KQNovice

Bump!! Anyone more thoughts? Be happy to read anyone else's in exchange

Thanks! Any more thoughts people? Its a first draft but hoping to get it finished today.

Any thoughts anyone?

Question asks me to explain an area of public policy I would change or am inteersted in. Excuse the typos. its a first draft/ Any help guys? To fans, players, coaches,referees and anyone else that may be involved, it is referred to as ‘theBeautiful Game’. In the United States, its name is soccer. Everywhere else? Wecall it football. No matter its name, its appeal is universal. I am a referee infootball and am an active participant in the referee mentor program for closeto a thousand referees in the south of the United Kingdom. I help in mentoringnew referees who often complain about the fact that their minds are unable toprocess all that may be occurring on the field at one time. They may be easilyconfused when the game is being played at a frantic pace; or they may beinsecure and afraid of confrontation when overbearing parents or aggressivecoaches criticise their decisions. As a mentor, these situations are all too familiarto me. Nonetheless, with time, I feel I have developed into a manager on thefield, having the ability to control the flow of a game, mustering confidencewhen making a call and truly enjoying myself. However, despite all thecoaching, encouragement and practice, some referees will remain timid. The samecan be said for the management of public debt in recent years. The financial crisis of2008 has prompted the hazard of public debt to be a frequent theme ofdiscussion amongst policy makers. Looking across the world and it is fair tocomment that borrowing has spiralled. The economy, or the ‘aggressive coaches’has stagnated due to the recession and many countries who were spending heavilyto combat this crisis can no longer play at this frantic pace. Football andpublic debt. An apt marriage. The collapses of theeconomy in Greece and Ireland are a very dangerous sign. The continual highlevels and mismanagement may cause a larger economy to fail and potentiallyhave a domino effect. The risk of sovereign defaults is heightened by the synchronisednature of the financial crisis and recession. These have led to an unprecedented surge in governmentborrowing globally which willcontinue even as the recession has ended. High debt burden statesare most exposed to payment difficulties and are the focus of market concerns. These countries also saw asurge in private-sector borrowing during the pre-crisis boom, with much of this debt now turning bad as aresult of the recession, with largebailout bills adding to governments' fiscal problems. Among thesepotential sovereign defaults, I am particularly concerned for emerging marketssuch as Pakistan. If public debt continues to grow relative to national income,it will be much more difficult to attract investments within the country to stabilisethe economic problems caused by growing public debt. As this debt grows, thegovernment, in its attempt to maintain fiscal sustainability, will be forced toincrease taxes. This increased causes a reduction in disposable income and thusless money is spent upon goods and services. My career goals are intrinsicallylinked with the notion of public debt. My aspiration is to maintain consistentlevels of economic development in emerging market economies such as Pakistan byensuring capital investments are being made. To gain or maintain, as it may be,economic development in such states, investment is critical. Governmentdeficits have a significant impact upon proposed investment within a state, andthe more it grows, the farther capital investments become. Based on the famousKeynesian model, a large public debt and further spending prompts greater movementin the economy but this has proven to be unrealistic in some states. My perception is thatpublic debt ought to be a long thought-out process, particularly in less developedcountries. Granted, occasionally governments will run deficits to in order tomeet short-term economic or political targets but surely this process is notsuitable for the long term. I would like international organisations such asthe International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to intervene at a muchearlier stage to prevent over-reliance on debt capital and deficit spending. I would like to see twoprimary aspects to be employed or its use to be encouraged, as it may be, whenconsidering public debt. Firstly, I would encourage a greater degree of foreigndirect investment. Working collaboratively, I would want a state to promotedevelopment of its industries by allowing new capital but restricting capitalinflow in industries where the state is competitive itself. This is important asmany emerging economies will provide no barriers to entry and home grownindustries will not prosper. I believe this reliance on solving problems ‘inhouse’ will provides greater management and more balance in preventing economictroubles. The IMF and World Bank ought to work alongside emerging markets tofinalize a plan that will determine how this state will attract greater investment,monitor its benefits and how the state ought to become stronger on the back ofthis. Secondly, I wouldlike to see an ability to restructure debt capital. Greece is a prime example.It was not permitted to do so but instead was bailed out, following an almostcollapse of the entire European financial system.

