cosmike10

the MPA at WWS isn't public administration, its public affairs. so you don't need to worry about it lacking a focus on analysis as if it was focused on management and nothing more.

i think both degrees would get you a career in international relations, but with different job descriptions. An IR degree would let you be more included in policymaking and management, while a language degree seems like it would tailor more towards working with people or advocacy. Thats just what I think, I don't know for sure.

i believe it is possible to switch, but that to be on pace for the program, you need to load up on courses in your first year. this means that you have a more intensive first year than the 2 yr pitt students.

i'm ready to update too. Program: MPA, MPP, & MSPPM (CMU) Schools: USC MPA, Chicago MPP, George Washington MPA and MPP, Georgetown MPP, and Carnegie Mellon MSPPM Schools Admitted To: USC MPA (18k/year), CMU MSPPM (8k/semester), George Washington MPA, George Washington MPP (waitlisted) Schools Rejected From: Chicago and Georgetown Undergraduate GPA: 3.2 Undergraduate Major: Political Science: Public Policy & Linguistics: Language Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 590 GRE AW Score: 5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2 by the time I enroll in the fall Years of Work Experience: 2.5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Nothing geared towards politics, policy, or law. Lived and worked 2.5 years in Latin America, mostly in teaching with some leadership experience. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): USC and CMU were obviously the successful ones. Interestingly, they are also the only two essays I wrote without worrying about hitting all these points that people say a good sop needs. I thought the essays I submitted to GW and Georgetown were very well written, but maybe I tried to do too much with them. My essay for Chicago was uninspired. I don't know what I wanted from that program. I just love the city. In retrospect I should have applied to HKS instead. waddayado? Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I only read one of the three, so I don't know. The one I read was very good. It came from my former employer who is also an attorney. The other two came from former college professors. They both told me they would write "a very good letter." It's between Carnegie Mellon and USC. I'm going to both open houses and will be asking lots of questions.

i didn't know about it until after my acceptance came. sent it in a few days ago. i'm in the same boat as you. pretty sure we'll be ok though.

finally got news today. rejected. oh well, it wasn't meant to be anyway, being so expensive.

if there are overlapping classes then i would assume them to be classes like technology policy, r & d policy, or environmental policy. if you haven't seen the courses from heinz here is a link.

got my first rejection this afternoon from harris. i think my sop was kind of forced for them so its no surprise really. i'm psyched on my other offers so no disappointment. congrats to everyone else.

haven't heard anything either. even if i get in, its not likely i'll attend since i don't think they will offer me funding with an admission.

i can't believe that. when i asked my letter writers to write me a "good letter," they said of course. one even said writing even a neutral letter would be unprofessional. for this guy to ruin your chances was low-life. at least you are in a good school now.

Congratulations keondra!

Checked my decision online and have been offered an $8,000 scholarship per semester. Thank you Heinz!

wow, i'm pretty floored, got an $18k dean's merit scholarship today.

i got an email informing me of admission today. i applied to the pitt/dc program, but am "considered a better fit" for the pitt program. still excellent news, especially since i applied 18 days late. phew.

I'm relieved yours says that too. I submitted my app a bit late and was worried it hadn't even been looked at yet.

I can't really say I have a top choice. I didn't apply anywhere that I wouldn't be happy attending. The outlook I have is that where I get in and any funding I get will tell me where I am supposed to be. I will consider myself lucky to get two or more great offers and to have to make the decision about which one to go for.

Program Applied To: MPA, MPP, & MSPPM (CMU)Schools Applied To: USC MPA, Chicago Harris MPP, George Washington MPA and MPP, Georgetown MPP, and Carnegie Mellon MSPPM Schools Admitted To: USC MPA, George Washington MPP (waitlisted) Schools Rejected From: we'll see Undergraduate institution: University of California San Diego Undergraduate GPA: 3.2 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): NA Undergraduate Major: Political Science: Public Policy & Linguistics: Language Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 590 GRE AW Score: 5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2 by the time I enroll in the fall Years of Work Experience: 2.5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Nothing directly geared towards politics, policy, or law. Worked abroad mostly in teaching with some leadership experience. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Can't really say. I wrote a different essay for each school. Early on my SOP went through many drafts. My first draft was very long, but my former professor said he liked it. I wasn't satisfied though because I thought it made my focus too specific. As the deadline got closer I studied everything I could for how to write an SOP and found tons of advice, lots of it contradicting. After several drafts I was beginning to get dismayed because I felt like I had too much to do. It was hard to follow all the guidelines given and I thought I had to hit a home run with it since I was conscious of my lower than average GPA the entire application process. By the time I applied to my last schools, I had it figured out. In the midst of all the things people say about what a good SOP is, I would like to throw in my two cents. If you research it too much, and overexert yourself while writing it, you won't be happy with the result. Don't worry about making yourself seem all diverse, about sounding all flashy, or about having this laser-focus on what you want to study. It is a statement of purpose. All you really need to do is tell them why you want to go to school there. If you are passionate, your essay will show it. Just write about your purpose. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I only read one of the three, so I don't know. The one I read was very good. It came from my former employer who is also an attorney. The other two came from former college professors. They told both told me they would write "a very good letter." Other: I really think all this comes down to confidence. I was always aware of having a lower GPA than most other applicants at the schools I applied to (thanks to two years of head up assitis as an undergrad). Thankfully there is a trend of improvement evident in my transcripts. I did OK on the GRE and literally put months of work and thought into my SOP. I think by the end I was able to write an essay that read like it was written with confidence. Just apply to where you want to go, and do so confidently. People with lower grades and test scores get into good schools, why can't it be you?

I thought acceptances were given via email, but I got an 8 1/2x11 package in the mail today from SC. First school to accept me so I'm pretty excited! No word on funding, hopefully more good news to come.

I did the same and was also selected as an alternate. I was hoping for better news, but am glad to be in the same boat as someone who was also accepted to LSE. They also sent me a postal letter that pretty much quoted what was said on the website and added that they hope to make final decisions mid-May. I'd like to know sooner personally.

Hi all, I know the MPA program at GW is modeled for working professionals with most classes being at night. I was wondering if the MPP program is the same or if it is more student-schedule oriented.

reviving the thread! if anyone knows anything about the Pitt/DC track I'd love to hear your impressions on the year in DC. Also, some questions have been raised regarding the rigor of the quant classes. Any thoughts? I am one of those who would probably have to spend the summer on campus taking calc and econ before enrolling. What kind of classes do you take?

yep, that's me too. and to hear about other people receiving their notices only increases the tension. in a way, it is comforting to know that others are dealing with these feelings. just like the people from last year who are all now attending school.

A more interesting take on this poll would be to see where people here get their news. Major network television, newspaper, internet, alternative media, radio, and so on.

yeah 12/7 is pretty early compared to me, I submitted hours before the deadline. It'll probably be another few weeks.

yeah! record number of applicants!