Clay Made

Exactly why I want to give a professional reference. However, I worked with small teams and the managers I reported to, one wrote a reference initially but has now left that position whilst the other one I cannot get a hold of. Its really disconcerting. I dont want to lose this opportunity once again. I am going to go and speak to all three professors and really hammer home my strengths in the hopes they can recognise my dedication. I still think, having those internships, a lack of a professional recommendation does not speak well for me. Am I being paranoid?

I have a number of internships under my belt. I applied last year to some MPP programs and got accepted, however due to family issues, I could not attend. I am applying again for Spring and Fall 2012, and need some advice. I have 2 recs no problem, however from my internship, the person, I got a rec from the previous occasion is no longer there and I cannot get in touch with that person. I have had part-time jobs but I desperately need a professional recommendation. Do you think it would be weird to have recommendations all from professors, when I have done two internships in the past year and have done several more over college? Will a school like Fletcher accept 3 recs from professors? (have spoken to them and they said its OK but I am sceptical!) Thanks!

Bumping this thread to help out applicants for this application cycle. Any advice from anyone still circulating the grad forums?!

Thought I would bump this thread to help out applicants for this application cycle. Any pieces of advice would be most welcome.

Hey guys, I'm applying for the Spring admissions cycle and wanted to set something up to see who else may be applying for Spring or Fall. So feel free to jot down your questions, discussions, concerns, confidences, etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love to hear from everyone as to where they may be in their application process

Take it from someone who went to law school, what you want to do has zero to do with a law degree. Dont waste your time or money. I did the whole thing and now think of it as a mistake. I also have similar aspirations.

Another question, generally, how many programs are people applying to? I have spotted 10 that interest me definitely but another 4 that has some intriguing bits! How did you decide?!

Yeah the programs are good. I am applying to Harris again. I couldnt defer as I missed the deadline so was left with reapplying. I'm looking at IR programs like Yale, Stanford and with small cohorts, I need to stand out to be granted a good scholarship.

Also forgot. I didnt write a blanket statement, more had a template (as the programs were the same relatively but had different aspects that I was interested in) and altered it as needed.

I'm applying for Public Policy and International Relations programs. I was lucky with my score as I only studied for about 4 weeks so I think with more time to do so, I can get even better scores. I think my LOR can definitely be better. I am contacting the same professors but with more work experience and having two articles published in the past year as well as being a regular contributor to an online newspaper, my app is looking stronger already. Other things are out of my control really. My PS is good (if I say so myself!) so the GRE score is the one I am aiming for.

I've decided to retake the GRE. Although, I have good scores (Q740, V700), that got me into Harris and USC, I feel I can do better and with more of a window this time, it would be beneficial for scholarships. Obviously, the new GRE is out. I have had a brief look at it and for the most part it looks good. My question was for someone who has done the whole studying thing for the old GRE, and is reasonably well versed, how long do you reckon I need to spend? I know this is subjective but still, any insights from someone who has done the new test would be great. (sorry for the double post - thought this is the more appropriate place!)

I've decided to retake the GRE. Although, I have good scores (Q740, V700), that got me into Harris and USC, I feel I can do better and with more of a window this time, it would be beneficial for scholarships. Obviously, the new GRE is out. I have had a brief look at it and for the most part it looks good. My question was for someone who has done the whole studying thing for the old GRE, and is reasonably well versed, how long do you reckon I need to spend? I know this is subjective but still, any insights from someone who has done the new test would be great.

Anyone applying for MA programs? I like the idea of a PhD but I dont think I would be heading into academic work.

How do you decide how many programs you want to apply to? I have seen about 10 thus far, that cover all my interests, have very good placement stats, and offer healthy scholarships. It would have been even more had MIT offered scholarships for their Political Science MA. So, I revert back to my question. I dont want to overburden my professors with recommendations and and obviously I have to factor in the cost of these applications. I was looking at around 10-12 applications. Is that too much? How do you decide? My main interests lie within public policy, international relations so I am applying to a mixture of political science, IR and MPP. I believe all of them cover the areas I am interested in but I think an MPP would be best for my career transition (qualified lawyer). Thanks!

Can you people who keep posting here actually provide proper avenues or stop posting!!

Hadnt considered Korbel despite hearing good things. Not keen on Denver to be honest due to its location. I think for me, it would be better to be near or in a big city for internships. So far I have: MIT McGill Toronto NYU Chicago I'm not keen on a PhD as I think I would like to work rather then teach. Anyone with any more insight?

I just asked programs I am applying to what they thought about it. Each one said, they prefer professional recommendations but the choice is ours. So clearly, one professional is good.

According to their website, you need to be proficient in a second language by the time you graduate. So I assume they want some knowledge rather then fluency.

What about the MIT program? They have an MA. McGill also have a program. Anyone aware of their reputations? I also like the look of the MA in Humanities at Chicago. It seems to have good depth and breadth too!

I'm from the UK by the way

Hi, I am really stuck. I am aiming to apply for Spring admissions into a few programmes. I am worried, although I have very good grades and will secure hopefully some funding, that I wont be able to afford it. I want to apply for a loan and pay it back upon graduation, but I dont have a co-signer available to me. Is there such an option open where I can get a loan, without a co-signer? Thanks so much!

I am applying for MPP/MPA programs in Spring and Fall 2012 and had a very important question. I have done several internships over the past 18 months to 2 years, however I have a bit of a problem. Some of the managers I was under have now left the institutions I was interning at and I am having terrible luck finding them. I made the mistake of only seeking their work email, rather then a personal one. I've tried LinkedIn, speaking to colleagues etc but no one has spoken to them since. I am having terrible luck with my applications as I was accepted before but could not attend as there was a death in the family, with someone who I was especially close to and now this. I am beginning to think I am not meant to attend grad school. When I applied previously and was accepted to USC, Chicago Harris, I only had one work recommendation out of three. Now I may not have any currently. My questions are; 1) How would you suggest I get in touch with someone? Have I not done something as of yet? 2) How important is a employer recommendation to public policy grad school apps? 3) How should I phrase such employment on my resume? Is it wise to let it remain without a recommendation? 4) As I was a lawyer, I have legal recommendations. Will they suffice in this area? Thanks so much.

Its definitely on the list. I think it would probably be a better idea to reapply for Fall 2012. Do you know about the success of places like Fletcher and NYU Wagner when considering what I want to do?

Fletcher looks to be the school for me if I really am set for Spring. Although, I am becoming more and more open to the idea of waiting until Fall 2012.

What are your thoughts on NYU Wagner then? I would imagine similar opps exist for the larger organisations within NYC.