Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): University of Oregon
Previous Degrees and GPAs: Economics, Political Science (3.79 overall, 4.0 Major)
GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 162 (90%-tile)/155 (69%-tile/4.5(72%-tile)
Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 2 years full-time, Analyst for a small economic consulting firm, 4 years part-time (in school) TA/RA for professor at same firm, summer internship at Department of Commerce.
Math/Econ Background: Single- and multivariable calc, elementary linear algebra, elementary real analysis, several stats/econometrics classes, plus all of the usual econ classes.
Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): two terms of German and a year of Arabic
Intended Field of Study in Grad School: Domestic U.S. policy; education policy, economic policy
Long Term Professional Goals: Policy analyst for public sector consulting firm (education research/consulting), work as quasi public-private free agent
Schools Applied to & Results: UC Berkelely GSPP ($0), Wisconsin La Follette (tuition waiver), Chicago Harris ($20K), Duke Sanford ($25k + TA), UCLA ($15k), Umich Ford ($10k), CMU Heinz ($24k)
Ultimate Decision & Why: UC Berkeley GSPP. My criteria for selecting a school were 1) overall quality, 2) cost, 3)quantitative rigorousness, 4) geographic location.
1) Berkeley won the category of overall quality, based on my conversations and impressions with faculty and current students. The small size (about 70/80 per cohort) combined with the intimate setting (former fraternity house + addition) contribute to a very approachable faculty. The overall flavor of the place is about the highest quality thinking, analysis, and engagement, rather than about who you know and what kind of job you can land in DC.
2) Although I didn't get any aid, GSPP actually turned out to be the best deal for me, even coming from out of state. The school doesn't do a very good job advertising this, but everyone gets in-state tuition for the second year. Unlike UMich. This, combined with the plentiful GSI (teaching, grading, and research) positions means that at a minimum, the second year is basically free (work more than 10 hours/week = a large chunk of tuition is remissed).
3)I was extremely concerned about not selling myself short on the quant front, which made Chicago, Duke, and CMU very appealing, in that order. Each school allows/encourages taking more difficult quant classes from within the school, or in Duke's case, the econ MA program. Although Berkeley has a quant reputation, it only offers one track for quant/econ. After my visit, I was convinced that the quality of the standard quant classes is quite good, and opportunities exist for advanced study from Econ/Ag Econ (although this scenario would require taking the standard PhD track courses, including a summer math camp type course). I'm not convinced that I'll pursue this in the second year, but it's an option. Finally, because everyone takes the same calculus-based econ core, everyone's on the same page in all of the electives.
4) Lastly, my wife and I plan to settle on the west coast, so GSPP wins the regional strength card, and diminishes my willingness to pay a premium for access to east coast opportunities. And on that front, GSPP has made an effort in the past 4-5 years to build the network in DC. Once a year, everyone takes half a week off from classes, and gets a free ticket to travel to DC to network and interview. GSPP has a decent PMF finalist record as well. And, having been around since the 1969, there is a large alumni network across the country.
Advice for Future Applicants:
In contrast to the often-written advice about how a good SOP can make up for low grades and scores, I felt like my SOP was the weakest part of my applications. Particularly regarding my work/volunteer experience. GSPP's SOP was by far my worst (it was done first), and Umich Ford (last) was my best. So go figure. The hypothesis I have from my experience is that grades and scores are weighted more slightly heavily on admission side of things (i.e. they know you're smart and can do the work), while the qualitative SOP/work experience/passion are weighted on the fellowship award side of things (how badly do you want to come here?). After all, it's pretty easy for a place like Chicago or Michigan to admit you with zero or little funding. It's a smaller risk. They reserve the big bucks for the student that is qualified academically, but will also do the kind of work they most hope their alumni will do. This hypothesis is actually the reverse of what I originally thought.
I didn't start freaking out until I got my first notification (Wisconsin). Then it was check Gmail and refresh this forum every five minutes for two months.
Tip: Want to know who's probably on the admissions committee? Look to those faculty that are involved with the flyout/visit days. There was overlap at both Duke and GSPP in this area.
Offer: To prospective students, feel free to message me with questions about the process, and particularly if you have questions about GSPP. From math camp to core classes, facilities, you name it. I spent a good five years browsing these forums, and never dreamed that I'd get accepted at Berkeley without going into the Peace Corps, or launching an after school mentoring program or something. I'm happy to help the next batch of applicants.
