I am interested in applying to PhD programs, particularly programs that focus on Congress, interest group activities, and public/private relationships (government contracting, etc.) I have a fairly solid academic and professional background. My big question is: Should I finish my part-time MPP program at GWU, or is my profile strong enough as-is? Will adcoms look down on you for leaving a program unfinished? I am interested in applying at Harvard, MIT, and DC-area schools (Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, GW, etc.) Here is my profile (years of experience are slightly inflated to reflect my time applying, not my current experience) PROFILE: Type of Undergrad Institution: Tier 1 National Liberal Arts College (but not top 10) Major(s)/Minor(s): Political Science Major, Spanish Minor Undergrad GPA: 4.0 (Class valedictorian) Type of Grad: MPP at George Washington (part time, not complete) Grad GPA: Still in progress GRE: 164V, 161Q, 4.5W Any Special Courses: Political Science Research Methods (undergrad), Econ Statistics (undergrad), Program and Policy analysis (grad), econometrics (grad) Letters of Recommendation: Probably pretty good. Professors with PhDs from UChicago and UGA with whom I worked Research Experience: Senior Thesis on interest group activities (top department awards), Co-author in PS Political Science and Politics, research assistant credited in two books Teaching Experience: None. Subfield/Research Interests: Interest group activities, public/private relationships, Congress Professional Experience: Deloitte Consulting (2 years) Booz Allen Hamilton Consulting (3-4 years as of the time applying)