Fall 2015 Strategy Advice

[CCD2016]

Hello everyone,

 

I'm entering my senior year of undergrad at a state school. I will be begin applying in the Fall for Public Affairs programs, hoping to study Policy Analysis maybe choosing a policy area speciality after I apply. I am hoping to apply to some programs with a broad array of options in terms of policy focus, but having a policy analysis speciality is crucial. 

 

As far as some of my specifics:

3.48 GPA, 3.8 GPA since my junior year

Internships at a communal food policy organization that specializes in food security/equality and facilitates several communal gardens across the city.

I plan on volunteering with the same organizations or a different one during Fall 2015.

I have yet to take the GRE, but I've started by rigorously focusing on the quantitative section. 

Not a strong quantitative background, but I have transferred microecon as an A, Calculus as a B, Intro to Stats as a B, and Intro to Political Analysis as an A. I plan on taking macroecon in the fall and some stats/econ classes in the spring to bolster my resume. Additionally I have to right a senior/honor thesis and hoping to have a quant focus with it and hoping to get published. 

 

Some programs of interest (in order):

La Follette (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Humphrey (University of Minnesota Twin-Cities)

Ford (University of Michigan)

Harris (University of Chicago)

Glenn (Ohio State University)

Bush (Texas A&M University)

Others, but doubtful application. 

 

Does anyone have any advice to make my application competitive for funding. Specifically, my goal is to get an assistantship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Along those lines, what is the typical profile of those who have received the assistantship?

 

Other programs I should be applying to? Am I pie in the sky with my goals, etc.

 

Lastly, a lot of the programs state that program requirements include a B in American Government, Calc, Econ, etc. My sophomore year I received a C in Pols 1000 (American Government). Do you think this will effect my competitiveness? I've since taken classes on the judiciary, the executive branch, etc. all upper level classes with A, which I hope will compensate for that.

 

***I know it's fairly unusual for a first year out to apply to these programs, but I do not have access to a lot of the classes necessary to build the skills required to flourish in the career I hope to pursue (program evaluation, policy analyst, etc.)

Edited May 26, 2015 by CCD2016

[CCD2016]

Additionally, a few of the schools I've looked at (not listed above) have offered condensed one year programs with 8 week courses. Are there any major disadvantages/advantages of the 8 week condensed format?

[WhatAmIDoingNow]

Do you have financial restrictions? Because those public schools are all over the place. Instate tuition and reciprocity programs are greatly cheaper. A year working in the state you want to attend would save you an incredible amount of money. Just something to think about. 

 

If you want Minnesota and Wisconsin, they have reciprocity.  If you work in Minnesota or Wisconsin for a year, you would save sooooo much money. https://www.hhh.umn.edu/admissions/financing/estimated_cost.html

Edited June 1, 2015 by WhatAmIDoingNow

[duran0]

Does anyone have any advice to make my application competitive for funding. Specifically, my goal is to get an assistantship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Along those lines, what is the typical profile of those who have received the assistantship?

 

Work experience. That's not the answer that you want to hear, but experience makes the application, especially for someone who does not have a stand-out undergrad resume. WhatAmIDoingNow has great advice about getting in-state tuition through a year of residency. Look into AmeriCorps programs in Minnesota or Wisconsin that are related to your areas of interest - they pay terribly, but you can get great experience and you'll receive an education completion scholarship.  Next year is a campaign year - work on a local campaign or find an opportunity in the state you desire to live in. If you're religious, look into opportunities with faith organizations. Even if it's not directly related to your field, any experience will be helpful and will show that you're not just going blindly into a grad program. 

[WhatAmIDoingNow]

Additionally, a few of the schools I've looked at (not listed above) have offered condensed one year programs with 8 week courses. Are there any major disadvantages/advantages of the 8 week condensed format?

 To add, I had to take some condensed courses for my MPA.  Some people absolutely loved condensed courses.  I personally do not do well with condensed courses.  They are fast paced and I felt that I did not have enough time to sit and process new information, or work through concepts I did not pick up immediately.  My grades were good, but the course material did not stick once the courses were done. With an entire semester, I have more time for the material to be investigated from different perspectives and applied in different ways. 

[BushSchoolStudent]

 

 

Some programs of interest (in order):

La Follette (University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Humphrey (University of Minnesota Twin-Cities)

Ford (University of Michigan)

Harris (University of Chicago)

Glenn (Ohio State University)

Bush (Texas A&M University)

Others, but doubtful application. 

 

Hi CCD2016! I actually used this site to make my decision a year ago, and I know it's far down your list, but I'm a current student at the Bush School at Texas A&M. Though I can't talk about the other schools, if you want any questions on entry advice here or the program don't hesitate to send me a message!