Hello everyone,

I am currently working as a Graduate Research Assistant and saw my city open up a entry-level position as a legislation analyst which I meet all of the requirements for plus a little. I wanted advice on what things I should think about, other variables to consider, or really anything at all that would help me nail down what would be best for me when deciding between these two options.

Currently, I am a graduate student in English focusing on tutoring and writing center policy. I have been interspersing policy coursework as much as I can as I have really been interested in it more since starting my current program. I'm pretty sure that I want to go down the road towards higher education policy in the future, if not at least the study of higher education.

My current job does not pay so well, but it will offer me the opportunity to be the professor of instruction for at least two courses. This helps with securing adjunct positions which I am pretty sure I will want to do, at least on the side, in the future. I suppose I could just try and adjunct without this experience.

The analyst position, really by nature of being a full-time job, pays a lot better and I think could be a way to get that experience that everyone mentions being way more important than schooling/getting an MPP.

Another consideration is that through my school I have the opportunity to do a policy focused graduate fellowship in DC in the summer. I am applying for it atm and will not hear back for a few months, but I figure I would just not be able to do it if I got this job. It seems that most people who attend it do get an internship in DC and that the organization that runs it assists a lot in finding and applying to them. I don't know if taking the job would be more beneficial than that potential experience.

I guess I technically have the option to do both. That would be hell on earth but I guess possible. This all assumes I can even get the position lol. I am hoping that my local knowledge and breadth of experience can help.

Thank you for your time in reading this and any information or advice you give. If you need any more information, I would be happy to provide it.

152Q, terrible score for programs im looking at like Yale, Princeton and HKS. Should I give up this cycle and try again next year?

GPA was 3.9 and got As in undergrad stats, micro and macro econ and an international economics course, but afraid that GRE score is so below their median im cooked

Cases like these hit home for me. Hospitals marking prices up by literal orders of magnitude causes me to think about why price caps on some necessities like medicine are not explicitly mandated, though I do understand there are other potential avenues. I’d love to debate on this topic!

Link: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2026/oct/23/india-cuts-cost-cancer-drugs?CMP=share_btn_url

I just got into the SIPA MPA program for Spring 2027 today! I got a $50K scholarship (total for the program) which is great but tuition is still so expensive… I already live in nyc and would be staying in my current apartment at least until June. I’m planning to take out loans but will also probs need a job… does anyone have experience working part time while also attending SIPA full time? Also, any context on how much others have received in scholarships would be helpful to know. I’m wondering if 50K is good at all lol. Thanks!!

I’m contemplating my future as a sophomore majoring in political science, as I’m worried about the job market after college I’m wondering if doing an MPP will allow more opportunities to get jobs or it won’t affect it by much, I’m not worried about the cost or extra schooling at all just wondering if there’s a difference in opportunity with an MPP?

Hi everyone! I'm applying to the HKS Mid-Career MPA this cycle and would love honest opinions, especially from current students, alumni, or anyone who has applied.

Background
31F, India
BA (Hons) History, Delhi University, 63% (roughly a 3.0 equivalent)
No GRE/GMAT (not required for MC/MPA)

Work experience (8+ years, 9+ by enrollment)

Owner of a digital growth agency serving global clients in the logistics and supply chain industry (2022 to present). Clients across countries. Have used AI to scale and maintain profit margin of 66%

Previously at a global advertising holding company, managing campaigns and budgets for international luxury brands

Earlier roles in health-tech, AI marketing, and ed-fin-tech startups in India

Global exposure

2022 onwards Travelled to 45+ countries while working and building my business remotely.
This includes several African countries, as well as Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq, which gave me firsthand exposure to how culture, religion, and history shape everyday life and development

Public service and impact

Used my social media platform to fund school uniforms for children in Uganda

Helped a missionary raise support to build a school in a village in India.

