JiHoo

Thanks for the input Moods! Good luck to you too ☺️

I am applying to a mix of professional and research-based academic programs, about 10 in all, with an additional 2 or 3 scholarship applications that require LOR. I don't need all of these tailored, but there is no central service (like LSAC) that allows the letter writers to just basically submit the letters all at once. The writers would have to go through one by one. This could be quite a bit of work I'm assuming, and I am worried I would be imposing a burden. Are most professors used to this type of thing, or in my case is it really going beyond the norm? Any advice on how to go about asking for this?

Just speaking about the GRE itself...the time pressure aspect of the test is a huge deal. If you didn't study much under timed conditions then you didn't study optimally and I suspect you have a lot of room for improvement, even if you did plenty of practice questions. I used Magoosh as well and I think it was very helpful, especially for the huge bank of additional test questions (that you should of course work on under the right conditions!)

Hi Ray! The programs basically say that applicants can submit their scores if they wish, but that they are not required. It was worded pretty much just like that, with no mention of being preferred. I was thinking, my verbal and writing scores are high enough that they might stand out and be a small plus on my applications, but then I thought about my quant score and wonder if that might go the other way. I don't think the quant expectation is so high at the non-PHD level in this field, but I still wonder about it...

I am applying to a few MA political science programs that don't require the test, but say applicants can submit their score if they wish. Does anyone know if scores really help in this case? Or is it just something that can hurt more than anything if there's a weakness in it? This is relevant to me because I scored quite high in 2 areas, but substantially lower in the other. I don't know if my verbal (99th percentile) and writing (98th) scores would make it overall a positive to submit my score, or if my lower quant score (around 60th) makes it detract more than anything. I have 170v/156q/5.5 aw

Hello, I have worked in public service and non-profit affairs for the last 10 years, and am now applying to some Masters-level political science and public policy programs The policy programs basically ask me to write about my experiences and motivations for applying, which is clear enough to me. However, for the political science programs , I am asked to write a 1-2 page statement of scholarly intent (or something to this effect), which should be independent of any autobiographical personal statement, and should discuss my main research interest and the main question I'm interested in examining as part of the program. I have been out of academics for a while and am not really not sure how to approach this. Like, do I outline what my thesis would be and the specific design and components of that (e.g. 'I would like to start by defining terms x and y, and establishing their casual such and such to ___)"? Or should I just discuss the issue I'm interested in without going deeply into how I would actually go about studying/writing on it? Any help on this would be appreciated!

Thank you bness! ☺️

So, I'm wondering if I should apply to Princeton's MPP (1-year program for mid-career'ers) or MPA program (2 year program). On the one hand, I have about 10 years full-time work experience in policy (although only 8 of those were post undergrad) and am in my early 30s, which are both a bit higher than the usual for the MPA program. On the other hand, in experience and age I think this is slightly lower than the norm for the MPP program, so I'm kind of in between. Also, although I have high verbal and writing scores, my quant score of 156 is lower than virtually every MPA student's (according to the admissions guide), but not nearly as comparatively low for the MPP. The 1 year vs 2 year isn't so much of an issue for me as both fit with my goals and interests in some way. It's more a matter of which I would have a better shot in. I worry that with my quant score applying to the MPA would virtually be blowing any chance, even though my experience is probably strong for that program. Thanks!

Any thoughts about what to apply for when it comes to a school like Princeton that has a 1 year executive style program (MPP) and a 2 year program usually for people with less experience?

Thanks UPD! I hope so ☺️

Thanks for that!

Congrats! Would you mind saying a bit about the type of experience you have? Anything particular that mightve balanced out the quant score?

Talked to a past applicant the other day who said 156 on quant makes it almost impossible for HKS MPP and WWS MPA , anyone know if that's true?

GPA: 4.0 (BA) GRE: 170 V/156 Q/5.5 Writing (I think in percentiles that was 99/60/98....note the quant score) Work Experience: 10 years in public policy/government work. Moved up gradually to leadership positions. 1.5 of the years I worked full-time while in school though, not sure if that still counts as WE although it was the exact same tasks as when I did the job after graduation. Volunteer Experience: 10+ years in various roles, from just assisting to the head of an org. Volunteered abroad in 3 different countries, with time ranging from a month to a full year in a remote area. Languages: English plus a basic level (not fluent) in two other languages. Programs: I would like an idea of my chances at programs like HKS, WWS (both MPP and MPA), Yale Jackson, SIPA, NYU, Georgetown, and any other notable ones that there are. I have thought of applying to MBA programs too, although these wouldn't be as tight a fit with my career and also I would likely do even worse on the quant part of the GMAT. I've done perfectly fine in statistics and quantitative research methods courses but just can't nail the type of quant on the GRE/GMAT. I am probably a few years older than the average applicant at these programs, though I think I kind of blur between being more of a fit for the standard program or the executive ones. My quant is rather low for many of the top programs and I've been told this will make it much harder at those, though from looking at the guidebook for Princeton's MPP program I see it might not be such a major blow for that (as opposed to their MPA).

Hey thanks for that response ? I was thinking I may fall into the executive category (I do have leadership experience and not just lower level stuff), but from little I know so far the options for funded executive programs seem rather limited (granted I think they're on the shorter side, so less pricey). There is Princeton's (the MPP), and that seems amazing, although I'm under the impression that is exceptionally hard to get accepted to. Are there any other notable executive policy programs? I guess on the brighter side, from what I've seen quant demands are a bit lower for executive programs. When it comes to the standard programs, those more typical for people with 2-5 years of experience, I know of HKS, WWS MPA, and SIPA (I've been told the first two are pretty much out due to my 156 quant) . Am I right in thinking the major programs are offered through here? I am trying to compile a list of programs, both executive and non-executive, so any others that posters here have in mind would be great, especially those realistic for a 156 Q. And right now I'm going to search around here to see what I can find!