Mpa/mpp

Graduate School
1

<p>Hey all, </p>

<p>Need a bit of perspective on my chances. </p>

<p>Quick app bio and stats:</p>

<ul>
<li>Founded non-profit organization (youth homeless job training and employment) senior year of high school; have been running it as operations director for 6 years (2006-present)</li>
<li>Over 250 kids between 17-25 found full employment as a result of our program. Have partnered with the Salvation Army, Homeboy Industries, and the Sheila Kar Foundation for various project implementations.</li>
<li>Started up college education at CC (Los Angeles Pierce College) 2009</li>
<li>Earned 4.0, got into UCLA Stanford Berkeley USC etc</li>
<li>Transferred to USC on full academic scholarship 2010</li>
<li>Graduating next Spring</li>
<li>Major: Philosophy, Politics, and Law (PPL)</li>
<li>Minor: Economics</li>
<li>GPA: cumulative including Pierce - 3.82, only at USC - 3.63</li>
<li>GRE: haven't taken it yet but my averages for practice tests taken so far are 710 Quant 630 Verbal. I'm taking it twice - end of November and mid-December</li>
<li>I have been the Executive Director and President of Students for Obama - California, the official student wing of the Obama for America campaign since July of 2011 (hopefully he wins today)</li>
<li>Executive Board Member of San Fernando Valley Democratic Party</li>
<li>Was elected as a Presidential Delegate to the 2012 Democratic National Convention from my Congressional District (30)</li>
<li>Political Editor of Sonic Eclectic Magazine</li>
<li>Part-time Development Consultant for Blue Cove LLC (Palo Alto based investment firm)</li>
<li>So yes, I work about 60 hours a week + full time school</li>
<li>I'm 25yrs old</li>
</ul>

<p>I am applying to the following MPA/MPP programs:
Harvard, Princeton, Berkeley, UCLA, USC, Columbia, Georgetown, U of Chicago</p>

<p>Any ideas of my chances or any comments in general?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<ul>
<li>TheLongShot</li>
</ul>

2

<p>I only have a comment in general.</p>

<p>I am 25 and eons behind you. Your stats as well as accomplishments are outstanding. Your essay is the only we can’t see, but I imagine it would be just as outstanding due to all of your experiences/successes. </p>

<p>Sounds like they would be crazy not to take you!</p>

<p>Signed,
Late-Blooming LAVC student/Hopeful Berkeley admit</p>

3

<p>You do have an impressive record, and are likely to get admitted to the schools on your list.</p>

<p>My question is, why did you feel the need to ask this here? You obviously have a competitive application. What do you think your weaknesses are? You must feel that you have one if you decided to ask.</p>