hammyc

Hi everyone! I was recently featured on a cable news program in my country, commenting extensively about issues I am looking to study in an MPP or professional program. My question is if this kind of experience matters to admissions committees? And what would be the best way to put this across in my application? Through my resume or SOP? Is it something that people would recommend I do, or is it too self-aggrandizing? Thanks in advance!

@hardikpokhrel The Big 4 are Duke Nicholas, Yale F&ES, UCSB Bren and UMich SEAS.

I'm also thinking about SPEA. But I'm applying already applying to 3 of the big 4 env. management programs, so I'm going to apply to a few policy-focused programs as well, such as Columbia SIPA and American SIS,

Hello. I'm looking to submit a bunch of applications in the next couple of weeks and I'm not feeling so great about my SOP. I'm looking for feedback and criticism to tighten my SOP before submitting. I'm applying to a bunch of environmental management programs and MPP/A programs, with an environmental specialization.

You should check your email again. Maybe in Junk. And you should do it quickly. The deadline I got to complete the interview was Dec 21. I received the invitation immediately after submitting my application. The interview is a quick three questions -- two verbal, one written. About your motivations in the environment, commitment to your community, etc.

I haven't! Plan to do it later tonight or tomorrow. I don't know why but I'm pretty nervous about it. Between the three, which is your number 1 pick?

It's almost priority deadline day for Yale FES and Duke Nicholas. Anyone else applying? And any other MEM or MPP/MPA programs environmental policy?

Hi everyone, As the title states, I currently volunteer at organization A. My former supervisor at org A has since moved on and is now at org B. In my application, do I list his position/title+organization at org A or org B? I will put my relationship with him as "supervisor at org A". Thanks for the input.

@AGReyes Thank you for the response and feedback! It's been really helpful! I think I may drop SAIS and Fletcher from my list. (I really want to give SIPA a shot.)

I'm hoping to see if anyone has any input on my chances?

Hey @worldleader2018, I'm in the same boat. I'll be applying to both SIPA and SAIS and both have early notification deadlines of 1 Nov. I wanted to try rushing for it but I was busy prepping for my GRE and with work. I just decided that I'm going to drop the rush to make early notification, to ensure my application is as strong as possible. I think that's the best decision for me at the moment. Good luck in making your decision!

Hi everyone! I just took the GRE this week and I feel like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. I'm happy to put the GRE prep aside to focus 100% on my applications. I'm looking at applying to Environmental Policy/Management programs for the Fall 2019 cycle. I have unconventional work experience, which is why I'm interested in what people think my chances are at the top programs. It's worth noting that for all the MPP/MPA/MGP/MALD programs, I'm looking at focusing on climate change/environmental/energy policy. I'm an American citizen, raised and living in Malaysia. Schools I am Considering: Yale F&ES (MEM), UCSB Bren (MESM), Duke Nicholas (MEM), Columbia SIPA (MPA), JHU SAIS (MA), American SIS (MA), GWU Trachtenberg (MA), Boston U Pardee (MGP), UCSD GPS (MPP), Tufts Fletcher (MALD), Syracuse Maxwell (MPA), Cornell CIPA (MPA) Interests: Energy, climate change policy. Both local and international. Undergrad Institution: Low-ranked West coast State school Undergraduate GPA: 3.18 Years since Undergrad: 5 years Undergraduate Major: Environmental Studies with a concentration in Earth System Science GRE: 159V, 163Q Quantitative Courses: Mostly C's for: Statistics Calculus Introductory Microeconomics Introductory Macroeconomics Mostly A's for: Physical Processes in the Atmosphere and Oceans Remote Sensing Earth’s Climate System Bioclimatology Age: 28 Languages: English, Malay, Basic Chinese (Cantonese). Awards, Publications, Etc: Op-Eds on climate change and sustainability published in major national newspapers in Malaysia and regional Asia-Pacific environmental publications. No other academic publications. Work Experience: This is the biggest concern I have for my applications. While I majored in Environmental Studies, and intend to pursue a career in Environmental Policy, I've spent the last five years in an entirely irrelevant industry. I have no paid experience with environmental science or policy. However, I have a solid 1.5 years of volunteer experience with a youth climate change policy NGO, with 1 year of leadership experience and traveling to two major UN climate change conferences. 5 years working at a major, global Public Relations agency. 1 year of leadership experience, as a PR Manager. 1.5 years of volunteer experience with a youth climate change policy NGO, with 1 year of leadership experience and traveling to two major UN climate change conferences. LORs: Strongest LOR will be from my current boss, the Managing Director of the PR agency I work for. We have a good relationship and he will write a strong letter about my character and strengths in a professional setting. Relatively strong LOR from the founder and advisor of the youth climate change policy NGO I currently volunteer at. He will be able to write about my work and dedication to the NGO over the past two years. My weakest LOR will unfortunately be from my climatology professor. I did well in two of his classes (A's in both) and briefly assisted in a research project of his. I've emailed him and he's mentioned he's happy to write a LOR, but I'm unsure of how strong it will be. It's been more than five years since I last spoke to him. SOPs: I've begun on a framework for my SOP, with focus on my experience with the youth climate change NGO that I currently lead, weaving in a narrative of how my five years of experience at a PR agency has primed me for grad school and how I can integrate my communications know-how into climate change policy. Concerns: I'm concerned about 3 parts right now: My irrelevant work experience. Several factors led me to take a job in Public Relations five years ago, and I've just been stuck there ever since. I'm hoping that while irrelevant, I'm able to highlight how it's prepped me for grad school. I'll also be banking on my NGO volunteer experience to balance it out. My LORs. I'm concerned about 2. the founder and advisor of the youth climate change policy NGO and 3. my climatology professor. #2 has asked me to draft pointers for him to write the LOR, which is very disconcerting, and #3 is someone I've lost touch with, only recently emailed. My GRE scores. Unsure if 159V, 163Q is competitive enough for the schools I'm looking at. Thank you to anyone who's read the entirety of this. Going to grad school has been on my mind for a very long time, and now is the time for me. I'd like to give myself the best chance possible to get into a school I like. Please let me know if I'm aiming too high with the selection of schools. I know 12 is a lot, but it's been difficult to shortlist, considering how I've researched all the programs and have found things I like in all of them. If you have any advice on narrowing the number of schools to apply to (I'm thinking 6-10 schools), please let me know. Thanks so much!

@bness2002 Thanks for the response!

Hey folks, I'm thinking of applying to the MA early notification, but my application isn't exactly as complete as it should be. I'm still in the midst of getting my LoRs together, drafting my SOP, not to mention taking the GRE on the 10th. On top of all this, I've got a job that takes up about 60 hours a week. My question is if early notification is worth rushing my application or not? Thanks!

@TheOfficeFan @tropisk_winter Hey I was just wondering if you folks got in? If so, would you be able to share some info on how well the MPP caters to your environmental/climate change focus? I'm looking at focusing on climate change policy as well.

I'm hoping someone is able to shed some light on the differences between the Columbia SIPA Environmental Science and Policy program and the Environmental Policy and Management program. Apart from ESP being an accelerated 1-year cohort-centered program, how does it compare to the EPM concentration of the MPA? For some background, I have experience of tracking negotiations at the UNFCCC Climate Change conference and I'm interested in continue down the path of working in international climate policy negotiations.