Program Applied To: MIA/MPA
Schools Applied To: Columbia SIPA, NYU Wagner, Fordham IPED, Monterey Institute of International Studies, American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins SAIS
Schools Admitted To: Columbia SIPA, NYU Wagner, Monterey Institute of International Studies, George Washington University, American University
Schools Rejected From: Fordham University, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Georgetown University
Undergraduate institution: City University of New York
Undergraduate GPA: 3.584
Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.5
Undergraduate Major: Political Science and French (double major)
GRE Quantitative Score: 500
GRE Verbal Score: 580
GRE AW Score: 4.5
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2.5 years
Years of Work Experience: 3
Describe Relevant Work Experience: 27 Months Peace Corps service (NGO Development), Congressional Internship, State Department Internship, Administrative Assistant at Middle East Cultural Center, various volunteer work
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Fairly strong SOP and rather personal (got a lot of positive feedback). Wrote about childhood ambitions, Peace Corps, extensive travels, learning five languages, grad school research objectives, and long-term career goals.
Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I assume they were very strong. My undergraduate professor wrote one (has PhD), plus a supervisor in the academic world (PhD as well), plus my APCD from Peace Corps.
Other: Never underestimate yourself! I was terrified that I would be rejected from all my schools, but I got into my dream school, plus four other excellent programs, PLUS got a prestigious fellowship to pay for it all! At the time, I looked back at previous posts in this forum and decided to give myself a shot at my dreams after assessing that many of these programs take a holistic approach to their application process. Focus on your strengths--I emphasized my languages for instance. Be specific about your goals, and try and weave your SOP together like an inspiring memoir! Attend informational sessions--you may end up having a one-on-one meeting with the director of admissions! It may be an exhausting six months, but trust me, it’s well worth it in the end!
