publicpolicyispublicpeeing

Have not heard back from Georgetown's MPP yet, and currently sweating buckets (applied January 6, which is early action + funding opportunities I believe). Any advice/recent updates?

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP (except for NYU MPA)Schools Applied To: UC Berkeley (Goldman), Duke (Sanford), NYU (Wagner), Georgetown (McCourt), Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, Sciences Po/Columbia (SIPA)Schools Admitted To: n/aSchools Rejected From: Cambridge, LSE, Sciences PoStill Waiting: Berkeley, Duke, Georgetown, NYUUndergraduate Institution: University of MichiganUndergraduate GPA: 3.03 (Cumulative) 3.54 (Majors)Undergraduate Major: Political Science and French Studies (Minor in Env. Sustainability)GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: N/AYears Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 4Years of Work Experience: 4Describe Relevant Work Experience: Internship and post-grad experience at local and federal gov't offices, local DA's office, worked at two law firms when interested in litigation/legal route. Now currently interviewing for a Strategist/Consultant role at a start-up and a strategy advising firm, as well as policy + project management role at a hugely-research heavy hospital.Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): After applying last cycle and getting rejected/waitlisted, I decided to work with a consultant on this given my little work-life balance (he's MPP/MBA at HKS/HBS right now). This was ridiculously expensive, but I'm praying it will have been worth it. I think they were OK, but I'm not sure if they were strong enough to help my low undergraduate GPA (statistics and a difficult Econ course in one semester, while a varsity athlete, hit me really hard and I spent my last two years playing catch up.)Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think my LORs were strong. Two from partners at law firms that do impact work (lots of ACLU-adjacent projects), one from previous manager that works for a Top10 law firm and has ties to Goldman School, one from previous PhD candidate that I did undergraduate research for on Gaza/Israeli border conflict. Other: This cycle feels like a dumpster fire, so I hope everyone is doing okay, and remembering to workout (exercise has been key for me keeping my sanity). I hope this post is helpful.

Congratulations! Sciences Po, Paris is an elite school (and I would say it is well known in the U.S., as is LSE!). I applied to the dual Columbia SIPA/ScPo MPP/MPA program, and was rejected earlier in January (but happy I applied nonetheless.) I would say consider how badly you want this degree (and if you're ready for it now, or think you could leverage a better network after working for a year), and also consider if you're ready. Are you burnt out from undergrad? Would you be able to leverage more funding and scholarship $$ if you deferred a year? Although your parents are paying for it, they probably would really appreciate it if you were able to leverage scholarships (and more experience can mean better chances at funding.) The job market is really hot right now in CA, so consider all options before you say yes to moving to Europe for two years (I'm in SF, and looking for jobs after 3 years out of school - UMich, and am currently interviewing for 3-4 different roles).