SciGuy720

Totally! It wasn't until after I posted that I realized submission dates would've been helpful. I applied prior to 11/30. It's my understanding (based on prior McCourt threads) that this November 30th "deadline" is new for them but it did mean they were announcing some decisions in mid January.
I have been trying to piece together reasonable decision timelines based on the respective program threads from prior years so I'll include my application dates below.
Chicago-Harris- Applied: Early Action (11/26/18) Decision: 1/7/19 (Phone call from admissions representative, phone calls began on 1/3. Official letter posted to portal 1/9 w/ funding info)
Georgetown-McCourt- Applied: 11/29 Decision: 1/15 (Letter w/ funding info on portal. Alerted of portal update via email.)
Texas-LBJ- Applied: 12/15 (Round 1) Decision: TBA (Based on prior threads, it seems that R1 decisions are typically released the week of Valentine's Day w/ funding info 2(ish) weeks after)
USC-Price- Applied: 12/15 (Scholarship Deadline) Decision: TBA (Based on prior threads, it seems that R1 decisions are typically released the week of Valentine's Day)
Duke-Sanford- Applied: 1/5 Decision: TBA
HKS- Applied : 12/3 Decision: Early March (according to HKS website)
Best of luck to everyone as decisions start to come in!

Totally! It wasn't until after I posted that I realized submission dates would've been helpful. I applied prior to 11/30. It's my understanding (based on prior McCourt threads) that this November 30th "deadline" is new for them but it did mean they were announcing some decisions in mid January.
I have been trying to piece together reasonable decision timelines based on the respective program threads from prior years so I'll include my application dates below.
Chicago-Harris- Applied: Early Action (11/26/18) Decision: 1/7/19 (Phone call from admissions representative, phone calls began on 1/3. Official letter posted to portal 1/9 w/ funding info)
Georgetown-McCourt- Applied: 11/29 Decision: 1/15 (Letter w/ funding info on portal. Alerted of portal update via email.)
Texas-LBJ- Applied: 12/15 (Round 1) Decision: TBA (Based on prior threads, it seems that R1 decisions are typically released the week of Valentine's Day w/ funding info 2(ish) weeks after)
USC-Price- Applied: 12/15 (Scholarship Deadline) Decision: TBA (Based on prior threads, it seems that R1 decisions are typically released the week of Valentine's Day)
Duke-Sanford- Applied: 1/5 Decision: TBA
HKS- Applied : 12/3 Decision: Early March (according to HKS website)
Best of luck to everyone as decisions start to come in!

Thanks for getting this started! Here are my responses, best of luck to everyone as decisions start coming in
Program Applied To: (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.) : MPP or MPA (depending on school) 
Schools Applied To:  Chicago-Harris (MPP), Georgetown-McCourt (MPP), Texas-LBJ (MPAff), USC-Price (MPP), Duke-Sanford (MPP), HKS (MPP)
Schools Admitted To:  Chicago-Harris ($$), Georgetown-McCourt ($$)
Schools Rejected From:  
Still Waiting:  Texas-LBJ (MPAff), USC-Price (MPP), Duke-Sanford (MPP), HKS (MPP)
Undergraduate institution:  Small public-liberal arts college in New England
Undergraduate GPA:  3.54 (Grad: May 2013)
Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable):  N/A
Undergraduate Major:  Secondary Education- Chemistry (Biology Minor)
GRE Quantitative Score:  159
GRE Verbal Score:  165
GRE AW Score:  5.5
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable):  6
Years of Work Experience:  6
Describe Relevant Work Experience: I have been a high school science teacher and coach since graduating from undergrad so any work in Government/Public Affairs will be a significant shift.
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc):  My SOP focused on how the skills I gained as a science teacher could be applied toward work in Energy/Environmental Policy. I made sure to reference specific deficiencies in my background that I felt could be addressed through the pursuit of graduate studies at their school. I would say it was a solid, if unremarkable, SOP that gave the admissions committees a clear sense of why I want to pursue a degree at their school and what I hope to accomplish after graduation.
Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): All three LORs were professional given how much time has passed since I finished undergrad. I tried to pick a diverse group of recommenders who had seen me work in a variety of capacities (high-level admin, direct supervisor, colleague) and could discuss my intellectual capabilities as well as my leadership potential. I have worked closely with each individual for the past 3-5 years.
Other: My undergraduate studies were pretty heavy on quantitative courses (Calculus, Statistics, Organic Chemistry (I & II), Biochemistry, Calc-based Physics, Microeconomics, along with several other science electives). I'm not sure if this matters but I felt that some level of quantitative history helped my application (no way of knowing if this is true).