Hey y'all, this might be a little different from what you're used to seeing here. I'm looking to get an MPA to be better qualified to work in state or federal government in the northwestern part of the country. Since most of the programs I'm considering have later due dates for applications, I'm very open to suggestions for other schools in the region to apply to. If anyone has experience with the schools I named, I'd also love to hear it. I recognize they aren't as highly regarded as others, but I've been advised by one of my professors that the kinds of jobs I'm looking to ultimately get typically value local graduates of public schools over other candidates. Thanks for helping!
Desired Start Semester: Fall 2021
Applying to: UW Evans, Oregon, Montana (all MPA), and Oregon State (MPP).
Undergrad Institution: Top-100 private university. It's not Marquette, but that's a pretty good comparison. Will graduate in April.
Undergrad Major: Sociology
GPA: 3.94 (unlikely to change very much with one semester remaining).
GRE: 169V/166Q/5.0AW
Quant Background: Stats classes (obviously), I know STATA fairly well, have used it for a few projects.
LORs: One from the professor I do grading for, two from other profs in the Sociology department who have MPAs from Ivy League programs.
Career Aspirations: Land management positions like state Depts. of P&R seem like an ideal fit with my interests. I don't have any ambition whatsoever to work in D.C., nor to sell my soul to a top consulting firm.
Relevant Work Experience: 1 summer in a leadership position at a non-profit camp teaching youth how to whitewater kayak. A few more summers there and at a different, similar, program in a lower-level guide position. This is what sparked my passion for Western land use issues. Additionally, three semesters grading, responding to student concerns, and helping write exams for a professor in my department. No meaningful international experience. Was accepted to a Washington D.C. internship program through my University last January but COVID ultimately forced the University to scrap it for the semester.
Essays: Still haven't written these.