Caradrina Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Yes and international experience I think that might be your low point, for MPAff your curriculum sounds fine but if you want to do something that is global you need to link it to world. Remember you are competing against internationals, people with peace corps experience etc. You need to link it much more. I fnot I would say try for MPAff it seems a lot more tailored for education.
Caradrina Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks for the input. After attending the open house for potential candidates, I really think my interests are more in line with the mgps program than the mpaff. Not especially interested in staying in educational policy-- looking more into refugee resettlement issues. It's tough because I'm really trying to launch a second career without the benefit of some opportunities that I know recent undergrads would have had. I'm thinking of seeing if I can make an appointment with the advisor for mgps to see if she has any advice. I wonder if she'd be open to talking about it?
MPPgal Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 She is really nice, my guess would be to wait until may or so and reapply for Spring next year. Do try and talk to her she probably can[t tell you how to get in but can give you good pointers. I am not in the GPS program although I am international and have taken a few of their classes, to be honest though MPAff is so free you can take a lot of GPS while it is not the other way around so you cand shape either program to your needs. Anothe roption you might want to look into is studying Social Work, they require less quant and they also have a double degree with us (only MPAff though) although everyone I know doing that degree seems interested in working with international people. Good luck!
CYD Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks for the input. After attending the open house for potential candidates, I really think my interests are more in line with the mgps program than the mpaff. Not especially interested in staying in educational policy-- looking more into refugee resettlement issues. It's tough because I'm really trying to launch a second career without the benefit of some opportunities that I know recent undergrads would have had. I'm thinking of seeing if I can make an appointment with the advisor for mgps to see if she has any advice. I wonder if she'd be open to talking about it? Sorry that this is more a stream of consciousness. On the quant side, I would definitely suggest working on that. But also have a think about what other experience you have that shows your quant skills. If you've been working for the past ten years you should have plenty of examples. SIPA and HKS both ask for quant resumés now and have examples online (the HKS example is available through the admission blog). Like you I am a career changer, having worked in my field for almost ten years and I have zero math courses post second level schooling (but the math included calculus and advanced statistics) so I put together the quant resume and included it in all my applications as additional information. Whether that is what made the difference or not, who knows but I don't think it harmed any of my applications. What other experience (look at SIPA and HKS example for quant doc) Re the LoRs - did any of the LoRs come from the work / volunteer environment? If not, I would suggest seeking LoRs from these people as they can hopefully speak to how you have developed over the years, your capacity for leadership - in particular if you have been volunteering with an organisation that works with refugees an LoR that also addresses your ability to interact with people from different cultures and how you have deepened your knowledge of their countries etc might help counterbalance the lack of overseas experience. Can the academic recommenders really speak to how your interests have changed over time and fit for the MGPS? IfI remember correctly the MGPS required three LoRs but I can't rememeber if LBJ is one of the schools that allows you to submit more than three? (As I mentioned I have been working for about ten years so I decided to only submit one academic reference. I am a very different person today to the person I was in my final year of undergrad.) Not knowing how you presented the SoP some of my comments are a stab in the dark. If you have concerns about the lack of oversears experience remember that you can have exposure to international matters at home, it is a matter of presenting your experience in the best light. Even looking to change career, you should be able to tie the interest in government and policy in with the experience in education and with refugees (I spent some time teaching, admittedly overseas, and it has actually been quite an important aspect of my SoP). Did you make it clear that you want to do the mgps because of the content / structure and how it will help you change career etc rather than location? Again, I have no idea if that would factor into a decision but you want that admission committee to feel that you want to do their course and that you don't feel stuck with it because of the location. I completely understand that it is hard to pin down exactly what one wants to do post grad school but the LBJ application does ask for career goals ("What kind of career would you like to pursue, and how would attending the LBJ School help you to fulfill your objectives? (Think in terms of a ten-year time horizon).") I don't think it is asking that you identify specific jobs but have you thought about the general sense of what it is you want to do? How are your language skills? Brush up on them - join a course or do some sort of language exchange. Granted I am luck as I grew up bilingual and speak two other languges fairly well but I have been learning another one informally through a language exchange with someone who is trying to learn English. Be clear about what you bring to the program - over ten years you've definitely gained experience that would be valuable on any program. Decision making, project management, people management etc. If you are still close to the academic recommender ask them to read your SOP (or anyone else in the policy field who also knows you well). They may spot gaps in the SOP and suggest you incorporate something that they think makes you stand out but you didn't think was important. Or it may be something that they feel shows your suitability for the program. Hope some of the above helps.
MPPgal Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Yes agreed, I would add to it to find specific professors and classes you are interested in. Yes you might want to come due to location but you need to sell youself through more. Aka you want to work with professor x as his work with refugees etc etc. Make your research show the school is a perfect fit in more than just geographical locations and do remember it is aprofessional program and as such professional LORs are a must!
MasterofSprinkles Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) Just checked my status on the website.... Admitted!!! I didn't get an email so I'm glad I checked . Fingers crossed for $$$, but so excited about the admit!! Edited February 26, 2014 by MasterofSprinkles texasjen 1
texasjen Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 Just checked my status on the website.... Admitted!!! I didn't get an email so I'm glad I checked . Fingers crossed for $$$, but so excited about the admit!! Many congratulations!
MasterofSprinkles Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 Checked my status, too. Admitted! Congrats! They are so sneaky with their February status changes
gradphil Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 Just logged in. Bingo! Admitted. Congrats!
joseon4th Posted February 26, 2014 Posted February 26, 2014 (edited) To everyone who got their notification today, congratulations! May I inquire whether it was for the MPAff or MGPS program? I'm waiting for the latter and have no status change as of yet. Edited February 26, 2014 by joseon4th
IR LeLaH Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Congrats to those who got in! Mine status still says "in review". This doesn't look great...
MPAallday Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Congrats to those who got in! Mine status still says "in review". This doesn't look great... Mine too. I'm not panicking yet, as some people have already gotten rejections -- which means the fact that we're still "in review" isn't that bad.
DreamTeam03 Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Whew! Admitted! Quick question: There is a link to sign up for scholarship consideration on the admitted page. Is this separate from any funding they would offer after acceptance or do I need to sign up for scholarship consideration to be considered for funding?
MPPgal Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Congrats. Financial aid is separate from LBJ fellowships, you will receive info on fellowships with your official letter that should be sent in the next two weeks or so. Financial aid is something extra you can apply to and depends on the university while fellowships are distributed by LBJ.
gwualum4mpp Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 I'm in!!!!!!!!! I was crushed after being wait listed from another top choice, I started thinking I'd get rejected for sure. Woohoo!!
IR LeLaH Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 Just checked my status. Got in! I'm so excited since this is really my first acceptance.
MPAallday Posted February 27, 2014 Posted February 27, 2014 I'm in!!!!!!!!! I was crushed after being wait listed from another top choice, I started thinking I'd get rejected for sure. Woohoo!! Congrats to all! I haven't heard anything as of yet. Good luck to all the applicants!
IR LeLaH Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Congrats to all! I haven't heard anything as of yet. Good luck to all the applicants! Hang in there. Good news is on the way.
marwanslm Posted February 28, 2014 Posted February 28, 2014 Guys, I got admission from the MGPS program this morning. Can't be more excited! But no information about financial aid at all. Anyway, good luck to all the other applicants. I've heard that Austin is a really nice city. Really hope to see it.
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