Glitter1nTheAir

Thanks for sharing the link to the facebook group.. Looks like it might really come in handy!

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Top public school in the US Previous Degrees and GPAs: BA Integrative Biology/Music Minor (3.2 GPA/2.7 Major GPA) GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 161/162/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): Currently serving in AmeriCorps VISTA (month 8 out of 12) Math/Econ Background: 2 semesters Calc, 1 semester Stats Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): N/A Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPA - Environmental/Health Policy, Nonprofit Management Long Term Professional Goals: Would love to work at a foundation that supports environmental/health development or become a community/organization leader to create positive change in the environmental/health sectors Schools Applied to & Results: UW MPA (accepted - $$$), American U MPA (accepted - $), University of Oregon MPA/MNM (accepted - $), UT Austin MPAff (accepted - no funding), UC Denver MPA (accepted - no info on $ yet) Ultimate Decision & Why: UW - It was my first choice and I was impressed with the city, campus, and faculty when I visited during the open house in November. I would love to work for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is located in Seattle. I think it's a great city with opportunities and resources for what I want to do. I also got a great scholarship and offered in-state tuition rate. Advice for Future Applicants: I agree with everyone who emphasized the importance of having a good statement of purpose! Coming from a Biology/Music background with the only relevant work experience being AmeriCorps, I was worried that I would have trouble getting accepted. But in my statement of purpose, I really laid out my motivation/inspiration to apply for a MPA program, and why the experience I do have makes me a good candidate (did not even mention my lack of experience... I didn't think that "Even though I do not have much experience...." would help me at all). I do regret not researching more schools, but honestly I just looked at schools in cities that I positively wanted to live in - since I knew that the network I will build in grad school may keep me in that city for a while.

Hey Nocho.. Yeah, I remember speaking with you! I actually won't be able to make it to Admitted Students Day, unfortunately.. Let me know how it goes though if you go! I've been considering Greenlake/Ravenna and possibly the U District. Looking for roommate(s) since my ideal budget is $700/mo or less. I'll try my luck at finding a place beforehand, which worked for my friend currently attending UW.. He was saying that his program had a facebook page for incoming students where he was able to find roommates from there, but I'm not sure if the Evans School will have that. If anything, I can probably stay with him while I search for somewhere to live - hopefully I can get that sorted out before the program starts!

I will be entering in the fall for the MPA program. I went to visit in November for the program's open house and very luckily had clear skies the whole time I was there. I ended up loving it! But I wonder if that will change when I experience the rain there haha. Activities for my program start the week of Sept 15, so I am thinking of moving up by the beginning of September. Do any of you know how difficult it is to find a place to live before actually moving there?

I am currently 24 and will turn 25 within a couple months of starting my program. I took an extra semester of undergrad to study abroad (so worth it), took another year to figure out what I wanted to do with my life (initially wanted to go into physical therapy, then event planning, and now I'm here!), then started serving in AmeriCorps VISTA - my service year ends in August a few weeks before my program starts.

Just got my email for admission around noon! They were not able to offer me any funding though. Congrats to everyone who got int!

Same! Although I've already decided where I want to go.. I'm just a little curious to see if I get in. If I don't get it, I'll just take it as a sign from the universe that I should not be in the same city as my ex who is currently at UT for grad school haha

For my program, you get a prescribed set of core courses for your first quarter. Starting in the second quarter, you can mix in electives in your area(s) of specialization with your core courses. In my dream, I signed up for all electives my first quarter haha

Oh wow.. GOOD LUCK Last night I had a crazy dream that involved me registering for all the wrong classes for my first quarter at grad school.

Saw this today and thought some of you might find it useful: http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/March-2015/Best-Neighborhoods-in-San-Diego/The-Best-Places-to-Live-in-San-Diego/

Ahh thanks, Usmivka! I think the infrastructure where I was living in the Bay made it prone to lots of big puddles - hence the ruined boots and wet socks. So if it's mostly a light rain, then I guess it won't be too bad. I won't be able to leave my job until the middle of August and I will be driving up from California, so unfortunately the earliest I can be up there is probably the end of August but hopefully I can make it work.

I want to know if the weather/rain really is as bad as people day it is. I've only really ever lived in California (mostly southern CA, 4 years northern CA for undergrad + 1 semester in Sydney), so dealing with rain is somewhat foreign to me. It seems silly (don't judge me) but how to dress in the rain is a concern of mine... Like, if I have to go somewhere in professional attire and it's raining - do I wear rain-resistant shoes and bring some more professional shoes with me to change into? I would wear rain boots sometimes in the Bay Area but I eventually stopped because I hate wearing rain boots and just dealt with ruining a pair of normal boots and the wet socks. Also, I was thinking of going up there toward the end of August/first week of September and staying with a friend of mine while looking for housing so I can check out places in person. Does that seem like a good idea or should I be looking for housing sooner rather than waiting until I'm actually in Seattle?

24, will turn 25 within a couple months of starting my program.

