Imhotep

We have DHL but it's exorbitantly expensive (hundreds of dollars for document envelopes).

Of course. Again, MBB is not my main objective.

I'm not determined to go into management consulting, but it is one of many interests I have (most of them are aligned with the MPP/MPA course of study) so I'm trying to feel out the possibilities.

Have you heard of anyone making a MPP > Associate Consultant > Consultant transition without a MBA?

Does anyone have knowledge of/advice on management consulting prospects for MPP/MPA/etc. graduates? I'm sure that the MPP/MPA doesn't put you in the same bracket as the MBAs -- but are the MPP/MPAs on the same level as BAs?

Does anyone know where to get a PDF version of the text required for StraighterLine? Or any of the other online macro courses? I'm currently living in a place without access to mail. I need an accredited online macro course with the text available online.

Hi, I was accepted into some programs with only part of the tuition covered by in-school grants and loans. I'm looking to make up $20,000/year in private loans. Does anyone have recommendations on the best places/banks/national fellowships to look for this sort of money?

Hi, I have a hunch that I will be invited to interviews for at least one MBA program. The problem is that I don't own a suit and currently my finances are such that I could buy a suit but that would be cutting into my living money a good deal. Should I just bite the bullet and spend all my money on a suit? Or should I just show up in nice pants and a nice shirt? If I do go with the pants + shirt outfit, should I make some sort of apology at the interview for not having the proper attire? Or should I not mention it and hope they let it slide? Thanks for any advice.

I think your best bet is to identify firms that do the kind of work you would like to eventually do and look at their team rosters. This will tell you who has which degree. The next step would be emailing to ask for informational interviews. Most won't respond, but some will. Talking directly to schools is a good idea, too, but my sense is that you should narrow your focus before talking to schools. In terms of what is quantitative and what is not -- each school is different. You'd have to look at their programs individually. I don't think going to a "no-name" school is a deal-breaker. As long as you have good recs and a compelling statement of purpose. When I graduated I was a bit lost myself -- or at least I had many divergent interests -- and my solution was to go abroad. I've spent several years in the developing world gradually narrowing my focus. If you can stomach the idea of waiting a year or two before grad school I would recommend just trying to find an interesting, off-the-beaten path country and find any job you can there. You'll learn a new language and a new culture and most likely, simply by virtue of being a foreigner in a place without many foreigners, you'll have the opportunity to do higher level work. I can recommend a job for you if you send me a private message.

I think a lot of people make the transition you are thinking about, and I'm willing to bet that your work experience is fine. Perhaps you could get an internship at a think tank or public policy organization to start? Or you could just start doing social outreach volunteer work in your spare time? I'm sure there are lots of non-profits who would love to have someone versed in finance help out with their own financing. I would recommend looking at MPP and MPA programs. The MPP at HKS is a good place to start looking.

I don't have the information you are looking for, but have you considered doing your MA elsewhere and then applying to Harvard's PhD? You're going to rack up a ton of debt going into your PhD program -- and it could be avoided by looking at other schools that would set you up just as well for a PhD.

Am I missing something? I didn't see anything on the HKS MPP app about a policy memo.

No

I know a university in northern Somalia that is looking for teachers, and they help place teachers with (unpaid) positions at various ministries to work in their off time. I taught there and worked at the ministry of planning. If you're looking for a one year resume builder this may be it. It only pays $250/month but all flight and living expenses are covered and it's an interesting place to work. Message me your email address if you're interested.

Look at the schools' websites?

I know it might seem like a waste of time, but getting job experience before your graduate degree will make the graduate student experience better. Spend some time on the ground in the region you want to focus on. It will be worth it.

I would urge you to reconsider the idea of working for a year or two.

Don't do an online degree if you can do an on-campus degree.

I'm in the US and (like to) frequently call friends in Indonesia and Somalia. Skype used to be an inexpensive service but it seems they have raised their prices. Can anyone recommend a service?

I'm looking to get some feedback on my GRE scores. I got 162 Q (86%) and 165 V (95%). I'm worried that my quant score might be low for some of the top programs -- especially because my undergraduate record is not very strong. Realistically, if I retook the exam, I think I could get a 164 (90%) in quant. Would it be worth it to take the test again and gamble on such an improvement?

I would recommend Barron's. You can get free preview accounts for both services though.

Hello, I am applying mostly to IR and MPP programs but I do plan to apply to one MBA program, so I took the GRE instead of the GMAT. (MIT Sloan, the MBA program to which I am applying, accepts the GRE.) My scores were 162 Q and 165 V. Are these competitive GRE scores for a top MBA program?

Start law school. You'll have your summer internships to get high profile international gigs. The Harvard network and name will get you farther than you will on your own.

Barron's has good online practice. I'm using their free demo right now and really benefiting from it.

Compare Magoosh with Barron's online practice: http://barronstestprep.com/gre/pricing.php With Barron's you get 4 full length practice tests, many more practice questions, video explanations, and iPad/iPhone support. I wish I had seen this earlier.