
emoleys
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Everything posted by emoleys
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Another profile evaluation for all you forum-readers. Many thanks for taking the time to look over this. GPA: 3.2 in Ethnic and Gender Studies at a top 20 public university GRE: Verbal - 580, Quant - 710, Analytical - 4.5 Work experience - Lots of work done with refugees on a volunteer basis within the U.S. (1.5 years), some work abroad with Doctors without Borders (3 months) and experience working as a translator in the airline industry (1.5 years) Also have taken Micro and Macro Economics courses and gotten As in both. Are my GRE scores my downfall? I know that this profile is not really as amazing as all the other ones I've read on this forum, which has contributed to my anxiety. I'm sure that my recommenders will support me with strong letters and my SOP is in good shape.
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I'm applying for MIA in Human Rights. I can't wait till the 5th to have this part of the process done and over with! :-)
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Thank goodness! I felt a crazy person when I was staring at those results on the computer screen after the exam. I think I'll need to give the Yerkes-Dodson consideration next time I take an exam.
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Suggestions on Recommendation situation
emoleys replied to emoleys's topic in Letters of Recommendation
I absolutely agree that the Facebook may be too casual. However, we do have a somewhat informal and casual relationship, which is the only reason why I would be willing to reach out to her through this channel. Also, if she was a professor, then I think I would firmly say no to contacting her through this channel. But she supervised me while working in a non-profit. We normally communicate through email regularly (at least once a month or one and half months) and it has only been because of what has happened in the couple of months that there has been a lapse in communication. Unfortunately, the office where the non-profit is has been closed for the holidays and I'm having no luck. -
Suggestions on Recommendation situation
emoleys replied to emoleys's topic in Letters of Recommendation
I had talked to sometime in August if she would be willing to write a letter for me and she has said yes. This was about a month before she went on leave. She has written a letter for me before and has been extremely supportive of me. Which is also why I'd feel a bit guilty for reaching out to her at a time like this. I worked with her at a non-profit organization in the volunteer department. I did try reaching out to another colleague at the organization for assistance but due to the holidays there has been no response. Unfortunately, the program I'm applying to will only allow 3 letters and two have already been sent. -
I'm apply for the MIA program at SIPA as well. I found that the policy one would be really broad for me to write about so I opted for the experience one instead. Just start writing and don't be distracted by the word count. You can edit what you have down to the required word count afterwards. I've found that tactic to be really helpful to developing my essays. Good luck!
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I'm sorry to be posting this again, but I really need some advice. Apologies for what will most likely be a long post. A recommender that I've been working with has had a very eventful few weeks. I worked with her in human trafficking, which is ultimately my area of interest and forms the basis for my SOP. She had been on maternity leave from the position, just gave birth recently and was also terminated from the position as a result of "budget issues". I had been contacting her through the work email account but was receiving no response. She is also usually very good about answering emails so I'm sure that these events are the reason for why she has not been responding. As an alternative, I've asked my internship supervisor that I've been developing a close working relationship with over the past 3 months. I think my reservation, though, about asking this supervisor, is that the work that we're doing is with children who have special needs, especially those that have been traumatized by domestic violence. However, my area of interest is in human trafficking the area in which the 1st recommender used to work with me. I'm positive that this internship supervisor will write a strong letter and will vouch for my abilities. But would it look better to adcoms if I keep pushing for the 1st recommender to send in a letter? I wrote a lot about my work in human trafficking in my SOP. I've sent a document detailing my work in human trafficking with specifics to this internship supervisor and asked her to include these details to further bolster on the kind of work I've been doing with her. My only other way of contacting the 1st recommender is to contact her by facebook. I'm not sure how good that will look. What do you guys think?
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I definitely need to elaborate on the situation a bit more. My recommender also had a baby recently and is busy taking care of her. I've sent her more than 3 emails about the recommendation letter, and with the deadline coming up in early January, I'm thinking that she may not be the best person ask. As a Plan B, I've asked my supervisor that I've been developing a close working relationship with over the past 3 months during an internship. I think my reservation, though, about asking this supervisor, is that the work that we're doing is with children who have special needs, especially those that have been traumatized by domestic violence. However, my area of interest is in human trafficking the area in which the 1st recommender used to work with me. I'm positive that this supervisor will write a strong letter and will vouch for my abilities. In fact, considering the general situation and her personality, I think she might even write a better letter than the 1st recommender. But would it look better to adcoms if I keep pushing for the 1st recommender to send in a letter? I wrote a lot about my work in human trafficking in my SOP. Unfortunately, I cannot ask both because of the limit on recommendation letters.
