mppgal55

I was told ServiceCorps funding decisions would be made next week, but that funding decisions for the first round are already out (though Jennifer Medlin did assert that there will be a 2nd round). So, hopefully there is still a chance! I was confused as well about how they could give funding without admitting you first, but I just figured if I wasn't admitted well before that time frame than I wasn't at the top of their incoming class and probably wouldn't be competitive for the highest aid awards anyway. It still seems unfair and drags the process out, but in one of the online chats they said they had 600 applications at that time for about 160 spots, so they are busy and I can understand needing two processes with two committees. Either way, it leaves me where I am now, with no aid as of yet.

I like tech. policy as it relates to energy and emerging technologies. I took almost all the classes for an energy minor at my undergrad, and I've worked with energy policy in DC and I'd like to eventually do so full time. I'm not sure if I'll be able to really take the electives I'm thinking about, since I'm admitted to the DC-track program, but hopefully I can squeeze one or two in. Either way, Heinz's core curriculum is pretty well balanced, so that is definitely a draw for me. As far as social science things...for a long time I was thinking law school, so I've had all sorts of legal internships and whatnot, but then one policy internship switched my interests for good. What are your long term goals after Heinz?

I'm 75% sure I'll be accepting my MSPPM offer from Carnegie Mellon's Heinz school. I just have to visit and have some more questions answered (I don't want to make the wrong decision). I'm thinking about technology policy but not quite sure yet; my background in poli sci doesn't seem to have prepared me for any intense computer science work. Have you visited campus, or are you attending their visit days?

What about environmental policy or energy? I'm trying to choose a school and I am concerned that the faculty won't exist in my focus area. Also, do you know anything about the DC track program? Overall, did you find it easy to secure a job?

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but that is per semester (note that it lists 9+ hrs, which is a per semester load). I'm still waiting as well, so I'm guessing it is a rejection. .

GAO is the Government Accountability Office. For jobs...one had a federal career internship position (2 yr job contract w/ potential for promotion at end) at FERC - federal energy regulatory commission, two were working at Booz Allen, one was with the state department as a presidential management fellow (prestigious government 2 year position), one was just starting work as a program manager at the EPA (environmental protection agency) after working with the GAO, and one was in a small consulting firm. I was impressed because even the government employees had very high salaries and had been promoted within 2 years. I don't know if those jobs would be "great" to everyone, but I thought so!

SPEA came to my undergrad university in early November for a graduate school fair, and when I spoke with them at that point they said that they are on rolling admissions for financial aid. They will look at your application if it comes individually before thanksgiving. After that, they basically just start sorting by GPA first, GRE second, and go through from there. She said they read through everything and pull out applications with strong SOPs or LORs, resumes, etc. and rerank, admitting after that. It still all soudned confusing, and I definitely expected to hear in February, but maybe that will help you? One thing I think that makes me feel more comfortable with SPEA is that they take career networking trips to Chicago, DC, and Indy in the Spring. I met a group of alumni when I was living in DC, and everyone had great jobs, both private and public sector. I was definitely pushed towards public finance though - every alumni in DC had concentrated in that, even if that wasn't their sepciality. Apparently IU is known in DC as a "GAO factory" in DC, as a lot of IU students intern/work there. This is all word of mouth type things from the DC-IU grads, though, so take it as its worth.

I heard back just a few days ago. Still no word on funding though! I'm not sure if my being in-state, applying way before deadline, or calling to check on it helped. I know that when I called they seemed very interested in where else I have been accepted and said they would speak to their director and 'make a note on your application.' So if you haven't been in contact, id make a phone call! Is anyone seriously considering SPEA? I've heard great things and they are ranked well, but I find it hard to get an unbiased opinion, being from Indiana. Thoughts?

I was looking for summer internships with deloitte and they look for MPP degrees for consulting internships. They post the job specifically for the schools I mentioned; if you look at their website you can see it. I called their recruiting to inquire, and while they will take applications from anywhere, those schools are looked at first. On CMU's website, pricewaterhouse cooper hosts their new york networking night. I don't work at those places so I'm clearly not an expert, but those things tell me these companies definitely recruit heavily at CMU.

First, Carnegie Mellon will never look bad on a resume. From everything I've heard (DC people, consulting companies like Deloitte), Heinz is extremely well respected. I know that Deloitte only looks for consultants from Heinz, Georgetown, Columbia, GW, and Harvard. Moreover, they have a strong relationship with Pricewaterhousecooper and other private firms, so much so that PWC hosts a networking night for Heinz students in NYC each spring. As far as the quantitative aspect, I've heard that Ford (Michigan) and Heinz have the most math-based programs. I don't know if that helps, but hopefully it does! Are you going to the visit days in April? What other programs are you deciding between?