Question asks me to explain an area of public affairs I would like to change/ interested in. Excuse any typos, first draft! To fans, players, coaches,referees and anyone else that may be involved, it is referred to as ‘theBeautiful Game’. In the United States, its name is soccer. Everywhere else? Wecall it football. No matter its name, its appeal is universal. I am a referee infootball and am an active participant in the referee mentor program for closeto a thousand referees in the south of the United Kingdom. I help in mentoringnew referees who often complain about the fact that their minds are unable toprocess all that may be occurring on the field at one time. They may be easilyconfused when the game is being played at a frantic pace; or they may beinsecure and afraid of confrontation when overbearing parents or aggressivecoaches criticise their decisions. As a mentor, these situations are all too familiarto me. Nonetheless, with time, I feel I have developed into a manager on thefield, having the ability to control the flow of a game, mustering confidencewhen making a call and truly enjoying myself. However, despite all thecoaching, encouragement and practice, some referees will remain timid. The samecan be said for the management of public debt in recent years. The financial crisis of2008 has prompted the hazard of public debt to be a frequent theme ofdiscussion amongst policy makers. Looking across the world and it is fair tocomment that borrowing has spiralled. The economy, or the ‘aggressive coaches’has stagnated due to the recession and many countries who were spending heavilyto combat this crisis can no longer play at this frantic pace. Football andpublic debt. An apt marriage. The collapses of theeconomy in Greece and Ireland are a very dangerous sign. The continual highlevels and mismanagement may cause a larger economy to fail and potentiallyhave a domino effect. The risk of sovereign defaults is heightened by the synchronisednature of the financial crisis and recession. These have led to an unprecedented surge in governmentborrowing globally which willcontinue even as the recession has ended. High debt burden statesare most exposed to payment difficulties and are the focus of market concerns. These countries also saw asurge in private-sector borrowing during the pre-crisis boom, with much of this debt now turning bad as aresult of the recession, with largebailout bills adding to governments' fiscal problems. Among thesepotential sovereign defaults, I am particularly concerned for emerging marketssuch as Pakistan. If public debt continues to grow relative to national income,it will be much more difficult to attract investments within the country to stabilisethe economic problems caused by growing public debt. As this debt grows, thegovernment, in its attempt to maintain fiscal sustainability, will be forced toincrease taxes. This increased causes a reduction in disposable income and thusless money is spent upon goods and services. My career goals are intrinsicallylinked with the notion of public debt. My aspiration is to maintain consistentlevels of economic development in emerging market economies such as Pakistan byensuring capital investments are being made. To gain or maintain, as it may be,economic development in such states, investment is critical. Governmentdeficits have a significant impact upon proposed investment within a state, andthe more it grows, the farther capital investments become. Based on the famousKeynesian model, a large public debt and further spending prompts greater movementin the economy but this has proven to be unrealistic in some states. My perception is thatpublic debt ought to be a long thought-out process, particularly in less developedcountries. Granted, occasionally governments will run deficits to in order tomeet short-term economic or political targets but surely this process is notsuitable for the long term. I would like international organisations such asthe International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to intervene at a muchearlier stage to prevent over-reliance on debt capital and deficit spending. I would like to see twoprimary aspects to be employed or its use to be encouraged, as it may be, whenconsidering public debt. Firstly, I would encourage a greater degree of foreigndirect investment. Working collaboratively, I would want a state to promotedevelopment of its industries by allowing new capital but restricting capitalinflow in industries where the state is competitive itself. This is important asmany emerging economies will provide no barriers to entry and home grownindustries will not prosper. I believe this reliance on solving problems ‘inhouse’ will provides greater management and more balance in preventing economictroubles. The IMF and World Bank ought to work alongside emerging markets tofinalize a plan that will determine how this state will attract greater investment,monitor its benefits and how the state ought to become stronger on the back ofthis. Secondly, I wouldlike to see an ability to restructure debt capital. Greece is a prime example.It was not permitted to do so but instead was bailed out, following an almostcollapse of the entire European financial system.

Wow. Thought this is a forum for those in need for someone's opinion. If you havent anything constructive to say, keep your stupid remarks to yourself.

71 views but no comments?! Anyone, matter of urgency here!

I am writing my 2nd essay and I really wanted to talk about public debt in the UK and Pakistan and what I would like to see done about it. However, I am a little concerned this part constitutes more straight microeconomics rather than public/social policy Would this be OK to do?

Thanks. Any other feedback?

Thanks a lot. I intend to remove the quote. I thought it highlighted my beginning into public policy but appreciate your thought.

Mostly, but Chicago has 800. Have drafts for that as well

Sorry, I think the grammatical errors were more because of the copy and paste. I pride myself on good writing, being a law student but thanks for your input.

Thanks a lot for your input. A few points: I didnt think I was painting my time at law school as wasted but more as a time where my interest in public policy grew I wrote it more as a story because I had been told that this captures the attention more rather than a generic professional letter stating why I want to apply. Does this not differentiate me? How my SOP overall? Do I need to redraft it or is the majority of the good stuff on paper already? Finally, I forgot to give my background: 3.6GPA from Oxford (Law), Masters in Law (from top 5 law school), extensive legal work experience, work in consultancy firm now

