Swedishcoffee

I had a VSFS internship back in 2011. It was a good experience. I don't remember a lot of the specifics of the application experience, but I got the gig, and my role was to run social media for one of the embassies. I also facilitated a contest they were hosting and did some minor research stuff. The FSO with whom I worked was quick in communication with me, but not being there in the embassy with them meant that I didn't form good relationships with anyone outside of the FSO to whom I reported. Also, having never met her in person and coordinating almost solely via email meant that even my relationship with her was not half as close as the relationships I formed at other in-person internships. That being said, I still think it was a good experience. I learned a lot more about how embassies and how the State Dept worked, I learned more about the country's culture, I further honed my communication and PR skills, etc. I also think "U.S. State Department" looks good on my resume. I honestly don't remember much about the application process, but of the experience itself, I would say that an in-person State Dept internship would be better for building your network. If that's not possible, though, for time/money constraints (as was the case with me), the VSFS is still worth your time.

I was in a similar position when applying, MPP2015. I knew my manager and group at work would be unhappy to see me leave, as they value the work I do, and the shift in career path I'm seeking pretty much guarantees I won't be back. Instead, I had someone else at work write a recommendation for me who is outside of my reporting structure and doesn't interact with my group often. I had worked with him on a project before, so he knew my capabilities, though I didn't work with him on a regular basis. I'd recommend Gov2School's advice of getting the professional recommendation, but looking for someone outside of your immediate manager. It worked well for me!

bump

Also, on your original question, applications generally become available in September. If I recall correctly, the Harvard Kennedy School was the first one on my list that made its application available, and that one for Fall 2014 came out on September 12, 2013 last year (and was due December 5). The other applications came out shortly thereafter. In addition to securing letters of rec in advance, you can also start working on a personal statement, or at least an outline for one. All the schools (or at least the ones to which I applied) require a general personal statement of anywhere between 400 words (Columbia, I think) and 700 words (Georgetown, if I recall correctly). I had a pretty good outline ready in June-ish, so when apps came out in September, I was ready to quickly flesh out my outline. It made things a lot less stressful on me. Good luck!

Thank you!!

I'll start: Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Big US state school Previous Degrees and GPAs: Three majors and 4.0 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 165/163/5.0 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 2 years full time in pretty cool private sector job that gives me a lot of travel and responsibility, but unrelated to public service. Internships with State Dept, human rights org, and UN Math/Econ Background: A few econ classes, but no math since high school Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Highly proficient in one non-native language, basic skills in two others Intended field of study: Masters Long Term Professional Goals: Use my private sector skills in the public service. Particularly interested in human rights Schools Applied to & Results: Harvard Kennedy (accepted), Tufts Fletcher (accepted), Columbia SIPA (accepted), Johns Hopkins SAIS (accepted), and Georgetown SFS (accepted) Ultimate Decision & Why: Leaning toward Harvard Kennedy if all funding is basically equal, but I could still be swayed. HKS is my dream school, and I'm truly honored to have been accepted. Advice for Future Applicants: I wrote my essays within a week or two of the applications coming out. That left three or four months for fine-tuning my narrative. I really recommend that. I also recommend working hard to get a good GRE score. Studying pays off (I personally am a fan of Manhattan prep), and high GREs is a quick way to improve your application. You can't change your undergrad GPA or get three extra years of work experience by the time you apply in the fall, but you can improve your GRE score with a few months of focus.

Now that most people have received the majority of their decisions, I think it's time to start a wrap-up thread for those who are ready to contribute. I know in my decision-making process these past threads were enormously helpful to me (in fact, perhaps one of the most helpful resources during the application process). The past threads helped me determine exactly where to aim my applications based on previous applicants' experience, and I did really well in my application cycle because of it. So now for our turn. Be as specific or vague as you want, but whatever of the following information you are willing to give is immensely helpful to others. For the future students! Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Previous Degrees and GPAs: GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): Math/Econ Background: Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Intended Field of Study in Grad School: Long Term Professional Goals: Schools Applied to & Results: Ultimate Decision & Why: Advice for Future Applicants:

I'm in for MPP as well! So, so, so happy!!!

For your first question, you ask what experience would be good for your goals, but it all depends on what your goals are. What will help you most is what will help you craft a convincing, coherent statement of purpose. If your long-term goals are in international finance, trade, or economics, the Ministry of Finance would be best. If your long-term goal is to work at a multilateral org, shoot for the EU or UN jobs. Choose whatever will boost your case for what you will write that your long-term goals are in your statement of purpose. I imagine most schools are well aware of the European system requiring the masters degree, but I would have your recommenders mention it just to back you up. These schools have plenty of European applicants every year, so I would be surprised if the applications committees are not familiar with the situation. For GREs, shoot for 160s to be in a good range for the top schools. Upper 150s are acceptable, but the rest of your application needs to be especially great. You'll probably get some leeway on the verbal section because you're a non-native speaker, but I'd still try to shoot for upper 150s or 160s on verbal if I were you. Danes probably will be held to a higher standard than, say, a guy from rural Bangladesh. I think your application will be good, though. Hope this helps!

Did any domestic students get a 'dedicated financial adviser,' or does this seem to be something exclusively for international students?

I wish! No, I haven't. Did you apply for MALD?

If you will be in the top 5-10% of your class, you should be fine for some of the top public policy programs. Most of those applying to these programs from U.S. schools are also in the top 5% or 10% of their classes in the U.S., so you're fine there. What will be important for you is getting a GRE score in a good range. Somewhere in the 160s are normally great for these programs. Upper 150s are good if the rest of your application is strong. Lower 150s and below are where you start to really need to have a stellar application to make up for the scores if you want to get into a top five or top ten program. Take your GRE and see where you fall, because that will be another big determinant for you. Schools also tend to like postgraduate work experience. If you're able, try to work a year or two after graduation. As it is now, though, you have an awesome amount of internships, which I think could help make up for you not having full-time postgrad work experience.

$600 or $700. I applied to five schools that each had an application fee of between $85 and $100. On top of that, I paid the $25 fee to get my GRE scores sent to the schools that required them and the $8 fee it took to have my transcript sent from my school.

Yeah, I think I had heard before that Peterson's wasn't accurate. I guess I'm wondering if someone has a more accurate idea about admissions statistics. If there's some fount of admissions information out there I'm unaware of. Or at least if someone has an idea whether Peterson's is somewhat or very above or below actual figures.

Anyone have an idea of how many applications they typically get for the MPP program? Cursory Google searches haven't given me much.