Jump to content

nightjars

Members
  • Posts

    11
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by nightjars

  1. I still think you're in good shape. The D's from dual enrollment aren't a major concern. With the C in prob/stats, you'll again want to make sure you really study for the GRE's quant portion and pull at least a 700. That will help assuage any ad comm's concerns about your quantitative abilities.
  2. We share a similar background regarding the unrelated undergrad major and relative lack of work experience, and I'll actually be starting W&M's MPP program this fall. Although I majored in English and rhetoric, essentially you just need to highlight to the ad comms your ability to research, write sound papers (ie: make valid arguments), think analytically, and be a leader/innovator. These are ultimately the core values for any MPP/MPA program. Yes, any experience with politics, economics, and quant analysis will certainly build a better case for you. But it's not necessary. For example, I've never taken an econ class in my life and have not taken a math class since high school. I still gained acceptance to every school to which I applied, including those with fairly quantitative MPP programs. I've been out of school for 2+ years and primarily have work experience as an office manager/administrator in an industry loosely related to my public policy interests. But I also have served as a volunteer with various non-profits relevant to my focus. So if you're not currently volunteering in your area of interest, definitely look into ways to get involved. Volunteering allows you to learn new things, build up your professional network, and help out the community. The Senator's office internship definitely strengthens your resume but to what specific degree it helps will depend on your responsibilities. Try to highlight at least 1-2 of the most relevant projects you may have worked on during the internship. Do that with every section of your resume and make sure you're crafting a resume that focuses on specific accomplishments and projects you've done. Don't worry that you may not have a lot of experience directly correlating with public policy, and just make sure you're accentuating the abilities/strengths which will make you a successful MPP/MPA grad student. Also, start studying for the GRE. You're at a disadvantage by not being a public policy/poli sci/econ/stats/math/etc. major and by not having work experience, so pull off a solid GRE score. You'll probably want to hone in on preparing for the quant section, but don't ignore verbal and AW.
  3. Despite my attempts to be somewhat cryptic, you can deduce very easily from my signature which schools I'm referencing. But here's the scoop: School A - Mid-ranked state school with plenty of research activity. I was accepted into the M.A. Urban Affairs & Public Policy program with a specialization in environmental policy, but the program recently underwent curriculum changes and no longer formally offers that concentration. I've been assured by faculty & administrators that this will not affect my ability to focus on environmental issues or find research opportunities. But I'm definitely a bit skeptical. The research center which initially drew me to the school also experienced departmental changes and is moving to a different school. After meeting with the director, I was told I wouldn't be able to get an assistantship with them until 2nd year (not guaranteed). A lot of the faculty received their degrees from this school, and a lot of the alumni work at the state level, so I'm concerned about this "bubble" effect. The big draw: Full funding and a decent RA stipend which would not require me to take out any loans. The assistantship is with a research agency that is somewhat relevant to my interests but not the best match. School B - Very highly regarded state school with an excellent reputation for undergrads. Their MPP program, however, is less well-known and is very small (ie: < 25 class size). The curriculum is rigorous with emphasis on econ and quant methods courses, which I like (although I was an English/rhetoric major). I received no funding for tuition but did receive a $10k assistantship (10hrs/week); however, I won't know my specific assignment until late summer. It could be anything from bland administrative work to research assignments. I would have to take out $25-30k (total) in loans, and I do have $7k in student loans from undergrad. I'm very uncomfortable taking out loans for graduate school, although I realize I have very little debt currently. I really like this program, but it's relatively young and the small size limits tracking alumni achievements. Overall the school's name carries a lot of weight though and is easily recognizable. Most alumni have gone on to federal gov't jobs or private sector gigs. I like that it's an MPP degree instead of an M.A., as I feel the MPP is becoming more familiar to employers as a professional degree. Thoughts?
  4. Definitely go with Maryland. UMD's public policy program is very well-respected and they are offering a solid financial aid package. Although I don't know your career goals or your intended specialization, I still think it's a mistake to turn down excellent funding in favor of no to limited funding at one of the top programs (like Georgetown, UChicago, etc.).
  5. I live a few miles outside of Charlottesville and actually rent from a private landlord (who coincidentally is a researcher at UVa), so I can't really comment on any of the property management companies. The best online resources for apartment hunting are craigslist, c-ville.com, and readthehook.com. I actually found my current house, which is a 2-br cottage on 25+ acres, on c-ville.com and pay $700/month (no utilities). In Charlottesville the rent for a decent 1-br apartment will run about $650-900, depending on the location. I highly recommend checking out apartments/houses in the Belmont area and immediately surrounding the downtown mall, because you will be able to avoid the undergrads that plague all of the housing immediately surrounding UVa gounds. If you find a roommate, you can grab a nice 2-br house for $800-1100 pretty easily. Charlottesville is definitely a hot spot for fresh, local, organic produce and meats. The city farmer's market has a huge variety of vendors and products from the central Virginia area, and I really only have one criticism: price. You will pay 2-3x the normal price for local veggies and meat than you would most farmer's markets in the area. But Cvillians will pay that price happily, so that's just how it goes.
  6. nightjars

