Kaz_KV

This is super helpful - thanks! Just curious, should I largely focus on research fit/interests in the SOP? I know that's the norm with social science PhDs but I was unclear about if 'stem' fields had different expectations (due to some advice I received from a friend in an engineering phd). Appreciate the help!

Hi all - thanks for the help in advance. I can keep this pretty short. I am a second year MS in Data Science student but I am now looking to apply to Biostats PhDs this fall. My background is pretty atypical, so I wanted to see what others thought about how I should approach this. My undergrad is in Public Policy, with a minor in Math (and History lol). I've taken the necessary prerequisites (Calc 1-3, Diff EQs, Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Discrete, Math Stats, etc.) as well as a lot of 'applied' stats and ML that isn't explicitly rigorous, but has been good prep in R/Python/SAS. I've TA'd some stats classes and worked as a Research Assistant for some social science profs helping clean their data, but no experience doing stats research. All A's in my math and stats courses so far (both undergraduate and graduate level). That all being said, I don't have nearly the math background as a Math or Stats major, and I'm not totally sure admin committees will buy that I'm sufficiently prepared/interested in Biostats. So like I said, I'm wondering if anyone has thoughts on how I should approach applications. Should I dedicate a chunk of my SOP to convincing admin committees that I have sufficient math prep? Or, should I take a year and do a predoc/take more math classes? Happy to hear any thoughts and appreciate the feedback. Thanks everyone!

cyeager decided on DSPP. I'm really down to the wire on this one but plan to probably make the same choice. Congrats on you MSPPM-DA decision!

Hey everyone, does anyone know when they will release fellowship awards? In my letter I was nominated for a certain fellowship but have since not heard anything. My decision is pretty dependent on cost so I can't really consider Luskin until I they release decisions.

Good to know thank you!

Thanks! And yeah a lot of this adds up to what I had expected. It's also particularly hard to judge since I don't know a student's undergrad major (i.e., if he majored in stem). Would you mind sharing what kind of preparation your friends entering into PhD programs got while at Heinz? Feel free to PM me but I'd love to know if they took a pretty standard path or worked to augment/exempt a chunk of their curriculum.

@dspp_grad Here is the resource I found for Heinz grad specific roles from 2019 and 2020. Let me know if the links don't work. https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/heinz-shared/_files/img/career-services-pages/employment-reports/msppm-da-2020-web-employment-report.pdf https://www.heinz.cmu.edu/heinz-shared/_files/img/career-services-pages/employment-reports/msppm-da-employment-report-may-2019.pdf You're absolutely right that the majority of grads take roles as Data Analysts, but I was nonetheless surprised to see more than a few Data Scientists. Your point about McCourt's strength in DC and in the specific roles I'm looking at is exactly why this decision is so hard. Since I do want to be in DC and work at research orgs like the ones listed, I am by no means ruling out McCourt. However, PhD admissions is crazy and any leg up in quant is something I want to take. Not only does CMU let masters students take PhD courses at Heinz and across departments, but they explicitly mention in their handbook a PhD track that allows MSPPM-DA students to take upper level undergrad math (I never got to take Real Analysis) and do an optional thesis with a faculty member for elective credit. Definitely pros and cons at each school. Thanks for all this additional info - it's definitely shed some helpful light on McCourt.

Great point - thanks for this info! It is definitely a relief to hear your cohort has been doing better.

These are great answers - thank you @dspp_grad and @woolscarves. I definitely had the impression that the DSPP was more data science focused, however I'm somewhat concerned with the employment prospects of its grads. When I reached out McCourt said the employment rate after 6months was 75%, whereas Heinz's was 94% for the same period (class of 2020). In addition, Heinz lists the roles and companies of their grads and I was shocked by the number of grads getting roles as data scientists in high profile private sector firms. But believe me, I went to undergrad in DC and have a great network there - I'd love to stay I'm just a little cautious and trying to learn more. That being said, I should have clarified that I am not interested in private sector data scientist roles. I'm actually interested in earning my PhD in Public Policy post-masters (this cycle didn't go well for me) so am really interested in being able to take PhD courses at Heinz. My interest in data science is similarly connected to my interest in policy research. I'd like to work more before trying for my PhD again and I'm aiming for pretty quant driven policy research positions at places like Mathematica. Pretty serious data science might not be necessary but in my experience it's always better to over-quant than under-quant. But thanks for the help everyone! This information has been super insightful.

Thank you so much for doing this! I'm a recent MSPPM-DA admitted student and I was wondering if you could address the curriculum. My worry is that the program is too management focused (not a real problem, just not what I want) and not enough data science (as opposed to data analytics) / statistics oriented. I took a lot of statistics courses during undergrad and really love it. Do you feel the Heinz curriculum will allow me/students to build on prior statistics skills? Additionally, are students capable of leaving and becoming true Data Scientists with a robust skillset?

I reached out and asked for more specific numbers for the DSPP 2020 grads and was told 75% were employed after 6 months. Again, that's a pretty frightening number. Heinz published their numbers for the Data Analytics track and 35 people graduated, 33 responded to the survey, and 28 people reported having offers after 6 months. That number is also low (85%), but it appears to be that 3 of the 5 without jobs are continuing their education (likely PhD bound), and 2 are still job seeking. Just some numbers for the DSPP program and what I think is an interesting comparison...

