Jump to content

policyapplicant

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    38

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by policyapplicant

    The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, noblelandmermaid said:

    Hey @PHL City Planner! Your profile is similar to mine, though I'll be applying at least one year behind you. I have a graduate degree in an urban planning/architecture-related discipline and currently work at the city level, so I'll be following your 2019 application journey!

    I'm also interested in domestic/urban policy, so HKS and WWS are my tops, too. Harris is also on my list because of their Place Lab and the fact that they seem to funnel a lot of their students into internships/jobs with the City of Chicago. (I am also from the Midwest and love Chicago.) However, the lack of certificate or true focus in urban policy is a bit of a deterrent. It may be worth adding to your list, though!

    Harris does have a great certificate in municipal finance though! 

    2018 Results

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    2 hours ago, yellina122 said:

    Program Applied To: MPA/MPP
    Schools Applied To: HKS, SIPA, Wagner, WWS
    Schools Admitted To: SIPA ($), Wagner

    Schools Rejected From: HKS, WWS
    Undergraduate institution:  BU
    Undergraduate GPA:  3.46
    Undergraduate Major:  Psychology
    GRE Quantitative Score:  159
    GRE Verbal Score:  169
    GRE AW Score:  5.5
    Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable):  4.5
    Years of Work Experience:  4.5

    Describe Relevant Work Experience: 2 Years P/T neoropsych research on Autism and other disabilities as an undergraduate; summer internship in children's psychiatric ward and 9-month internship at a hospital school in London that supported kids with disabilities; 1.5 years in cancer research management post-grad; now 3 years working in fundraising, communications, and advocacy at a nonprofit that provides services for people with disabilities (mental and intellectual/developmental)

    Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc):  Definitely strong. I framed my reason for going back to school well:  that after working in research, direct care, and nonprofit administration for people with mental illness and intellectual disabilities, I realized that even the most groundbreaking research and effective treatments couldn't curtail the fallout of indifferent, inadequate policymaking. 

    My goal is to create policy that better serves people with disabilities, who aside from needing access to affordable and effective healthcare (duh, amirite?) also need someone pulling for them in talks about transportation, supported employment, and- of great interest to me- political engagement.

    I launched an initiative at my nonprofit to train people with disabilities and the staff that support them in civic participation/voting, and I really want to expand it citywide by partnering with local government and nonprofits, wherever I end up for school. My experience has been pretty varied, but it has all been in support of the same population.

    Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc):  Very, very strong. My direct supervisor wrote a letter for me that was extremely specific to what I want to do in school (voter advocacy, supporting people with disabilities through policy). The CEO of my org wrote a letter that he actually had me read first that was absolutely glowing. And one of my lit. professors from BU wrote me what I have high confidence was a strong letter about my abilities as a student.

    Decision: SIPA all the way!

    I have family in Queens so I can live there for free; my current job in Boston has offered to allow me to work PT/remotewhich (along with the workstudy I got) will cover my cost of living and help me pay down some of my debt as I go. The $$$ SIPA offered me was a big surprise, but even so I've petitioned to get more so we'll see what happens. And my big brother offered to help me pay for school so I won't end up taking out more in loans than I'd make in my first year's salary after graduating. Basically all the stars have aligned to allow me to go to my dream school, and I'm very happy about it :) 

    Congrats and congrats on the SIPA funding! Hope even more comes your way!

    Heinz or Harris

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    I always thought Harris was the most quant, but I never researched Heinz's program as much. Harris does seem VERY supportive of people who lack a firm quant background but are down to dig in and gain the skills. It seems like a tough but very supportive environment. To me, that's the best combo. 

    2018 Results

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    Updated with decisions!!!

    Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP/MPA
    Schools Applied To: Princeton WWS, Chicago Harris, NYU Wagner, CMU Heinz, USC Price, Berkeley GSPP
    Schools Admitted To (funding in parentheses): All ??  Princeton WWS (full funding, stipend), Chicago Harris ($$), NYU Wagner (zero), CMU Heinz ($$), USC Price (full funding), Berkeley GSPP (zero)
    Schools Rejected From:  None
    Decision: Princeton WWS for the MPA 
    Still Waiting:  None
    Undergraduate institution:  Top 5 public
    Undergraduate GPA:  3.6
    Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable):  I would guess that it was a bit higher like a 3.7, lots of credit for independent research
    Undergraduate Major:
    GRE Quantitative Score:  157
    GRE Verbal Score:  164
    GRE AW Score:  5
    Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable):  5
    Years of Work Experience:  5
    Describe Relevant Work Experience: Leadership position in a nonprofit organization
    Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc):  Quite strong I think. Very specific about academic interests and career objectives in a fairly narrow field. I wrote about the faculty members and research centers I want to work with. 
    Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc):  Excellent, current boss and two high ranking professors who know me personally

     

    End-of-Application-Season-Reflection:

    I'm stunned that I got into each school.

    For a while, my top choice was my " semi-realistic" choice: Chicago Harris. I thought there was a good chance I would get in there, but I was doubtful that they would give me any money. When I was admitted with moderate funding in the Early Action round, I started feeling much better about the whole process. Princeton WWS was always my "top top" choice, but never thought about it seriously because I was sure I wouldn't get in. I focused my sights on Harris instead. So getting into WWS was a huge surprise. I feel really lucky. 

