Damis

What experience gives you, however, is a stronger idea of what you want to pursue as a career, not just a job. Do you have a strong understanding of what it is you want to commit yourself to for the next 10-15 years? Essentially, graduate education is such a huge investment from so many facets. Just ensure you make it worth your while.

Hi chantik, I would think any school would want to access your skills in said language. I doubt they'd just take your word for it. That said, that's a question best asked of each school's admissions group. Good luck with everything!

Schools are asked to rank their applicants. Fulbright ranks as well, of course. You could theoretically go from being ranked last by your school to first with Fulbright. Just depends.

Hey Kathryn! I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will comment in due course, but I'll answer too in order to assuage any doubts you may have. 1. I would think engineering economics and engineering stats have the same foundations that any micro/macro course may have. I'm thinking most of these schools would want you to have been at least exposed to econ and stats. That said, depending upon what you want to focus on there may be pre-reqs that you can't get away with not having. For instance, if you wanted to study International Development and decided to apply to Kennedy's MPA-ID program, your lack of certain econ and stat courses would hurt you quite a bit. It depends upon what you want to do, though. I recommend reaching out to the schools and asking them direct. I betcha that's an answer they'd love to provide. 2. I'm willing to bet you aren't the only engineer that discovered their public administration side! Your academic background isn't the most represented within the MPA world, but it's there! So long as you're able to weave a strong narrative highlighting why an MPA will help you further your career and achieve your goals (which I bet you'll be able to do just fine!) you're going to have a very convincing story to tell! Bear in mind the questions you think an AdComm would ask of you: "Why the 'switch'?" "Why do you need this?" "What will it bring you in the future?" "Why not another graduate degree?" "Are you sure you want to do this?" Questions of that sort are great ways of creating the internal dialogue needed to craft a strong PS imho. 3. From what I've seen, Peace Corps folks are considered to have very strong work experience once they return to the States. Especially if, you know, you actually went out of your way to make an especially strong impact in your area. It sounds like you did. Use the motivations gained during your PC service to both advocate for yourself as well as inform. What I mean is the AdComm should know what serving as a PC volunteer means. Just in case, though, make sure they know. As appropriate, list some of your duties. What were some of the things you accomplished? As an engineer, you probably had a big hand to play in building something of importance to the community. Tell about it. Basically, no one will know how professional this experience was unless you can etch it into their brain. Best of luck, Kathryn! I bet you're going to do really well!

For your first question, while it does not hurt to apply as an at large, I'd highly recommend you try to use your alma mater. You'd be at a disadvantage otherwise. If you find they aren't helping you as much, try to reach out to a faculty member. For this specific question, remember that Fulbright is first and foremost a cultural exchange. That fact, in and of itself, makes it not odd. Bear it in mind while prepping your application. Good luck to everyone!

Requests that are clearly funding only will have a hard time making it through the application process. The Fulbright is, first and foremost, a cultural exchange, and you'd need to keep that in mind while preparing your application.

Interessant! Strange indeed. I can't remember what was asked for entirely, but my application was submitted via USAJobs. I don't remember doing a CL, but I obviously completed the application lol. Perhaps I did something of the sort and can't remember at the moment. Good luck, regardless! State is awesome!

I interned for State (POL/ECON, Frankfurt Consulate) in 2010, and did not have to submit a cover letter. The person who decides ultimately bases it off of the information asked for online. I think they've changed the internship application process up a bit since I interned, but I doubt they would ever ask for a cover letter.

I'm sorry, but I don't understand why you feel the need to reply with a tier two comment. As you said, there are too many variables at play. People here are trying to help. You're offering nothing but condescension. HG, much of what you can do to improve your chances has already been mentioned. That said, also try reaching out to these schools and ask about folks that can give you a gauge on your chances to get in to their school.

I have a few friends that attended Bush. They loved their time there. Can't give any words regarding why it doesn't receive more press here. I'll say one thing for sure...I've seen the Aggie Ring do some magical things for A&M grads!

