scholl43

This forum is littered with threads on this question, most of which (that I've seen) end in rejection by the school. Maybe people are successful, but they don't seem to be posting on here about it if they are.

Just got my rejection from Harvard. Not too surprised since I didn't think I was a great fit for the program and overall happy with my responses. Now to wait on funding...

I'm still procrastinating on these and feel bad about asking my recommenders too. Unfortunately, I think HKS has to do it this way because I believe they do phone interviews with applicants and generally need to stay within the funding/decisions timelines that other schools are on. It would be really nice if the extra letters were at least eliminated.

Just admitted to Georgetown's Global Human Development program with minimal funding. If anyone is scrolling through here, it looks like the following schools have sent out at least some admission decisions: American (not sure if this is SIS) Carnegie Mellon Indiana University Denver/Korbel Syracuse/Maxwell Cornell Tufts/Fletcher NYU Georgetown I'm surprised at receiving the decisions that I have this early. When I applied in 2009, I didn't receive a decision until early March. I'm not sure if that just meant more applications, I was less desirable of a candidate, or what. Basically, if you don't start hearing back from schools until mid-March, don't be too worried.

Since decisions have started rolling in, I figured I'd just get this thing going. I was admitted to Indiana SPEA's MPA on Thursday. I was surprised at how early this was and I've seen at least one Syracuse decision come through the boards as well so start posting as you get them!

It shouldn't really matter if your old bosses are still in their old positions. You can still get a reference from them, but if you haven't talked to them recently, that will be difficult. Taking another year to get good experience and a fresh/solid reference would be good. Piece that together with an old one (start reaching out now) and an old professor and you should be in good shape.

I'd agree with the above comments. Most (if not all) schools have an optional essay where you can easily explain the first semester circumstances. Admissions offices will see your great track record from that point forward and see that it you're a good student. I'd also get a job if possible. I applied the Fall after graduating and was admitted to a number of schools. I've now had just over two years of experience and I'm reapplying. I can see how these past couple of years have given me a lot more to think about and a lot more focus as to what I want to get out of a graduate program. Whereas I was hoping to stumble through a program and "figure it out," now I have a clear purpose and focus and that should come through better in my essays. Edit: And yes, ZacharyObama is right. If you haven't already lined up your recommenders and done some serious research on programs, you shouldn't apply until 2013 at the minimum.

I recently asked an admissions person at SAIS about how to calculate the number of years of work experience I had. She said that it didn't matter too much and that it was just for their records. She said they'd really determine that by looking at my resume so how I calculated it wasn't too relevant. Probably not the best answer, but it worked for me since I have 2 years of full time work already (3 when I plan on going) and a few internships.

I'd agree with the last response on the quant scores. Mine aren't that high, but I have some math, stats, econ, and a fellowship that had econ, which will make my weaker quant GRE score a little less of a weak point (I had an admissions person tell me not to retake it.) Here's a potential solution: Apply to bigger schools this fall while taking a Stats or Econ course and studying for/taking the GRE. That may be a big load, but it would show that you're motivated if you do well on both. You'll either have to figure out a past academic LOR or start building a new relationship (slim chance for applying this year). If you're looking for Foreign Service, I don't think you're prepared (resume wise) to compete for bigger schools. If you really want that, you could spend this year in macro, micro, and a stats class. Preferably you take a couple of those classes with one teacher and develop a good relationship so you have a fresh LOR for Fall 2013.

Hi everyone, I'm returning to these forums after a few years away. I went through the application process for MPP and similar programs back in '09. I ultimately decided to go with a job instead of grad school, but now I feel like I'm a little more focused and it's time to apply again. I'm already doing my own research, but I thought I'd ask if anyone out there can recommend programs that would give me the skills I'd want to enter a job with either a foundation or USAID where I would be reviewing grant applications, evaluating programs, etc. I think that would be my ideal position, but wouldn't mind working on the M&E side of things for a NGO. Thoughts?

Has anyone received word for SOAS in London about the Master's Scholarship? I believe they were supposed to have gone out in May, but I haven't received anything yet.

Just got waitlisted.

We have the opportunity to submit more info? I guess I read too fast. Where was that?

Waitlisted...will go to SOAS over Tufts if I get in...will be cheaper.

I just noticed the buttons too. Glad I read this thread.

Program Applied To: MPP, MIA, MA Schools Applied To: Denver (Korbel), American (SIS), HKS, Columbia (SIPA), Johns Hopkines (SAIS), U of London (SOAS), Tufts (Fletcher) Schools Admitted To: U of London (SOAS) Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Undergraduate institution: Undergraduate GPA: 3.78 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: History, with a couple of certificates and a minor in Black Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 610 (50th) GRE Verbal Score: 730 (99th) GRE AW Score: 4.0 (44th) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 1 year out Years of Work Experience: Working temporarily outside of anything relevant Describe Relevant Work Experience: A couple of internships in an extremely impoverished country. One relevant, another not so. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think they're pretty strong, but I'm not exactly objective. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): One extremely strong from top person in his field, an adjunct/practitioner that shuold be very strong, and another very strong Ass. Prof. who is kind of seen as up and coming in his area of History. Other:

Korbel said early Feb. in an email the other day. It sounds like March, or more likely, April for most other schools in the U.S.

How do the Rangel Fellowship people expect the FAFSA to be done accurately when a lot of people haven't received their tax forms for 2009?

The PPIA alumni net only has as much information as people post about themselves. There is no space on the alumni net for the information I was originally asking for though.

I'm wondering if anyone can help me out on this. I'm torn between doing a policy memo on U.S. foreign policy toward one specific (small, but volatile) country vs. doing immigration policy toward that country. I fear that the broader topic is too broad, but when I've searched for specific information on immigration policy, it's difficult to find enough recent statistics. Is the broader topic fine? It would include immigration, but also examine the democratic process, development issues, debt, and the drug trade.

I'm generally wondering how PPIA Fellows have fared in the past. If people are willing to share the schools they applied to, were admitted to, and funding offered I would really like to know. You don't have to identify your cohort or anything, but I'd also like to know how soon you applied after the fellowship.