cactus_taco
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Posts posted by cactus_taco
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55 minutes ago, Westpolicy said:
Interesting assessment. The information from the WWS viewbook shows different data. Looks like a bit more go into international work for summer internships and first jobs.
Perhaps I am wrong! I'm basing my judgement on representation of current MPAs and admitted students, as well as conversation with advisors (on who used to teach there). The sense I got was that, within field 2 (international development), most "international" jobs are still US-based (mostly DC and NY).
@meshoome I am fully funded at both. I am a new american/immigrant, with domestic and international experience. This is my personal opinion and I urge you to speak with others: I was also concerned that the ID crowd would be a bit "stuffy" or "elite", and I loved the public service ethos of the wws. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I visited. Everyone I spoke with seemed down to earth, and critically interested in promoting the public good. Several people I spoke with were funded via extra funding (e.g. japan/WB, host country). There was, however, a fair bit of people coming in from ibanking and management consulting (mostly joint degrees), but even these had career aspirations to apply their skills to a developing context (e.g. impact investing). Honestly, the biggest difference in vibe was an intellectual and geographical one. I loved how the students at hks thought critically about what they were being taught in the class, and discussed the merits of different lenses of thinking. Perhaps this was more apparent at HKS because everything in the curriculum was directly related to development (and that's what excites me). The students at WWS were also brilliant, kind, and social. But I felt more comfortable and inspired by the international-nature of the students at HKS. When I say domestic circles, I mean careers focused internationally but based in U.S. offices. For example, the world bank headquarters in D.C. or Gates in Seattle. Perhaps this is the goal for many, but I am more attracted to field work/offices and getting closer to the people I am supporting.
I feel like I'm really talking down the woo. It really is a fantastic program. I have a rather specific career interest, so I'm leaning HKS. I guess, it really comes down to how much tolerance you have for debt, and if you can find something interesting to do for a year. I know you can easily defer your ID offer and look for funding. You might do some research and see if you can find a cool job. 65K is a lot still. On the other hand, an ID alum said no one he knew has ever regretted going there, so.. Best of luck!
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A nugget of info on admissions sent in thank you letters to references: 121 admits, over 70% with 4 or more years of work experience.
Hope someone on the waitlist is getting my spot!
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6 hours ago, JWSS said:
Hello! First of all, thank you all so much for your insight on the forum. It’s been so helpful throughout this process.
Basically, my dilemma is deciding wether or not to wait for grad school. I have two years of Peace Corps experience in the economic development sector (West Africa), as well as 6mo doing research for a UN agency (in China) right after graduating from college.
I got into a bunch of programs (SIPA, Wagner, Ford, McCourt), but all with $15-$20,000 aid. The best deal I currently have is $20,000/year at Chicago Harris, putting my tuition debt load at graduation around $62,000 (the tuition is cheaper and cost of living would be too). I want to go into public sector consulting or development consulting post-graduate school.
My my question is: is it worth taking Harris and accepting the debt? Or is it better for me to work another year or two and reapply to programs hoping for more funding? If I started this fall, I would be 27 at graduation. I’ve never had student debt before (I had effectively a full ride at undergrad), so the thought makes me nervous. That said I do have about $14,000 in savings and a car worth about $8,000, so that would definitely help offset some living costs.
I thought the decision would become clearer the closer I got to the deadline, but unfortunately it has not.
Thank you for your insight!
Hi! Tough choice. What are you hoping to get out of a graduate program? I am asking because I'm wondering if you need to go to grad school or can go directly into consulting. Maybe if you are lacking in quant skills, I can see how Harris can really help you out. It might help to think about what skills you can gain only in a school vs. on the job. With your background, you might already be competitive for a consulting gig (you could start in general management, and then move into their public sector practice, which would open up your options).
But if you are set on grad school (for the network, added degree if you ever want to work for UN/USAID types), I think you should also consider how the added year "fit" into your narrative. If you pivot back to the private sector, it might be harder to convince the policy schools you belong there vs. a MBA (which does not give much funding). You may consider doing something more "public" oriented in this upcoming year if you wish to increase your competitiveness. Perhaps a think tank? a field research/analyst position (like givedirectly, IDinsight?)
If you are kinda lost as to why/if you want to go to grad school, AND you can handle the debt, maybe you should just go... you can for sure still find a high payer job with a harris degree, and the network can set you up with new opportunities. A year post-degree is probably more valuable than a year before - so it's good to get through school asap! You can also explore outside scholarships for year 2.