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Wagner PT MPA for free vs. anywhere else
emoleys replied to MPPplusDebt's topic in Government Affairs Forum
I think it all depends on what you want to do or what you envision doing with your degree. From what you've said so far, it sounds like your current job is not a good fit for you. I imagine that you're looking to do more policy-oriented work? Or advocacy? The differences in what you want to do can very well determine which school is a better for you. I'm seeing a lot of SIPA grads that I know get work in the advocacy arena. I don't know about Wagner, but the scholarships and lack of debt sound quite persuasive to me... -
I had checked the website before I booked my testing for 2 days ago. They say 15 days and don't specify anything about holidays. So I would assume that irrespective of the occasion, you can count on receiving your score 15 days max from the testing day? I recall that last month, despite the Thanksgiving holiday, I still received my score 15 days after the testing date.
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I definitely need to elaborate on the situation a bit more. My recommender also had a baby recently and is busy taking care of her. I've sent her more than 3 emails about the recommendation letter, and with the deadline coming up in early January, I'm thinking that she may not be the best person ask. As a Plan B, I've asked my supervisor that I've been developing a close working relationship with over the past 3 months during an internship. I think my reservation, though, about asking this supervisor, is that the work that we're doing is with children who have special needs, especially those that have been traumatized by domestic violence. However, my area of interest is in human trafficking the area in which the 1st recommender used to work with me. I'm positive that this supervisor will write a strong letter and will vouch for my abilities. In fact, considering the general situation and her personality, I think she might even write a better letter than the 1st recommender. But would it look better to adcoms if I keep pushing for the 1st recommender to send in a letter? I wrote a lot about my work in human trafficking in my SOP. Unfortunately, I cannot ask both because of the limit on recommendation letters.
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Someone that I had worked with closely at a non-profit has been my go-to person for recommendations. However, I just found out that she got laid off from her job. The program I'm applying to is asking for 2 academic and at least 1 profession. She was going to be my professional one, but now I'm a bit concerned. Would it still be good to ask her?
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You all very well could be right. It may have been stress or anxiety. But like I said before, I really went in there feeling prepared. I did not feel particularly stressed out or anxious. I did actually feel somewhat confident. In regards to improving my score, I am trying to better my application through my scores. My concern is that I may not have the most stellar resume or GPA and I'm trying to get a better GRE score in order to compensate. I do actually think that my first score was okay. Not great but okay. However, my thinking is that if I can find ways to better my chances, then why not?
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Just here to add to the pool of GRE anger. I took the GREs for the first time in 2008 and got a 710Q 680V and 4.5. I took it again last month and got a 710Q 580V and 4.5 Analytical. So I thought, if I'm going to get into the international affairs program of my choice, I have to do much better, right? So this time, I really pushed myself with the studying. I thought that I was going in prepared. Just got back from the test. I got a 680Q and 540V!!!! WHAT IN THE WORLD?! I thought that I could at sharpen my application but I only made it worse. I'll have to wait another two weeks for the Analytical, but I'm not exactly looking forward to that with anticipation. Has this happened to anyone else? I feel like I've wasted all this time. I'm so fed up with this GRE monopoly on standardized testing!
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Doing the Dual Degree MSW/MIA at Columbia...
emoleys replied to emoleys's topic in Government Affairs Forum
That's wonderful! I'm taking the GREs again next week and hoping that I can boost my score and chances to get in. I hope we both get in as well! It is SO good to hear from someone in a similar situation. I don't feel so crazy anymore for doing this! -
Thank you so much for your replies! I emphasize the plural! I think as of now, I'm just going to gear up for the application deadline for the MIA. I'm planning to take the GRE at some point before October, so I'm studying now. From what I'm hearing from everyone in general, it seems like doing the dual degree will really be worth it in the end for me. Now, I just need to get into SIPA! :-/ Thank you again.
