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MPA / MPP / Phd Policy Admissions 2008


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are you an international policy person?

the same happened to me, more or less (although I'm interested more in formal theory, bureaucracy and the American policy process). one of my recomenders (and coauthor of my writing sample) got his PhD at Harris, and he told me I should be looking more at Poli. Sci. programs.

Kind of, yes. Comparative/international policy/politics is kind of a general way of addressing my specific interests (global security policy requires lots of domestic analysis!), and it is amazing just how many public policy programs seem to focus heavily on health, energy, environmental, or anything-but-security policy. You would think there would be a huge interest in security research these days, as I imagine the grant money would be easy as pie to obtain. One of the things that encouraged me about the University of Maryland was that, when I went to talk with them over the summer about my interest in the program, they told me that my research into identity/security technology (particularly RFID) would overlap nicely with their big RFID research grants.

Of course, they also said they like to see applications from people with strong work histories in the field, and I only have about a year of political campaign experience total. So I will still not be totally shocked by a rejection. We will see!

What issues are you examining through the American policy process? Or just the way that policy is produced? Likely, due to the "formal theory" thing. Northeastern's program attracted me since Michael Dukakis is faculty there, and I figured he would know a fair amount about the realities of policy creation as well as the theoretical aspects.

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slickj07,

I was the one who posted the acceptance for the Ph.D. (Econ track) @ Duke. I imagine each track has its own admissions process. Shame the other person didn't post which track he/she applied to.

congratulations!

yeah, i'm guessing that's the case. ah well...

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Kind of, yes. Comparative/international policy/politics is kind of a general way of addressing my specific interests (global security policy requires lots of domestic analysis!), and it is amazing just how many public policy programs seem to focus heavily on health, energy, environmental, or anything-but-security policy. You would think there would be a huge interest in security research these days, as I imagine the grant money would be easy as pie to obtain. One of the things that encouraged me about the University of Maryland was that, when I went to talk with them over the summer about my interest in the program, they told me that my research into identity/security technology (particularly RFID) would overlap nicely with their big RFID research grants.

Of course, they also said they like to see applications from people with strong work histories in the field, and I only have about a year of political campaign experience total. So I will still not be totally shocked by a rejection. We will see!

What issues are you examining through the American policy process? Or just the way that policy is produced? Likely, due to the "formal theory" thing. Northeastern's program attracted me since Michael Dukakis is faculty there, and I figured he would know a fair amount about the realities of policy creation as well as the theoretical aspects.

ah yeah, that is pretty interesting. unfortunately, it is an area i know very little about. i don't have great work history myself, although I've had a couple good internships (especially one last summer). still, i suspect the lack of experience is less of a problem for political science programs than for policy ones.

but yeah, i'm interested in modeling bureaucratic behavior, and stuff like legislative-executive branch interactions. i'm also interested in analyzing domestic social policies, given my master's background, but i see myself moving more in the former direction as a PhD student.

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slickj07,

I was the one who posted the acceptance for the Ph.D. (Econ track) @ Duke. I imagine each track has its own admissions process. Shame the other person didn't post which track he/she applied to.

Sorry, I'm the other person who got accepted for the Duke public policy Ph.D.; I hadn't thought to specify. I am also Econ track.

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Unknown scholar, my Georgetown MPP application was complete in mid-January and I received my acceptance email on February 7th, followed a few days later by notification that I was being considered for a scholarship. My status has not changed on the website, though. Hope you hear good news soon!

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Are you one of the individuals who posted your acceptance on the results page? If so, WELCOME! And If not, WELCOME! :-D I was hoping someone who had been accepted into Gtown for the program would post on here.

Congrats on your acceptance and congrats on consideration for a scholarship! You must have great numbers! Does your online app just say complete?

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I also had to change my email due to getting a new job in health policy, so I sent an email saying so and the administrator sent me back an email saying she would update me in her database but that I had to change it in UT Direct because only I have access to that now.. trying to read the tea leaves, lol! It could go either way, I just wish I knew which database!!! The reject or the accept!

I also wish I had this job when I applied.. it looks good.

Is it normal to check your email like 90 times in a day?

I do know last week my friend told me the person on the admissions committee said the first letters would go out in the next week or two...

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slickj07,

I was the one who posted the acceptance for the Ph.D. (Econ track) @ Duke. I imagine each track has its own admissions process. Shame the other person didn't post which track he/she applied to.

Hi brlbrl,

Congrats on getting into Duke! I am an international student applying for a PhD in Public Policy. I have applied to Chicago, Duke, GWU, Maryland and UT Austin. Haven't heard back from any of them :(

For Duke even I had applied to the Econ track. So don't know whether I should still be hopeful. I see that there is one more person who got admitted and that leaves little scope for me I guess.

