Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.) IR
Schools Applied To: SIPA, Korbel, Elliott
Schools Admitted To: SIPA ($20k), Korbel ($20k), Elliott ($16k)
Schools Rejected From: None
Still Waiting: None
Undergraduate institution: Private, Religious
Undergraduate GPA: 3.85
Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): No idea.
Undergraduate Major: Economics
Graduate Institution: London School of Economics (MSc European Studies (focus on Political Economy and Research)
Undergraduate GPA: (high) Merit (so like 3.6-3.8 range I guess)
GRE Quantitative Score: 154 (took the exam on a whim like 4 years ago and decided to just not do it again)
GRE Verbal Score: 169
GRE AW Score: 5.5
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3.5
Years of Work Experience: 2.5
Describe Relevant Work Experience: Worked for a financial advisor writing financial news content for a year. Moved over to a software company that focuses on global financial compliance (i.e. Sanctions, AML, Fraud, etc.). During undergrad I had two internships with the State Department focused on PolEcon and Public Diplomacy. Two years a missionary in Eastern Europe. Lots of little ventures.
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Took a lot of time and had many eyes review. Strong letter.
Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Excellent from an undergrad professor and from an internship supervisor @ State department. Both were very enthusiastic.
Other: I was really trying to narrow down my choices before I applied based on programs I liked while still having some options. Decision: Pretty certain I'll attend Elliott. Stoked about a certain professor and I like their program structure more than the others. If SIPA offered me more funding I'd consider it. I think the programs are essentially equivalent for potentially going into a PhD/government... but one costs like 1/4 as much. If I were committed to Private sector I'd for sure do SIPA.