Development Hopeful

Yea, French is always invaluable for Africa. From multiple people I know, it's damn near impossible to get a development gig in much of Africa without a solid French background. I don't know what you mean by a bit older, but I guess I'm in that category as well. I'm 25 (26 in April) and went into the Peace Corps two years into undergrad at 20, and have been finishing up my Bachelors in Nursing since I got back in 2008 (the first two years of college were basically a wash towards my nursing degree). I'll be graduating in May, but was told the median age in the program is 27, so the age thing will probably work in your favor. Props on the HIV stuff; HIV education was my gig in Peace Corps. You should read "Wisdom of Whores" by Elizabeth Pisani. It's a great (and pretty funny) expose on the HIV aid community since the 80s.

I'm not too worried. I got my application in back in October so I could get the fee waived. I've been looking at the program for the last year and a half and have met with Rebeca and Dr. Roncoli in person and also had a phone conversation with Dr. Nugent. I'd be very surprised and even more disappointed if I didn't get accepted, but based off their feedback they say I'm what they are looking for. Not to mention, my area of interest is Latin America (specifically Peru) and Dr. Nugent's career has focused on the region, so I'm hoping that gave me some brownie points. Additionally, I've heard that all the MDP programs have been experiencing the same issue of a lack of male applicants, so I'm hoping that will help me out as well. I've applied to several other programs, but the program at Emory is basically exactly what I wanted to find in a graduate program, so unless another school offers me a substantial finaid package, I'll be headed to Emory as well (all considering I don't get a very sad letter in the mail). What is your background by the way?

Yea I'm right there with you. It's an awesome program but so little finaid available for it. Unfortunately, every similar program I have come across and applied to is equally as expensive. Sucks that to do meaningful humanitarian work requires such a large chunk of change. I'm still debating bout just biting the bullet and live with 10% of my income being non-existent for the next decade.

I figure I'd get this thread going again since the deadline is coming up in a couple weeks. I submitted my app in October, and just waiting on one more LoR to be submitted. Anyone else out there applying to the MDP program at Emory (or UF) for the upcoming year? Anyone else out there know how I would stack up for the program(s)? Program Applied To: Emory MDP, UF MDP, UD dual JD/Int Studies, Northeastern/Brandeis Joint JD/SID, Detroit Mercy Law Undergraduate institution: Kennesaw State University Undergraduate GPA: 3.49 (3.69 120+ hour institutional) Undergraduate Major: Nursing, minor in Applied Statistics and Data Analysis, certificate program in non-profit management GRE Quantitative Score: 670 GRE Verbal Score: 560 GRE AW Score: 4.0 LSAT Score: 147 (LSAT was solely for the NE/Brandeis program, but applied to others as well. Not expecting too many acceptances based on my horrible score) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Still trying to finish that one up. Years of Work Experience: 5ish Describe Relevant Work Experience: Peace Corps 06-08 (Jamaica, HIV education), volunteer coordinator at international medical relief nonprofit (09-present) Language: Basic Spanish. 2 semesters undergrad and 3 week immersion program in Peru. Plan on backpacking through Peru all this summer to brush up on my Espanol. Publications: Contributor to instructor's guide for a textbook on caring for vulnerable populations. Other: Political activism. VP of young democrats at KSU. Ran for GA State House of Rep in 2010 (obviously didn't win). Bunch o' other volunteer activities.

Yea, everything about the program seems awesome to me! I'm definitely going to apply, I'm just concerned -- like you -- about the inevitable funding requirements. If you don't mind me asking, what is your background? I'll be applying this fall, so just trying to gauge my prospects. Thanks!

Any updates on the program at Emory? I'm looking to apply for next year so I am curious about who got in, their background and any funding they got. Thanks! Paul