ampp2020

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP, MPA, MPAff Schools Applied To: Harris, HKS, WWS, UT Austin Schools Admitted To: Harris (50% tuition), HKS, UT Austin (full scholarship) Schools Rejected From: WWS Still Waiting: Undergraduate Institution: large state school Undergraduate GPA: 3.5 Undergraduate Major: communication GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: 155/158/4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 Years of Work Experience: 3, 4 with internships Describe Relevant Work Experience: internship with a federal agency, tfa Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I thought about these for 6-8 months before apps were due. I organized my thoughts and put them on paper pretty close to the deadlines, but it was helpful that I had thought through what I wanted to say. The hks blogs were really helpful in planning how to craft my sop. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I reached out to 2 formers bosses and a professor. I hadn't finished my sops but I gave them a general rundown of why I was going back to school and what I hope to accomplish in the future. Other: Don't count yourself out! My stats are not amazing but I am so glad I put myself out there. I also had a typo in my hks sop and thought it ruined my small chance of getting in. Reread your personal statement and let other people read it so that doesnt happen to you..but if it does, know that one typo is not the end of the world. If you can't really articulate why you want to be a part of these programs, you should probably reconsider applying. Harris gave me 50% and I could have used my UT offer to negotiate more, but I chose not to. HKS interviewed me for a CPL fellowship. Don't make yourself believe the answer is no unless the admissions committee has told you no! Grad Cafe is a super helpful tool, but don't be discouraged by some of the stats you see on here.