SIPA/SAIS admission questions and my stats

<p>Hello,</p>

<p>I am applying to SIPA and SAIS, they are my top two choices for a MPA/MA. I have a 3.54 gpa, B.A. with a double major in Business Economics, Communication. I studied abroad for 6 months, and have spent an additional 19 months traveling through third world countries. I also did some volunteer work in two of these countries. I have 1.5 years of work experience (.5 years selling enterprise software, 1 year as an analyst in wealth management). Should have great letters of rec, 2 profs and one supervisor....
My GRE score was a 1310; 590V, 720Q. I was testing at 780 quant, but did not finish the last two questions on the exam. I have 14 econ and accounting courses with great grades, so that should help prove I can handle the econ coursework. I was not too worried, until I got the writing score of 4.0.
I am currently working extremely hard on my essays, and they should be great. I am hoping that my essays will negate the 4.0. What do you think about my chances of admission? I was going to retake the exam, but after opening the books and studying yesterday, I feel that my time would be better spent working on my essays and polishing my apps. What do you think?</p>