Larzipan Speedwreck

All, I'm interested to hear input from folks who decided to do an MPP or policy-focused MA IR degree after being in the workforce for some time (especially those of you who were in a policy-related role prior to your graduate work). In particular, I would be eager to hear your experiences on any of the following issues: 1) How many years of work experience did you have before you entered your program? 2) After completing your degree, do you feel that you gained substantive new skill sets? In other words, did you feel you came out equipped to be even more successful in the policy arena than before your degree? 3) In terms of debt, it seems that many of the mid-career folks on this forum seem to recognize that debt can, in some ways, shape your post-masters options as much as the degree itself. How did you rationalize this debt vs. current income scenario and, again, was it worth it in the end? 4) One of my major concerns is finding a program where my cohort will bringing significant experience with them. With all due respect, I'm not eager to find myself in a program that has a great deal of very smart recent undergraduates with little practical policy or relevant professional experience. The obvious answer would be to attend an Executive or Mid-career MPP program, however, the number of years of experience that I have places me in the awkward zone between a regular MPP program and a mid-career program. 5) Finally, for those of you that chose a policy-driven MA IR program instead of an MPP program (e.g., SAIS, Fletcher, Fordham IPED, etc.), again, was it worth it? Or was it a waste of time and resources relative to the professional trajectory you had prior to your grad degree? A great deal of questions, I know, but any input on any of these questions would be highly appreciated and hopefully of benefit to others, as well! Thank you.

Thank you both for your input. It is much appreciated.

All, First post on the board. Appreciate this as a resource as I conduct my grad school search. I’m seeking your input on my admissibility tovarious programs that are frequently discussed on the board. I recognize that you’re not the admissions committee(s); however, perhaps you can lend me some perspective on my MPP prospects. First, some background: Undergrad: Graduated from the University of Washington’s Jackson School of International Studies with a degree in International Studies (2006)Work experience: Since 2004 (started 1.5 years before I graduated), I’ve worked at a policy consulting firm, working my way up to one of the lead analysts. My job is fantastic, takes me all around the world, and permits me to engage in substantive international policy issues. However, the job is no longer the challenge it once was, I feel a deep desire to learn again, and I would also liketo upgrade my skill set and resume with an MPP. I believe this counts as strong work experience in an area directly related to an MPP. Also, all of the colleagues that I work with have Masters or PhDs. LOR: Very strong LOR from professors that I continue to keep in touch with as mentors (one of which thanked me for my research assistance in abook recently published by Stanford – not trying to be a jerk by mentioning this, just trying to provide some perspective on the quality of the reference), as well as LORs from the Chairman of my firm, senior leadership of high profile trade lobbies in DC, and, if needed, policy specialists I work with in various federal agencies. Also, many of the letters of reference would come from Gtown and JHU grads.GPA: Horrific. I had my fair share of struggles in undergrad (mostly medical), but the bottom line is that my cumulative GPA is 2.65. For perspective, the last four quarters came in at 3.645, so I can show some significant improvement relative to earlier years. Also, some of my best grades toward the end came from graduate-level courses.GRE: Unknown. Going to take it later this year. In terms of schools, I am targeting MPP programs at GPPI, GWU, American, Sanford, GPPI, JHU, UMD, and any other decent MPP program. I'm focusing on staying in the DC area. So, can you all please provide me with some perspective? Am I hosed based on GPA, or will my nearly 6 years of policy-specific work experience, plus very strong LORs carry the day? From my perspective, I would hope that admissions committees would take the “proof is in the pudding” approach seeing as I have multiple years of working at a level where many MPP grads would start after they graduate. However, I do get thrown by many of the “You need a minimum 3.0 undergrad GPA”-type statements one frequently sees on admission FAQs. Many thanks in advance for your input. Please let me know if there are any other details I can furnish to paint a more complete picture.