Program Applied To: MPA, MPP, MALD
Schools Applied To: Princeton (WWS MPA), Harvard (Kennedy MPP), Columbia (SIPA MPA), Tufts (Fletcher MALD), UChicago (Harris MPP)
Schools Admitted To: HKS, SIPA ($$$), Fletcher ($$), Harris ($)
Schools Rejected From: WWS (didn’t get off the waitlist)
Still Waiting:
Undergraduate institution: Top 5 LAC
Undergraduate GPA: 3.9
Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable):
Undergraduate Major: International Relations and minor in French
GRE Quantitative Score: 160
GRE Verbal Score: 162
GRE AW Score: 5.5
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2
Years of Work Experience: 2
Describe Relevant Work Experience: Summer internships during college at an embassy, a UN agency, and international development NGO. Post-grad (in my home country) internship at a human rights INGO and then 1 year at a youth leadership/development organization.
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Struggled with these in the beginning but the statements eventually came together in a cohesive and compelling manner. Generally the following structure: personal background, academic background, professional background, why this university/program/degree, what skills/experiences I am seeking to develop, and future career goals.
Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): 2 from professors/academic supervisors who know me and my academic/professional goals well and 1 from my manager at the human rights INGO. Didn’t read any but I assume they were very strong.
Other: SIPA was always my first choice due to the program, faculty, location, career prospects, etc and their generous financial aid made my decision easy. Will be pursuing an MPA with a concentration in Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy & specialization in International Conflict Resolution. Excited for this next step in my personal, academic, and professional journey!