I was worried that I wouldn't get accepted into any programs. 1) I majored in Integrative Biology with a Music minor 2) I have a below-average GPA (3.2) with an even lower major GPA (2.7) 3) NO letter of recommendation from an academic source 4) BARELY ANY work experience (worked at Starbucks for almost two years after graduating from undergrad while earning a Meeting & Event Planning Certificate at a state school, currently serving in AmeriCorps) I ended up getting accepted into my top choice with enough scholarship money to cover tuition. I give credit to: 1) My extracurricular leadership experiences and awards & recognitions 2) My SOP (what is my inspiration and tied why I wanted to get a MPA to why I wanted to major in Biology in the first place) 3) Strong LORs even if none of them were from an academic source 4) I did well enough on my GRE to make up for my GPA, I guess. 5) I graduated from one of the top and most prestigious public schools in the nation, so I wonder how much they take that into account. I do agree that there seems to be an upward bias here though.. I noticed that a lot of the threads were pertaining to the most prestigious MPA/MPP/IR programs.

I love it here a lot - every time I move away I miss it! Public transportation here is not good at all compared to any other city I've lived in and most other cities I've visited. You have a car, so that's good and Uber/Lyft has a good presence here. Parking here sucks though - get good at parallel parking! There's lots of good food (AND BEER) establishments to explore in San Diego, if you're into that. There are also some great hikes that are dog friendly (Cowles Mountain, Torrey Pines Reserves, and more). In fact, SD is a very dog friendly city! There are a bunch of cafes and eateries that are open to dogs (check out places in Pacific Beach/Mission Beach - there is a dog beach here too). Can't think of any more tips at the moment, but I'll add more tips as I think of them.

I applied to the School of Public Affairs, so this might not apply to your program... but when I went to an MPA info session, they told me that they did not screen based on any part of the application, but looked at it as a whole.

I can't wait either!! I got into my top choice and accepted the offer already so I've been so impatient. I wish September could come sooner! I've been doing AmeriCorps VISTA which isn't too bad, but I just wish I was getting paid enough to save money for my move. On the other hand, I'm already used to living on a stipend, so I figure being a poor grad student won't be much worse.

Hi, I grew up in San Diego and live close to UCSD (in the University City neighborhood). Will you have a car to use to get around? If you don't mind not living in La Jolla, I know that Mira Mesa (a bit east of UCSD) has some more affordable options and is relatively close to campus (depending on how far east you're looking). I am just not too sure how the public transport is from Mira Mesa to UCSD. You might want to check out the University City area (just south-east of La Jolla)... There are lots of UCSD students who live in the area who bus to campus. If you don't mind a long commute - the Hillcrest/North Park/University Heights is several miles south of UCSD, but a lot more affordable. If you're looking for public transport, there is a free shuttle to and from the UCSD Medical Center in Hillcrest. Sorry, I'm not too sure about details (hours, travel time).

I keep checking my email because 3 weeks ago, someone from admissions from one of the schools I applied to told me they'd let me know their decision in about 2 weeks.. AHHHH

1. I am actually not completely sure myself. Are you currently re-paying loans you have from undergrad? What I am getting from the information on that site is that you have to be re-paying while you are working for that time to count although the employment does not need to be consecutive. 2. Anybody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that private education loans can not be consolidated, unfortunately.

Yes! I am planning on doing what you are doing as well. Being in AmeriCorps opened my eyes to these options. Here are some more links with info that are applicable to anyone pursuing public service: http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/ed-award/income-based-repayment http://www.nationalservice.gov/resources/ed-award/loan-forgiveness

As someone who is applying from an unrelated bachelor's degree (BA Integrative Biology), I think that my extracurriculars are what really got me noticed since one of my areas of specialization will be nonprofit management. Although, I do think my bio degree helped a little bit because one of my areas of specialization I put down is environmental policy and I also expressed interest in health care policy. I volunteered and gained a lot of leadership experience through Kiwanis International-sponsored service leadership clubs in both high school and undergrad. I was very heavily involved not only on the campus level, but on the district level and won awards and recognition on the district and international level. I was also a co-founder of a student organization on my campus to provide events and resources to undergrads in my department. Currently, I am serving as an AmeriCorp VISTA member.

Hi divertan, Perhaps you can also post in the Government Affairs board http://forum.thegradcafe.com/forum/11-government-affairs/ It looks like there are plenty of aspiring MPP members who are there Good luck with your app!

I had a dream that I got pregnant and had to choose between having a baby and going to grad school...

I got one like this.. but in my mail! Seriously.. You couldn't have just emailed it to me?? When I get a mailed letter, I expect something more than an ID number! Also, I got an email from a UCDenver recruitment director trying to get my to consider an accelerated program that started out with - "Congratulations on your admission to UCD’s School of Public Affairs, Master of Public Administration program..." although last I heard, my app was not yet complete and they were still waiting for one of my transcripts. And the email ended with "We’re excited to have you applying for our traditional MPA program..." I'm guessing the recruitment director misspoke in the first sentence?