Ana Pascal

I also did not use a reference from my current supervisor, because I felt nervous about my job security if she knew I was considering leaving. Thankfully, I was able to call on two past supervisors for letters. I like Swedish Coffee's advice, though, if there is someone else within your current organization that you can ask!

Previous Schools: D II state school in the midwest (adequate, but nothing to write home about) Previous Degrees: BA, Communication GPA: 3.9 GRE Scores: 167v/158q/4aw Previous Work Experience: 5 years at two nonprofits doing comm/marketing/partnerships, 1.5 years CSR/crisis comm/reputation management at a major corporation Math/Econ Background: No math/econ in undergrad; took microecon at a local college in fall 2013 Foreign Language Background: Beginner/maybe intermediate French; 1 year high school, 1 year college, 1+ years taking French classes with local orgs as a hobby Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPP/IR; a program that fits with and builds on my background Long Term Professional Goals: Corporate Social Responsibility and reputation management in the private sector, or communications/information officer leadership position with a multilateral org or major international nonprofit Schools Applied to & Results: UW Evans MPA (admitted, no funding), GWU MPP (admitted, no funding), GWU Elliot MA in Global Comm (admitted, no funding), USC Price MPP (admitted, full tuition), USC Annenberg Public Diplomacy (admitted; never got back to me about funding), Tufts Fletcher MIB (admitted, approx. half tuition scholarship), UC Harris MPP (waitslisted) Ultimate Decision & Why: Fletcher. Incredibly difficult decision between USC Price and Fletcher, but I chose the MIB because my interests, at least in the short term, are focused on the private sector. I feel it's easier to take private sector experience to the public or nonprofit sector, but not as easy in reverse. International exposure was also a major factor in my choice to go back to school, and I am certain Tufts offers that. I had some great conversations with current MIB students, who did an excellent job articulating the value of the degree and their support of the school. Also, the average salary for grads of this degree is reassuring me that I'll be able to pay back my debt in a reasonable timeframe (hopefully 2 or 3 years). Advice for Future Applicants: 1. Study for the GRE. I took the test 5 years ago and had ok, but not stellar scores. I felt that if I put in 30 hours (arbitrary number) of studying, and it earned me thousands of dollars of funding, then it would be worth it. My scores improved dramatically, and I had the option of attending a great school with full funding, or another great school at a significant discount. So worth it!! I studied for about 2 months, taking around 5 practice tests, and really focusing on quant, as it was my weak spot. I also made a bunch of vocab flash cards and practiced them during my daily bus commute. 2. Take relevant classes prior to applying, if needed. I think my microecon class probably helped my apps, but I also think it will help me as I take on more difficult courses during my actual program. 3. Maintain relationships with undergrad professors. I didn't, and I've been out of school for 7 years, so I felt really awkward about contacting a professor and wrangling her into my process. It was fine, and she was fine with it, but if I had been mildly in touch it would have been easier. 4. Save money!! Start saving money long before you decide to go back. Last year I applied at one school, decided to defer, and instead spent the year socking it away. I'm still going into debt, but I'm going into $20k less debt. 5. Don't apply where you don't want to go. I skipped Syracuse because of the terrible weather, and threw in an extra app at USC.

Cheesecake, I attended the event and was in the MPP "about your degree" session. Here are some general thoughts: I did not get a strong private sector vibe from the school, so it's funny that that has come up so much in this thread. In fact, because some of my interests are in that area, I felt a little nervous about any private sector possibilities whatsoever until I had the chance to chat with an alum who currently works as a consultant. As we all would expect, the MPP folks talked more about quant analysis, but I walked away feeling a little less nervous about the coursework, not because it isn't rigorous, but simply because there are others with limited quant background (like me) who struggled/worked hard through their first semester, and now feel good about what they learned. Those who came in with more quant skills were more likely to find an RA position as a first year student. One thing that a current student said is that the curriculum can look a little general, but that in each class, you'll be putting your analysis to work, and you can choose a topic or issue that interests you. So if social justice and social policy are your interests, you could build a portfolio of work that consistently relates to those topics over your two years at USC. In terms of alumni who spoke, we heard from a community organizer, a city manager, a consultant, someone working with an international energy org, someone who did the MHA ... and several others (sorry, am forgetting specifics). Those involved in community-oriented fields were very passionate about their work and seem highly engaged in the social problems they work on.

