<p>As you can figure out from my domain name - I am an Indian and I am confused. :)</p>
<p>I am confused about whether I can apply to MPP or not for the 2012 fall session, so I really need everyone's suggestions: </p>
<ol>
<li><p>Academically, my undergrad scores are not that great (I have done Hons in English Literature and since its a subjective course, students tend to score really low). I don't have a GPA system in my country but grade should fall between 3-3.5.
Secondly, I took GRE twice and both times got the same score :( and not so great (1120)</p></li>
<li><p>Work ex - In this area, I think I have a strong position - I am working at a leading and an internationally acclaimed management consulting firm's Social sector division for the past 3+ yrs as a Research analyst; the profile exposed me to a variety of social consulting projects. Apart from the full time work, I am also independently running an environment project with schools in my city and also volunteer with many NGOs</p></li>
<li><p>According to me, I probably lack real time experience in a Foundation or a public enterprise to be able to apply to MPP - Not sure but have heard this from other people, friends etc. So feel free to comment on this and offer a suggestion if I am wrong about this</p></li>
</ol>
<p>I need some accurate guidance so I request current MPP students and applicants to please respond to this. </p>
<p>Thanks
:)</p>
<p>You have a reasonable chance, so do apply but make sure to articulate your work ex and your future plans in your SOP’s and essays. As far as experience in NGO and Public sector is concerned, it is not a pre-requisite and I tend to believe, not a major factor in a selection process. I can say this with reasonable certainty as I did lot of research myself for PP/IR courses in general and MPP from HKS in particular. </p>
<p>Incidentally, which other colleges/progs are you considering? My profile is very similar to yours 1) New Delhi born 2) 4 years of wrk ex in a MNC 3) Targeting MPP 2012</p>
<p>Thanks so much for giving me a direction!!</p>
<p>Just one more quick help; how would be the ad com’s reaction to my two GRE attempts with similar scores; this is my greatest worry so much so that I am thinking of taking a GMAT so they can just get one score (of course depends if I don’t screw that up too :)</p>
<p>I am also thinking of Goldman (U. Berkeley), Fletcher (MALD at Tufts U) and Harris (U. Chicago)</p>
<p>Multiple GRE attempts is normally not a problem but it is a very college specific issue I am afraid i don’t know much about it but I have herd that colleges normally look at the last attempt (again generalizing here). However it would be valuable if you can write to respective colleges that you’re interested in and ask them their GRE policy. Also, I would not recommend taking GMAT as lot of MPP (and almost all IR) courses only accept GRE. if my memory serves me, Fletcher school only accepts GRE and not GMAT or LSAT. so keep this in mind.
Goldman is a good school (especially if you want to look at pvt consulting afterward) even I am targeting it. I see you are also interested in IR progs but make sure to do a bit of research abt it as they seem to be less heavy on hard skills (quant and eco)and more tilting towards politics and humanities. nothing wrong as such but it may open diff door of opportunities compared to MPP. I think it also will depend upon what are your plans post masters…would u be looking for opportunity in US or would want to come back to India?</p>