Applying to: NYU Wagner MPA, Chicago Harris MSCAPP, Syracuse MPA, UCLA MPP, Carnegie Mellon MSPPM, Michigan MPP, Berkeley MPP, Princeton MPA
Admitted to: NYU ($$), Chicago ($$), CMU ($$), Syracuse ($$$$), UCLA, Michigan, Cal
Rejected: Princeton
Undergrad institution: Non-HYP Ivy
Undergrad Major: Political Science
Undergrad GPA: 3.71
Years out of undergrad: 4.5
Quant Background: 1 Econ class, 1 Calc class, Stats courses through 3000 level, several years of work experience in a data role
Relevant Work Experience: Worked on a major political campaign, I think my private sector work is sort of functionally relevant
GRE: 168 V/154 Q/4.0 AWA (Didn’t retake because of COVID, only sent to Princeton)
Strength of LOR: I didn’t read them, but they came from a college professor I’m very close with, a boss of several years, and supervisor at a volunteer role of several years
Strength of SOP: I poured my heart into these! And asked for multiple rounds of feedback from my smartest and most merciless friends. I talked about my commitment to promoting equity in cities, especially housing justice, and the possibilities and limits of data and technology in supporting this goal. Extracurriculars/Leadership: Several years of volunteering and organizing with community groups
And after much agonizing I chose (drumroll) NYU Wagner! This forum was so comforting and fun. I really appreciated reading everyone’s thoughts (echoing van_96, @GradSchoolGrad you're a mensch).