Hope some of this makes sense.
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Hi, wanted to chime in as I am an admit to both of the programs and attended both visiting days.
1. I got a very strong sense that if you are admitted, you can handle the math. The entire first year is focused on core training. There is no need to spend another year of your life learning what you will be learning at hks (many students with strong Econ backgrounds found the first year redundant). I got the sense that the learning environment is very supportive and everyone gets through.
2. I got the sense that WWS is very focused on preparing students for domestic policy circles, meaning jobs in domestic policy or IR/idev jobs out of US organizations (gates, usaid). No professor from the idev field showed up at the hosting weekend, which was kind of disappointing. In contrast, hks is a hotbed of dev practitioners and academics. Honestly besides the money, wws doesn’t appear to have an advantage over mpa/id- both are small, tight knit, quant-y, with mpa/id being way more international and stronger in its ID curriculum (plus ability to take classes at MIT, HBS).
3. How much does money matter? Can you find something meaningful to do for a year while you look for funding - and would it increase your chance of getting funding? If so, sure! Otherwise, honestly if your parents can afford it (and won’t mind), you might be better off starting the program now and save this extra year for (hopefully more exciting/valuable) work experience after you graduate.
4. Are you thinking of applying directly to ph.d? If so, the added one year research exp makes sense. Otherwise, there might be less reason to wait another year (if funding is not a huge concern).
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I bet many mpa/id ers have sponsorship from their governments. I’m 50-50 between this and another program. Will decide soon though
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1 hour ago, nextgen2010 said:
Can anyone who has successfully negotiated an increased offer speak to when in the process they made their request? For example, in my position, I have multiple offers, some better than others, but all from great schools (SIPA, SAIS, Fletcher, etc.), any of which I think I'd jump at if they offered me a full ride (my best offer is 2/3 tuition at this point). My current plan is to visit all the schools during their admitted students' days over the next few weeks, and then after I really have a feel for which programs/places I truly prefer among my 5 options, reach out to the top 1-2 and ask for more funding. My parents think this is the right approach, as it will allow me to more honestly tell the schools that after visiting that they are my top options. The idea is that once the schools know that they are truly my top option, with funding as the only obstacle, they might be more generous/open to granting me more funding.
On the other hand, I could reach out right now to all of them asking for more funding, to match the 2/3 offer, but not necessarily indicating to them they are my top choice (I could also tell all of them they are my top choice but at first glance, that would seem a bit disingenuous. Although it is true to the extent that if any of the programs offered my a full ride they would immediately become my top choice.). The reason to do this would be if I thought that the schools might have a smaller pool of funding to draw from if I make my request in 3 weeks compared to making the request now.
Any thoughts?
I think you should send in your request now and ask to meet in person during the visit day. That way they have time to review it, and they know for sure you’re serious about them!
And if in the meantime someone ups their offer, all the more leverage to use that to get more money at your first choice.
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3 hours ago, islandsmile18 said:
Hi all and congratulations on your offers first! Thanks also for this thread - any advice would be much appreciated, I've been losing sleep over this.
Coming from: currently in a developing country in Asia, with several years of work experience in policy/think-tanks/non-profits. Only shot at grad school is if COA is free.
Choosing between: WWS MPA (full tuition++ - COA free), Stanford FSI MIP (full tuition++ - COA free), SIPA (full tuition), SAIS (full tuition) plus some others with less funding.
How I'm leaning: Torn between WWS and FSI. I won't be able to attend admit day for either. I was leaning towards FSI initially (small cohort, great funding, international networks, good location - but relatively new and less known public affairs program I feel). But also struggling to write off WWS (rigorous, focused policy program, world-renown, top notch peers - but domestic public service bent). I don't plan to remain in the US after grad school, and am hoping for a break in consulting, think tanks or govt back home.
Would appreciate any insight/advice, especially on the following:
1. Will WWS MPA serve foreign students as well as US domestic students in terms of professional connections and networks outside the US?
2. Any feedback on FSI's redesigned program? It was previously Stanford's IPS program. t's got a far greater IR component that WWS's MPA, but I'm more interested in quant, economics, and political economy than general IR.
Thanks and best wishes to you all!