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I apologise ahead of time for the double posting of this, but I thought that it would help to get some perspective not just from people who are pursuing a social work degree but also from people who are trying to get an MIA/MPA/MPP. After much intense deliberation, some help from outside sources, and finally some help from Columbia Social Work's financial aid, I'm gearing up for my first year of the social work program at Columbia. I'm excited for sure, but am wondering at this point how much just the MSW degree will do to help me with my career goals. I'm increasingly considering applying to the international affairs program at SIPA to help better my chances with my pursuing my career objectives. If I do the dual degree program, it means that I can earn 2 degrees within 3 years. On the other hand, if I pursue just the MSW, I'll just be in school for 2 years. My goals are the following: To do close work with refugees and human trafficking survivors in the recovery process and do advocacy work and community organizing to galvanize both survivors and their allies to speak out against the issue. I believe that the clinical route in the MSW degree will equip me with the knowledge I need to work with this population...but I'm not sure whether it will be enough to pursue the advocacy work that I would like to do. Moreover, I'm becoming increasingly convinced (as a result of the infrastructural changes that are happening within the non-profit I work for) that an MIA will give me the "internationally minded" policy background that I'll need to get hired for the kinds of positions I'm going for. The thing is, I'm willing to go through 1 more year of school and financial struggle for the second degree, if I can significantly better my skill set and do stronger work for refugees and human trafficking survivors... I've been mulling this over for the past 2 months and have actually been taking 2 economics courses in preparation for the application, should I decide to apply (The admissions FAQ in the SIPA webpage recommend taking at least 2 econ classes). What do you all think?
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After much intense deliberation, some help from outside sources, and finally some help from CUSSW's financial aid, I'm gearing up for my first year at CUSSW. I'm excited for sure, but am wondering at this point how much just the MSW degree will do to help me with my career goals. I'm increasingly considering applying to the international affairs program at SIPA to help better my chances with my pursuing my career objectives. If I do the dual degree program, it means that I can earn 2 degrees within 3 years. On the other hand, if I pursue just the MSW, I'll just be in school for 2 years. My goals are the following: To do close work with refugees and human trafficking survivors in the recovery process and do advocacy work and community organizing to galvanize survivors to speak out against the issue. I believe that the clinical route in the MSW degree will equip me with the knowledge I need to work with this population...but I'm not sure whether it will be enough to pursue the advocacy work that I would like to do. Moreover, I'm becoming increasingly convinced (as a result of the infrastructural changes that are happening within the non-profit I work for) that an MIA will give me the "internationally minded" policy background that I'll need to get hired for the kinds of positions I'm going for. The thing is, I'm willing to go through 1 more year of school and financial struggle for the second degree, if I can significantly better my skill set and do stronger work for refugees and human trafficking survivors... Hmm...I've been mulling this over for the past 2 months and have actually been taking 2 economics courses in preparation for the application, should I decide to apply (The admissions FAQ in the SIPA webpage recommend taking at least 2 econ classes). What do you all think?
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NICE! I was motivated by your success to talk to the financial aid office as well. They've increased my scholarship from $4500 to $6000. It's better, but I'm not sure if it's good enough. They've also put me on the waiting list for work study, which I seriously hope can go through. If it does, it will be a tremendous help. Initially, despite the low scholarship, I was pretty sure I could manage the debt through the savings I am accumulating through my job. However, a new living wage ordinance passed and now my employer pays me $3.30 less per hour in exchange for overpriced insurance. I really don't feel as confident anymore about going into debt. My father says that he's more than willing to help me with the tuition, but that will be a last last resort for me. I really don't want my parents to give nor loan me money that I'm sure they will need. I went to the Admitted Students Day here in L.A., which was not as helpful as I wish it was. However, the alumni I met seemed more than willing to help and give advice, indeed, some of the more recent graduates are actually working jobs that they found through networking with the older ones. Overall, it seems like Columbia is helpful in getting an extra boost in the job search and in my case, if I decide to apply for a PhD program. I think that either way, I'm leaning towards just sucking it up and going. My job is becoming less and less enjoyable and I don't have anything else lined up right now. I've been on the job hunt for the past 9 months and I haven't been able to find anything better. Unless my job conditions miraculously improve or I land a great scholarship/grant, then I may wind up deferring for a semester/year or so just to save up some more. I'm willing to make some kind of sacrifice to attend a program that I feel like is a good fit, I just wish something will happen that will make me feel more confident about taking on such a debt.