Raised similar funds for orphanage in Vietnam.
(All documents are there)

Why HKS

I want to move into tech policy, focusing on how culture, religion, and colonial history shape whether communities adopt technology and public programmes. One example that stays with me: a dengue-control technology in Uganda was only accepted once local churches endorsed it.

Recommenders

Founder and director of a multinational hospital group I have worked for
Another company director of my current client
Third still being finalized but probably one of my managers.

My questions

How much does a lower undergrad GPA hurt for MC/MPA when work experience is strong?

I know people who apply for these roles hold significant positions. So my chances of admission🥲

Is a private-sector founder background a disadvantage without formal public-sector roles?

Hi everyone! I’m finalising my university list for Fall 2027 and would appreciate advice, particularly from international graduates.

I’m deciding between:
Columbia MPA vs Georgetown MPP
UC Berkeley Goldman MPP vs University of Chicago Harris MPP

I’ve finalised USC as my third university.

My primary concern is long-term employment opportunities in the US as an Indian student, alongside scholarships and overall ROI. I’m interested in public policy, technology governance, and AI policy, ideally through programmes combining policy with quantitative methods and data analytics.

The overall weightage is for more scholarship opportunities which doesn’t sabotage the employment opportunity when i choose college out of this list.

How do these universities compare in terms of scholarships, internships, industry connections, and employment opportunities for international graduates? Does Columbia’s brand justify its higher cost compared with Georgetown? And how do Berkeley and Harris compare for quantitative training and technology policy careers?
I’d particularly appreciate firsthand insights on job sponsorship and the feasibility of staying in the US after graduation.

Thanks!

i just graduated BA in International Studies from a US uni this May, then i was accepted to MIA Columbia for this Fall 2026 but i had to go home due to financing and some personal issues. i have been interning in public service sector since then and now im thinking of reapplying there but to MPA program Fall 2027.

considering the political climate towards international now, is MPA columbia good and is worth it? its a STEM program. is it worth it to come back at all?

Was planning to apply to the Geneva one which will be held in February, but after some research I have stalled my decision. Some are saying it is legit and some are saying it's a total scam. What was your experience or do you know anyone who has attended

I’m considering these programmes:
Erasmus University Rotterdam — International Public Management and Public Policy
University of Amsterdam — Public Policy and Governance / Public Policy (economics)
University of Twente — MPA

How realistic is it for non-EU graduates, particularly Indians, to find jobs in the Netherlands after these degrees? I’m interested in opportunities in policy research, consulting, think tanks, and international organisations. I am also considering pivoting my specialisation towards AI and tech policy to get in private sector in NL.

What realistic chances are there to get visa sponsorships post these degrees there or will it be a huge financial debacle?

Would appreciate insights from current students, alumni, or professionals with first-hand experience.

Thanks!

I am wondering what does it take to get into these programs? I am an international student, 3.75 GPA, econ major and a heavy quant profile, 2+ years of work experience in evidence-based development in the global south and was involved in scaling programs backed by RCTs with the government. I am sitting for the GRE and overall, I have a narrative. But I am really not sure what does it take? Can past scholars share their profiles or thoughts? Would you say GRE plays a huge role? What to focus on on my application most?

Would anyone be willing to share their cover letters that they have used to land a job in program/grant management/associate roles or policy analyst/associate roles?

I’m struggling to find a job post MPP and I’m wondering if it’s my CL’s. I used to be a teacher and I am having a hard time explaining my transferable skills concisely, and I’m really trying to not use AI. There aren’t a ton of examples online outside of Indeed or random LinkedIn posts and I don’t even know what to follow anymore.

My grad school career services example is so broad and sounds like it was AI written so there is no help there. Should I just bite the bullet and go AI written with edits? I feel so lost in all of the differing things I see everywhere online and I feel like I’ve tried everything and nothing is working. I don’t want to post all of them that I’ve made here because they are tailored to each role so direct feedback wouldn’t really be helpful because each one is so specific.

Thank you for anyone who can help me visualize what I should be working towards on these and clarify this mess of a job search. I’m desperate at this point. 🥺

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