BK297

I also received my funding notice today, and it was pretty generous. I'll be there for the admitted students day on 3/25 to see in person and hopefully get a better feel for the program

Deciding between: Brandeis Heller (MPP) - 75% funding Northeastern (MPA) - 20% funding (cheaper sticker price though) Cornell CIPA (MPA) - 50+% funding Syracuse Maxwell (MPA) - awaiting funding I am Boston based, and am thinking about being in the Northeast (and probably New England specifically) long term. My interests are in domestic social policy, and more towards policy analysis than program administration. Brandeis Heller is attractive because the program lines up with my personal interests; policy analysis within domestic social policy is their bread and butter. They seem to have a generally good reputation in the New England area among policy folks. Northeastern's public affairs programs are not what they're most well-known for, but they have a good institutional reputation and name recognition in Boston, and a deep university alumni base (although that's more in general than specifically in public affairs). They also have big emphasis on work experience, between both co-ops and internships, which I like. Cornell has the best institution name recognition of any program I was admitted to, so trying to figure out how much that's worth. Their MPA curriculum is customizable and flexible, which I like. Not sure how I feel about spending two years in Ithaca. Trying to learn more about their program outcomes and such. Maxwell seems to have a strong program, and a good reputation among those familiar with it. Program is only 12 months (or 18 months if I want to do a summer internship), which is kind of a plus. Lived in Syracuse for a year already, so familiar with the city. Curriculum is a little more rigid than I'd prefer, but not a huge issue. Thoughts on any of these schools and my decision? Thanks!

Hi all, hope folks browsing through find this helpful: _____________________________________ Programs Applied to: MPP/MPA Schools Applied to: Harvard Kennedy (MPP), Princeton WWS (MPA), Cornell CIPA (MPA), Syracuse Maxwell (MPA), Brandeis Heller (MPP), American (MPA), Northeastern (MPA) Schools Admitted to: Brandeis Heller (75% tuition), Cornell (bit over 50% tuition), Syracuse Maxwell (waiting on funding), Northeastern (20% tuition), American (no $$) Schools rejected from: HKS and WWS - applied thinking of them as "reaches", so rejections were disappointing but not surprising Undergrad Institution: Decent (top-40) but not top-tier liberal arts college Undergrad Major: Political Science and Spanish Undergrad GPA: 3.36 GRE: V-163 / Q-163 / 5.5 Writing Years out of undergrad: 4.5 at time of application, 5+ at time of enrollment Years of work experience: 4 at time of application, ~4.5 at time of enrollment Relevant Work Experience: Lots of nonprofit; 1 year in postgrad volunteer corps (direct social services), 1 year at a health policy and advocacy org, close to 2 years in philanthropy. LOR: Generally good I think, most emphasizing my critical thinking, research, writing, and commitment to public service. One from professor, one from former boss in health policy, and a 3rd from personal contact who works in social policy, who I haven't worked but who knows me very well on a personal level. SOP: Not amazing, but relatively strong I think. I'm a good writer, and focused on genuine and demonstrable commitment to public service, with a clear case as to how these programs would help me achieve my goals. Customization was limited. Other: Took an undergrad-level stats course before applying, to help shore up lack of quant background. I am currently Boston-based, generally see myself in the Northeast (probably New England specifically) long-term, which was reflected in my school choices. Thinking back, Brown's MPA program may have been one that I might add to the list if I were to do it again.

They said March 18 was the earliest that funding decisions would come out, and that those decisions would be released over the next couple weeks (not all at once, from my understanding)

What are your thoughts on Cornell's MPA porgram? I applied there a little late, and am trying to learn a little more about them, so interested to hear any specifics about their program that you like.

What do you mean by softer applicant numbers? Are there fewer applicants this year?

What are your thoughts on American's program? Admitted for MPA, and trying to learn more about them

Just found out I got into American as well. Any thoughts on their program's strengths and weaknesses?

I applied right around their Feb 1 priority deadline (I think the day of, maybe a day or two before), and received a decision email on February 28. Good luck!

From what I can tell from poking around, seems like it's usually either on the day, or within a day or two. Don't think they'll release anything all that much earlier

Hi all, Didn't see a specific thread dedicated to the Maxwell School, so figured I'd start one. Anyone else been accepted and/or considering attending for the MPA program? Seems like a good program from what I've heard, and trying to weigh the pros and cons of their shorter, more intensive schedule.

That decision of preferred school vs better funding is a tough one. I'm also interested in the Social Policy track, which seems to be Heller's real strength. I am waiting to receive other school decisions before making my own acceptance decision. Heller is the first decision of mine to come in, and will probably have more over the next several weeks, so will get a better idea of my options. I'm definitely planning to attend one of their admitted student days.

