linden

t_ruth: I am an older, returning student, and I am mentally prepared to be the class dinosaur. If I get in anywhere. Good luck. Linden

t_ruth: I hear you. I am an older, returning student as well. And, I do not know how I would have been able to write the SOPs and all the other documents if I had children. So, the fact that you are even able to tackle this process with children in tow should make you feel proud. Many would not have the energy. I also started the process almost a year ago, however, and I started working on my essays and applications back in April. (Which also meant that I had too much time to obsess about my essays.) So, that's the real reason I got in everthing so early. But,if it makes you feel better, I sort of regret it now... because it gives me so much time to fret about the status of my application. Linden

Well, I am finished with my applications. I know I will not hear from most schools until next spring, but some of the programs I applied to have rolling admissions. So, I was curious... How are students usually notified about decisions? Will I get an email from the school? Or, should I continue checking the application website regularly? If it is the latter, where on the application website is the decision usually posted? Finally, how many weeks do schools with rolling admissions usually take to make decisions? (And, yes, I realize I am only fretting about something over which I have no control.) Thanks! Linden

Okay, I will start off by admitting that I am looking for any reason to anguish over my applications to public policy programs. But, as I watched the cheering crowds on Election Day, a wave of panic overcame me: All those excited youngsters are going to want to go into public policy programs! I know I am exaggerating. But, I am worried about the "Obama effect" increasing the competition for entry into public policy programs. Those of you still in school or working in the United States, do you get the impression that some individuals who were not previously planning to get a policy degree now want to pursue one? (I am outside of the country and have no way of gauging what the impact of this will be on applications to public policy programs.) Linden

Shah: It seems many MPP programs will let in students without professional experience, as long as these students can show commitment to public service. (Many schools post incoming class profiles; these will tell you what percentage of students enter without work experience.) What each school will think of your application, that is impossible to predict. But, I think (although I am not expert) that not having professional work experience will not prevent you from being considered for admission. There are so many unknowns in this process, however... That said, if the lack of work experience keeps you from getting into the programs to which you applied, it might provide you with a long-term benefit. For one thing, with work experience on your resume, you might be able to get into an even better program. Also, as someone who shelled out almost 100K for a graduate degree and then decided to change careers, it will provide valuable confirmation that this is what you want to do with your life. Good luk. Linden

I agonized about the same issue for several weeks. I finally decided to just write down one other school's name, the one that was ranked closest to the program for which I was filling out the application. Maybe I was not thnking clearly, but that was the best compromise I could come up with.

One of my MPP applications asks me to list other schools to which I am applying? Is this is a trick question? Am I supposed to answer honestly? Or, is there some hidden meaning to this question? Thanks for your comments! Linden

mlle: I was in this same predicament. I did have three recommenders... but one of them was being unresponsive. I was pulling my hair out, until I took a step back and realized there were other people who could write a letter for me. I was simply overlooking them because I was convinced that the mix of three recommenders I had configured was not only the ideal one; it was the only one. Approach several of the professors with whom you have studied, and see which one seems most inclined to work with you, for example, which one asks you for bullet points around which to write your letter. (Just because you ask, does not mean you have to accept his or her offer to write a LOR.) In any case, with a 3.8 GPA, you must have some A classes on your transcripts. Start off with those professors. What about any jobs you have held? Even if you were doing something that you consider unimpressive, as long as you showed leadership, motivation, and intellectual skills--and the recommender is willing to write about these--you've got a solid recommendation letter. Finally, and maybe I am wrong here, I think if you have two glowing recommendation letters and one that is merely good, as long as you have a solid gpa and essay and good test scores,you should be okay. Everyone (or most everyone) will have a weak spot on their application. I would think a weak third recommendation letter, as long as it is not negative, won't hurt you.

Hello. I will be applying to public policy programs this fall. One of my recommenders, my current supervisor, is a non-native English speaker. I am familiar with his level of English. Although I am confident that the letter will be clear and mostly free of grammatical and spelling mistakes, I anticipate the letter will be peppered with non-idiomatic expressions. Should I ask a native English speaker to proofread the letter for the recommender? Or I should not be concerned about her level of English expression? Thank you for your feedback. Linden

Thanks for your feedback!

I will be applying to public policy programs for Fall 2009 entrance. My graduate GPA was 3.6. I went to graduate school straight from undergrad. Shortly after starting, I realized I had chosen the wrong profession. I quickly lost interest in my studies, and I ended up with a 3.6 GPA. I know this is an acceptable GPA. Nevertheless, I am concerned because it is much lower than my undergraduate GPA, and I am applying to top public policy programs. Do you think this lower graduate school GPA will be a problem? Should I try to explain it on my statement of purpose? Thanks for any advice. Linden

xnormajeanx: First of all, congratulations! I hear that it is not an easy feat to receive funding at Georgetown MPP. I am planning to apply to Georgetown MPP next year, and I was wondering if you would mind sharing your stats, i.e., GPA, GRE, undergrad tier, job experience.

Hello, all. For those reporting that they have been admitted to MPP/MPA programs, would you mind posting your stats (GPA, GRE, etc...)? It would really help those of us who are preparing to go through this next year figure out if we have any chance to be admitted at these programs. Thanks! Linden