marid
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Posts posted by marid
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2 hours ago, yellina122 said:
Hey @marid I came from a similar professional background to you! I also worked at a nonprofit that provides community-based services for people with mental health conditions in my state, and recently accepted my offer for Columbia SIPA so that I can eventually advocate for the same population in a variety of policy areas.
It sounds like your academics, internships, and work experience are all very solid. The biggest question I'm wondering, and that I imagine the admissions folks would also wonder, is why go back to school for an MPA when you already have a degree in public administration? MPA programs, while extremely variable depending on the school you go to and your concentration, are usually a split between practical business/management/economics/finance classes and more theoretical policy courses, but I'd expect you would have already covered a lot of that as an undergrad. If you're looking to move towards research, policy analysis, or other forms of analytics in the field then it definitely makes sense to return to school- but my recommendation would be to think more seriously about an MPP or MPH.
So long as getting a higher degree really is an important step in meeting your goals and you have a solid answer for it within your SOP, you will be fine! Point to a specific problem you've encountered at your org and discuss how a higher degree, but especially that school's higher degree, will help you solve it.
The biggest weakness in your application will probably be your quant grades. However, I definitely recommend explaining the lower ones in your supplemental essays, and those grades could be made null if you get a high score on your GRE Quant, so devote some significant time to studying for it.
Hey @yellina122! Thank you so much for your response! I appreciate it. I am interested in pursuing an MPA to further my skills--not to rag on my undergrad, but I felt like it could've been better and I feel like getting an MPA will fill in those gaps/enhance my current skills. Only reason why I am debating getting an MPH instead of an MPA is that yes, it will be different and ultimately I want to work in creating/managing programs for mental health services which will make sense when paired with my public administration degree. As of yet, nothing is finalized quite yet, going to save some money in the meantime. If you don't mind me asking, I've noticed that SIPA gave you funding, were they very generous with the award package? Just curious because if SIPA doesn't normally give a lot of money out then I will need to re-evaluate how I am going to pay it off.
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Haven't applied for grad school quite yet, but will in the future. Looking for ideas on how to beef up my chances:
Program: MPP and MPA's, heck even maybe an MPH
Schools Planning on Applying To: Princeton WWS, Columbia SIPA, Harvard , U Michigan Ford, NYU Wagner, UPenn any other suggestions?
Interests: Social innovation, Gov't, consulting, mental health, foundations, non-profits
Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 (last 2 years: 3.7) from a small school in NYC
Undergraduate Major: Public Admin
Graduate GPA: N/A
GRE: Didn't take it yet
Quantitative Courses: calculus I, statistics 1 , microeconomics, pre-calc, economic analysis of policy, pre-calc, quantitative analysis/methods, high level physics coursre (A)
Age: 25
Languages: Fluent in English, conversational 2 Chinese languages and Spanish
Work Experience: 3 internships in undergrad in nonprofit organizations - 2 are big and well known in NYC.
Currently working for one of the largest social service non-profit in NYC. 2 Years of leadership in student government, total of 3 years of work experience (post-grad +internships, going on 4)
LORs: Planning on getting 2 from my professors and former boss (1 of my professors and former boss are Columbia professors, does that improve my chances?)
SOPs: Haven't written on yet--but I want to make a difference in mental health and want to find innovative ways on helping non-profits and cities in addressing some of issues with service/awareness.
Publications and Honors: One of 4 graduating seniors who received an award for excellence in policy analysis; offered a grant to study abroad in Latin America.
Concerns: Hurricane came in and ruined one of my semester--my quant grades aren't too high (B-, C+, C, B+, B+, W, B ) Receive the two Cs on the same semester as when the storm had hit--do you think they will accept that as an excuse?
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Thanks for your reply! I should also note that I live in NYC rent free with family which is also a strong point for Columbia. Still undecided, having went to school in NY I feel the need to get away but I don't think that warrants taking out even more money. I do love the Yale atmosphere and education which I feel is stronger than Columbia, but ultimately it comes to down to job prospects. Thoughts?
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Hi everyone!
I was wondering what's everyone's opinion on the two schools for MPH? Considering a track in either Health Policy or Hospital Management and both programs seem great, but I'm unsure which one is best. To be honest, I was gun-ho about applying to Yale because I've heard great things about their program--small, hands-on education approach and no GPAs! But when I went to Columbia's open house, I was blown away especially about their network and career services which I heard was pretty good (though I will take this with a grain of salt as I spoke to student reps and staff). What is everyone's opinion on the two? Does anyone know someone who went to either one?
I really really like Yale's program, but at the end of the day, I will be incurring debt and will need to be realistic on what the career prospects each school offers. Not saying that Yale's career services are bad, but I feel like Columbia's is more extensive. Also, I do hope to work in NYC one day particularly in programs for the city or go to consulting.
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@callahbd Haven't picked one yet! Still didn't take the GRE, but would like to start thinking about schools now.
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Long story short: Went to a grad school fair and a few of the schools I spoke to (Ford, Heinz, Harris) all said that quant courses are important when applying for their schools.
Now, my current experience doesn't involve quant skills at all and during my undergrad I didn't do so well on two quant courses(C's) the rest of my other quant courses, however, were much better (b's).
Would this adversely affect my app to a top school? Looking into Ivy Leagues (all except HKS and WWS) and other top tiered schools. The admissions people said if you're worried about your quant background,take some courses but due to my time constraints and working 2 part time jobs, I don't know how well I'd fare in online courses.
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On 8/31/2016 at 10:08 PM, SIPA_MPA18 said:
Have you looked at Columbia SIPA's MPA? It's very flexible, has a great reputation, and a large alumni network. I'm biased because that's where I enrolled, but make sure you consider SIPA and not just SPS.
I would love to get into SIPA, but there are two big reasons why I probably won't get in:
1. I don't think I'm competitive enough (a few scholarships, 3.5 GPA, internships, and extracurriculars, but compared to the student profiles I've read, I don't even come close)
2. Too expensive and I would need to re-locate to NYC and I don't have the funds to do so as of now.
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I'm considering applying for Columbia's Masters in Non-Profit Management and UPenn's MPA. I love both programs, but I am unsure which one I shold apply to.
Columbia
Pros: Brand name, great courses and great location+network.
Cons: My biggest concern is the degree--I've read from somewhere that their School of Professional Studies is looked down upon by employers and other students for not being a "real" degree. The other concern that I have is that it focuses specifically for non-profit management. Now I do want to work in nonprofits in NY, but I don't know if I would change my mind 10-15 years down the line and I don't want to restrict myself.
Upenn
Pros: Brand name, network is expansive, small classes. MPA degree is flexible if I decide to change my mind.
Cons: Biggest worry about the program is that there are a lot of core/fundamental classes. Not sure how applicable they are if I'm interested in pursuing a career in public service.
I would also have to relocate for both. If there are any suggestions for great MPA schools,let me know!
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18 hours ago, fuzzylogician said:
What field are you applying in?
MPA particularly in non-profits. I have several internships under my belt and was involved with my school's USGO (Undergraduate Student Government Organization)
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Just curious...does internships and extracurriculars--the ones that are related to your field of study--become less important after a certain amount of time had passed? Am planning on going to grad school in 2 years tops and was wondering if I should focus on volunteering activities in my resume other than my extracurriculars/internships.
The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
in Government Affairs Forum
Posted
Thank you so much @yellina122! I'll definitely look in to Baruch. Haven't heard much about that school, but I'll give it a look through. Bummer about NYU since it's one of the schools I am currently looking into :/