From beginning to study for the GRE's to writing the admissions essays -- I can't even begin to state how helpful Gradcafe has been (as a long time lurker!). Now that the process is finally coming to a close for me, I feel like I NEED to pass it forward. Message me if you have any questions about the process -- more than happy to try and help in whatever way I can!
Program Applied To: MPA/MPPSchools Applied To: HKS, SIPA, McCourtSchools Admitted To: HKS, SIPA ($$), McCourt ($$)Schools Rejected From: N/ASchools Waitlisted From: N/AUndergraduate institution: top 15 national universityUndergraduate GPA: 3.76Undergraduate Major: Government, East Asian PoliticsGRE Quantitative Score: 163GRE Verbal Score: 166GRE AW Score: 5.0Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 4Years of Work Experience: 4Describe Relevant Work Experience: Worked in a think tank for a year and a half before moving over to a large political media company, where I currently work -- primarily in communications & media relations.Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I focused my essays around the HKS app. My first essay emphasized my experiences working at a political media company during the 2016 campaign and how frankly pissed I was at how blatantly ignored Asian American voters were during the entire election cycle -- and how the media didn't help amplify the importance of AAPI votes at all. My second essay focused on the experiences of working at the media company after Trump became president and how his attacks on the media and press have affected our abilities to do our job on a daily basis.Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Sadly didn't get to read any of them, but I got three recommendations -- one from my current boss, one from a previous supervisor, and another from a relatively prominent reporter who I worked with extensively at the media company. Honestly, I was a little worried that I didn't include an academic reference, since I just didn't have any strong ties to my college professors etc. But thankfully, that didn't seem to matter too much in the end!Other: Struggling between choosing between HKS (with no scholarship + tons of loans) and SIPA (which is actually a lot more expensive than Harvard but gave me a bit in scholarships). Can't really complain though, since I'm beyond grateful this process worked out well and is now close to over!
