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Thank you!

So finally I just wanted to ask, would you then guess it would be a reach to apply to programs like Harris or Goldman (even accepted without funding)?

Yea, I'm mainly hoping that the strength of my LORs, academic strength and more or less clear career plan can help in some of the more competitive programs. I definitely acknowledge my work experience is my weakest part in my application (making it difficult to get any kind of scholarship).

Ah, I see. That makes a lot of sense and I know that I would defintely not hit the third mile marker as you said. I did not expect to get a full scholarship for a lot of the competitive programs like Harris or Goldman. However, I do think my background and clear long term career goals could help me hit that second mile marker. Once again, thanks a lot for your feedback it was really useful!

Yea, I meant that I am only considering dual degree for the Stanford MPP/MIP program, however, I do appreciate your warning about the Stanford MPP program which makes me reconsider applying to it. However, I am unsure what you meant by checking the box of being able to graduate. Anyways, thanks for the feedback!

Quoting this as I did not get any response last time. Mainly wondering if my lack of work experience would make me a substantially weaker canditate for the programs I am applying to. Would appreciate any kind of response, thanks!

Hi everyone, I am an international student from Bulgaria and Syria who is to looking to apply to mostly MPP/MPA programs and one Master of International Policy (but plan to apply to a dual MPP/MIP if I get accepted to that program. I conducted my undergraduate BA in the US, so taking any English proficiency tests for admissions are waived. Schools Applying To : USC Price MPP, UCLA Luskin MPP, UC Berkeley Goldman MPP, UChicago Harris MPP, NYU MPA, Columbia MPA, and Stanford MIP (planning to apply dual MPP if I am accepted) Undergraduate institution: American University (Washington DC), graduated in May 2021 Undergraduate GPA: 3.92 (Major GPA is 3.94) summa cum laude for my institution Undergraduate Major: International Studies and minor in Economics Relevant Research from Courses: I written a lot of research papers and some have been related to policy including some on education policy and economic development policy. GRE: Not submitting Languages: English (fluent), Bulgarian (fluent), Kurdish (spoken at home with family only), Chinese (intermediate) Quantitative requirements: Macroeconomcis (A), Microeconomics (A-), Intermediate Macroeconomics (A), Intermediate Microeconomics (B+), Basic Statistics (A), Intro to Finance (A), Applied Econometrics I (B+) Years of Work Experience: 1.5 Studying Abroad Experience: Studied abroad at Peking University in China for a semester. Relevant Work Experience: interned at a Chinese law firm for a semester (5-6 months) worked at my university's academic support center as an economics tutor for 6 months currently working in a private comapny that involves doing compliance research and work Strength of SOP: I think I can make my SOP quite strong as i have a clear interest in eventually going back to Europe and working on economic development/economic impact policy relating to Bulgaria. Ideally I would like to have a career closely related to the European Comission. I also know how to tie my academic and personal experiences to the specific schools and programs I am applying to. The only slight problem might be the lack of work experience. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): All three of my LORs are from professors at my instituion. 2 of them are strong (one from my capstone professor), while 1 is still good but maybe not as strong as the other two recommendations . Thank you!