Grad School chances

Graduate School
1

Program: Harvard Kennedy School of Government - MPP

Undergrad
Cornell University
GPA: 3.92
GRE: 166 Quantitative/162 Verbal/?? Writing (still waiting for my essays to be graded, but I’m estimating a 5)

Extra-curricular activities:
Economics journal (editor-in-chief)
Cornell Daily Sun newspaper (writer)
Cornell Forensics Society (policy debate)

Internships:
Merrill Lynch - New York, NY (2012)
Supreme Court of the United States - Washington, D.C. (2013)

Work Experience: 2 years (“27 months at time of enrollment”)
Policy research firm - Government contracts from the Department of Labor
I can’t discuss the specifics, but I worked in data analytics. Cost allocation models, cost-benefit analysis, and constructing databases for the government.

Promoted after 1 year.

Currently volunteering: A local nonprofit organization
Helping/tutoring homeless/displaced/housing project students with their math homework (mainly elementary/middle schools)
Organizing/assisting “out-of-session” events for students during summer (e.g. pool parties, movie screening, art exhibits)

Future goals:
To work in financial regulatory agencies in the government.

I’m also thinking about applying to MBAs or dual degree MPP/MBA so any thoughts on my chances for those programs are also appreciated. ETS’s GRE --> GMAT conversion says my estimated GMAT is 720 (which Princeton Review says what business school admissions often use to compare scores).

Please ask me about anything I might have left out.

2

We can’t tell you your chances. You look like quite a competitive applicant! But schools like Harvard Kennedy have lots of competitive applicants who have done excellent things, and in any given year you might be competing with a lot of them. SO you should apply and see what happens :slight_smile:

3

Good GPA, good GRE score, good undergrad college etc. Seems like a viable candidate. Now if you can get a supreme court justice or BofA’s head of Merrill Lynch to write your LORs, then I think you are in. Then again, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

4

Thank you both for your comments. I appreciate it.

Analytical Writing score update: 5

5

It is my understanding that AW score is not terribly important to MBA programs, even a 4 is considered fine. So, if MPP admissions are anything like MBA programs, your AW will be more than fine. What you need now are strong LORs and a good personal statement. Cheers