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alli707

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Everything posted by alli707

  1. I messaged you and @educationmatters! Hope we can connect soon.
  2. I would also recommend SAIS if your end goal is IR/think tanks. In terms of quant-heavy curriculum, I've talked to so many alums from different programs, and a common theme from them was that they wished they took more quant-heavy courses as it provides a lot of skill building opportunities. I've also heard from professors to not shy away from courses that you may not feel naturally inclined to, as it provides you with a more well rounded graduate experience. Hope this helps!
  3. That's a shame. I attended in person a couple years ago and they did a really good job in talking about research and the breadth of opportunities with faculty and the school in general. They had a alumni, current student, and faculty panels. I remember people didn't think they talked enough about financial aid at the in-person session. I just found some of my notes about it, so let me know and I can share some information if you are still planning on going. I just submitted my intent to register for Fall, so if anyone wants to connect, let me know!
  4. I don't understand your last sentence - what do you mean by "taking into possible better experiences into lower standing"?
  5. I'm having a hard time because I am still waiting to hear back from one school locally that I applied to, but the other school I got accepted to would require me to move. Technically the out of state school would be cheaper, ultimately (since it's public vs private), but I'm worried about moving to a new location when there's a possibility to not get the chance to meet new people and network in person. However, I've put off grad school for a few years now and I feel, for me, I need to go this fall. I am not wanting to stay much longer at my job as it's not relevant to public service and feels superfluous somewhat, and the job market is not going to be good. I also know that some people are considering full online programs at this point but I'm not sure if that would work for me. Anyone else in a similar situation of debating moving during all of this?
  6. I'm planning to reapply for this Fall (still accepting applications but not for I would follow up with them. I am reapplying this time so I know they are still reviewing applications until July, but if you applied back in December, you should have received a notice by now. Maybe there was an error in their system? Anyone attending the virtual admitted student day? I'm still having my application reviewed and would love to hear about it. I had attended 2 years ago when I was first admitted to USC, but I know they have revamped their program a bit, so if anyone can provide me with an update after, I would appreciate it! Thanks in advance!
  7. Are you currently in LA right now? Where are you based? I will say as someone who has been in LA for 2 years (still not very long), but someone who initially turned down USC due to the cost, I have met so many people from USC in workplaces around the LA area, that the network is honestly very apparent and strong. I initially thought the network couldn't be as good as they said, but it does make a big difference. If you are thinking about staying in LA and cost isn't an issue, I would recommend it. Do you have any specific types of research and/or specialization you want to focus in? Is that a big factor to you or is it mostly location/cost?
  8. Hi all! I appreciate this thread. A bit about me: I am about 7 years out of undergrad (UC Davis), with work experience in the nonprofit sector, education, politics, and private sector. I am going back to grad school to gain more policy experience in climate change policy and ecological governance, so I can work on policy issues addressing climate change, inequality, and civic engagement after graduation. I have some advocacy and campaign experience, as well as some sustainability experience, but looking to deepen my skills in these areas. Two years ago, I had applied and was accepted to USC's MPA program but didn't receive any funding, and so unfortunately could not see a way to pay for it so had to decline the opportunity. I also moved to LA at this time. This cycle, I only applied to UW Evans (accepted, no funding) and UC Berkeley (rejected). I am now reconsidering USC, since out of state tuition at UW Evans would bring tuition to close to USC and I have been living in LA for two years now, so have started to build a network here. The first people I met here, many of them were USC alums or current students so I definitely can see how strong the network can be. Before I had attended a class and loved the professor's style and liked the other students. I would have to reapply, but they are accepting applications (without scholarship consideration) until July. I would love to visit UW but with the coronavirus concerns, will probably won't be able to. One of my biggest concerns is cost, but my second biggest concern is course content, flexibility, and the network. I really appreciate the diversity in LA and the diversity of the faculty itself at USC and want to make sure I ground my policy studies in addressing inequities as it relates to environmental issues, and I feel like USC has more of that social justice focus and communications than UW (though I could be completely wrong, again I've been to USC and spoken with more students than at UW). I also really like USC's certificate options in Sustainable Policy and Public Policy Advocacy that I would pursue if attending. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to proceed? I am not completely guaranteed a spot at USC, but since I received admission before, I feel pretty confident. If anyone has any insights or challenges to my assumptions, that would be great. Thoughts?
