<p>Where are all the MPA, MPP, Political Science people?</p>
<p>I know you are out there....</p>
<p>Where did you apply? any acceptances?</p>
<p>What is your concentration? Future career goals?</p>
<p>What MPP programs did you apply Latoya? What is your concentration and motivations for the MPP? (For your information, the best Public Policy forums are U.S. News and Princeton Review).</p>
<p>I applied to three schools: American(MPP), JHU (MPP), and UDelaware (MPA and my alma mater).</p>
<p>I currently work as an Admissions Counselor and Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment. I am very interested in Social Policy and Educational Policy, because of my interactions at conferences and daily work with people in this field. I am not sure which sector I will ultimately work.</p>
<p>I've already been admitted to American and Delaware. I've decided to attend Delaware because I will be fully funded; professors in my research area of Educational Policy; and hands on experience working in the research centers and for legislature.</p>
<p>That's great, Latoya. I am also interested in Social Policy.</p>
<p>What advice do you have for someone who doesn't have a strong economics and statistics background?</p>
<p>If you are still an undergrad.... I would definately recommend taking those courses. Many of the programs recommend that prior course work. I was a business major during undergrad...so those courses were required. I'm not strong in math, but I feel comfortable with the idea of graduate level statistics since I have prior experience.</p>
<p>Yes, I will take Economics and Statistics before I graduate. My grades in Econ are okay.</p>
<p>I don't get why so many people on this board simply view the discussions, but never post.</p>
<p>Would it be wise to apply to MPP and PhD programs during my senior year? I know someone who did that, and matriculated to UCLA PoliSci PhD.</p>
<p>It shouldn't hurt... esp. if you know that you ultimately want earn your doctorate. If you don't qualify for the Ph.d you have the masters program as a backup</p>
<p>I applied to MPP programs at Georgetown and American. I received notice that I am on the waiting list at Georgetown. The admissions committee at American rejected me from the MPP program, deciding that I was better suited for the MPA program, for which they accepted me. I haven't quite decided how I feel about that.</p>
<p>However, I definitely know how I feel about not getting funding so... I just have some more thinking to do.</p>
<p>I am sorry about your WL at Georgetown. I would definately recommend contacting their office to expresso your continued interest. </p>
<p>I know when I visited American, I was asking about the fields people pursue when they study MPP vs. MPA; they told me that people pursue basically the pursue the same careers. Of course MPPs tend to develop the policies and the MPAs implement the policies. I would definately research it further to determine if it is a possiblity. I understand how you feel about American; I was accepted but can't afford to attend there. I would only pay that much if was going to a DC school for a law degree where I would be able to comfortably pay back the student loans.</p>
<p>If finances are an issue, I would definatelly recommend visiting the financial aid offices to discuss your options. You can also check to see if other programs are still accepting applications, or apply for next spring (but unfortunately, most aid is awarded for the fall). I am attending UD where most students are full funded with a scholarship and assistantship stipend. The school has an MPA and a MA in Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Although the priority deadline was February 1, they accept applications until July 1. I would definately recommend applying if funding is an issue.</p>
<p>Hi Latoya,</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. I am thinking about waiting and reapplying for fall 2007 admissions. In that time, I think I could improve my quantitative background by taking economics courses at a community college and retaking the GRE. I also would have a chance to save a little more money and beef up my resume a bit more. Hopefully, if I work hard, I can improve my admissions and funding chances. </p>
<p>I think I may have been shuffled at American because I did not make a strong enough showing of quantitative skills, but I do have some background in public administration. However, I specifically discussed my interest in the MPP over the MPA in my application. I talked to them on the phone and they suggested exploring the policy analysis concentration in the MPA program so I will read more about that.</p>
<p>Well...good luck as you sort through options! I'm sure everything will work out for the best.</p>
<p>I applied, and here is my list so far:</p>
<p>JHU SAIS: Not sure
NYU MA in poli sci: Not sure
LSE MSc in IR: Accepted
UCSD IR/PS MPIA: Accepted (and accepted offer)
Harvard KSG: Denied
Columbia SIPA: Denied</p>
<p>I spoke with some people at the dinger schools, and the consensus seems to be that I didn't have enough work experience. Poo on them.</p>
<p>My concentration at IR/PS will be IR with a focus on Japan. Not entirely sure about my career goals yet (wavering between working policy straight out of MPIA, or going for my PhD and trying to land an academic position.)</p>
<p>That's strange, I thought you could apply to Public Policy (Public Affairs) progams without work experience.</p>
<p>Well, you can, but that doesn't mean that you'll be competitive compared to those with that experience.</p>
<p>If you don't have full-time work experience, they expect you to have undergraduate experience in research, internships, and/or student organizations related to your program interest</p>
<p>latoya,</p>
<p>True. However, it's certainly telling to me that the average years of work experience at most of the big names (SAIS, WWS, KSG) are 3-7 years. I mean, I had everything you listed, and more, and was still told, "Get more work experience" by folks at SAIS and KSG.</p>
<p>I agree... especially at very competetitive schools. Professors wants students to have life experience for classroom disscussion and to analyze the material. But if a student plans to attend grad school right after graduation, the student should get work experience during undergrad.</p>
<p>Yeah, good luck competing with the really experienced candidates. Some people I talked to applying to the programs I applied to had experience at the UN, World Bank, Fortune 500s, State Dept...man it was intimidating.</p>