How to become competitive for graduate school? (CIPA)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Cornell University
1

Hi everyone,

I’m a current college freshman at a community college close to home. I was originally accepted to Ithaca College, but due to my inability to secure a student loan I was unable to attend. I plan on graduating CC this May (I have a lot of HS credits), and transferring to Syracuse University for policy studies. After I get my bachelors I intend on going into the Peace Corps for two years, and then when I come back I’d like to attend CIPA for my MPA.

I imagine that it’s very difficult to get into CIPA, but it’s my goal at this point in my educational career. What would make me look more competitive for when I start the application process? I interned this summer on a local congressional campaign, I am joining my local Democratic committee, and next year I hope to run for a local town board seat. If I won would that help for applying? I’m trying to work very hard to make this goal happen. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

2

Honest advice? Don’t go. CIPA is a joke. It’s basically a way for the university to make money while conferring a degree which isn’t particularly valuable.

It doesn’t have its own faculty or even its own building. It’s ranked like 38th in the country. The CIPA students I encountered were some of the dumbest in the entire school. The executive director of the program is himself a PhD student.