  9. I received my rejection letter by email. Best of luck to everyone still waiting and congratulations to all who received acceptances!
  10. Me too! Yes I don’t think funding decisions have been announced. I’m thinking it might be in the next week or so?
  11. Hi all- lurker here. Congrats to everyone who has received acceptances! I only applied to two schools this round- Evans MPA and Goldman MPP with intended focuses of environmental policy - and I don’t think any decisions have been sent out yet. Has anyone applied to these schools and heard back yet? I’ve been having anxiety dreams this past weekend and now I’m wondering if I should’ve applied to more schools. Very nerve-wracking!
  12. Hi Folks, Thanks for this thread. I would love some feedback/thoughts. Targeted Start: Fall 2020 Schools Applying To: Goldman (MPP), Cornell (MPA - Environmental Policy), Duke (MPP - Environment Policy), The New School (MSc in Environmental Policy & Sustainable Management) Also Possibly Applying To: UCSD (MPP- Environmental Policy), UCSB Bren School (Environmental Management), NYU Wagner (MPA - Public & Nonprofit Management & Policy), Ford School (MPP and possible joint degree with SEAS), UCL (MPA - Environmental and Climate Policy) Very Maybe Applying To: UCLA Luskin (MPP) and WSS (very long shot) Undergraduate institution: top UC public school Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 Undergraduate Majors: International Relations Study Abroad: Granada, Spain - one semester GRE Quantitative Score: retaking in Nov - right now I'm trying to get at least a high 150s but right now averaging more low-to mid 150s GRE Verbal Score: retaking in Nov - average 159, may be able to get into low 160s. GRE AW Score: retaking in Nov - last time received 4 or 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 5 Years of Relevant Work Experience: 4 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I have less relevant experience for policy/government, but have good amount of experience in nonprofit, sustainability, and politics: 3 years nonprofit consulting and full time nonprofit work including grant writing and program evaluation, ~1 year sustainability work (at community college as Fellow), 1 political campaign election season leadership experience. About 8 years including undergrad experience in advocacy and community service through various social justice organizing fellowships and campaigns. I also have some private sector and entrepreneurial experience I could leverage that isn't directly related to policy/public service, about 2 years, co-founding a social enterprise and working in HR/recruiting at a major Fortune 500 company. Languages: Basic-intermediate level Spanish (will probably not highlight) Quant: I have done some quant research through my program evaluation work. My grades in undergrad weren't great in my econ courses, but did considerably better in my statistics courses. I also was a stats tutor my sophomore year in undergrad. Strength of SOP: Still writing/drafting - this is my biggest worry in addition to the LOR. I want to highlight my interest in climate change policy and environmental justice work, and my interest in working across sectors to address these issues (have multisectoral experience). I have written an SOP before (got in and applied to USC Price a couple years ago - see below). I also feel like I have more strengths while writing about my goals from a MPA standpoint (ie leadership, entrepreneurial efforts) than MPP but I do want to improve my quant skills in order to address major policy issues. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): I have reached out to the lead consultant I partnered with in the 2.5 years of my consulting experience. I am planning on reaching out to my undergrad professor (Sociology) as he was critical to my interest in advocacy and social movements. I also intend on asking my former supervisor (who is a community college professor) while I worked as a Fellow and Sustainability Coordinator - she wrote one of my LORs last application session. Other: I applied to USC Price MPA program 2 years ago and got in with no funding, didn't know you could negotiate so I deferred and then turned it down due to finances. I am trying to get at least some funding/assistantships I'm applying for. Questions: Any thoughts on my competitiveness to the programs I'm looking at? I also need some help narrowing the field so to speak as I work full-time currently - while I want to apply to all listed, I don't think that's possible. I'm specifically looking to go to grad school so that I can build/strengthen the skills I need to work in the climate change policy field and looking at programs that have a critical practical project/applied learning element so any thoughts on my choices as well are much appreciated.
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