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YayPublicPolicy

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  • Application Season
    2015 Fall
  • Program
    MPP/MPA/MA

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  1. On a similar note, while I very much acknowledge and appreciate that this is a good problem to have, I'm caught between The Ford School (which is full-ride) and HKS (which has yet to release funding decisions, but I know I'll have to take out loans one way or another). While HKS seems like a better fit for me (better rep for what I'm interested in -- global affairs and social innovation -- and I mean, you really can't ignore that network), it hurts my heart to think about saying no to a loan-free grad education at an awesome program. What do you guys think? Is the name actually worth it? And at what cost? I know I'm kind of jumping the gun here a bit since I don't have all the info, but this wait is killing meeeeeee lol. I feel like there's nothing else I can do other than wallow in hypotheticals. I'd appreciate any and all input!
  2. unagi, I also worried about acceptance into the reach schools that I applied to due to not having a perfect academic background/GRE scores, so I totally relate. That's why, even though I don't know you, I'm glad that you ended up not talking yourself out of applying to SAIS IDEV/the other amazing programs you got into! I hope future applicants understand that applying to public/int'l affairs programs are so much more about the sum of your parts and how well you can relate what you have done to what you want to do in your chosen field than just numbers and fancy internships/work experiences. Also thanks to everyone for contributing to this thread! Didn't want to share my profile until I saw that this caught on lol, so here's mine if it's helpful: Program Applied To: Public Policy/Public Affairs/International Relations Schools Applied To: GSPP, HKS, WWS, SAIS, CMU, Ford, Syracuse Schools Admitted To: GSPP, HKS, SAIS (IDEV), Ford, Syracuse (MPA/IR), Heinz Schools Rejected From: WWS Still Waiting: None Undergraduate institution: Top 20 LAC Undergraduate GPA: 3.63 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): I think 3.79 but I'm not sure Undergraduate Major: Gender Studies with a concentration in IDEV GRE Quantitative Score: 162 GRE Verbal Score: 161 GRE AW Score: 5.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2+ Years of Work Experience: 2+ of paid non-internship experience Describe Relevant Work Experience: 2 years Fulbright ETA; college internships related to community organizing both in US and abroad; long history in volunteering and activism for both domestic and int'l issues; member of nonprofit board. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think I started out in the right place for all my SOPs because I had a very clear idea of how my sustained background in public/community service informs what I want to do in the future and also I have a somewhat unique policy focus that straddles both the domestic and int'l policy world, which I think helped me stand out from the crowd. I also made sure the research each school thoroughly (their classes, profs, their research centers, unique program requirements/what their program is famous for -- like if it's quant or econ heavy, make note of why that would help me -- cool things alums are doing, etc) and made sure to tie my interests with what they were offering. For Berkeley, HKS and WWS (which were my more competitive schools as well as having the earliest deadlines), I got relevant people in my network to read over my stuff (for Berkeley and WWS, I used their peer-reviewing program) and I used their feedback to help me write my other SOPs. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I'm guessing quite strong. I got recs from a mentor who was the one who introduced me to activism over a decade ago and has seen how my leadership has developed overtime, a prof (who's now dean) in my undergraduate field of study who knows me reasonably well and I did well in her class, and my supervisor when I was an ETA, who knew me for 2 years and most likely talked about a huge project I initiated with my community my second year. I reached out to them 6 weeks in advance and followed up with them a lot; I also sent them postcards and/or thank you emails after the whole process! Other: While there were some small-ish things I wish I did better (i.e. study more for the GRE), I think I did everything I could during application time and now, I don't think I could be more pleased with my pick of the pack. In terms of funding, Ford gave me the universe, CMU was full-tuition + small stipend and nothing from GSPP; still waiting to hear back from the others. Totally thought that my GPA/GRE scores would take me out of the running for HKS and I'm over the moon that it didn't. I took the GRE twice and while they're competitive scores, I know I could have done better if I didn't study last minute. So I definitely urge people to plan ahead if you're concerned about the GRE but also, while it's still important, maybe find solace in the fact that the GRE holds the least weight in admissions considerations? At least that's my understanding of it. Best of luck to everyone who's about to make a really exciting decision!
  3. Hi there, Long time user, first time caller. I haven't seen this up yet, so I thought I'd start it seeing as most notifications should have come in by now. Mainly posting in case this is cathartic/informative for new admits/prospective applicants, but not gonna lie, also curious to see what the competition looked like In any case, I'm sure everyone deserves a job well done! Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.) Schools Applied To: Schools Admitted To: Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Undergraduate institution: Undergraduate GPA: Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: GRE Quantitative Score: GRE Verbal Score: GRE AW Score: Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Years of Work Experience: Describe Relevant Work Experience: Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Other:
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