braindead

I see that you don't have SIPA on your list. Nevertheless they have a very good admissions blog and this particular post actually talks about your SOP. Read the guidelines, they are very good. http://blogs.cuit.columbia.edu/sipa/2010/11/16/top-10-application-tips-3-–-the-personal-statement/

Hi, It's good to see you have started so early for the application process (assuming you would be applying for fall 2012). First thing I believe in is that a personal, story like plot indeed brings out the character in you and I would strongly insist that you keep it that way. As everyone has mentioned instead of looking at your Law degree as a waste, you can probably list out some key achievements during that phase, despite which you wanted more out of your career. The language on the whole can be tightened. GPPI accepts only 500 words. I must admit, even I had started off the way you have. Got my SOP reviewed from a few people, maintained the storyline narrative and tried to be as concise. In the end I got admits from 5 out of 6 schools I applied to (which includes GPPI as well). So I would recommend you to stick to the style you have adopted. You may try out variations as someone as suggested but I am not sure if you should make it professional.

I am indeed surprised on receiving mails from Harris that the decisions would be out soon. I in fact received my decision on 3rd March itself! Which by all standards was pretty early. But I guess not many people were informed back then. Anyway, I don't think I would be considering Harris because of the low scholarship from them. All the best to you guys.

Thanks for the wishes. But as it turns out with each passing day, SIPA seems to be a distant dream because of the sheer amount of program fee and lack of any scholarship. I don't have so much funds to support me and nor can I take a loan of such a huge amount. I am at international candidate and won't be able to make it to the open day.

Someone pleaseseeee help me out! I was most inclined towards SIPA until I received a call from Fletcher! They are offering me 30K scholarship per year for the MIB program! NOW I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!

$30,000 scholarship for the MIB!! Arghhh! More than being happy am in a fix! I was most inclined to SIPA until I received the decision from Fletcher! Help me! OK, on second thoughts I am ecstatic! Wow 30K is a hell lot of money! Congratulations to all those who got selected!

Errrm....That's interesting! I just hope the vice versa is not true for people like me who have been accepted!

Hi, don't panic. Perhaps the system is overloaded. It happened with me too. But rectified on its own after a while. The best way out is to of course contact the ad com directly. All the best!

Congratulations! Even I applied for the IFP but my letter didn't say anything about the IFP. So I am assuming I didn't get the IFP.

Yippie!!! I just checked my e-mail! Am so glad to have been accepted to Columbia's MPA! No funding though!

Thanks for the reply. Giving my current situation, I might have to pick up a job in the private sector immediately after graduation to pay off my debts. Having done that I would like to return to the public sector after a couple of years.

Hi Letsjustgo, The online status was not updated. I received an email regarding the offer and am expecting the same via post too.

For all those looking to enter the professional line (after doing the likes of MPP or MA-IR or similar programs), in 5 years from now, does it matter which program you studied? Or is it just the name of the university/school that matters?

Hi, Even I heard from Harris yesterday via e-mail. I have been accepted with some scholarship and this is my first admit! I am so glad to receive the offer. Anyone around willing to put in their thoughts about Harris?

As per the website (http://fletcher.tufts.edu/admissions/policies.shtml) they do entertain deferral on a case by case basis.

Man, while most of you are already filling in your scholarship applications, I am still waiting for my result! Does it mean I have not been selected??

Hi Greendiplomat, Thanks a lot for the reply. In fact Columbia SIPA is on the top of my list, especially the track you 've mentioned. However another concern that I would like to share is that I don't have prior experience in either finance or economics or banking for that matter. I have come to understand that it would be difficult to secure employment without prior experience in a related field. The same webpage of IFEP mentions in the last sentence "...job search will depend on their experience before coming to SIPA, academic work and a measure of luck." How good is that I also spoke with a current student at MIB and he had a similar thing to say. What's your take on this? Also, yes I would be interested in knowing which of the univs I have mentioned would be good for the track I am interested in, considering that I don't have prior experience in it. Thanks

Right, As the topic says 'Best of both the worlds' I am not really sure where to post this question - in this forum or in the business forum. Now if as little a thing as posting this question can create a dilemma, you can imagine the dilemma one would face while choosing this program! So, I 've applied to the MIB program at Fletcher and am not sure whether I would want to take it up if I get selected. Several of my friends who are studying at renowned B-Schools opine that with such graduate programs that offer best of both the worlds (in this case business and international affairs) you can be sure to land up nowhere. The reasons I like the Fletcher MIB are as follows :- 1. Fletcher has a great student body, faculty and offers great support (career and otherwise) to the students 2. The curriculum excites me a lot The reasons I am skeptical about MIB are: - 1. It's not a regular MBA or MALD/MIA program 2. Recruiters may be wary about the program My future goals: - 1. Short term - Work in private sector consulting firm (in a specialized industry vertical - finance/economics) 2. Long term - Return home and work as an advisor to the government Any thoughts over this?

