Re-applicant asking for advice

[GOVERNMENTandPOLICY]

Hi.

So I applied to HKS MPP last year (unsucessfully) with only about 6 months of work experience after graduating.

I was never confident that i would get accepted since I only had a meager work experience then at best. However, I cannot say that I wasn't disappointed when I was outright rejected from HKS, since I was somewhat confident about my numbers and LoRs. I was expecting that i at least get waitlisted.

Now it's been almost a year since I applied and I have joined the Marine Corps in South Korea and been serving since. Unlike last year, which I applied only to HKS MPP (more as a trial), I'll be applying to multiple MPP programs and I really wish the outcomes are better this time. I'll be applying to HKS MPP, SIPA MPA, WWS, Goldman, etc.. I was wondering what you think my chances would be for upcoming cycle.

My stats are as follow:

Undergrad: Ivy Poli-Sci Major

GPA: 3.83 Summa Cum Laude

GRE: 800Q 780V 4.5 AW

Yrs out of undergrad: 1.5 yr

Work Experience: 1.5 yr

Langauge: English and Korean (Fluent), Spanish (Basic)

-Have been serving a year in the Marine Corps (Republic of Korea), currently Corporal, and is planned to be discharged on July 2013. My specialty is counter-intelligence and intelligence gathering, and most of my work is related to interpretating and integrating intelligence regarding N. Korean activities.

-Worked 6 months at Public Prosecutor's office as an administrative intern

-Awarded a National Award(US) by Brookings Institute and Heritage Foundation for a political science project conducted during undergrad years.

I know last cycle my biggest weaknesses were weak Work Experience and vague Statement of Purpose (i would like to think so). Now a year after I feel more ready to compose a better focused Statement of Purpose, but I'm still unsure how much of difference that a extra year of work experience can make for my application to HKS, SIPA, Goldman and WWS. I know its always a question without a definite answer, but how would my chances improve compared to last year? any advice or opinions are welcome!

Thanks!

Edited July 13, 2012 by holacicas

[CBRrr]

I think your best bet would be to call HKS, tell them you've been denied before, and ask for their opinion.

I'm not calling you out or anything (just curious), but how is your contract already up? I know some guys who did intelligence in the army (4 year contracts) and their AIT was pretty lengthy. How are you getting out so quickly?

[JAubrey]

I think your best bet would be to call HKS, tell them you've been denied before, and ask for their opinion.

I'm not calling you out or anything (just curious), but how is your contract already up? I know some guys who did intelligence in the army (4 year contracts) and their AIT was pretty lengthy. How are you getting out so quickly?

Korean Marine Corps, qualifies as required service for Koreans.