Attending GPPI

[gppi2ndyr]

Here to answer questions :-)

[agh423]

What was the application process like? If you don't mind sharing, what did yours look like (GPA, GRE score, experience, etc)?

How is the affordability in DC?

[gppi2ndyr]

I don't think the application process was any different from one school to the other. I applied back in 2007 for entrance into fall 2008.

The affordability of DC is relative to where you're coming from and your status in life. I worked full-time in NYC, so my opinion is that it's more affordable than the city. Most folks find it cheaper to live in MD/VA, but I like the convenience of living in the georgetown neighborhood (shopping). I have pretty large loans to attend GPPI (no scholarships), but my 5 year plan includes my sig.other, so it's manageable, plus I still work, even during the semester. I'm not sure I would suggest that though, because I very much like to live a lifestyle above that of an undergrad (mostly because I detest that idea of asking my parents for anything).

At the time I applied, I had 2 years of professional work experience that is particularly relevant to the program (policy). Almost all of the folks I know who graduated at the same time as I did or prior had relevant work experience. A few of them were awarded scholarships.

The folks that I know who came straight out of undergrad were high achievers (better grades and numbers than my own), and mostly poli/sci majors, something non-technical.

I had mediocre numbers, so I know my work experience threw me over the top. GRE: 500V, 700Q, 4A, 3.1 GPA from a top10 private institution w/most of my coursework being relevant to the program as well in addition to having a science-based degree.

[RyeGuy5555]

Hey, I'm attending GPPI in the fall and was hoping someone from the program would come around here to answer some questions!

Sorry, I have a bunch:

What is your program concentration? Are there any concentrations that GPPI is known for being particularly strong in? What professors did you like and would you recommend taking classes with? How difficult and time-consuming have you found the course work, particularly math classes (and how much math had you taken before enrolling)? What was your undergraduate degree in? How do you find the career services, are they knowledgable and helpful? Where do you work while you're in the program? What policy work did you do in NYC?

For those curious about my stats, I applied straight from undergrad as econ/poli sci major with a GPA of 3.6 from a big ten public school, GRE scores of 730V/750Q/5.5W and several internships but only 2 directly policy related but no long-term jobs. I received a scholarship and research assistantship covering ~2/3 of tuition.

[gppi2ndyr]

My program is self-designed. And is a hybrid of ESF, NPM, and HP, so far at least. I havent declared yet and it isn't required until the end of the fall semester, ur second year. Just make sure u fill most of ur requirements for at least one track by then and ur in good shape.

I'm not sure that there's one that sticks out, but HP and IPD are probably the most popular, for reasons I haven't considered.

Professors: you won't have many choices in your first semester (unless they've changed how you register recently), so pick anything Schone. She is an excellent professor. She's not easy; her problem sets make you want to bash ur skull in sometimes, but you walk away from her classes feeling like you've learned a heck of a lot. And her exams tend to get easier toward the end. Ferrara is excellent as well but he only teaches one course.

The amount of time I spent on classwork is probably atypical. I work all the time, and most of my classmates who came straight from undergrad didn't have jobs, so they probably spent significantly more time on classwork. 80% of my assignments resulted in A's, so I was satisfied, then. I'll probably push much harder this time around.

Career Services I didn't worry about because I was employed coming in and throughout tenure in the program. I did policy advocacy work in NYC. And now I'm involved with policy research, more on the analysis side. There are a ton of non-profits in DC, so take ur pick and keep your eyes peeled for openings, which I did starting in March 08. You probably won't have time though, with your assistantship.

I think this year was atypical as well, because of the downturn in the economy, so more people may have come up dry than usual. But the career staff I hear is pretty friendly and helpful, maybe a little more than the average career counselor

[on a somewhat related note: if anyone debated going to UChi, I have a friend who attended (got a masters) and was getting job leads from her career counselor to secretarial and reality show positions---no joke.]

Your numbers are impressive, though I'm not certain how indicative it will be of your progress at GPPI. I think almost everyone has similar numbers as far as I know, and I know folks who did extremely well, and others who struggled a bit (I don't know anyone who floundered). My advice will be to focus on the material before anything else and to spend ur first week of classes in the library to set the tone. The fall semester is the longest semester I've ever had in my life!! It was grueling, and the 2.5 week break we got at Christmas was not enough to get over it.

Oh and about the math, I have a lot of background in math. almost 80 percent of my undergrad classes involved math, programming, or statistics. I had a interdisciplinary double major in Applied Math (engineering based), Economics, and Policy. Even 3.9s that I knew struggled in quant, mostly because programming is a whole new subject all its own. The good news is SAS and STATA are 2 of the simplest programming languages out there. :-)

[RyeGuy5555]

Thanks! That's really helpful. I'm definitely going to avoid interning in the fall to gauge the work load, but hopefully will be able to handle a part time job from then on. Defintiely will want to take advantage of being in DC.

[figuringitout80]

I apologize if this question is too elementary, but I am interested in pursuing a joint -program through GPPI. I am qualified for one program (public policy) but I lack background in the potential other field (econ or psych). Does it make sense to try and apply for one and then take classes in the other and try to work into the other program that way? Or are the departments there generally aware of this strategy and thus actively frown upon it?

Any thoughts are much appreciated!

[PFW]

Here to answer questions :-)

Thanks!

I am planning on applying for Fall 2011. I haven't taken the GRE, but admissions told me they would accept my LSAT score due to my strong academic background and relevant work experience. However, I'm still worried I don't have nearly enough quant in my background.

How much emphasis do they put on quant during the admissions process? Should I suggest willingness to take additional math classes (I hear they allow some students to do that)?