoring/Econ classes (haha) (I'll refrain my using my last name!). So awesome to be in the same process you will be going through! I looked into LSE as well, but from what I've heard, a degree from there isn't much good outside of the UK. Maybe I am wrong about it? Good luck on your GRE!! Taking it on Tuesday and have been studying all summer. Can't wait to get it over with. :mrgreen:

Hello - Which of these do you think looks better in applying for an MPP program? Option 1: Working with AmeriCorps for a year. Don't know exactly what I will be doing, but it will probably entail some type of program that allows seniors to better get involved with their community. Option 2: Working with a public consulting group for two years as an apprentice. Learn the ins and outs of public consulting. More about me: Graduated with a 3.66 GPA majoring in Business with concentrations in Economics in International Business. Graduated from Saint Louis University (top 70-80 school; also Jesuit, will this help at other Jesuit schools (like Georgetown?)) where I also got a certificate in Service Leadership (this requires 300 hours of community service and attending 24 workshops on service leadership). As far as work/volunteer experience goes, I volunteered for four years at a local tutoring site where I spent the last year and a half as a coordinator of the program. I worked as an intern for my school doing a lot of research and analyzing work. Taking the GRE first of September, shooting for a 1300 (low to mid 700 on quantitative). My SOP will strongly reflect my desire to work in the public sector and I can probably get a couple of strong LOR. I really want to get into a strong MPP program (Georgetown, GWU, or American) and want to see what will help me. Any advice is greatly appreciated!!