Thirteen

Yup, I really don't think any of these degrees are worth going into significant debt for so I will be taking a paycheck to get my MA. Maybe see you in CA in a few months!

Yeah the wording wasn't clear in the award letter but I also reached out and confirmed the full funding offer still stood. Thanks for the reply.

Program Applied To: MPP and IR Schools Applied To: UCLA Luskin (MPP), USC Price (MPP), Duke Sanford (MPP), WWS (MPA), Tufts (MAID), Georgetown (MA Asian), GWU (MIA), UCSD GPS (MIA) Schools Admitted To: UCLA Luskin (?), USC Price (1/2 tuition), Duke Sanford (32k/year + TA), Tufts (16k/year), Georgetown (None), GWU (6k/year), UCSD GPS (Full ride + stipend) Schools Rejected From: WWS (MPA), Still Waiting: None Undergraduate institution: Midwest private school Undergraduate GPA: 3.7 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.8 Undergraduate Major: Political Science, minor in History GRE Quantitative Score: 153 GRE Verbal Score: 159 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2 years Years of Work Experience: 2 years Describe Relevant Work Experience: Joined the Peace Corps in China directly following graduation. During undergrad I interned with the State Dept. in DC, the State Dept. in an embassy in Europe, and completed an internship with a member of the EU in Brussels while studying abroad. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I was pretty happy with my final product, which only had a few updates from my first draft. Started with a story of my interests, transitioned to why I am applying to this particular school (naming concentrations I plan to study and student groups I wish to join), then moved on to my past experiences. Felt that it was a little review of my resume but in greater detail. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I guess pretty good? I reached out to 2 former professors a year after graduation to update them of what I have been up to since graduation. Followed up again in the fall asking for their LOR. Also went to a former internship boss who I have stayed in contact with over the last few years. Other: I was worried about my GRE quant but with everything else it didn't seem to have a huge impact on my admittance. However, I think a higher score would've helped me secure funding at more schools. I'll be attending UCSD as I want to focus on China, I'll be closer to family, and the simple fact that I will graduate debt free.

Question for those that also received full funding from UCSD, did your financial award letter reflect this? I received an email a few weeks ago notifying me of full funding + stipend but on the letter I received yesterday it only states that I have been given California tuition fees. Does money to cover the rest of it come from another source? Did they make a mistake in either of the emails? Curious to hear from others @Ajb415 @hammyc @TheSAfiltercoffee

Coming from: Finishing up 2 years of Peace Corps Service, joined immediately after obtaining my bachelors. Deciding Between:  Narrowed down to - Duke Sanford- MPP: $32,000 off tuition for both years, plus $4,000 TAship. Tuition and fees would be about $36,000 for the two years plus living expenses. - UCSD GPS - MIA: Full tuition, including fees, plus $1300 stipend per month during the academic year. Stipend wouldnt fully cover living expenses but help tremendously and could be covered easily with savings. Other factors: UCSD: My sister lives SoCal and it would be a lot easier for my parents and her to spend time together (see them 1-2 times a year now), a focus on China which I am really interested in, and beautiful weather. However, the class sizes are larger and most graduates go into the private sector (I want to do public) Duke: Pay for a new laptop and internship over the summer, seems like a tight knit group due to smaller class size, good connections to DC. However, far away from family even if its only another two years (with a tougher time getting out to the west coast later) How I’m Leaning: Head: UCSD Heart: Duke Wallet: UCSD What do you think? I know Duke is worth the debt but is it worth going into debt when I can get paid to go back to school?

I'm in with 32k/year + a TA. Did not expect this much funding which makes this decision process even harder!

32k plus TA here too! Amped.

International Environmental Policy and Chinese here. Good luck with UofWash!

Don't worry, it's an email from a faculty member you listed you would be interested in working with on your application. I had a few Peace Corps friends receive an email earlier this week but I didn't get mine until today. Here's hoping that the professor who is supposed to reach out to you is just a little behind!

I was an early decision admit but am still waiting to hear back about financial information. Definitely near the top of my list though, maybe see you in the fall!

Nice work, maybe see you in the fall!

I got an email last night while I was asleep (in Asia) and I'm in. A huge weight off my shoulders as Fletcher is one of my top choices. For those interested my stats were 3.7GPA, 159V, 153Q, 4.5AWA, a PCV with intermediate Mandarin, and 2 State Dept internships. Now gotta wait for scholarship $ in the coming months but it's great to get that first acceptance!

Hey irinprogress, I appreciate your detailed response. I'm sure you know how nerve-wracking this process can be! I'm currently in the process of refining my applications but your words are reassuring. Thanks!

Hello, I am looking at a few schools that have an average GRE Q score of 158 while I scored a literal average (50%) of 153. Would that likely be a rejection? I'm currently a Peace Corps volunteer who has had two internships with the State Department, one with the EU, and a strong research interest. My verbal score (159) and GPA (3.7) are a little higher than their averages. I really dread shifting focus from my PC work to restudy for the GRE, do you think a retake is necessary? I am applying for a Masters of Public Policy. Thanks, I appreciate it!

Anyone able to give some advice here? I am looking at retaking the GRE in early November to boost my quant but am not 100% on that (expensive on a PC budget and less free time in the coming months.) Thanks for taking a look.

Hi everyone, I've lurked for awhile but after taking the GRE today, felt like I could get some great feedback from you all! I appreciate it Program: MPP/MPA/MIA Schools Applying To: HKS, Princeton MPA, SIPA, Fletcher, UCSD, GWU, Duke Sanford, Possibly Georgetown MSFS? Interests: China's foreign policy and/or environmental policy Undergrad Institution: Respected but not amazing private school Undergraduate GPA: 3.7 Years since Undergrad: Right now 1 year, have another year left of Peace Corps service Undergraduate Major: Political Science GRE: V 159 / Q 153 / AW TBD (took it today) Quantitative Courses: intro to micro (A-), intro to macro (A). Not sure if a GIS class and 2 “quantitative reasoning” classes are relevant Age: Soon to be 24 Languages: English and intermediate Mandarin Work Experience: Currently a Peace Corps Volunteer just eclipsed the halfway mark. 2 Internships with the State Department (1 in DC, 1 at an embassy) Internship with a member of the European Parliament in Brussels LORs: Most likely 2 professors who I had taken a few times and received As. A former internship boss. Possibly someone from the Peace Corps? SOPs: Not started yet but I want to continue to study the Sino-US relationship in some capacity. Biggest strength is my international experience (3.5 years by the end of PC) and how it has shaped my perspective on life. I have used the three internship experiences to say I’ve seen how foreign policy is conducted from the US domestic side, the US government abroad’s approach, and how another actor t(he EU) conducts their affairs before in some personal statements (albeit in a more eloquently worded manner.) Concerns: Low GRE quant is my biggest fear. I studied for it for about 3 months but focused much of my attention on verbal since my first practice test I scored 147. Language - although I can survive doing every day things, I definitely can’t discuss international relations in Mandarin. I know Fletcher, GPS, MSFS require a high level to graduate. How strict is this? Is it plausibly to continue studying the language on top of other coursework? Would appreciate any feedback you have. Am I setting my sights to high? Thanks!