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SDtoMPP

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  • Location
    San Diego
  • Application Season
    2016 Fall
  • Program
    MPP

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  1. SDtoMPP
    You can do it! Honestly second semester first year is much harder, and I am thankful I did a 50% first semester and a lower position second. I took 17 units fall and was a 50% GSI for a very involved class and thought it was manageable, though there are some very busy weeks.
  2. SDtoMPP
    Yep! That's my understanding of the pay scale.
  3. SDtoMPP
    I have had a position every semester. My first semester I was a GSI, then got hired by the same professor as a GSR for this semester. Unfortunately, my current position doesn't include fee remission, but it's $25/hour so it works out to be feasible for me.
  4. SDtoMPP
    I was in a similar boat last year- ed policy and in at many of the same places with similar scholarships. I chose Berkeley for the quantitative rigor, the location, the opportunities to work (no scholarship, moderate savings, leaving debt-free), the super hospitable alumni network, and the connection I had on admitted students day. Let me know if you have any questions!
  5. dwestlakeg started following SDtoMPP
  6.    belocali reacted to a post in a topic: The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
  7.    ajak568 reacted to a post in a topic: The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
  8. SDtoMPP
    I'm starting at the Goldman School of Public Policy, but I actually am currently a teacher and hopefully gonna take a few classes in the GSE too!
  9. SDtoMPP
    When should we expect to hear on the next steps (dates, enrollment info, emails from the school, facebook groups, etc)?
  10.    macropolo reacted to a post in a topic: The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
  11. SDtoMPP
    Sure! Goldman I wasn't offered anything, but I'm in-state and they have a really awesome TA/RA job system so that apparently anyone who really wants one will get a position. Plus TA/RA has partial fee remission and wages so that's great. Duke offered me $18K fellowship for the first year with the likelihood of it being renewed and a $4K assistantship. McCourt offered me $10K per semester for both years.
  12.    macropolo reacted to a post in a topic: The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
  13. SDtoMPP
    1. Start looking at some public schools too- Michigan, Berkeley. They are significantly cheaper usually, even if you're out of state. I would also look at Duke Sanford because they are known for giving out hefty fellowships and assistantships to nearly everyone they admit. My experience with Chicago was that they give out almost no funding so that one might be tough too. 2. I would try to reach out to some of your old professors even though you don't still stay in touch. They are likely used to that sort of situation. Most places will want at least 1 academic, although this is likely less important in MPP/MPAs than in MAs since it's professional vs academic programs. 3. They probably won't care about a few bad classes here and there especially if they aren't related to the field of study. I had a C in a psych class on my transcript and was fine. 4. Depends on if you are interested in IR or not really. It's nice to have some low proficiency in another language no matter what (you could definitely take online classes to fulfill this), but IR focused applicants typically are at least somewhat proficient in a language relevant to the area they want to work in.
  14. SDtoMPP
    It's also worth noting this is for public affairs, not public policy/policy analysis programs. Much of this forum is interested in MPPs, not MPAs so the popularity of schools follows the US News rankings for policy more closely. http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-public-affairs-schools/public-policy-analysis-rankings?int=a95909&int=a06908
  15. SDtoMPP
    I turned in my SIR to GSPP today!
  16. SDtoMPP
    Hello! I'm also interested in social/education policy and am headed to an MPP program in the fall. Overall you sound like a competitive applicant, but obviously not quite ready to apply yet. I think there are some big missing pieces to the puzzle right now. First would be the GRE, obviously. It's not the entirety of the application, but it does help place what schools you would be competitive at. For example, right now I would say you are very competitive at both UCLA and Evans, but if you're scoring low 140s on the GRE then that may not be the case. Have you taken any practice tests? I would suggest aiming for a high 150s or 160+ score on both sections to really put you at the top of the game for these schools. The second thing really is work experience. I graduated in 2014 and spent the 2 years since as a teacher for Teach for America, which really tied together the narrative for my education policy focused application. If I were you I would be looking at public service corps (Justice Corps and Americorps are both good options, even if what you do isn't directly relevant to education!), or salaried jobs with NGOs, nonprofits, etc. They are going to want to see full time work experience, probably not more post-grad internships! This of course isn't a rule, but will likely be helpful. If you don't get a job directly related to education, I'd suggest picking up some education related volunteering-- most libraries have volunteer tutoring and many non-profits do, as well. Doesn't have to be a lot- maybe 3-6 hours a month! You are definitely on your way to being competitive (at schools like HKS, Berkeley, Ford too!), but just need to round it all out in the next year or two!
  17. SDtoMPP
    Anyone received their official notification or their financial aid/loan information (not fellowships)?
  18. SDtoMPP
    I'm 98% sure I'm going to turn down their offer. Hope the money goes back in the pot for you all!
  19. SDtoMPP
    So I cannot attend the admit day for one of the schools in looking at. However, I am visiting tomorrow and meeting with Admissions. I'm sort of drawing a blank on what kinds of questions I should be asking to get a good understanding of the program. Any suggestions?
  20. SDtoMPP
    Berkeley, UCLA, and Georgetown. Rejected from Berkeley, haven't heard back yet from UCLA, admitted to Georgetown.
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