Do you mind sharing your background?

Cheers,

Namrata

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Hello, all. For those reporting that they have been admitted to MPP/MPA programs, would you mind posting your stats (GPA, GRE, etc...)? It would really help those of us who are preparing to go through this next year figure out if we have any chance to be admitted at these programs. Thanks!

Linden

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My numbers:

GPA:3.1 Double Majored in Math and Econ at a top20 private university. graduated in 2006.

GRE:480V, 650Q, 3.5A.

Work experience: currently working for a social policy research firm doing quantitative research (almost 2 years) [which I think is the main reason I've been accepted anywhere].

Extra:For those who don't intend to work (which is recommended) before going on to grad school, I also did a semester long policy-related research project during my senior year.I'm also an URM(under-represented minority).

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GPA: 2.7 (baddd first year and then I went back), Without 1st year, 3.6, upper level 3.8 UT Arlington

GRE: V: 540 Q: 600 AW 6.0

Experience: Military Journalist in Iraq, Director of the press conferences from Baghdad, Senior Editor, AFN Iraq, President of the largest student created group at UTA, Chosen by college to meet PM Bhutto before her death.

Recommendations came from 3 professors, 1 from a Harvard PHd, 1 Columbia, 1 Indiana U.

I think my essay was outstanding.. but I could be bias.

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GPA: 3.97 at a "third tier" in PoliSci

GRE: V - 530 Q - 670 W - 5.5

Experience: 6 yrs in Army (Iraq, Bosnia exp); 1.5 yrs in Bosnia as a contractor; RA on a current NSF policy-related research project

Extra: Stellar LORs from a junior PoliSci prof (WUSTL), senior PoliSci prof (UCLA) and a junior History prof (Colorado) and a gorgeous (if I do say so myself) SOP. I am also an URM.

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GPA: 3.82 from a top 25 university (Top 5 Public)

GRE: V - 680 Q - 770 AW - 5.5

Experience: 2 years at a medium size consulting firm in the DC area, one academic semester during college in DC at a preeminent policy think tank, and I also spent a summer interning for a US Senator.

Recommendations: Two letters form thesis advisors, 1 from a VP at work, and 1 from a community service organization director (one app required this).

I applied to four schools, all decently high level. I got into one, and am waiting on the other 3.

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Can students who have secured admission to the PhD in PP/PA programs share their backgrounds as well?

Q 740/V 660/AW 5.5

3.7 GPA from top-15 US research university, MA from top-10 dept in related field

2 yrs research experience with well-known social policy research organization + publications

IN: Duke (Sanford)

Waiting on: Berkeley (Goldman), Chicago (Harris), Harvard (Social Policy), Maryland, Princeton (WWS)

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Q 740/V 660/AW 5.5

3.7 GPA from top-15 US research university, MA from top-10 dept in related field

2 yrs research experience with well-known social policy research organization + publications

IN: Duke (Sanford)

Waiting on: Berkeley (Goldman), Chicago (Harris), Harvard (Social Policy), Maryland, Princeton (WWS)

Hi brlbrl,

Thanks! Here's my background although I have not secured any admits yet.

V 660/Q 760/AWA 5.0

M.Phil in related field from top social science institute in India, MA in related field from top 5 university in the UK, 3 years mixed work-ex in consultancy, NGO and international organization, on-the-field developing country experience, publication

Awaiting - Duke, Maryland, GWU, Chicago, UT Austin

Have applied to a couple of top schools as well but not much hopes there. Any idea whether Duke is still sending out PhD admits?

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Would love some advice.

I applied to 8 schools-not thinking I would get into more then 1 or 2. I have heard back from 5 and would love to hear anyone's thoughts on the schools.

Duke-MPP -Accepted (partial $$)

Gtown-MPP-Accepted (partial $)

GW-MPP-Accepted

American-MPP-Accepted

Clinton School of Public Service-MPS (master of public service)-Accepted (full tuition $$$)

UCLA-MPP-Don't know

NYU-MPA-Don't know

Columbia-MPA-Don't know

I am interested in international development/education. NYU and Columbia's programs seem like the most international (though I also haven't gotten in), I am leaning toward Gtown out of the 3 DC schools (seems like more international opportunity-correct me if I am wrong), and overall leaning toward Clinton school of Public Service as getting a master degree without going into 100k + debt is appealing, and it seems like an interesting program...Any thoughts are appreciated

Also, I have to decide by March 15th as that is when I have to give my answer to Clinton School of PS.

About me

GPA:3.9 GRE V630, Q740, W 4 UGRAD Top 20 School/Top 5 Public

Thanks

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