What are peoples perceptions on the above two programs? Have had mixed reviews

APPLYING TO FOLLOWING: CIPA CORNELL USC PENN FELS CHICAGO HARRIS GEORGETOWN “To be nobody but yourself--in a world which is doing its best, nightand day, to make you everybody else--means to fight the hardest battle whichany human being can fight; and never stop fighting.” My first reflectionupon reading this passage by E.E. Cummings; I think I’ve read this storybefore. The realization was hard to stomach. When choosing a direction for thefuture, for my career, for my life, for my family even, I have often acceptedpositions, jobs and decisions based on a compromise; of my dreams and thedreams of those around me. This leads me to writing this letter. Let me establish a picture. Its 2006. I am 20 years old. I had justreturned from travelling for a year in South Asia, where I worked as a managerat my grandfather’s farm in Lahore, Pakistan. I was due to begin my law degree.My parents were ecstatic. I had spent time in my grandfather’s birthplace, wasacclimated with the traditions and culture of Eastern Pakistan and I was tobecome a lawyer. I was the perfect son. Reflecting now asa qualified lawyer, beginning my very first job at a law firm last fall, wasthe wake-up call, for a lack of a better phrase, which I didn’t think wouldemerge. I have exhausted 4 years of my life, significant amount of capital, andinternships the world over to discover that, being a lawyer is not what I want.Even typing these words are difficult. I could lie and say the desire for animmediate career led me towards the law; however, it was the desire of myparents that led to me the law. To be frank, the decision, made for me at the time, to work for mygrandfather, has had the greatest impact on my life. Pakistan; a failedstate almost, whether that happens tomorrow, next week or in the next 20minutes, the reality is inevitable. I never knew why. Allow me to rephrase, Iknew why but I just couldn’t understand why. I guess this struck me the most. Agreat country, now a failed state. This was my first motivation towards publicpolicy. Why was this allowed to happen? How could someone, anyone haveintervened? History is not kind to Pakistan and my grandfather oftenillustrated this fact. A background in public policy would allow me, aqualified lawyer, a British citizen, an intruder almost, to rectify asituation. This situation. I continued towards the law initially, partly to satisfy myparents and partly due to renewed enthusiasm. The law, in many ways, equated topublic policy. However, 4 years later, I can safely comment that the reality ofthat contention is limited. This has led me to apply to the Georgetown Public Policy Instituteand its Master of Public Policy. I believe the key element is effort. I haveengrossed myself with numerous community service ventures, student societiesand student governments, all in the notion of effort. This is what mygrandfather echoed. My goals are quitesimple. I want to help. With my business acumen, analytical skills andleadership pedigree, and the immense amount I stand to gain from a master’s inpublic policy, help is realistic. Change is realistic. I am very interested inthe dual degree offered by Georgetown in public policy and economics. I aim formy concentration in public policy to be International Policy and Development,which aligns perfectly with my career aspirations. It’s quite clear thatcountries such as Pakistan and those undergoing turmoil right now as I writethis, need development. I mention goals; however,I am realistic enough to comment that is somewhat a tentative plan. I embracethe fact that matriculating into the Georgetown MPP provides me with options.And for me, options can breed innovation. However, with aspecialization in public policy, my long-term career goal would to become apositive catalyst in developing a greater entrepreneurial spirit in Lahore, byinfluencing public policy and creating a culture of venture capitalinvestments. I intend to bring about the creation of these investmentpartnerships by drawing on my professional and academic experiences, butheavily adopting various programs that may be in existence already. This, Ibelieve, will stimulate growth in the area, and further attract largercorporations to invest. The indispensability of an advanced degree cannot be overstated toharbour ambitions of becoming an effective public servant. Real worldexperience is satisfactory to an extent, but I feel I could gain a broaderunderstanding of the fundamental theories behind public policy decisions andeconomics and I believe Georgetown to be that school. Graduate school will alsoallow me to truly grasp the competing interests around public policy and thisis vital. I’ve chosen Georgetown for pursuing an advanced degree in publicpolicy because of a variety of reasons. I am particularly attracted toGeorgetown due to its location. In the heart of Washington, DC, it is ideal inseeking internships and experience. Georgetown included a phrase in theirbrochure, which effectively made my decisions for me; “link theory topractice”. This is exactly the environment I am seeking to achieve my goals andI have no doubt Georgetown is the right destination for me. The GPPI alsostands out above the rest because there is an emphasis on quantitative andanalytical skills, which are critical to policy analysis. Coming from a legalbackground, analytical skills are a must, however an opportunity to sharpen, aswell as gain new skills is always welcome. The program, I feel, bridges the gapbetween abstract principles that I may gain from any school and reality ofpublic service. This reverts back to the luxury of residing in Washington. Thisis extremely important, as I believe; success in such industry is synonymouswith experience. Finally, the interdisciplinary approach is essential torespond effectively to today’s policy problems, and I am excited to combine theMPP program with the MA in Economics. Lacking the mathematical elements needed to begin the dual degreeprogram immediately, I aim to take classes before attending and at Georgetownto remedy this. Ultimately, as Icontemplate my future, I am pleased to discover that an enforced gap yearchanged my life. And not for the obvious reason you may imagine reading theprior sentence. I feel my diversity of experience is my greatest asset and Ianticipate ways for Georgetown to not only harness it but provide a canvas forme to continually develop. ANY THOUGHTS? (sorry for the caps, thought they will draw attention)

Anyone know potential of me working in the field of consulting coming from MPP at say Cornell, Chicago, USC or Georgetown?? I would be interested in public or private consulting. Does anyone have any information about this?