Hmm, I think its a safe bet to not think too much about it coz after this if we don't get selected it will be a major letdown.

Hi Guys, Today I received a mail regarding my application from the Associate Director - MIB Program, Fletcher School. Reading the mail has put me in a confusion and I would like to have a 2nd opinion. Essentially, it was a personalized e-mail and she had commended my work experience. She also mentioned that she enjoyed reading my application and considered me a strong candidate. The mail further went onto to give some general details about the school and where I can find more information. What should I make of this? Is it commonplace to receive such mails before the official results are out? Has anyone else received a similar mail? Thanks,

BlueDevil! Thanks a ton for this thread. I have couple of queries that only increase as the result day approaches. Although it's still far, I want to get a few things straight. From what I have read about Duke-MPP on other similar threads, I fear that Duke may not be the best place for getting placed in the private sector. My personal interest is in working for a consulting firm post graduation. Considering that I am international candidate, will it be difficult with an MPP from Duke? Thanks once again for your time Regards,

Hi there, What I could not gather from your profile is whether you have any experience of working in non-profits or not? Coming from a non-social sciences background and without having much experience of working in non-profits, in my opinion it becomes tad difficult to get an admit. I am not really sure whether I would be the right person to advice you on which schools to select as I am in the same boat as you are in. What I would rather recommend you is to also check out UK schools such as IDS - Univ of Sussex, SOAS - Univ. of London, Univ of Manchester. Their course on Development Studies would be more relevant to Rural Development. Most US schools under the MPP/MPA program donot offer rural development as a concentration. The closest you may find is International Development. Several US schools on the other hand are more renowned in the domestic policy circle. Browse this forum more to check out the reputation of the schools you've mentioned. To give you an example IPS @ JHU is more renowned for its Health Policy concentration. Again I am not sure if it would be the right choice for studying rural development. Regards,

Hi Guys, Here is my profile. Program Applying To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP, MPA, MIB (Masters in International Business) Schools Applying To: Sanford (MPP), SIPA (MPA), GPPI (MPP), Ford (MPP), Harris (MPP), Fletcher (MIB) Schools Admitted To: Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Undergraduate institution: One of best technical institutes of India Undergraduate GPA: 7.76/10 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): NA Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering GRE Quantitative Score: 800 (Gave the GRE today) GRE Verbal Score: 590 (Gave the GRE today) GRE AW Score: ? (Awaited) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 4 (by Fall 2011) Years of Work Experience: 4 (by fall 2011) Describe Relevant Work Experience: Have worked with NGOs working in the Himalayan region of India on projects related to agriculture, livelihood, appropriate technology. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Still working on it, but I think my strength comes from my solid work experience while working with the under-developed communities lying in the remote Himalayan mountains (to give you an idea, in villages lying as high as 15,000 ft above the sea level). My aim is to continue working for the region where there is a huge lag between appropriate policies and their implementation. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Two professional, one from a professional services firm I was a part of immediately after graduation. Another one from the director of the NGO. One academic reco from a professor. I am not sure if he would be able to comment on a big way about me, but I am confident about the professional recos. Other: I am having scruples regarding the schools I have selected. Any comments regarding these? Good luck to everyone!

Hi folks, I am a potential applicant and will be applying for the MIDP program this year and only MIDP because they don't need the GRE. Is there anyone over here whose currently pursuing the same or planning to apply for it? I have a couple of concerns regarding the same. Firstly, I am an international applicant and what matters to me the most is the international students at the school and the inclusion of international development related courses in the program. I am also looking at a program that allows flexibility in choosing the courses. Whereas most public policy programs are focussed around US, I find the MIDP program at Sanford to be a perfect match for me. Can anyone provide me insights into the program such as how is the program perceived vis-a-vis the MPP program? what is the selection ratio for the program? What is the profile of an average student at MIDP? what are the prospects after MIDP wrt placement overseas? Is the MIDP program comparable with the HKS MPA/ID considering that HKS MPA/ID is the only other similar program I have come across? But I think I am not even eligible for the MPA/ID program because I don't have economic background per se. Are there more policy programs that focus on international development and have a large international student population attending it? I would really appreciate any inputs.

Hi folks, It was quite enlightening reading all the replies on this post. Well, I am a potential applicant and will be applying for the MIDP program this year. Is there anyone over here whose currently pursuing the same? I have a couple of concerns regarding the same. Firstly, I am an international applicant and what matters to me the most is the international students at the school and the inclusion of international development related courses in the program. Whereas most public policy programs are focussed around US, I find the MIDP program at Sanford to be a perfect match for me, which all the more makes me nervous Can anyone provide me insights into the program such as how is the program perceived vis-a-vis the MPP program? what is the selective ratio for the program? What is the profile of an average student at MIDP? what are the prospects after MIDP wrt placement overseas? Is the MIDP program comparable with the HKS MPA/ID considering that HKS MPA/ID is the only other similar program I have come across. I would really appreciate any inputs.