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Lucky you! It looks like you've got a great array of choices to pick from! Congratulations! One of my former colleagues went to WUSTL and she only had good things to say about the program. She works as a case worker in a homeless shelter for women and she felt that the program really helped prepare her and the school itself carries a bit of the "branding" that can be helpful in the job search. As for USC, I work with some of the interns that they have placed in the non-profit I'm at and I get really mixed responses from them about the program. They range from a general "it's not bad" to "don't go." One of the complaints that I got was that the school is cutting less funding toward the MSW program and pouring it into their MSW abroad center that they are trying to build up in Taiwan. As a result, the program is running low on vital resources. All the interns compliment the program for the excellent faculty that teach there. I think that it's a consensus that what you get out of the program, depends on how much you put in (applies I think for any program!). I'm sorry, but I really don't know anything about the UCLA program. Either way though, these are all great programs you're looking at!
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No, they didn't offer me work study, which is so disappointing. I'm hoping to talk to the financial aid office one of these days when I'm not working and see if they can change their minds about that. Yes, the SW alternative loans definitely covers the rest of the cost. However, I'm not too clear on what they are. I noticed that near the end of the aid letter, it says this about "alternative eligibility": "This figure represents your alternative eligibility or remaining need. Remaining need is the difference between your total cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, transportation, living and personal expenses) and your awarded financial aid. You may choose to explore other financial aid options, such as outside awards or a supplemental loan in addition to the Federal Direct Loan you may have been awarded. You may choose between a fixed interest rate Federal Direct PLUS loan and a variable interest rate private educational loan. Students are responsible for the interest charges during periods of enrollment or deferment but may be able to defer the payment of interest until full loan repayment begins. Please note that the terms and conditions of federal student loans or assistance may be more beneficial than the terms and conditions of private education loans." Does that mean that the category isn't loans they are offering me but only the "remaining need" that I have?
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Well, I received my financial aid package today, finally. A grim $4500. I'm not really sure what to do at this point. Even the federal loans I'm getting won't cover the complete costs. I know I should be grateful but I feel like I've been swindled out of a great opportunity.
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Congrats on your decision! I feel the same way about the immigrants and refugees concentration. It's right up my alley! This is the reason why I'm really excited about the Columbia program, despite the financial aspect. I really wanted to fly to NYC to come the admitted students day, but my work schedule won't allow me to do so. I'm just going to go to the local student event they're having here in LA. Please post about you learn at the event! I really wish I can be there.
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I'm still waiting to hear back on financial aid. I had a nightmare the other night that Columbia was giving me $211 in aid and I would be getting $59 each year in grants and scholarships from outside sources (random numbers, for sure). As hilarious as it may sound, I really hope that it doesn't come true!
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That's disappointing to hear. Schools seem to be increasingly short on money to pay for resources and are using student fees to pay. Makes me feel even more anxious and apprehensive about my financial aid package. I'm seeing some SIPA students receive pretty decent fellowships, though. I read somewhere in this forum that someone got 20k per year? I'm a little hopeful but not expecting a miracle. As for the large class size, for me, I went to a large public university, so I don't mind that too much. I think that it also makes some sense, since so many people are losing their jobs or are being relegated to work that they are not satisfied with (such is the case with me). Many are opting to go back to school instead of working. I hope that the increase doesn't represent a lower standard in admission and program quality but rather a solution to the higher number of grad school applicants that are qualified. I'm looking forward to hearing more about what current/former students have to say about the program, both negative and positives. I can't deny that part of my decision to attend Columbia was the name part. However, from at least some of what I've read, the program quality does live up to the prestige of the name. It seems that a lot of dissatisfaction stems from field placement. I hope that I don't wind up in that position! Thank you, TerriM, for sharing this info. It must have been exciting to receive that phone call! And congratulations on your decision to attend Oxford! You're going to get an amazing education there.