Have you attended any visit days? (Or are you doing Fletcher's visit this coming Sunday/Monday?) I can't speak to all of your programs, but I've also been admitted to Fletcher and to Elliot's Global Comm program. Here are my thoughts on those: Tufts - Like you, I love the curriculum. Its flexibility will allow me to focus on exactly what I want. Current students and alum have interesting and impressive work experience and/or current jobs, which makes me feel good about the network. I've heard Somerville is a fun neighborhood with a lot going on, and Boston proper is a very short train ride away. For me, Fletcher has offered better funding than Elliot. GW - Don't like that classes are in the evenings. Am not trying to work in DC, so the location is not persuasive for me. Am not sure if a degree in Global Comm will hold as much value, or earning potential, as other degrees. (Despite the fact that the subject matter is very interesting.) Also, no funding.

Thanks for your perspective, MJA87! Bumping this - anyone else have an opinion? Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Well, the visit day has happened... What did you think? My two cents are... Everyone seemed very enthusiastic about the program(s), and overall I felt that it was a well-qualified group of admitted students. Definitely smart people who are considering good offers at other highly-respected schools. The campus was lovely (not surprising), and the faculty seemed friendly and engaged. It also sounded like many students are able to find relevant jobs on campus, either as TAs and RAs, or within the various research centers. I didn't ask about this while I was there, but has anyone learned much about the exchange program with the Hertie School of Governance? Just curious!

I'm currently working in the private sector in CSR and reputation management/ brand risk mitigation, in a fairly low level position. I'd love to stay generally in this field, and think a grad degree will open new advancement opportunities for me. As for the future, I really want to intern abroad, and then either work abroad, or find a job that includes international travel. To add context, my undergrad and work experience is in communications. I've been accepted to USC's Price School (MPP) with full funding, but am also considering Tufts' Master of International Business. At USC, I can graduate with no debt, and maybe some money still in the bank. This is an incredible opportunity, and I have a good impression of the school (following a visit day last Friday). At Tufts, where the curriculum looks amazing to me, I'll come out with up to $35k in debt (and utterly depleted savings). $35k of debt is not out of control, but it's still a number that will take at least several years to pay back, and will affect my choice of job, as I would be eager to chip away at it quickly. Both Price and Fletcher are very good schools in their respective fields, but one is public policy and the other is IR. Does this matter? In one case, I will learn a lot of quantitative skills, while in the other I will finish learning a language and take some business/marketing classes. Is there a clear choice here?

I think funding is so important. Knowing that you work in nonprofit, my advice if you are considering deferring is to sit and calculate exactly how much money you could save over the next 16 months or so (the time period before Fall 2015). Last year I applied to one local school, and then deferred because I loved my job and because the school hadn't offered any funding. Since then, I've been able to save about $20k, which is awesome. For me, waiting was worth it. But knowing you already have a great offer from a great school, your decision might be pretty different. Losing that funding would be pretty rough.

Has anyone heard about funding yet? I received an email from the Global Comm program director today, talking up the many great aspects of the school... but still nothing regarding scholarships. /// Edit: Two hours later... and I received an email from GW. No funding, unfortunately. Congrats to anyone with better news from Elliott!

I'm leaving a reasonably good job, also generally in communications, and I don't think my undergrad studies were or will be a waste in any way. And if it makes you feel better, I'm walking away from higher earnings than you, as well. For better or worse, communication is a really flexible field, and the skills should serve you well if you aspire to move into different realms of the public sector. I think getting a grad degree (that is in line with your current experience and future goals) is basically a guarantee that your job growth won't become stunted. If anything, I think having only a comm degree could hold a person back. (Which is why I'm going back to school!)

Personally, I'm really looking forward to visiting, and hoping I get a good sense of things from that. I'm trying not to think in too many circles until I've had the in-person experience. Overall, I'm still really impressed with USC's prompt admission and regular communication with applicants, not to mention the generous scholarship offer. That said, my interests are more international in focus, and I'm concerned that USC's strength is greatest for people who want to stay in California. I'm trying to decide between USC and Tufts, and also wondering if $30k+ of debt is worth it.

I can't help but wonder if Fletcher would offer you funding (at least something) if you tell them that you're considering Harvard but would prefer Tufts. I have no personal information or tips to offer you, but it seems like it would be worth calling to talk about it with their admissions staff.

@It's a Mystery! - - Why the sensory overload at Fletcher? Just lots of extracurricular interesting things going on? Or something else?

Maybe you and I will both end up at USC, where encouragement, in the form of funding, seems to flow a bit more freely... Road trip up the coast? Haha.

I just RSVPd for the April event... looking forward to getting some first-hand experience with the program! Any other MIB people lurking out there? The MALD is a great program, but Fletcher's admissions people encouraged me to look at the MIB instead, and I'm equally as excited about it!