SappyStudent007

Good luck to all future applicants! Programs Applied To: Princeton SPIA MPA, Penn Fels MPA, Georgetown Walsh MSFS, Georgetown Walsh MGHD, Columbia SIPA MPA-DP, JHU SAIS MAIR, Syracuse Maxwell Programs Admitted to: Princeton, Georgetown Walsh MGHD (25%), SAIS MAIR (50%), Penn Fels MPA (10%), Maxwell (75%), SIPA MPA-DP (0%) Still Waiting: Georgetown Walsh MSFS Undergrad / Grad Institution: Top 40 US institution Degrees: Bachelors in Civil Engineering / Masters in Structural Engineering GPA: 3.53 (undergrad) / 3.11 (grad) Minors in Undergrad: Asian Studies, Global Citizenship GRE: 163Q, 157V, 4.5AW Work Experience: 4 years Policy Area of Interest: international development with infrastructure and engineering solutions Relevant Experience: 2 years Full-time engineer (civilian) at US Army Corps of Engineers, 2 years volunteer English teacher at refugee center, volunteered at United Nations to represent an NGO in grad school Quant experience: Engineering background - numerous math classes in school, programming skills learned independently; Licensed Professional Engineer Strength of SOP: I told my story about my long term career plan of developing a technical skill set to address international development issues and that a degree will help me develop nontechnical skills. My resume is paved with tons of relevant experiences. Looking to work in governmental agencies addressing development programs. LOR: Two LOR from current mid-level chiefs at my agency and one from an old professor in Global Studies International and Expeditionary Experience: Deployed to construct temporary field hospitals during COVID pandemic, study abroad in India, internship in Abu Dhabi, study abroad in Italy, shadowed missionaries with development projects in Thailand, one week surveying trip in Panama for bridge construction (undergrad)

First time poster here! I read through a bunch of posts but I think my background is a little different than most people and I wanted to get your take. I am curious whether my status as a licensed Professional Engineer and holding dual citizenship between US and HKG would give me any brownie points in the diversity realm. How much would NOT having a policysci or economic background hurt me? Thanks for any comments! Schools and Programs: Princeton SPIA MPA (first choice), Penn Fels MPA, Georgetown McCourt MIDP, Columbia SIPA MPA-DP, JHU SAIS, Syracuse Maxwell Undergrad / Grad Institution: Top 40 US institution Degrees: Bachelors Civil Engineering ‘16 / Masters Structural Engineering ‘17 GPA: 3.53 (undergrad) / 3.11 (grad) Minors in Undergrad: Asian Studies, Global Citizenship GRE: 163Q, 157V, 4.5AW Work Experience: 4 years Policy Area of Interest: international development with infrastructure and engineering solutions Relevant Experience: 2 years Full-time engineer (civilian) at US Army Corps of Engineers, 2 years volunteer English teacher at refugee center, volunteered at United Nations to represent an NGO in grad school Quant experience: Engineering background - numerous math classes in school, programming skills learned independently Strength of SOP: I framed my SOP around my long term career plan of developing a technical skill set to address international development issues and that a degree will help me develop nontechnical skills. Looking to work in governmental agencies addressing development programs LOR: Two LOR from current mid-level chiefs at my agency and one from an old professor in Global Studies International and Expeditionary Experience: Deployed to construct temporary field hospitals during COVID pandemic, study abroad in India, internship in Abu Dhabi, study abroad in Italy, shadowed missionaries with development projects in Thailand, one week surveying trip in Panama for bridge construction (undergrad) Leadership roles: Student president for Bridges to Prosperity (engineering club to build bridges in developing communities), UN Youth Representative for NGO, Volunteer English teacher at refugee center, STEM instructor for kids, discipline lead for a $100m contract