aska86

Hey, I'm looking for advice on timing of applications for MPP/MPA programs. Was planning to apply to NYU and Columbia for grad programs but somehow eked out a 170/163 (qual/quant) GRE in December (just after the deadlines for most schools) and am wondering whether it's better to wait to apply to better schools next year. My other stats are: GPA: 3.6 from a top-10 liberal arts school Work experience: 4 years 3 years in the Massachusetts state legislature working as an aide and then a budget policy analyst 1.5 years working in a budget policy think tank in New York 1/2 year (currently) working in a political consulting firm Want to go to policy school to basically get the policy chops to be able to progress in political communications and hopefully one day broaden this to expand citizen engagement in policy, hopefully in New York City government. Think it's a pretty good background but not sure if it's enough for a top-tier school. Or if a top-tier school is necessary for such a career path. Advice would be much appreciated.