Spouse applying too??

[totheleft]

My husband and I are looking at the same online MPA programs.

Do you think we're likely to prevent one another from getting in? I applied a week ago; he's beginning to apply now.

We went to different undergrad schools, have different grades, and have not looked at one another's SoP or resume etc. in the interest of preventing any overlap.

We are in the same industry, hoewver, and thus have some overlap in our professional development activities.

We're aren't specifically striving to go through the same program (though we're not specifically against it, either) - it's just that the programs we want to apply to happen to be the same.

We have similar goals with our career, too, so I'm sure that's reflected in our SoPs, as well.

Insight?

[emmm]

Good luck to both of you! I don't see why it would be a problem. I don't know anything about online MPA programs, but the online programs at my U generally take most/all qualified applicants -- they are often geared towards working professionals, but are serious (and tough!) programs. Is that the sort of program you are applying to?

[totheleft]

Good luck to both of you! I don't see why it would be a problem. I don't know anything about online MPA programs, but the online programs at my U generally take most/all qualified applicants -- they are often geared towards working professionals, but are serious (and tough!) programs. Is that the sort of program you are applying to?

Yep. We're looking at MPA programs offered online - often, as you said, for those already professionally employed/experienced in nonprofit or government administration. They're accredited programs from "regular" brick & mortar schools, not diploma mills or anything. I mostly don't want them to lump us together in a negative way or (especially with it being online) them assuming we'll help each other with work, etc.

[TakeruK]

I'm not sure about your field specifically, but in the sciences, I don't think having your spouse apply to the same program will hurt you. I'll explain why and maybe the reasoning will also be applicable to your field, but if not, then please just ignore my ramblings

I've heard stories where having a spouse apply worked to their advantage because when it was decision-time, one spouse said "I'll only accept your offer if you take my spouse too" and it worked (this was in Astronomy). However, if one spouse is much less qualified than the other, it might not work, or the school may accept the other spouse and weed them out with coursework or exams.

I don't think it will hurt your chances because if the school only wants to accept one of you, then there is no reason they would refuse admission to that person just because they have a spouse applying to the same program. They could just offer it to the one person and let him/her decide if they still want to accept. As for helping each other with work, what's stopping any two other unmarried students from working together anyways? Or what if two friends apply, or two people from the same undergrad university? I don't think it would make sense to exclude applicants because they happen to know another applicant!

[totheleft]

I'm not sure about your field specifically, but in the sciences, I don't think having your spouse apply to the same program will hurt you. I'll explain why and maybe the reasoning will also be applicable to your field, but if not, then please just ignore my ramblings

I've heard stories where having a spouse apply worked to their advantage because when it was decision-time, one spouse said "I'll only accept your offer if you take my spouse too" and it worked (this was in Astronomy). However, if one spouse is much less qualified than the other, it might not work, or the school may accept the other spouse and weed them out with coursework or exams.

I don't think it will hurt your chances because if the school only wants to accept one of you, then there is no reason they would refuse admission to that person just because they have a spouse applying to the same program. They could just offer it to the one person and let him/her decide if they still want to accept. As for helping each other with work, what's stopping any two other unmarried students from working together anyways? Or what if two friends apply, or two people from the same undergrad university? I don't think it would make sense to exclude applicants because they happen to know another applicant!

Thanks to both of you. I really appreciate the feedback. Here's hoping it doesn't hurt either of us! I just worry because it's online - but I'd assume that most work in my field will be qualitative, not quant (i.e. writing papers, etc - not just filling in multiple choice things - so it'll be obvious that we're doing separate work.)

Thanks! Have a great weekend