grad_decisions

That's helpful feedback, thank you!

I'm trying to find the right blend of: data science, program evaluation, and consulting in a "social good" setting. I really enjoy the consulting aspects of my current job, working on new projects and not doing the same thing every day. But I want to build up my data and research skills which have been largely self-taught so far. I could spend more time doing this on my own, but I learn best and really enjoy a classroom setting and want to take the opportunity of going back to school to really build my skills and think about the next step. Finally, I'd be most passionate working in a data-focused role for an organization that directly or through research contributes to the social good (ie, not a for-profit). Some cursory research suggests that could be: McKinsey Global Institute, Dalberg, a large philanthropic foundation, a government research/innovation lab, etc. I took the GRE with the assumption that I could use it to potentially apply to an MBA program. Given some personal travel and commitments later this year, I would not realistically be able to study and take the GMAT in 2021. Does that mean I don't have a hope of MBA scholarships? Would anything change for joint MPA or MPP /MBA programs?

Hi all, I'm starting my planning process for grad school, would like to apply at the end of 2021. I'm just getting into serious school research, so I'm open to ideas, suggestions, and questions. I'd love to prioritize schools where I have a realistic chance of receiving scholarships; I've tossed around the idea of an MBA with a data science focus, but don't think I can stomach the debt. Schools Applying To: Harris MSCAPP, CMU Heinz MSPPM, Columbia Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences, McCourt MS DSPP, maybe Princeton MPA Undergraduate institution: Ivy, not H/Y/P Undergraduate GPA: 3.8 Undergraduate Majors: Sociology GRE Quantitative Score: 167 GRE Verbal Score: 164 GRE AW Score: 5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 7 Years of Work Experience: 7 Describe Relevant Work Experience: 3 years in operations at a large social services nonprofit in NYC. 4 years at a boutique think tank, doing research, data analysis, consulting projects. Currently do research project management. Quant: Econ minor in undergrad, econometrics, a fair number of statistics courses. Know Stata very well, R to a lesser extent Strength of SOP: I think pretty good. I have a clear idea of the work I want to do in the future (research and evaluation at the intersection of public/private sectors) and how a master's would complete my move from liberal arts to more quantitative research. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Could get one of my major professors to write me a LOR, one would be from the president of my current organization, and the third would either be from my previous job or another current colleague.