Santino

Thanks very much. I'm referring to the page specifically for MPA applicants (http://wws.princeton.edu/admissions/mpa/application). I take your point regarding word limit and I imagine it'd be best to stay on the safe side, I just feel like I've already cut a lot out and am struggling with what else to cut, which is why I ask about this seeming discrepency. You'd like if they were sticklers about a 1,000 word limit they'd be consistent about saying so. Mine is 12 pt. Times New Roman and I am at 3 1/2 pages, but about 1,200 words.

Their website states that the WWS personal statement should be approximately 2 to 4 double spaced pages, yet the application itself says 1,000 words. Four double spaced pages is definitely more than 1,000 words, so which is it? Right now mine is about 1,200 words and I am wondering if I need to cut it down further or not given that it is less than 4 pages long. Anyone have insight into this?

Thanks for your advice! That's very helpful. I think I'll go with the second academic reference.

I've also been thinking about this question, and the question of MPP/MPA vs. IR more generally. I plan on continuing to do international-related work, but I also worry about not having the flexibility to pursue domestic-related work in the off-chance that I want to go down that path at a later date. I would think that an international-focused MPP/MPA may give me more flexibility down the line in that regard than would an IR degree, but I could be wrong on that. Of course, I understand that work experience matters more than either in determining which jobs you're able to land. I imagine the answer is that I just need to stop hedging and commit to doing IR work, but that is tough as there are a number of domestic policy issues that I am very interested in as well.

I realize there is a dedicated forum for LOR questions, but i wanted to post this here since I figure the answer to my question may differ between an academic program, which is what most folks there are asking about, and a professional program like the MPP/IR degrees discussed here. My question relates to the composition of your LORs in terms of number of academic vs. number of professional. I've read that the rule of thumb is 2 academic and 1 professional, but I'm not sure if that holds for professional degrees. Basically, I expect to have a very strong professional reference and a strong academic reference, but am torn on the final reference: either another professional reference that would also be strong but wouldn't add much in addition to the first professional reference (would be from the same job), or an academic reference that likely wouldn't be as strong as the first academic reference but would be from my undergrad major and from someone that got to know me personally at least to some degree. I am leaning toward going with the second academic reference, but would appreciate any thoughts or advice. Have others pondered this question? Thanks!

Thanks mrgreen, will check out the the prior threads. Will also look into UCSD. Damis, that's very helpful and encouraging, thanks!

Thanks ridofme, that is all very helpful. Your suggestion of reaching out to the schools about the numbers makes a lot of sense--I haven't been able to find much of that on their websites.

Bumping as I would love to hear additional thoughts on this. It seems the international affairs programs are the more prestigious programs for both schools, but I am inclined to want to pursue an international-focused MPP as I've heard it is a more marketable/versatile degree (not sure how much truth there is in that).

I am bumping this topic as I'm also interested in hearing which programs (either MPP/MPA or IR) have a reputation for generous aid. Unlike the OP I have been out of undergrad for a few years, but I will be applying this fall, and a big factor for me will be the funding offered. Besides WWS' well-established reputation for excellent funding, based on an anecdotal review of some other other posts on this forum, it sounds like Duke Sanford, Tufts Fletcher, and UMichigan Ford are also known to offer good funding. If anyone could speak to those, or others that tend to offer solid aid, would be much appreciated. I've also read here that GRE score is often a big factor in terms of the amount aid received. Thoughts on that?