policyapplicant

I sense that Berkeley is a much better fit for your academic and career interests. If you're in social justice spaces, the Berkeley name is as good as an Ivy.

You can do it @JiHoo!!

I got in everywhere I applied including WWS with a 157 Q.

Harris does have a great certificate in municipal finance though!

@ILAR How much professional experience do you have? The more years out from undergrad, the less (I think) the GRE matters.

@pubpol123 That's great! A good bump up.

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

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.

Agree.

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!

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.

Same here. Accepted but waiting for the third email with the IT stuff.

Same here

Accepted with the "YES!" I'm so, so excited. Hoping everyone gets good news today!

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.