Advice on MPP Program Chances?

[achiamop]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this forum and first wanted to say thanks for all the information provided within it. It has been incredibly helpful for me in guaging my interest/chances at various MPP/MPA schools. Many of you seem very knowledgeable about many of the top MPP programs, so I'm hoping you can provide a little guidance on my chances of acceptance to these programs. I'm planning on applying this fall to be enrolled in the fall of 2011.

Let me start by listing my stats:

Undergrad GPA: 3.51 from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business (top 15 Business School)

GRE: Q: 790, V: 660, AWA: 4.5

Work Experience: 3.5 years. I worked as a Consultant/Research Analyst for a Financial Software corporation for 2 years after graduation, worked for a non-profit social services organization doing data management/reporting from March - July, and will serve 1 year in the Americorps doing tutoring/mentoring for high school students beginning in August.

I am undecided as to whether I want to focus in Social Policy (specifically, Education Policy) or Environmental Policy, but most likely on my applications I will indicate Social Policy as my interest as my work for the non-profit/Americorps is more relevant to social policy.

As it stands now, the schools I plan on applying to are: Michigan-Ford (my #1), Chicago-Harris, Duke-Sanford (my #2), Berkeley-GSPP, U of Maryland, UCLA, GW, and CMU-Heinz. Given my stats/experience, would you consider my chances good for admission at any/all of these schools? I would say that UMD, GW, and CMU are my safety net schools, but I don't necessarily think I'm a lock for admission at any of the schools I listed. It's also worth noting that my GPA for my final 2 years hovers around 3.3 (admittedly, I was a bit of a slacker during my senior year).

Finally, and most importantly, the primary concern I have on my application (and the one thing I'm hoping to get assistance from these boards) involves my letters of recommendation. Specifically, as it stands I have no current Academic LOR. My professional ones are fantastic, however - all three from my past supervisors, 2 of which are from individuals holding powerful positions in a multi-billion dollar corporation. I'm fairly certain I don't have any professors worth approaching for a LOR that would remember me. However, I have a couple professors I am considering emailing blind for a LOR. Is that advisable? Would it be better for me to roll with 3 strong professional recommendations or 2 strong professional recommendations and an academic recommendation from an unknown (assuming I can get a professor to agree to a LOR)?

I appreciate any help/assistance!

[mppgal55]

In my opinion, an academic recommendation would add a LOT to your application. Oftentimes you can submit more than 3 LOR (everywhere you're applying except CMU and Michigan allows more than 3), and in those situations I would give all 3 of your professional letters in addition to the academic one. Since you have a downward trend GPA and have been out of school for a while, they will want to see that you are prepared and equipped to do well in the classes of the program you are applying to, and professors can best attest to your attributes in that respect.

Just my 2 cents!

[fadeindreams]

In my opinion, an academic recommendation would add a LOT to your application.

I was five years out of undergrad and still able to get a good academic reference (or so I am assuming since I never read it...he did remember me very well though!). If you feel it's important to the strength of your application, and you are unable to obtain one from a previous professor, maybe you should register as a non-degree student at a local graduate school and take a grad level class or two.

Good luck.