Sure, no problem. For reference, I got a lot of $$$ from them too. _________________________________________________ Undergrad: BA in Political Science and Spanish at decent but note elite (top-40) liberal arts college GPA: 3.36 Quant background: Not much - took one introductory econ course as a sophomore, got a B-. Got an A in a 'Math and Politics' course that was in the Math department, but probably too light to hold much weight for this. Took an undergrad statistics course in the fall to help this category, got an A grade. GRE: V-163 / Q-163 / 5.5 Writing Work Experience: About 4 years of work experience, nearly all nonprofit; 1 year in postgrad volunteer corps (social services), 1 year at a health policy and advocacy org, coming up on 2 years in philanthropy. LOR: Solid recs, probably not outstanding. One from professor who knows me, one from former boss in health policy, and a 3rd from personal contact who works in social policy, who I haven't worked with but who knows me very well on a personal level. SOP: Relatively strong I think, focusing on genuine and demonstrable commitment to public service, with a clear case as to how these programs would help me achieve my career goals ____________________________________________________ In general, I think my good GRE scores and work experience balanced out a meh transcript. Other things that probably worked in my favor specifically for Brandeis: I am particularly interested in domestic social policy, which is their bread & butter; Social justice lens on my end, and they're big on that Not sure how much it mattered, but I am also local to the Boston area, and my current workplace has good local name recognition On another note, I notice that you have a deferred admission from American. I also applied there, so interested to here anything you might have to say about their program.

Hey all, Got an acceptance for the MPP program at the Heller School, at Brandeis University. Anybody else either enrolled, completed, or considering it? Heard from one other person on here a while ago, but would be good to hear from others about what you think of the school and program.

@eyesclosed - Can't speak to the MPH, but I know that MPA programs do look for some evidence of quantitative ability. You mentioned lower grades in calculus, so that combined with middling quant GRE score might give them some concern (although depends on what you mean by lower; C- would be more concerning than a B-). Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but just a factor they'll look at. If you have anything quantitative in your background that would help ease those concerns, definitely highlight that.

Applied to HKS as a "reach", figuring I have a chance, but not a very good one. Undergrad: 3.36 GPA in Political Science and Spanish from a decently good liberal arts school. Limited quant experience, really just one econ course that I got a B- in, so I took an undergrad-level Stats course this fall, expecting to get an A or A-, so hopefully that helps. GRE: 163V, 163Q, 5.5 AW - pretty solid, hoping that 163Q alleviates some concerns about my quant qualifications. Work experience: 4 years of nonprofit experience in a few different capacities, including a postgrad volunteer corps. Essays and recs both pretty good, not amazing. Commitment to public service is quite good. My hope is that my commitment to public service really shines through in my experience, recs, and essays, and that despite so-so undegrad stats, my GRE, recs, and recent Stats course convince them that I can handle the coursework. Like I said, applied to give myself a shot, but I expect it'll be tough odds.

Hi all, I feel like I have a decent idea of where I stand, but always welcome more feedback. Applying to: MPP/MPA programs. Schools: HKS, WWS, Maxwell (Syracuse), Heller School at Brandeis University, Cornell, Ford School at Michigan, Wagner School at NYU Undergrad: BA in Political Science and Spanish at decent (top-40) liberal arts college GPA: 3.36 - not great Quant: Not much - took one introductory econ course as a sophomore, got a B-. Got an A in a 'Math and Politics' course that was in the Math department, but probably too light to hold much weight for this. Currently finishing up an undergrad level Stats course, and expecting to get an A or A-, which I hope helps. GRE: V-163 / Q-163 / 5.5 Writing Language: Proficient in Spanish Work Experience: Just under 4 years of work experience, all nonprofit; 1 year in postgrad volunteer corps (social services), 1 year at a health policy and advocacy org, 1.5 years and counting in philanthropy. LOR: Should be pretty good I think, most emphasizing my critical thinking, research, writing, and commitment to public service. One from professor, one from former boss in health policy, and a 3rd from personal contact who works in social policy, who I haven't worked but who knows me very well on a personal level. SOP: Relatively strong I think, focusing on genuine and demonstrable commitment to public service, with a clear case as to how these programs would help me achieve my goals Thoughts: So-so GPA and lack of quant experience are my biggest issues, which I know make me a pretty long shot at HKS or WWS. I'm hopeful that my GRE scores and anticipated 'A' in Stats course help alleviate those concerns. I think my commitment to public service is strong, and the programs I'm applying to all seem to value that. Any and all thoughts welcome. Thanks!