policyapp2022

Hi everyone! I was accepted to USC's MPP, UW's MPA, and waitlisted to Berkeley's MPP. My financial situation is a little complex to explain: USC: 25% Dean's Merit Scholarship, plus outside funding equating to $45k/year in tuition assistance and a $3.5k/month stipend UW: No direct funding, but outside funding equating to $12k/year in tuition assistance and a $2.5k/month stipend I also have about $12k total education awards from AmeriCorps My background is all over the place - federal government service, local government service, progressive political campaigns, etc. Right now I work in environmental and social policy - that's where my strong suits are. I grew up in Seattle, went to school in New York City, and have lived in California (bay area) for almost 3 years now. My family is in Seattle and my partner's family is in the bay area. My real passion is in sustainable and ethical fashion policy - a very small and niche interest at the intersection of consumption/waste/human rights/supply-chain regulation where most opportunities are in LA, NYC, or SF, with a few opportunities in the Seattle area. I anticipate living in LA or SF long-term and wouldn't return to the East Coast unless it was an amazing opportunity. If I got off the waitlist at Goldman I would probably choose to go there - I have three years worth of connections in the bay, alongside support from my partner's family, plus outside funding equating to full in-state tuition and a $3.5k/month stipend. My dilemma now is between USC Price (MPP) and UW Evans (MPA). Rankings-wise Price and Evans are similar for Public Affairs, while lower in Public Policy analysis. Evans is well known for Environmental Policy, which would give me a good background for my future career and wider options for continuing in my current field. Staying in California would be better for my partner, and would probably provide better opportunities for connections in California. Plus, I hate the rain, I really do.

Rejected, kind of expected but still disappointing nonetheless. For reference I was accepted to UW (MPA), USC (MPP and MPA, both with funding), waitlisted to Berkeley (MPP), and rejected from UCLA (MPP).

Rejected. Honestly weird considering my other decisions but I’m happy with my other choices ?‍♀️

I'm in too! 8:50 am PST 3/10! No word on funding though, wasn't expecting any but just thought I would update!

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP, MPA, MIP Schools Applied To: Berkeley Goldman (MPP), USC Price (MPP and MPA), UCLA Luskin (MPP), Stanford (MIP), UCSD GPS (MPP), UW Evans (MPA) Schools Admitted To: USC Price (MPP and MPA, 25% funding to both) Schools Rejected From: None Still Waiting: Berkeley Goldman (MPP), UCLA Luskin (MPP), Stanford (MIP), UCSD GPS (MPP), UW Evans (MPA) Undergraduate Institution: Ivy Undergraduate GPA: 3.7-ish Undergraduate Major: History, Political Science GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: Didn’t take Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Will be 3 in May Years of Work Experience: 3 full-time, also worked through college and high school Describe Relevant Work Experience: Local Government, Federal Government, AmeriCorps, and Political Campaigns (focused on environmental advocacy theme throughout employment) Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Had 4 different base SOPs I tailored to the program and prompt. Included some personal information about academic and personal struggles, then focused on my goals and why I’m applying to the program. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Waived my rights and varied on recommender. Had 4 total recommenders that I switched between depending on the program requirements. 2 professors, 2 former supervisors. Professors would be very strong, and supervisors I’m honestly not sure. Other: Only applied to CA and WA schools for personal reasons/needing to be close to family through some tough medical issues. Applying this cycle to use the rest of my GI Bill benefits before I lose them.