    Newark, DE

    Bumping this up for more feedback on Newark, since I was just accepted into a master's program there. I've looked at the housing situation and am confused as to why it seems impossible to find any single-family, detached (ie: not a townhouse) houses for rent. Do most simply not advertise online and just stick out a "For Rent" sign on the property? I just happen to really dislike living in apartment complexes, but that seems to be the only option I'm finding. My alternative plan would be to find an apartment above one of the Main St. shops, but I can't find any information on these properties online.
  7. I just got my first acceptance today too! Congratulations! It's an awesome feeling, right? I'm going to treat myself to hot wings, homemade ranch dressing, and some beer. All while working on one of my last personal statements...
  8. Yes! I have different challenges than some of my friends applying to grad schools who are still in undergraduate, already in master's programs, or working random pay-the-bills jobs, like waiting tables or serving coffee. I work as a jack-of-all-trades administrator at a consulting group (being intentionally vague because I'm paranoid), and only a select few of my younger co-workers know I'm applying to grad schools. I definitely don't want any of the senior associates or the principals finding out I am applying to grad schools, especially when I indicated during my interview I was looking for a company I could stay with long-term. I've only been here 9 months now. Although I will likely leave this job if I don't get into any programs or don't receive adequate funding, I definitely can't afford to be fired at this point. It's so difficult not being able to explain why my productivity has plummeted at work or why I've become addicted to coffee after pulling late hours polishing personal statements and scholarship essays. My poor boyfriend bears the brunt of most of my frustrations with this process, but he can only deal with so much - he's in his 1st year of a master's program. And he only applied to his dream school (and obviously was accepted). I am usually very adept at keeping my stress levels low, but this process may actually kill me! I feel ulcers forming.
  9. Is anyone familiar with GWU's M.A. Environmental Resource Policy program? I've applied for the Fall 2011 semester and am hoping to hear something soon, but I'm curious if anyone has any additional information on the program. It seems to fit exactly what I want, as a liberal arts applicant (English lit. and rhetoric) with a couple years of marketing/communications/management work experience wanting to make a full switch to a policy career focused on environmental issues. The heavy emphasis on economics and environmental science is exactly what I need. Beyond the LinkedIn profiles and research publications I've found related to the program, I wanted to see if anyone has gone through the program or knows anything more about the program. I know it's a fairly small department, but thought I'd give it a try. Thanks!
  10. Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPA, MPP, MA - All environmental policy concentrations Schools Applied To: George Washington, University of Delaware, UC-Denver, William & Mary, George Mason, VCU (may apply) Schools Admitted To: Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: All Undergraduate institution: Top private liberal arts college Undergraduate GPA: 3.39 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.6 Undergraduate Major: English, Rhetoric GRE Quantitative Score: 680 GRE Verbal Score: 540 (Ouch, not a great standardized test taker) GRE AW Score: 5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2.5 Years of Work Experience: 3+. I worked retail jobs and on-campus positions in the communications departments during undergrad to help cover books and living costs. Describe Relevant Work Experience: After graduation I took on admin roles within the insurance industry and eventually worked under an estate planning attorney handling paralegal/admin tasks for him. I now work as a jack-of-all-trades admin manager at an engineering firm, where I assist with project management, edit proposals, write articles on energy conservation, and handle general office management. Although this work experience is not relevant per se, I felt fortunate to have full-time employment, and I've been able to take on projects that utilize my analytical/writing strengths. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I've been revising my SOP for 7+ months and feel pretty confident that it competently illustrates my background, developing interests, and strengths. A few colleagues reviewed my SOP for me and also think it's very strong. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Honestly I don't expect anything remarkable out of my LORs. I was fairly introverted in undergrad and only had one professor from whom I took multiple classes, so that professor is writing my academic LOR. I do volunteer work (communications, newsletter work, and grant writing) with a local environmental non-profit and the director agreed to write a LOR for me. The last LOR comes from a former employer (attorney) who knows me very well both professionally and personally. So nothing negative but nothing standout. Other: As a side note, I'm only applying to programs with concentrations in environmental policy since ultimately that is the area in which I want to find a career. Although my GRE scores and GPA are relatively low compared to the rest of people on this board, I have a well-stated SOP which clearly explains why I've chosen environmental policy and what I want to accomplish. No Duke or Indiana applications simply because I'm attempting to find full funding (or as close as possible) with hopefully an assistantship. Not willing to take on a lot of debt, but we'll see how it goes.
  11. I graduated in 2009 with a B.A. from a highly selective private school where I double-majored in English and rhetoric. Since then, I've worked a variety of administrative jobs in order to pay the bills and stay afloat in the future employability pool. At one point I was seriously considering law school and was working as an assistant at a financial planning and estate planning firm. I did learn some very useful skills while I essentially ran an estate planning practice for one of the attorneys, but the majority of my roles have heavily involved simple administrative tasks and some marketing work (article writing and proposal editing). I'm very interested in an MPP program where I can concentrate in environmental policy. I've done some soul searching and realized I really wasn't interested in being an attorney, so law school would have been a monumentally disastrous mistake. Not to mention the debt. I volunteer with a few non-profits focused on environmental advocacy and at least one good LOR should come from there. Although I love my current employer, I realize I'm only in a low administrative management position and I've already taken the initiative to involve myself in other projects. Unfortunately, these projects are not relevant to my policy career goals. I've looked into possible internship opportunities to gain some relevant experience, but my options are limited when I have a lease contract on a house and can't take an unpaid job. I'm hoping to start my MPP in Fall 2011. Where should I apply? Should I try to find a better entry-level job with very limited relevant experience? Or should I just wave the white flag and permanently relegate myself to the ranks of the underutilized admin assistants? Thanks!
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use