Your opinion is welcome here, Nabad. People, unfortunately, misconstrue things all the time around here. Thanks for your thoughts!

Congrats Dani! Wooohoooo!

Stooooooooopppppp Iiiiiiiiiiiitttttt! This is silly. Dani, I certainly don't feel you have to defend yourself here. Your prerogative is your prerogative. This is a huge moment for you. There was space needed for you to properly decide, and you are fortunate that you were provided more time. It also sounds like you're trying to be as thoughtful as you can be to others. Kudos. No one here knows all of the personal variables that you are calculating, nor the realties that you are facing. The AdComm likely deals with situations like yours every year, and I'm sure they have mechanisms in place to safeguard themselves as well. I, personally, don't think you can go wrong. Best of luck moving forward!

Pickering selected their Fellows a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks for your informative post Dani! I think you've not only helped people deciding now, but also folks that will be applying in the future (like me!) glad you're at peace with your decision! Best of luck to you at Fletcher!

Good luck, Dani!

Nothing to add but this: Ya'll are going to be heading to some of the best schools in the world in a few months. Let's all just be happy. No need to raise anyone's blood pressure over perceived notions of academic superiority.

One thing to bear in mind (and this comes from my brief work as an intel analyst) is that breadth, in regards to training, is never a bad thing within intel. Everyone will have their interests and niche, but hammering down too much on "training" impedes. If you're going to eventually ascend to the upper levels of the IC, you need to have an indepth knowledge of the world that doesn't necessarily fit within the purview of the IC curriculum. It's a tough choice! Thankfully, you can't go wrong.

Really hard to make any broad leap in logic when there's simply not much to go off of. In the HKS thread, there is an individual that received a tuition+fees scholarship...he just has to pay for his living expenses. There's funding. There's also a confluence of variables that we'll never be privy to when it comes to this game we play. The juxtaposition of these institutions regarding funding, therefore, doesn't make much sense. Class sizes, for instance, make a huge difference. How many students does HKS take in for their MPP as opposed to Princeton's MPA? Additionally, these schools, I believe, are separate institutions within their various universities and colleges. Their funding mechanisms, therefore, are slightly different. All we have are a bunch of aggregates to go off of, which are based on testimony from people applying - the good, bad, and ugly side of it. Beating up on any institution because they don't provide more funding isn't fair, imho.

Can you send a PM my way too, pretty please!

I think you're being too hard on yourself jct! I think you have a very solid background! All of those schools should be on your radar, but acceptance is dependent on variables out of your control. If your SOP and LOR are as solid as your background, you'll be surprised come admissions time! Best of luck, and thank you for serving!

I'm so sorry, Dani! Fletcher is amazing! I have a friend that will be joining you there as well. Good luck to all of the Pickering finalists!

Woohooo! It's looking good, just be patient.

Hey ya'll! 2011-2012 Germany ETAer here. I know this tough place of anxiousness you all are in extremely well. It's quite the nerve destroyer! I was actually in Germany when my letter of acceptance came. Twas quite the experience asking my Momma to type out the German on Facebook. Or to beg my sister to go and check the mail box. Hold on a little bit longer! For the Germany ETA folks, if ya'll have any questions, feel free to PM me! I'd love to help. Hahaha!

Dani! Please don't worry! That's bad juju! Bad juju just isn't good regarding these type Fellowships. Generally, whenever you're asked for information later on in the application process, it's for a good reason. One scholarship I received actually had a member of the review panel give me a call to ask about some information, which was awesome because this lack of information technically made me ineligible. I've also had pictures and a variety of other assorted requested asked of me after turning in an application. It's usually only for the best! I've been on a few scholarship review panels, so I sorta know this process. My opinion (and please don't hold me to it too much!) is you're in a great position. I don't know the Pickering selection process at all, though, so who knows what they're doing with the pictures! They could be drawing smiley faces on them for all we know.