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xrubicon

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  • Location
    San Francisco
  • Application Season
    2018 Fall
  • Program
    MPP

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  1. Hey guys, hoping I can get some advice on here for my applications to MPP programs. I'm literally just starting the process and am simply looking for some advice/direction. My application background is as follows: Undergrad school: University of Chicago (degree in economics) GPA: 3.1 Work Experience: currently two years in the private sector (both are fairly notable jobs). I'm currently a senior manager overseeing a $50M yearly advertising budget and two employees at a startup. GRE: 168Q/162V w/ 5.0 writing Volunteer/Public Service experience: none since graduating college. I was much more involved in volunteering in college (tutored for all 4 years) but once I started working, I didn't really have time nor was I planning on applying to MPP programs. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've come to realize that working in the for-profit space is not for me and will not satisfy me in the long-term. I'd like to transition to non-profit/policy/government roles, specifically in the econ development space. After graduating, I had always thought I would pursue an MBA or a business related masters (eg Masters in Financial Engineering) which is why I took the GRE and which is why I have very little volunteering/public service experience since graduating. I have a few questions that would be really helpful if answered: (1) I believe the biggest holes in my applications are my GPA and my volunteering / public service experience. There is nothing I can do about my GPA now (hopefully my GRE scores can help offset) but in regards to volunteering / public service, I plan to get involved asap. However, if I am applying to graduate programs this fall, would 3-4 months of volunteering truly be enough to display my interest in transitioning from for-profit to non-profit work? If not, should I instead apply to programs in 2019? (2) How should I approach letters of recommendations? What do admissions counselors look for? For my letters of recommendation, I never really developed genuine relationships with my professors from undergrad. However, I can absolutely get letters from my former supervisors. Although they can't speak to my ability to succeed in public service, they can speak to ability to succeed within an organization (quantitative, leadership, soft skills, etc). Is this enough? (3) This might sound like a really stupid question but is it possible / normal to reach out to schools and ask to speak with their admissions counselors for advice? I live in SF and would love to reach out to admissions counselors at Berkeley but I'm not sure if this is a common practice. (4) I'd like to go to a program in or near NYC (my fiance lives there). Do you guys have any idea on what types of schools I should be focusing in on? Is Columbia SIPA a stretch for my profile?
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