GradSchoolGrad
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Everything posted by GradSchoolGrad
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Do you care what country you end up in? -
I am happy to speak more directly to your questions about Fletcher, but I previously commented about this in detail here:
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So I think you would make a very strong candidate even with the increased competitiveness of this year. Some notes: 1. Why Tufts Fletcher? - in my opinion (and it is a controversial opinion) - it is a school that will struggle in the future 2. Why are you not considering programs in Europe? London School of Economics or Oxford MPP (at least as another option)? I say this because your biggest weakness is work experience. Oxford MPP might be a good alternative - especially for IGO pathways.
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EdD or Phd? / Now vs Later? (Higher Ed Administration)
GradSchoolGrad replied to Cheeseman's topic in The Lobby
Well... PhD and EdD cater towards 2 different communities. PhD targets those focused on research interests (including those straight from undergrad). EdD generally targets those who are professionals seeking to get a doctorate level degree. It is not that one is better than the other, but more like they look for different people. If you enjoy research, go for PhD NOW (don't waste time or career potential). If you don't know you want a doctorate, then work a bit and then you can always swing back to EdD or PhD. That being said, EdD's are generally viewed as second class doctorates by many PhDs and Higher Education.- 1 reply
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Totally unscientific, but all the Europeans from my grad program always referenced Sciences Po as such for Europe. I honestly never heard of any other European grad program held up as the place for broad academic policy research outside of Sciences Po (like yes, German schools will research German topics and etc.). In all fairness, our European population was disproportionately French and Spanish.
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You are asking a really unfair question. The better question to ask. What is the best government affairs program for XYZ purpose. The one with the broad based brand overall in English speaking areas is likely Oxford. IR in terms of security issues, I would argue Oxford as well. The one best for working with IGOs in Central Europe may I dare say Graduate Institute in Geneva (Granted I'm sure that is controversial. Central Europe Specific would probably be Hertie School Analytical Academic Research - Sciences Po See what I'm getting at? (and I'm sure someone would disagree with targeted identification, but generally agree I'm on the right track) Same story with US schools - it depends on what you are trying to aim for career wise / education access wise.
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This is for Public Policy related grad programs. Please post in a more appropriate thread.
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If you want more details about why McCourt MPP has issues -->
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1. I think you are uniquely diverse and that will help you with your admissions in any top tier program. Granted it might be extra competitive this year, I think you should apply for the top programs and see what happens. 2. I still think the Data focused Policy Master's programs are better fit for you than an MPP. FYI, Carnegie Melon Heinz has a DC campus, so I recommend you look into that as well. 3. The MPP program at Georgetown struggles to have a professional culture and has all sorts of programming issues (a lot of people who run it are academic who don't fully appreciate how to prepare their people for the professional job market). Additionally, it has a really bad legacy student culture where you being ambitious is looked down upon because it might make other people feel bad (this is very uniquely American thing in some pockets of America, and sadly it is in McCourt MPP). In contrast MS-DSPP is ran by Dr. Bailey, who has extensive professional experience and professional collaboration and is simply better suited to support a professional like yourself to achieve career goals.
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I think you are in terrific shape to apply pre-COVID. As I tell everyone, this year will be more competitive than normal - no one knows how much more competitive. So whereas I would normally say you have a good shot previously, I can't be as certain currently. If you identify: a. what country you are from b. what countries the bulk of your career has occured c. what country you went to school at That might be able to help me assess how "diverse" you are and possibly give you a better assessment. That being said, from what you are telling me, it sounds like you are aiming for the wrong degree (or maybe not the best fit). If you want to go full tilt data, I recommend you consider policy focused data master's programs. Some good ones are in: a. U. Chicago Harris b. Carnegie Melon - Heinz c. Georgetown - McCourt (their Policy Data Master's program is really good... their MPP - I would strongly recommend against)
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That actually improves your chances because it makes you more unique. It doesn't matter if your background relates to policy or IR. You just have to show academic ability, genuine intrerest, and ability to make an impact in an organization you are in.