Hi! Great choices. I share your concern about WWS, as I myself am trying to decide on the best place to go for a career outside the US (I didn't apply to Stanford. My other option is the kennedy's MPA/ID). Looking at your pros and cons, I think wws should get more credit for funding and cohort. maybe there is such a thing as too small of a cohort?? Every single student/alum from the wws mpa program tells me the community/individual attention is one of the best part of the education. I would also add that given the relative new nature of the stanford program, it has a weaker alumni base - which is a distinct disadvantage for networking. Though I think wws is a bit domestic-heavy, the selection of policy workshops, the fields of studies (3/4 are non-domestic), and career placement all suggest a high level of emphasis on international work. One of my goals going into the hosting weekend is to learn a bit more about the strength of its international coursework, and its "reach" outside the US (in terms of alum presence).
Hopefully someone else familiar with stanford can comment more specifically about the program!
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3 hours ago, MPA/MPP Applicant said:
I also hope we can get this thread going! I've been completely in my head these last few weeks trying to decide which school to choose, and I even wonder if I should choose one at all. The amount of loans I expect to take out, even with some funding, just boggles my mind. If anyone has an opinion about this, I would appreciate hearing it.
Coming from:
Bay Area, California; but I am currently doing a Fulbright overseas until July. I plan to study Social Policy, specifically education and welfare policy. I hope to work in nonprofits/public sector or research think tank after graduation.Deciding between:
- Duke (Sanford), MPP - $32k + $4k assistantship
- U Chicago (Harris), MPP - $25k
- Carnegie Mellon (Heinz), MSPPM - 50% tuition
- USC (Price), MPP - 50% tuition
- George Washington (Trachtenberg), MPA - $20k
- UT-Austin (LBJ School), MPAff - No $$
Other factors:
Unfortunately, since I am overseas, I won't be able to attend any Admitted Student Days. Honestly, my biggest deciding factor is minimizing debt, but I almost want someone to convince me otherwise. I have no family support and little savings, and I expect to take out the full cost (minus scholarships) in loans. I am still trying to negotiate funding for some schools, but it doesn't look too promising.Since this is my second time applying, with marginal increases in funding, I am considering pushing off graduate school until maybe years down the line, but I expect it to be more expensive, more competitive, and perhaps I won't get as much funding.
How I'm leaning:
I believe these schools all have strong MPP/MPA programs, and each appeal to me for different reasons. Harris appeals to me for its name and transferability across the U.S.; Heinz for it's strong quant/data science curriculum; Price for it's location on the West Coast (I prefer to be in the Bay Area post-grad); Trachtenberg for it's location and network in DC (where there are more orgs/nonprofits/gov't jobs); and Duke, obviously, for the stronger funding package. With no funding, I don't plan to attend LBJ.If anyone can provide some insight on comparing these programs, or whether these funding packages are competitive, or if you've visited these schools and especially liked/disliked them, or pretty much any opinion at all, I'd appreciate hearing it!
Hi! You look like you have a great profile. I second your thought that minimizing debt should be your top priority. Just a thought, have you submitted the aid reconsideration form to Harris? Given your offer elsewhere, especially Duke, there is a good chance Harris can up their offer. Getting 25k from Harris is no small feat!! You could specify an amount you're looking for (10k seems appropriate), and see what they are wiling to give.
I live in the Chicago area. It's not super expensive (rent near hyde park is very manageable), compared to the west coast. Plus Harris has a super strong domestic policy program. If there's anything specific to Chicago you would like to know, feel free to message me and I'll try to find the answer.
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Do we know when the wws programming starts on Saturday? In a similar situation, but going up to Boston instead for the mpa/id visit day on Monday. Friends tell me taking the train is the way to go.
I’ll be at sais too on Wednesday, but have not hear much about their open house.
Happy to travel together with others on the same schedule!
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Anyone going to the hks mpa/Id open house on Monday?
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4 hours ago, sherpa said:
Congratulations! Was this the MPP or MPA at wws?
MPA
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Wow I got the public service scholarship! I am befuddled... and puts it in real competiton with wws. can’t wait for the open house!
- coolguyz, noblelandmermaid and AnoIchi
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In for MPA ID as well! Wow, dream news after getting news from wws yesterday
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I got the email too! Wow someone read my application and believed in me!
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It varies. In past years, the site has said "around the 15th" but decisions were out earlier. Not sure about this year though!
