ECCN9A102

Thanks for the recommendations! At first blush Stanford looks very intriguing, but like you said being so far removed from all the action is definitely a factor. I'll start refining the target come January. I know it can only help but can I get by without a GRE? Hoping to knock out my PMP next year as well so prep time would be constrained.

Hi all, piecing together where I stand for next cycle. Any West Coast schools I should consider? I’m kind of over winters. Would appreciate any recommendations. Thanks! Applying to: HKS MPP, Georgetown SFS SSP, GW Elliott SSP, Tufts Fletcher MGA , NYU Wagner MSPP, Undergrad institution: DMV area IR school Undergrad Major: International Relations Undergrad GPA: 3.5 Years out of undergrad: 2 (by the time I apply) Quant Background: Calc I, Macro/Micro, Int’l Econ. Lowest was Int’l Econ at a B-. Relevant Work Experience: 7 years as in the Nayv as an aircraft mechanic, worked my way up to supervisor/managed a couple programs. 1st internship with an aerospace & defense magazine for a summer. Following that, worked as a program assistant for an IDEV non-profit for a few months. Then interned at a think tank for a semester doing light research and writing a few articles. Spent my last semester working overnight as a library supervisor and interning at a veteran’s advocacy organization. Currently employed at an aerospace & defense company in their leadership training pipeline for global trade. International Experience: 1 summer abroad in Taiwan on a a Taiwanese MoE scholarship, 1 summer abroad in China on a Gilman. GRE: I haven’t taken it yet. I would also really rather not but if it makes me stronger than I'll put the work in. Strength of LOR: A couple of professors would go to bat for me, one’s already done so much that they’re practically a mentor. Old supervisor at the veteran’s org is actually my mentor and will definitely sing my praises in every direction. I’ve worked with both of them before for successful scholarship applications so they’ve got me dialed in. Current supervisor I can’t say for sure but they haven’t said anything bad about what I’m doing so I’ve got that going for me. Strength of SOP: Reason I left the Navy was because I couldn’t understand the tension in Asia at the time of my last deployment and figured implementing policy would keep more people safe than fixing airplanes. In my current position, ensuring access to the tools of security to our allies is how I perceive my job. To do it more effectively and to specialize I want to increase the depth of my knowledge and link up my industry and military experiences to the historic and policy backgrounds and create a near total picture of East Asian security. Extracurriculars/Leadership: Previous supervisor experience, plus was designated on scene leader in case of emergency reclamation. Presented as part of a panel for student veterans and internships at a conference. Attended a symposium on cross-strait relations. Currently writing an article for an IR school’s security magazine.