I just got an email as well (very nondescript), and I was accepted for the 2 yr Pitt-DC track, with $8K/semester the first year and $10K/semester for the DC year. I'm so excited!

Mine says the same thing "complete and ready for review," and I turned mine probably a week before the deadline. So hopefully good news is on the way for all of us!

I saw this in another subject area and thought this would be a good way to see if anyone is going to common visit days. So, if you've been accepted and know where you are planning on visiting, please share dates and locations! If you aren't visiting, maybe explain why. Afterwards, people could give some input on how it went for those who were not able to attend. I'll start... so far, I know I'll be visiting: For sure: UMass-Amherst - April 1st Possibly: GW - March 27 (I would try to pair Maryland w/ this, but not sure if they are open on Fridays) Minnesota - April 12 (MPP day) Probably not (because of lack of offered funding/better alternate programs): Wisconsin IU-Indianapolis Hopefully, I'll hear back from my other 4 in time to make arrangements prior to April 15. My weekends are running low, I'm pretty much limited to the weekend of the 12th or skipping classes!

I've heard for international security issues they are one of the best, so it might just depend on the program you are looking at. I personally really like their mentor program. Adding to your question, though - does anyone know the job stats for UMD? I can't find any percentages or data.

The people in the ad office said that everyone, rejects too, will hear by next Monday. I'm assuming if we haven't heard today it is a no? This will be my first rejection, kind of really depressing.

I'm applying for my Masters in Public Policy. I'm scared to even think about my top choices because I don't want to get my hopes up and not get in...But, if I'm being honest, it is definitely Duke. After that, Carnegie Mellon and Michigan tie for 2nd. I really like Duke because they have daytime classes, are client-oriented, and don't limit post-grad location (can work anywhere, not just NYC or DC). Also, the program is small and personalized, and they have energy classes available, which is my focus area. Michigan and Carnegie Mellon are closer to my home, which is nice, and also don't really limit on location and have daytime classes. The prestige factor doesn't hurt, especially since I went to a lower-reputed state school for undergrad (loved it, but not helpful with the job search!). I doubt I'll get in to any of those programs, especially because this year seems very competitive. So, I'm trying to convince myself of GW, as I've been accepted already. I HATE waiting, though! It is driving me crazy, so much so that I've started dreaming about it. How sad is that?

The admissions people at Duke on Friday told me that we would find out today... Is that wrong, then? I've been anxious all night over it! I saw that you posted elsewhere that this year applicants with no work experience were ruled out altogether. I don't have any post-grad work experience (I graduate in May), but I do have 6 government internships...do you think I have a chance?

Program Applied To: MPP, or MPA if MPP was not offered Schools Applied To: IU-Bloomington, IU-Indianapolis, Michigan (Ford School), Duke, CMU (Heinz - 2yr DC track), GW, UMaryland, UMass- Amherst, UMN-Twin Cities, UWI-Madison Schools Admitted To: UMN-Twin Cities, GW, IU-Indianapolis Schools Rejected From: none, yet Still Waiting: IU-B, Michigan, Duke, CMU, UMaryland, UMass, UWI Undergraduate institution: Undergraduate GPA: 3.86 Undergraduate Major: Political Science and French GRE Quantitative Score: 630 GRE Verbal Score: 590 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 0 Years of Work Experience: 0 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I've had 6 relevant government/legal internships, including a semester interning in DC in a policy/research position Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think it was decent; my passion was portrayed, but I hate writing these so who knows. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I submitted 4 whenever I could, one from the Dean of the Honors College, one from a professor I've done significant research and class work with, one from the chair of the political science department, and one from a professor in poli sci. The poli sci professor's isn't that great, so I've heard, but the other 3 are very strong. Other: I studied abroad for a semester in France and spent a semester in DC, I currently work as a tutor and formerly was a TA. I have had a lot of leadership opportunities - President of the Honors student government, President of the political science honorary, vice president of french club, active in mock trial and in my sorority. I've also presented papers at national conferences, and my highest GPA semesters have been the last 3.

I was admitted a few weeks ago. I'm graduating in May with my BA, so I have zero work experience. I do, however, have 6 relevant (government/law) internship experiences, including a semester interning in DC.