Taylor

Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): IR, MPA, International Trade and Investment Policy (GWU), MSFS Schools Applied To: GWU, Georgetown, SAIS, Syracuse Maxwell, U Maryland Schools Admitted To: Syracuse (MPA/MA-IR) Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Everyone else Undergraduate institution: Top 20 Public University Undergraduate GPA: 3.88 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: English GRE Quantitative Score: 790. GRE Verbal Score: 770 GRE AW Score: Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 5.0 Years of Work Experience: 3.5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I worked for a manufacturer-cum-importer in quality assurance and supplier management in China despite my lack of an engineering or manufacturing background. Afterwards, I worked with partners to try to establish a trade company for energy efficient lighting, then as vice president of an LED indoor lighting factory for about nine months. During this time, I was in contact with many Chinese officials. My final job was with a US state economic development center in Shangahi, where I helped manage the logistics of a visit by the state-level secretary of state and trade mission. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): For most of them, I wish I'd had more space to write. Since I have limited public sector experience, I emphasized my Chinese ability and my study and work abroad. All of my schools are professionally-oriented rather than academic track, so I stated my intention to go into the US Foreign Service and pointed to examples of professors, curriculum, or programs that will help me reach that goal. I packed as much as I could into the space given, but I am ashamed to admit that I found a typo in them a week after sending. Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): A well-known linguistics professor who has written rec's for me before, my former supervisor at the US company, and the head of the economic development office. The last one concerns me just because the relationship wasn't that strong, but it is my most recent work, as well as my only public sector position. Other: I compromised and went with a full ride for undergrad, so I really want a strong experience as a graduate student. However, I would be lying if I said that funding won't make a difference.