Should I waste my time with ivy league schools?

[blaspheming]

I don't have the most impressive background and I'm wondering if I'd even be on their radar for admission. I've been looking at the SIPA MPA Env. Science & Policy and HKS MPP programs, in particular.

M.S. Environmental Studies (policy emphasis) from CSU Fullerton (4.0 gpa)

B.A. Environmental Science & Policy from CSU Long Beach (3.2 gpa)

1.5 years relevant work experience at time of application

3 great letters of recommendation (one from a UNESCO senior consultant)

1070 combined GRE, 5.0 AW (retaking this in the summer)

I hate to phrase this as a "do I have a chance" thread, just wondering if I should pursue these schools. As you can see, I'm new to the ivy league game. I feel like I'd be a great fit with SIPA, considering I have a background in econ, political science, bio/chem/etc.

I'd appreciate any feedback, this forum tends to have some insightful opinions. Thanks

[researchnerd]

I recommend that you retake the GRE--but otherwise, you sound competitive. Personally--I started out with a 1000 (during my first practice test). I ended up with a 1500. This is what I did:

I bought this book:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=gre+barrons&x=0&y=0

The second one that comes up and the little blue one--like 800 words for the GRE, also by Barrons. I also got the Princeton review 250 words list.

I put every single inane word possible into an anki (google anki and download it, its free) and then memorized about 1500 words. I think it was probably overkill, because when I took the test I knew every word--I'm a slow reader, so I prob lost points because I skipped the last passage.

Lastly I took a Kaplan course and took every single practice test (6) plus the 2 free ones from ETS--while I was memorizing these crazy words. I took these at Kaplan in simulated conditions. The 3500 master word list really helps, you'll probably know most of them. I left 4 months to do all of this.

[carpecc]

I second that. You've got a strong app, especially with your MS and might be competitive to the best schools, so might as well give it a shot. I got into SIPA with a 2.9 undergrad GPA. Might as well give it a shot and apply to a wide range of schools.

You can definitely raise your GRE score. I think I've posted my GRE story enough on other posts, but its pretty easy to boost your score if you follow the tips in the books, take as many practice tests as you can, do a lot of math work, memorize a lot of vocabulary. Focus in on your weak points, review math problems you miss the first time around and make sure you understand the math concepts behind the problems.

[blaspheming]

That was actually very constructive. Thanks, guys! There's hope for me yet.