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I am embarrassed to say that I never knew what Sciences Po was until I started actively posting on this forum (after graduation and over 8 years in the policy space - including international related policy). Bottom line, outside of academic + super international spaces, no one the US knows what Science Po is - even though in the policy space. Probably not really applicable to you coming from India... but those are my two thoughts.
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There are some specialty funding programs available for Peace Corps - not so much Americorps. Ultimately, they view it in the lens of diversity. If there is a lot of you as applicants in that application cycle, you are no longer distinct as being diverse in terms of background. However, if they are looking for more Peace Corps folks due to lack of representation of that job experience, then you become more diverse, and they might be willing to pay for you. Ultimately, every year is a crap shoot, because the numbers and type of applicants tend to change. This year, I would expect A LOT of peace corp alums applying to grad school due to the job market situation, so I imagine that that would work against you.
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Given your latest information. I think that if you redo these 3 things you might a more decent shot at Harris + the better environmental programs 1. Don't apply this year (it is crazy competitive with increased applications) 2. Take the GRE and get amazing scores (90 percentile plus) 3. Get promoted in your job in a leadership / managerial position
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I think those are great options, but I don't think @MrPants can get in most of those schools you mentioned. I mean, I am not as familiar on how those schools runs their admissions, but I know the resume of people that come from those programs. Maybe I'm missing something here as I am. not as a familiar, but the person does not seem as competitive.
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Well the indicators were that the main schools you were applying to were on the West Coast. If you are trying to move out of California, I recommend you pick a litany of schools that match where you want to go regionally. I can't assess your chances with Harris unless I know more about you - as in do you fulfill any other diversity categories? Are you the first in your family to go to college? etc.? Traditionally, especially in a higher application cycle year like this one, the answer is absolutely not. However, you might be unique enough if there is more that you aren't telling, the story could change. I think if you took the GRE and got amazing scores, your chances might improve decently. I understand the GRE is optional, but that doesn't mean GRE scores no longer have any impact. It just means they are restricted to assess you based upon what you provide. Honestly, there might be significant questions about your ability to graduate, especially since your quant classes are at a basic level vs. they want you to have coming in. Strong GRE scores will offset somewhat. However, not sending GRE scores signals not being able to or unwillingness to rectify a weakness in the application packet. Not to sound mean, but being a candidate and actually being outstanding graduating senior are two different things. I lost my Student Government election by a few votes once. I don't put that in anything. However, strategically, I recommend you pick schools that are more aligned with you future relocation interests. One unknown for me is your interest in environmental science. In East Cost and West Coast schools, environmental science interested students are vastly over-represented (not as much as education folks - but not that far behind). I can't speak for Harris and Midwestern schools. One thing to think about is maybe you would be better served seeking an Environment management or related degree rather than an MPP/MPA.
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Why Chicago? If you have no desire to leave the West Coast, going to Harris-Chicago doesn't really make sense for you.
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So @Latte machiatto does have a really strong point that if you do care about return on investment in your degree, you better have a good game plan to: A. Target career options that have great earnings potential (if not immediately, at least a great trajectory) B. Target career options that will actually hire you given your work gap (I mean if you are not signing up to be a census worker or poll worker or some alternative easy job right now - you are missing out) - granted there might be some level of understanding due to the situation, but you are coming off disadvantaged. otherwise, you could get in a prestigious program (which I still think is really unlikely) and struggle with career opportunities. MPPs/MPAs have landed non-traditional MPP/MPAs jobs regularly and I have seen it up front. Examples - Facebook Product Manager, Ed Start up, and etc. So I would say there is some room for versatility if you work your but off. However, traditional routes from MPP/MPA school jobs have been vary based upon hiring trends. With Non-Defense federal hiring down for the past 5 years or so + drop in IGO/policy oriented non-profit budgets, there aren't as many opportunities as previously. It could swing back up next year with a new administration, but only partially at best. I wouldn't bet your career on its unless you have done your homework and know what you are targeting - career wise. I do disagree with the comment about how "they will take you if you hand them money". Yes, grad schools want tuition dollars. However, what they want more are quality students that will elevate the reputation of the program + add to the alumni base + can actually graduate. Like I previously mentioned to @GoldenLight2020, there is a lot of unknowns going on with different "top tier" schools and their attitudes towards applicants with COVID. However, however forgiving they might be, it won't matter if there is a surge of applicants that do have work experience that will be tiered higher than you. Honestly, what makes your case more difficult to present to an admissions committee is that you were unemployed in December not April or May. That means you can't for being unemployed in December, just blame it for staying unemployed.
