Quant/Stat Classes for MPP

[mph20]

Hi there,

I am in the process of beginning the process of applying for graduate school. I graduated from undergrad about a year ago, and am planning on getting a couple more years of work experience before applying to MPP programs. Obviously, I have time on my side and I want to take advantage of that to work toward putting together the best application process.

While an undergrad, I double-majored in History & English, with a minor in political science (I tacked on the minor at the end, and I took one more class than most students during the last three semesters of school). I left with a 3.3, which I wish was higher, but seems tolerable. My issue is that the quant-based classes I took were mostly during my freshman/sophomore years when I was not as academically inclined as I should have been. Accordingly, my grades in these classes were pretty substandard (between intro to micro/macro econ and algebra (yes, algebra), my GPA is probably in the low 2's; my general aversion to math certainly didn't help).

Based on my understanding, a lot of MPP programs look at your past ability within quant-based classes, and so I was beginning to think it might be a good idea to take two or three math/econ classes in order to prove that a) I am capable of succeeding in these classes and I am willing to take this step to prove how much I am dedicated toward obtaining an MPP.

From a practical and financial standpoint, taking these classes at a community college is the best bet; I know some of their teachers are also teachers at local universities, and so a letter of recommendation from them might be helpful as well.

I suppose the question, for those who might have an idea how to answer, is a) Is taking these classes a wise/necessary/productive idea and If taken at a community college, will even A grades not have a substantial impact? Of course, I imagine a high quant score on the GRE would be a great help (and believe me, I am planning to study my face off to obtain one), but I'd hate to think that if I end up deciding not to do this that I'd constantly be regretting not taking every necessary step to gain admission to the best possible program.

Thank you to anyone who might be able to give me some insight; this forum has been exceedingly helpful and I look forward to learning more.

[dds82]

I'm currently looking into this myself to look like a better MPP candidate to certain schools. Been out of undergrad for a while and have some great work experience but a less than stellar GPA.

I've searched old threads () and it seems to be the consensus that taking these courses, even at the community college level, certainly won't hurt your standing. A lot of people say it's a great (and cheap!) way to position yourself to admissions committees, even if you're not necessarily learning a lot yourself.