Advice on programs, insight into how candidates are evaluated

[rsquared1]

I've decided I want to go back to school after working in the political and nonprofit sectors since 2008. I'm not looking to go to school to switch career paths, but rather to allow me to do even more in the field and expand my focus to international issues. I'm interested in MPA or MPP programs that have a global focus.

Some of the programs I've looked into that I've been most drawn to are Columbia SIPA, Harvard Kennedy, and NYU Wagner. Are there other programs folks would recommend I look into? 

I also have no point of reference for whether those three schools are unrealistic or "reach" choices. My undergrad GPA is only a 3.3 from Portland State, and I have yet to take the GRE, but will be taking that this fall.

My work experience is mostly in political campaigns. I've worked on several campaigns, ranging from local to federal races, candidate and ballot measures, and have held positions from organizer on a presidential campaign to field director on a mayoral race to finance director on a US senate campaign and campaign manager on several local races. For the past two and a half years, I was running an environmental program for a national nonprofit. I also have experience in state government and political consulting.

If anyone has programs they think I should look into or thoughts on whether I'd be a good candidate for grad school, I'd appreciate any insight! It's been a stressful decision to head in this direction, but I feel I'll be able to expand my knowledge and skill set and ultimately do more good with grad school. 

Edited July 24, 2017 by rsquared1
Wording

[3dender]

It seems like the best fit for you would be the 1-year "Executive" programs (mostly MPAs I think), which are designed for exactly your circumstances: mid-career professionals who want to further their expertise in the field.  I know Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School is one of the best for this.  I'm not sure if SIPA or Wagner have 1-year programs (I seem to remember that Wagner does), but in your shoes I definitely wouldn't choose a program of more than 1 year, both for time and money reasons.  There are other great schools for Int'l Relations in the DC area: Johns-Hopkins, Georgetown, etc., but I'm not sure if they have executive degrees.

I think with your significant experience in the field, you'll make a solid candidate despite a low-ish GPA. Just make sure you get in the 160 range on the GRE and write a compelling SOP.  I'm an older candidate with a 3.36 GPA and years of education experience, and I got into all the programs I applied to (Chicago, Duke and Berkeley being the top ones).