Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): Columbia SIPA MPA, Cornell CIPA MPA, Harvard Kennedy MPP, NYU Wagner MPA, Princeton WWS, Yale Jackson Institute MPP Global AffairsSchools Admitted To: Columbia ($$$), Cornell ($$$), Harvard, NYU ($$), Princeton ($$$$), Yale ($$$$)Schools Rejected From: NoneStill Waiting: NoneUndergraduate Institution: small, fairly competitive liberal arts collegeUndergraduate GPA: 3.85Undergraduate Majors: Political Science/International AffairsGRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: 163/167/5.5Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3Years of Work Experience: 3+Describe Relevant Work Experience: government/NGO internships, Peace CorpsStrength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Strong. It took a lot of time, but I wrote a different SOP for every single school to make sure I aligned with the type of candidate they were looking for. In each, I told a story and made my drive to continue working in public service clear.Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Very strong: 2 professors/mentors from college who I did substantial work with and my Country Director who knows me incredibly well.Other: Despite taking limited quantitative courses in college, I used my quantitative resumes, SOP, and optional statements to make my quantitative abilities clear.
For future applicants: it is worth taking the time in the fall to write separate essays for each school and submit them at the earliest deadline (by December for most). I think that helped me get acceptances and funding. And aim high! You are more competitive than you think you are. Good luck