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If you have perfect GREs (and I do mean perfect), you might have a shot at Oxford or Cambridge MPP. Those programs arguably values academic performance more than professional experience. As long as you come up with a compelling story about your lack of work experience (like more than COVID... and not studying for LSAT) --> you might have a more reasonable shot than the big names in US MPP/MPA country.
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So the answer is no one knows because we haven't been through something like COVID-19 before. That being said, 1 big question will be if you have been productively doing something between Dec and now, be it volunteering, working for the census bureau, or something. Generally speaking, an undergrad with no work experience comes with a disadvantage for top MPP/MPA programs bar none. Ball-park speaking, with the exception of HKS and Princeton (which pre-covid had next to none straight from undergrads who didn't have some sort of special sponsorship), top programs had a ballpark of 5-10% straight from undergrad (major exception being UVA Batten, which tends to lean higher with straight from undergrad - people can debate of it is a top tier program or not). With you, you have under leveraged time, which will be seen as a negative unless you can justify that time with things other than employment. No matter what, all indications are that the odds are going to be even more stacked against you as grad school applications for many programs are going up to surging. MPP/MPA programs won't publish their applications generally speaking, but MBA programs do. Not a perfect proxy for MPP/MPA, but it serves as an indication. The amount of slots available is shrinking as the schools have to cater to deferrals, special population programs (like the 5 year program, designated sponsorships, and etc.). Bottom line, feel free to apply, but odds don't look good if history is an indication.
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Academic Dishonesty Advice
GradSchoolGrad replied to tigerlily112's question in Questions and Answers
So the honest answer is that it depends on school. I highly doubt a more competitive school willing to take a risk on your especially given how this year is expected to have a surge of applicants across most programs. What makes this more troublesome from an admissions perspective is that this happened in the fall rather than your freshman year (then you may have a more plausible excuse of immaturity and etc.). If I were you, I would go into the workforce, built up your reputation and then go to grad school in a less competitive graduate cycle and highlight the honor issue as a indiscretion of youth that you have grown beyond. I used to be in an honors and ethics board at my University and we fully acknowledged that when there is notation on someone's personal record for honor violation/cheating, be it via the registrar's office or some sort of back office means, it likely limits the student's graduate school opportunities moving forward as a realistic consequence of future career trajectory. I don't now what you student conduct services will issue you, but at my University, at a minimum you would get some sort of notation that follows you for least a little bit. -
Easy way to figure this out. Which place has the professors that: A: interest you more B: are more accessible
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What I am increasingly noticing is how therapy (or should I say quality/expensive therapists) are being treated as scarce luxury items and some are leveraging their utilizing of such therapists (beyond legitimately medical need) as a means of signaling status. Been a witness to a a few "who has the best/more expensive/more scarce therapist" conversations before. It eerily sounds like people discussing who has the better luxury car or the classier diamond ring. Have you seen/thought about/discussed this more recent phenomenon in modern life?
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If your goal is to get into the best PhD program possible - get a PhD now. Instead of consulting us, you really need to talk to a Political Science professor. I think you should be good to (if not in the best position) to get a PhD now. It saves you the and money. Additionally, you have a stellar GPA. Say you get a 3.5 GPA in your Masters', that can hypothetically limit your PhD credibility on your application.
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@mangoachar So for international development - ed/policy programs, you might want to consider going to and international development program and focus on ed rather than end and focus on intternational development. Same deal if you want to go think tank. You'll be better off going to an MPP or IR program and focus on ed because you simply have much more rigorous quant data training.
