Program Applied To : MPP, MPA
Schools Applied To: Univerysity of Maryland SPP, UC Berkeley GSPP, UCLA SPA, USC SPPD, UT Austin LBJ, NYU Wagner, Carnegie Mellon Heinz
Schools Admitted To: UMD (half graduate assistantship), Berkeley, UCLA ($1k fellowship), USC (full tuition scholarship), UT Austin, NYU
Schools Rejected From:
Still Waiting: CMU Heinz
Undergraduate institution: University of California
Undergraduate GPA: 3.67
Undergraduate Major: Public Policy
GRE Quantitative Score: 790
GRE Verbal Score: 580
GRE AW Score: 4.5
Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2.5
Years of Work Experience: 2.5
Describe Relevant Work Experience: During college, one research assistantship and one internship with mayor's office. Working as a paralegal since, work experience is mostly unrelated to area of study.
Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Worked on them for about two months, sending to a few friends for review. I found visiting a few schools during the application season to be helpful. Mainly wrote about the policy area I am interested in, interspersing with family and work history. The statement was written, keeping in mind that it was in lieu of an in-person interview.
Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): I have a letter from 2 professors, both of which were very supportive of the MPP idea since university. Not sure how strong the letters were since I did not speak to them much in the 2 years since graduation. Another letter from the boss, who was very supportive of my ambitions.