I saw someone mention this SIPA blog post on the anxiety of waiting. I really liked the post. http://admissionsblog.sipa.columbia.edu/2019/03/09/the-waiting-game-2/
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Same! The last 3 weeks are the hardest. The wws blog is woefully bare compared to hks, which doesn't quite help settle admissions nerves.
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Finally made an account! In my opinion, the question is more to help the schools improve their recruiting strategy than to evaluate applicants. Knowing where else applicants are applying can help the school gauge who their "competitors" are, assess their standing, and adjust any recruiting methods to better stand out among all the schools. It seems unlikely that schools would punish applicants for casting a wide pool, and I think it's also a stretch for them to draw inference on who is the applicant's top choice/second etc. If you are a good candidate, each school would want to admit you! That is to say - don't stress too much about answering honestly vs. not. Do whichever makes you more comfortable. The impact on admissions might be minimal.
2019 Results
in Government Affairs Forum
Posted
Hopefully this posts helps out future applicants!
Program Applied To: MPA
Schools Applied To: Princeton (WWS MPA), Harvard (Kennedy MPA/ID), UChicago (Harris MPP), SAIS MA IDEV
Schools Admitted To: WWS (full tuition + partial stipend), HKS (full tuition + outside stipend), Harris (10k), SAIS (38k)
Schools Rejected From: N/A
Undergraduate institution: Ivy
Undergraduate GPA: 3.6 -3.7
Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable):
Undergraduate Major: Economics
GRE Quantitative Score: 164
GRE Verbal Score: 166
GRE AW Score: 6
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable):
Years of Work Experience: 5
Describe Relevant Work Experience: 3 year domestic work experience in consulting, 2 year international grassroots level development work. several internships during college abroad.
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): This is key! My biggest advise to future applicants is to take time to craft a compelling story. Have a story arch, tying together your background, work experience, reason for applying to grad school, and future career aspirations. The HKS blog has some useful tips (e.g. front load your thesis, use clear language). It's better to have a narrower interest than broad. Try to channel the aspirations of the people/sector/region you are passionate about - it makes your essay bigger than your own story. Also, start brainstorming a couple of month before the deadline. If you are applying to multiple schools, compare the prompts of each program and see how many "unique" essays you need to write. For the personal/diversity essay, try to focus on one aspect of who you are because the word limit is pretty harsh. For the memo, there are plenty of resources online. I didn't use any foot notes, and wrote in memo form. It's much better to write on a familiar topic than an impressive one.
Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): 1 current supervisor, 1 past supervisor, 1 professor. It's important to start this process several month before the deadline too! I found it very useful to write a "talking points" documents to each of my recommenders. I suggested a key theme for each person (slightly different for each, but complementary), and wrote several personal characteristics and provided supporting examples. This is a good opportunity to cover for your weakness. For example, I didn't take many math courses in college, so I noted to my recommenders to highlight my analytical skills (and provided examples). Start with an intro email asking if they would write you a compelling letter. then follow up with your information (talking points, your essay, deadlines etc. try to not overwhelm them with too much info). I don't know how the forms compare across schools, but I heard from my recommenders that HKS , Harris, WWS were pretty similar.
Other: Grad school application process is heart-wrenchingly stressful. My biggest advice: believe in yourself and go for it. I didn't think I would be competitive for the ID program (my scores and GPA are average at best), and I didn't feel that my profile was extraordinary enough to get into WWS. But I believed in my story. I tried my best to share my experiences, the voices of those who I want to support, and why going to school was going to help me help them. So, go for it! Apply to HKS, WWS if those are your dream. These elite institutions are not made for just elite people. You belong there too.
Decision: I had a disappointing set of interactions with Harris admissions. SAIS was great in doing outreach, asking 2 profs and 1 student to call me (btw, no funding to attend open house). WWS made me feel very special and at home (they offered to pay for your ticket up to 600 to attend the open house, but only from/to the same destination). HKS ID ultimately was the best fit for me (stingy with funding for open house in many ways vs WWS..). I personally felt the ID program gave me the right level of rigor, environment, and international focus. While I loved the other admitted students at WWS, I felt that HKS provided more growth opportunities.
In case future applicants are wondering - WWS sent a congrats email 2 days before the official announcement, HKS sent an "there's an update to your application..." email where you could click and see the decision in the portal. For both, the financial aid came a bit later (same day/next).
Good luck!