    The reason I was pessimistic about WWS and my general chances for other schools is that I felt my GRE quant score was low (157) and because I lacked serious qualitative and econ-driven coursework. I was pretty explicit in my application saying that I felt I had terrific qualitative research and analysis training from undergrad but that it was really the quant side I was missing. I told the school that this was one of the core reasons I was applying to graduate school and to that school in particular. 

    I think my 5 years of strong professional experience helped a lot. Also my strong recommendations from high ranking professors and my boss of 5 years. All of them know me very well personally and intellectually and speak from positions of real authority. 

    I didn't apply to HKS because I assumed there was a good chance I wouldn't get in and that if I did, I wouldn't want to go there. Culturally it never felt right to me. I know many HKS grads. Some love it. But it's too large, showy and IR-oriented for me. The other "traditional" schools in this forum (SAIS, SIPA, Fletcher, Georgetown) were all too international relations-oriented and large for me. You certainly have that at WWS, but there's a very strong domestic and econ contingent too. 

    I have to say, I did visit Price and I was VERY impressed. The faculty is top notch and they really seem to care about students. If I hadn't gotten into WWS, Price would have given Harris a run for its money. I thought that Price was pretty underrepresented on this forum. For those interested in domestic and local policy, I would strongly recommend people look at the school seriously. I think it can be stronger career-wise than GSPP because the school is so well connected (read: embedded)  in industry and state and municipal government across California. Of course, it is much better for people who want to make a career in California -- but that's something I (as an East Coaster) was seriously considering. Maybe one day in the future. 

    One piece of advice: Try not to get too obsessive about one particular school. You never know what's going to happen and $$ and other factors like school visits can change your thinking about schools quite quickly. I spent way too much time researching and obsessing about Harris: both before and after submitting my application. I guess I don't really regret it, but I certainly didn't need to spend all of that time, especially after I submitted my app. 

    I'm just so happy about WWS. It will be a fantastic fit -- culturally, academically, professionally. 

    Thanks to you all on this forum for such great guidance and collective support! 

    Harris 2018

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    2 hours ago, ChicagoanMPP said:

    Has anyone submitted am Application for Review of their Scholarship Award and heard back? I received 10k initially. Just heard back and received 5k more to 15k. Has anymore received what they asked for/more than 5k? Wondering if I should try to negotiate more to get to at least 20k. Thoughts? 

    One thought: I think it’s still pretty early for people to decline Harris (and other schools). For instance, I’m waiting to decline Harris until after I visit Princeton early next month. I imagine more $$ will be opening up as some people decline for various reasons.  That won’t happen until closer to the deadline. 

    CMU Heinz 2018

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, anmanya said:

    (Just to be optimistic) it could be because our applications were completed and passed on for reviewing relatively late? Mine got completed on 14th and I did the video interview bit by 21st. What do you think?

    Oh yes, that's what I was thinking. We're not going to be penalized. Seems that we had about the same schedule. I think they must just be doing them in installments and that we missed the first installment. 

    UC Berkeley Goldman -- Fall 2018

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Ellen123 said:

    Where do you think you'll go instead? We got accepted to several of the same programs (Harris, NYU, GSPP) and I'm also waiting to hear back from WWS. I'd be interested to hear your thoughts on the decision making process, if you feel comfortable sharing.

    I think I'll probably go to Harris if I don't get into WWS. I really love the Harris program. My sense is that it's going to take me much farther than most of the other program -- because it's so rigorous/econ-based and because the job placement rates seem very good. I'm interested in private sector employment after graduation. Most of the schools don't seem to do well on this point except for Harris. And I can imagine myself staying in Chicago, unlike the Bay Area. All of that makes me feel like Harris is really the right choice. 

    I live in NY, and my sense is that Wagner has too many part-time and evening students and too many adjunct faculty members. I'm sure some of the professional connections are quite good, but it just doesn't strike me as the right academic environment for me. 

    I think Goldman would be great generally and I really like the class size of ~100/year. But it's not as good for my area of interest (urban development) and my sector of interest (private). 

    The outlier for me is USC Price. It doesn't have the stature of the others, especially outside of CA. But they were very generous financially and with a fellowship opportunity. I'll visit for the admitted student events and see if I feel the magic. 

    I may well change my mind on all of this next week though! Lots of thoughts swirling around.

    Your thoughts? 

    UC Berkeley Goldman -- Fall 2018

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    53 minutes ago, apr1016 said:

    Waitlisted, really wish I knew where I stand and how much company I have! Anyone else in my shoes? Is there any chance of funding whatsoever for people on the waitlist?

    Decisions seem to be pouring in now, best of luck to everyone!

    I'm at least one person who will probably decline the offer! Crossing my fingers for you! 

    Princeton WWS App Q's

    in Government Affairs Forum

    Posted

    22 minutes ago, hdp said:

    I'm a current MPA at WWS and my understanding is that Master's decisions will only be released at the end of next week. So there's a still a bit of time left :) Best of luck to all! 

    Helpful info! Thank you! I'll stop checking online every five minutes now. 

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

  I accept