Thanks everyone who contributed to this - I am also trying to make a decision between these programs. Could anyone clarify on how data science-y the MSPPM-DA at Heinz is? Given the titles, I am wondering if the DSPP is more data science focused, while the MSPPM-DA is more data analytics focused. I'm currently leaning towards Heinz because (1) I'm worried the two stats classes at McCourt won't be enough (I really like stats); (2) Everything I hear regarding McCourt. However, the Data Science focus of the DSPP is appealing... Thoughts? Does Heinz have enough pure data science opportunities? Thanks everyone!

Thank you this was all very helpful information. I specifically appreciate the advice about McCourt. Ultimately, while I still plan on applying I do understand how competitive and difficult admission straight from undergrad will be. However, I do think it still makes sense to apply and see what happens. So far, most of the programs have said they'll wave application fees so it's not like I'm taking a huge financial hit in doing this. If I get rejected, hey I mean it was worth a shot. Should I get rejected, or should I be admitted and decide against enrolling, I will simply just enter the job market. Thanks again for all the help. I do really appreciate the candid advice. Stay safe!

Thank you for your input, I appreciate your feedback. If I may, I'd like to respond to some of your points. 1. I understand the point about MPP vs. PhD. This is something some of my professors have pointed out as well. However, after speaking with the directors of Public Policy PhD programs, many have told me they do in fact prefer applicants who have MPPs. Additionally, many of the programs require, or strongly prefer, previous graduate degrees. As mentioned in my original post, I am also looking the possibility of getting an MS in Applied Econ. On a separate note, I want to mention that I do not plan to enter academic research. I am more interested in Government/Non-profit research and would prefer getting an MPP, working for a few years, and then pursuing a PhD. This is for personal/family related reasons as well. 2. After speaking with MPP students who came directly from undergrad, I have only heard positive experiences. I completely understand how it may be difficult to get in, however, and am willing to accept rejection and enter the job market. 3. I must admit I was a little taken aback by your comment that my list is all over the place. I feel as though I should/can explain my thinking for each program: - Harris: This one is obvious - it's a pretty academic focused MPP. It offers strong quant preparation and is additionally very strong in Urban Policy. After speaking to someone from the admissions office, I have heard that I will be a strong applicant. - McCourt: Again, pretty strong quant focus. I have a large network in the DC area and am willing to continue building these connections. Last, there is also a thesis option which will give me further research experience. - Ford: I plan on applying to the joint program to earn my MPP and MS in Applied Econ. Therefore, like the other programs so far, I'm interested in building my quant skills. However, this school is not high on my list and I do not believe I'd be a strong applicant since I do not have more professional experience. - HKS: Yeah I'm not stupid, I know this won't happen and I'm not going to try and make it. I only mentioned it because I few of my professors after seeing my profile recommended it. Not only do I know I don't have a chance getting in, I do not think it's a tremendously good fit for me. - UCLA: This program isn't a great fit for me, I'll definitely grant you that. However, the program offers a track in transportation policy which is the area in which I want to specifically study. One of my professors received his PhD here, spoke very highly of it, and recommended I apply. - Berkeley: You are correct that this selection did not make sense. It was a recent addition to my "considering list" and I think I will remove it. Thank you for the input. 4. I can definitely look into UVA, thank you. 5. As for the GREs, I am not sending them because due to COVID, I believe my scores are not representative of my profile. I have received an A in every math/quant class I have taken in college and therefore believe I demonstrate somewhat high quant skills. The schools I will not be sending my scores to are those with early applications (before I could retake the GRE) and have made it optional this year for precisely this reason. I want to reiterate that my low scores are an effect of personal issues stemming from COVID. I would prefer not to get too personal about the situation I have been dealing with but I hope understand what I mean. Certain schools have provided a test optional policy this cycle for precisely this reason. This is not me trying to avoid sending a crucial part of my application simply because I did bad. Thank you for the input. I will certainly take away the idea that I should consider more professional experience.

Hi everyone! I'm new here and would really appreciate any help. Applying to: Chicago Harris MPP, Georgetown McCourt MPP, UCLA Luskin MPP or MURP, Berkeley Goldman MPP, Michigan Ford MPP. In addition, my professors want me to consider Duke Sanford for the PhD program (since I want to do research long term), Harvard Kennedy MPP, and Johns Hopkins MS in Applied Econ. Undergrad institution: Slightly below top 50 in US Undergrad Major: Public Policy Undergrad GPA: 3.73. However, there is a significant upward trend as I have not received anything less than an A- since freshman year. Major GPA is a 3.87. I also fully expect for my GPA to increase by the time I'm applying to later application dates (i.e., anything after this semester) Years out of undergrad: I am currently an undergrad. Quant Background: Calc 1, several economics courses, two statistics courses, Decision Modeling taken through my university's graduate school. Relevant Work Experience: Research internship in my field with a very well known Think Tank. Full-time Federal Government Internship with a significant Department. Government Relations intern with a startup working in my field. GRE: I'm pretty embarrassed by this. 154Q, 158V, 4.5W. I will not be sending them where I am not required (Chicago, Berkeley, UCLA). I will also be retaking in time for later aps - though I don't know how much I can study given how busy I am now. Strength of LOR: 2 out of 3 should be strong. 1 will be okay but from a professor than can "explain away" an A- I received in an Econ course. Strength of SOP: Should be average. To sum it up, Chicago Harris is my number one. I will likely go regardless of funding since it's the best fit (I want to improve quant skills and work in urban policy / research). Do I have a chance at any of these programs? I know I'm fresh out of undergrad but I feel I have decent work experience through internships. Thank you for all the help!!