aw_ca

Hi, yes I had right about 4 years of work experience at the time I submitted my application. I worked in finance in a pretty demanding space, and was also in a managerial position. I think my work experience and essays put me in a pretty good position, but I also had a pretty well-rounded application package imo. I did get funding. Feel free to message me if you have more questions.

A few caveats first : I didn't apply to SIPA, but was accepted to Harris I am a career changer but came from finance In my experience, having come from a different background is totally fine and even possibly advantageous in your application. You just need to demonstrate your ability to succeed in the quant rigors of the program and connect the dots for adcom (re your career switch).

Hi ! Will message you.

I applied early action to Harris (and will be applying to a few more programs) with a low GPA and did not submit GRE scores. I'm happy to answer any questions regarding my experience and my application.

Just got the call and was accepted. Also was provided funding information.

Thanks for your feedback @GradSchoolGrad. Sorry if it was unclear or put in an incorrect section -- what I meant was that I don't have any direct relevant work experience as it relates to policy work. My work experience thus far has been in a heavy quant role at a banking institution. I essentially oversee our current team and have helped lead huge changes with respect to efficiency and cross-function work within the bank. Maybe I am overgeneralizing my volunteer experiences, but it is true that they don't necessarily overcome any hardship/challenges. Is there a way that I can appropriately highlight these experiences? In terms of academic interest, it seems like you are saying that I need to be much more specific with respect to my interest in social policy? Would it make sense to leverage my quant background given my academic background and current work? I see what you mean with the Asian thing. It was not really my intention to hone in on this, so I'll make sure not to over-emphasize this.

Hi everyone, any help would be greatly appreciated. -- Applying to: Columbia SIPA, NYU Wagner, Georgetown McCourt, Duke Sanford, UChicago Harris, UVA Batten Undergrad institution: NYU Undergrad Major: Major: Theoretical Economics ; Minor: Mathematics Undergrad GPA: 3.1 (this is mostly due to a terrible freshmen year, with classes that are not part of my major or minor) Years out of undergrad: 5 years Quant Background: Given my major and minor, I took a significant amount of quant classes (linear algebra (A-), calc II (B) and III (C), econometrics (B+) , statistics (A-), macro (B+)/micro (B+) theory). I know the grades aren't stellar but I am hoping that the depth of my quant classes shows competency. For the last 4 years, I've been working at a relatively quant heavy job at a large global banking institution. Relevant Work Experience: No relevant work experience GRE: 165/167/5.0 (Verbal/Quant/AWA) Strength of LOR: I think all three should be decently strong. One is from my current work manager whom I am very close with. He can attest to my quant, analysis, and leadership skills. The other is from an undergrad professor who taught a literature course focusing on immigration. We were very close and I'm hoping he can speak to my writing and articulation. My last recommender is a program coordinator at a volunteer organization that I have been a part of for the last few years. Strength of SOP: I talk about my past raised by a single mother and how moving around a lot left me feeling untethered and without a support system. This influenced my volunteer work where I found organizations that supported underserved communities by drawing support from local volunteers. Focusing on communities has led me to question how I can, through policy, create stronger communities generally, which I tie into my pursuit for an MPA, specifically in social policy. Extracurriculars/Leadership: Here is where I hope I can stand out and connect my interest as to why an MPA. I've worked with an organization that provides community resources to local Asian underprivileged communities (I'm an Asian male). Every week we work with children teaching not only academic but also developmental skills. Separately, within the same program, I've also been a mentor to a child for the past 2 years (sort of like big brother big sister). I've volunteered at a city funded service by the Parks & Recreation department that I successfully applied for. Volunteered for one cycle (one year) by writing programs and leading free physical exercise classes in local high schools and rec centers for communities that lack these resources. Lastly, I applied and was selected to join a competitive organization that prepares incarcerated individuals for their parole interview. Over the next year, I will be part of a small team that will aid in the parole process of an incarcerated individual. We will be reviewing their case and working with them leading up to their parole hearing (i.e., prepping them and discussing their case in various ways to present to the parole panel). -- My main concern is that I'm simply not quite sure where I stand/how competitive I am, which is also giving me some difficulty narrowing down the schools I should be targeting. It seems to me that my GPA is the most glaring concern in my application even though I have taken the necessary quant courses. As of now, I want my career to be focused on social policy, working in spaces that affects poverty, inequality, upward mobility, etc. I don't see myself working at the municipal level, more so in consulting or possibly at a federal capacity. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much!!