<p>I'd really like to hear from MPP/MPA students out there. I'm an Australian (international student) preparing to apply for MPP/MPA in 2011 at one of:</p>
<p>Harvard (KSG) - Master of Public Policy
Princeton (WWS) - Master in Public Affairs
Columbia (SIPA) - Master of Public Administration
Berkeley (Goldman) - Master of Public Policy</p>
<p>If you were building your CV, how would you focus your time in 2010?</p>
<ol>
<li>GRE - do you have an opinion on the min. acceptable percentiles for verbal/quant?</li>
<li>LoR - I'm currently doing an honours year (British system), some years after my undergraduation, partly to polish my overall undergrad scores. At end of 2010 I will have strong academic LoRs from research work with my Prof. Problem: it's in computer science. I have no undergrad background in Public Policy; should I be concerned and what do I need to do for compensate for this?</li>
<li>SOP - Surely most international applicants write about going home to build their nation. How to standout? </li>
<li>Work experience - 5+ years in corporate sector (Fortune 500). Problem: No significant experience in NGOs, governments etc. Question mark: I have launched a project to distribute educational materials to children in a particular developing country. Does this have value from an admissions perspective, or is this scale of social contribution common to most applicants?</li>
</ol>
<p>My overarching concern is that I look more like a candidate for either an MBA, or CompSci graduate program. I am making a big "switch". I have heard about applicants who are delegates to UN Young Leader Forums, etc. Is this kind of thing a "must have", to be admissible?</p>
<p>I think you need to add more schools to your list. Some of the programs you listed are highly competitive especially for an international student.</p>
<p>Thanks for the feedback - it’s appreciated. Could you be more specific in pinpointing the weakness/holes in my background? When you say those schools are competitive, especially for international students, what precisely do the most competitive applicants have that I do not?</p>
<p>Please, do not hesitate to be direct or blunt! I’m eager for constructive criticism…</p>
<p>I have just finished applying to MPP/MPA graduate schools for Fall 2010. I hope this information can be of some help. </p>
<p>I think that your list above hits at the most important aspects of your application. Make sure each portion is strong so that you create a full picture of your goals and capabilities. One aspect of your application might not be as strong as another and you can still receive acceptances. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>GRE: The common thought on boards like this one seems to view a score of 700 or above as “competitive,” where the quantitative score weighs more heavily in considerations than the verbal score or the AWA. Furthermore, as someone with 5+ years of experience, a lower GRE score will not necessarily weigh as heavily in admissions.</p></li>
<li><p>LORs- The key to having a good LOR is to pick people who can testify to your achievements and potential to do well in the program. I gave my recommenders a draft of my personal statement so that they could see what my passions were and what I wanted them to highlight in their letters. This approach may be helpful to you.</p></li>
<li><p>SOP- Your biggest focus should rest on the SOP. More than anything else, the statement that you set forth will have a large impact on the decision of the adcom. You can compensate for your lack of public policy “tangibles” here. Talk about your past experiences and how they connect to your desire to pursue this new degree.</p></li>
<li><p>WE- Since most schools require/recommend work experience (any kind), you are not at a disadvantage. I would just make sure to include projects/experiences you worked on that influenced your decision to apply to mpp/mpa programs. Work exp. can only help you. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>As for your international status, I do not see it being a major detriment in the process. BUT, I would add some other schools to your list so that you have multiple options in the form of financing, location, curriculum, and career advancement. While all those schools you have listed are excellent, they are highly competitive. Furthermore, there are other schools that have programs that are just as strong and where you may be a more appealing candidate. Carnegie Mellon’s Heinz School (MSPPM), for instance, has an agreement with a school in Australia (Adelaide). You could do a semester in Australia, potentially saving you money and developing connections in the area where you want to work anyway (I’m assuming). Making specific connections between a school’s program and you future goals and working it into your SOP are what will make you stand out.</p>
<p>Thanks newcreation, that was a very meaningful response.</p>
<p>LoR: Is there an opinion on whether professional/academic LoRs carry more weight with govt school adcoms?</p>
<p>Just out of interest, i’m planning to visit these campuses this year to see what they’re like. Were you able to visit any of your target schools, and if so, did you notice any differences in the overall feel of student bodies in the MPP/MPA programs (between govt schools)?</p>
<p>Thanks again</p>
<p>This is from Harvard’s instruction page on the online application under the heading of Recommendations: </p>
<p>"You are required to submit three recommendations from individuals who know you and your work. Recommendations provide an opportunity for the committees to review additional information on your abilities in an academic and/or work setting. Additional recommendations are discouraged.</p>
<p>If you are still in college or have been working for less than two years or you are applying to the pre-doctoral program, at least two recommendations should be obtained from university faculty (one from your departmental major). The third may be from an immediate supervisor in a work setting or internship.</p>
<p>If you have been working for two or more years, two of your three recommendations should be from your present or previous employer, one of whom has supervised your work. One academic reference is desirable. The Mid-Career MPA admissions committee understands that some applicants may not be able to submit recommendations from college professors. In such cases, select a current colleague or supervisor who can provide an assessment of your academic strengths." </p>
<p>I didn’t apply to any of you other schools, so I am unsure of their exact preferences about LORs, but they are probably similar. </p>
<p>I haven’t visited any schools yet. I am waiting for acceptances (hopefully no later than mid-March for most of them) so that I don’t get too excited about one place prematurely :/</p>
<p>Coming from a background in the private sector, you need to make a strong case for why you want to do a MPA or MPA, especially at a place like WWS. Basically everyone that gets accepted to the MPA program at WWS is from a public sector or NGO background so you have to make a compelling argument that that is where you’re headed or else your application probably won’t be competitive.
Berkeley, KSG and Columbia aren’t as dedicated to sending graduates to the public sector so you may not have as much trouble convincing them that you’re heaed in that direction.</p>