heinzketchup123

You would be better off asking your question in this thread.

I wonder if it had anything to do with the Humans of NY HKS post hahaha (on top of COVID-19)

Bahahaha nice catch deducing I’m from Mason. I guess saying im from a commuter school (aside from my mentioning of the program) was a dead giveaway. You don’t know how much I really appreciate all the feedback you’re giving us and others. I’ve actually been reading a bunch of your previous posts I also agree with you that I should seriously consider sanford, batten and heinz if I want to get what I’m looking for. Thank you so much for all of your insight and support! It seriously means a lot.

Hi everyone, first of all, i sincerely apologize for my grammar. I’m just typing all my thoughts down so i know there’s mistakes. I had a follow up question too. What are the public policy schools with the best sense of community and which ones do not? I felt like that was missing in my undergrad experience; I was in a commuter school and we would all just book it and leave. I want to build friendships and meaningful connections. I think I have a shot, but I’m just concerned with how I’m going to justify to more selective schools how my grades were terrible in my first undergrad. I hardly count it because I started so young (15 years old). I seriously wish I could omit this. This is for the next application round (2021). I’d love to hear your input on my chances for these particular schools. Thanks everyone! Applying to: Columbia SIPA MPA, HKS MPP, Harris MPP, Georgetown McCourt MPP, GWU Trachtenberg MPP, NYU Wagner MSPP, American SPA MPP. I want to stay in the northeast. Undergrad institution: current bachelors (2018-21)- A decent state university in the DC-MD-VA area; First bachelors (2008-12) - a top 10 university in southeast asia defense language institute (DLI) associates from 2013-14 during my time in the army Undergrad Major: current bachelors - Government and intl. relations with concentration in public policy; first bachelors - BS information technology; DLI (associate)- a very relevant language in intl. relations Undergrad GPA: current undergrad - 4.0 first bachelors - 2.25. This is my biggest booboo. I need to figure out how to convey that the American transcript evaluation poorly translates my transcript and the grading system in my institution was very different. For example, an 89 is a stellar grade (good enough for cum laude), 90+ are not as common. but transcript translates it as a B. The educational system used to be weird in that I started college at a young 15 years old (doesn’t happen anymore). 27 credit hours was considered a normal semester. I wasn’t as driven back then. Failed 4 courses, two of them just plain hated me for reasons. DLI (associate) - 3.9 Years out of undergrad: 6 years (in between my first and second bachelors degree) Quant Background: currently taking microecon, research + statistics course, economic policy course (if that counts). All 4.0 gpa. In my first undergrad, I took a lot of math courses like algebra, analytic geometry, trigonometry, discrete math, probability + statistics, accounting, programming etc. However, the grades are mostly C’s. Relevant Work Experience: 8 years full time experience so far, as i am earning my second degree. Spent 5 years in the army as an enlisted intel + language analyst overseas, given a wide variety of assignments and missions. 3 years as an intel analyst in DC. Had a couple internships as a programmer during my first undergrad. GRE: I haven’t taken it yet, but I’m striving for 160+ quant and verbal Strength of LOR: I am certain about two very strong ones from my current boss and my old boss in the army. They’ll definitely work with me to make the a quality LOR to show my overall character and will vouch for my leadership experience, motivation, and skills in data analysis. My third one is likely going to be my undergrad research professor who works on educ. policy. Strength of SOP: Forgive all my grammar so far, I’m just typing my thoughts. I’ll take a lot of time on this one, and many of the essays differ from each other. But, I’m centering my SOP on the intersection of society’s mental wellbeing and public policy. I wanted to shift my efforts and talents from national security to public policy to improve society’s well-being because of how hard it was to justify my efforts in intel while seeing all of the social problems all around me, to include a rising mental health epidemic. I’ve seen one too many suicides in the military. My goal is to become a leader in pushing for policy changes that tackle the root of national mental health crisis rather than treating symptoms. will talk about how time as a volunteer suicide counselor and time in the army with soldiers who didn’t make it shaped my perspective of mental health. Extracurriculars/Leadership: I was part of a student government in my first undergrad; president of a school organization. During the army, I had a lot of leadership experience which includes managing soldiers’ language readiness, and being in charge of cleanliness and security of a dorm of 60+ people, on top of managing soldiers in my unit. I have plenty of volunteer experience (150+ hours) during my time in the army organizing, coordinating, and setting up events. I also currently volunteer as a suicide/crisis counselor at night, and support research tasks for a director of a nonprofit on pedestrian safety.