<p>I'm planning on applying for several MPP/MIR programs this fall. I was hoping that someone with a bit of experience could tell me how viable I am for the programs I am considering....
Undergrad: UT Austin (Did the honors program)
GPA: 3.84
GRE: 650 quantitative 780 verbal
Additionally, I've worked for several members of Congress, done NGO work in developing countries and am in the process of completing a thesis on development in East Africa.</p>
<p>However, when I apply I will have no work experience other than the aforementioned internships. Moreover, my background in Math at the college level is fairly weak as I've only taken an introductory class.</p>
<p>Here is where I'm applying:
1. WWS (MPP)
2. KSG (MPP)
3. Berkley (MPP)
4. Yale (MAIR)
5. Stanford (MIP) the international polcy major
6. SIPA (MPP)
7. SAIS
8. Georgetown
9. U Chicago</p>
<p>Anyone care to speculate what my chances are at any of these schools? I'm really in the dark about what constitutes a competetive application. How much will my lack of work experience hinder my viability as a candidate.</p>
<p>Your verbal GRE is killer (probably in the 99th percentile?), and your quantitative isn't horrible. Grade point is well-above what is needed for these programs. I got accepted at some great schools with a 720/750/5.5 and a 3.23 in engineering (but I had 11 years work experience in the public sector administration (none of it overseas).</p>
<p>I think your chances are good at most of these schools (although SAIS might be conditional on completion of economics courses, because they are so heavily oriented toward an econ-based approach). But, I'd recommend that for your own benefit, you consider working for a couple years before entering grad school...just to get a better feel for the environment in which policy operates, and to hone your areas of interest, and develop professional skills. Plus, those GRE scores are good for another 5 years. If you're already fairly certain about what areas you do and don't want to focus on, then go for the grad school.</p>
<p>if you don't mind my asking, where all did you get in? and of the schools you were accepted at, which did you select and why? There are so many factors to consider that I'm having a difficult time narrowing down my list. The diversity of programs doesn't make the process any easier. hehe. thanks!</p>
<p>Most of the schools to which I applied were domestic public administration/policy. For public policy, I was accepted at Indiana, Chicago, NYU, and Syracuse. I only applied to SAIS for IR, but I've done tons of research on other schools since then. I've committed to SAIS (with a 1-year deferral) and am considering a joint MIR/MPA with SAIS/Syracuse. The motivation behind my pursuit of the joint degrees is to combine the broad knowledge base and language skills offered by the IR degree with well-defined quantitative analysis and managerial skill set associated with an MPA. </p>
<p>I went with SAIS for a number of reasons: reputation, strength of academics, intellectual rigor of program (2 required core exams in international relations theory, 1 core exam in Econ, an oral IR exit exam, and a language proficiency requirement...hardcore!), DC location, strong alumni network, focus on economics, and its connection to the World Bank (which is where I'd like to end up). Plus, they put on a great show at the "Accepted Students Open House." Oh, and the women folk were very attractive...haha...sorry.</p>
<p>I'm still concerned with the cost/benefit of SAIS versus say Woodrow Wilson, which would likely fund a significant portion of an IR degree, but which isn't quite as well-respected as SAIS. So, I'm committed to SAIS on paper, but somewhat waivering in mind. But, the more I learn about its program, the better it sounds.</p>
<p>Are you sure that Stanford has an Masters in IP program? I've been searching high and low for it, but haven't been able to find anything other than a graduate political science program that is basically a PhD-only track. I also found a Stanford undergrad program. I'd be very interested in this, because I have relatives I could live with in Palo Alto, if I was accepted to Stanford (or Berkeley for that matter).</p>
<p>Also, for what it's worth I've heard that the administrative and academic atmosphere at SIPA isn't the most supportive. And that the facilities aren't the best, but it does offer strong name recognition and the typically strong Ivy alumni connections. But, that's all second hand information, from NYU public policy students (SIPA's main rival in domestic policy). So, take it with a few grains of salt.</p>
<p>Here is the link for Stanford's IP program. It's only one year (assuming you have the neccesary requirements-- otherwise i think you can take them at Stanford) so I question how rigorous it is compared to SAIS or SIPA. Either way, Stanford is an internationally recognized institution and Palo Alto is a cool town. Also, the upside to a one year program is $$. Anyway, i'm rambling... hahaha... here is the link...
<a href="http://www.stanford.edu/dept/IPS/degree.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.stanford.edu/dept/IPS/degree.html</a>
hope this is helpful</p>
<p>I have few a comments. I applied for much the same things.
KSG (MPP), WWS (MPA, IR), SIPA (MIA) and LSE (MPA).
I only got into LSE (starting this september).</p>
<p>I believe professional experience is extremely important. I did not have that much and I'm positive that that was a huge problem in relation to KSG, WWS and SIPA. Be sure to demonstrate lots of experience.</p>
<p>Do you have the opportunity to retake your GRE? Your verbal score is insanely impressive. But your quantitative...isn't it like the 70th pecentile?? I don't think that will be good enough for schools like WWS. I believe they want top 10% or something like that.</p>
<p>Are you sure you're applying for SIPA MPP? Isn't the MIA or MPA you mean?</p>
<p>And: Have you decided wether you want to do a PhD afterwards or you're going to have a practical career. It seems to me that the programs at Yale, Stanford and Chicago are very research oriented (i.e. not a platform for a practical job but for an academic career). That's the reason I myself didn't apply for them.</p>
<p>Finally, in my eyes WWS is at least as well respected as SAIS. (but then again, I'm just a European who is too impressed by the ivy brand:-)</p>