Preparing for a MPP

[Ellen123]

I'm planning to enroll as a full-time MPP student in the fall of 2018 and am wondering how best to prepare. I am almost 3 years out of college, where I was not a quant major. I also do not heavily use quant skills in my current job. I'm a little concerned about being fully up to speed in the fall.

I've seen topics about online courses people have taken to bolster their application, but does anyone have suggestions for online courses that one can take to prepare for matriculation? What topics would you suggest (I'm thinking stats, calc, and microecon) and where have people had good experiences with online courses? Is there any benefit (that would justify the additional cost) to taking it for a grade?

If you think online courses are not a good way to prepare, what have other people had success with? 

Thanks in advance for your help!

Edited January 16, 2018 by Ellen123

[SerenityNow!]

I would not recommend taking online courses in preparation for MPA level courses. To be honest I don't think anyone needs them unless you have never taken an economics course, never taken calculus, or a statistics 101 course. If you are missing any of those three then it might be worth while to take an online course but even then definitely not necessary unless you intend on focusing on quant courses during the program. I have two recommendations below on other things that might be helpful:

1. Most programs will have a "math camp" of sorts that takes 1-2 weeks before the fall semester begins. Definitely enroll in it! The instructor will know exactly the kind of math/stats you need to succeed in the program and you will have access to professors and TAs in person to help you out. In addition, it can be a great way to make friends at the beginning of the program. I would reach out to your school and see if they have such a program and then be on the look out to sign up for it.

2. Review the core courses you will have to take, probably a basic stats class, a macro econ class that doesn't use calculus, maybe a risk analysis class depending on your concentration? Buy the books as soon as you find out your first semester schedule or look online to see if you can figure out the books you will need in your first semester and skim the books 1-2 months before the program begins to try to jog your memory on what you might need the most help with and then be proactive about getting help on those sections. OR review the Khan Academy videos on the topics you will be covering in your classes, usually you can find old syllabuses floating around online for your program that professors post on their personal websites.

As someone who was a TA for quant classes while earning my MPA I think the most critical thing you can do is come into the program with confidence and a great attitude towards math/econ/stats instead of already dreading it. The students that struggled the most were the ones that came in day one terrified of economics and statistics, if you come in with confidence, let the TA and professor you may need extra help at the beginning so they can keep an eye on your progress, then you will be just fine

[ExponentialDecay]

If you've already been admitted to the program, you can rest easy that your background is sufficient for success in it (at least according to the admissions committee, who at this stage know better than you), so you don't really need to prepare. If you feel antsy, EdX/coursera/khan academy (depending on what you're looking to take) have some free courses in basic economics/math. Paying money to take something for credit is imo overkill.

[Ellen123]

@SerenityNow! + @ExponentialDecay - thanks so much for your thoughtful responses!

Yes, I have been accepted to Harris in the EA round. It is one of my top choices, so there is a high likelihood I will be going there. Obviously it is very quant heavy, which is why I was getting a bit nervous. I was also planning on going to their math camp, if I decide to enroll at UC.

I'll definitely look into getting the syllabi once I accept an offer and into the online programs you mentioned. Thanks again, it is greatly appreciated!