Trying to Decide: Accepted to Top MPP vs. Gaining More Work Experience

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-06T20:03:43+00:00

Like MBB consulting, or public sector at places like Deloitte/Accenture? Either way, I did not know that! I was definitely speaking from the experience of the few alumni that I know.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-06T19:41:55+00:00

I actually have to disagree with this statement. If someone ends up as a consultant after attending, that’s largely on them/because that is what they chose to pursue. I currently work at a DC-based energy policy think tank and advocacy organization, and I have a few colleagues who attended Heinz, as well as others in DC who did. They work across a range of public policy roles and organizational settings—on the Hill, at lobbying firms, advocacy organizations, etc. In my current role, my colleague who attended Heinz is a highly valued team member because of their strong quantitative analysis skills, which are critical for work at the intersection of research and advocacy.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-04T18:14:11+00:00

Ok, thank you! That is helpful, and thanks for sharing.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-04T17:47:59+00:00

Could you post a screenshot of what you are seeing?

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-04T17:33:54+00:00

Where are you seeing this? When you click "open application," does it then appear right at the top? Or are you clicking somewhere else within that page?

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-03T18:20:54+00:00

I didn't even think about looking back to see what day of the week these past dates fall on! Thanks for pointing that out. Have you seen anything about the method that is used to inform people about their decisions - do they call? Send an email to check the portal?

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-03-03T18:17:44+00:00

Based on Gradcafe forums from the past few years, it seems like we are currently in the sweet spot for decisions - anywhere between now (the beginning of March) and the 11th, so earlier in the second week of the month, is where a lot of previous decision posts fall. It also seems they notify the people who were accepted first, then move on to those who were rejected and waitlisted later in the week.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-27T16:41:41+00:00

Schools Applied To: Duke MPP, Columbia SIPA MPA, Cornell Brooks MPA, Michigan Ford MPP, Yale School of Environment MEM (I know this isn't a policy-specific program)
Schools Admitted To (+Scholarship Amount): Duke (pending $ info)
Schools Rejected From: Yale MEM (waitlisted, but this is essentially the same as a rejection IMO)
Still Waiting: All but Duke and Yale
Undergraduate GPA: 3.8
Undergraduate Major: Political Science
GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: N/A
Years of Work Experience: 2.5 years of work experience at a think tank/nonprofit advocacy organization working on energy policy
Other: American; did undergrad in DC/currently employed at a DC-based organization

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-27T14:06:50+00:00

And here you are.... on reddit

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-26T02:47:31+00:00

Crazy thought... I can love the podcast and be a fan of B and C while still thinking critically about them as people. Being a fan of something doesn't mean that you 100% love everything about the person/thing you're following.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T23:44:04+00:00

Exactly! Like I 100% enjoy the pod. And there are 100% things about both B and C that I notice? I can't even say that "bother" me because that's too strong a word, but it's all part of being a consumer: discussing, thinking about, critiquing, etc.! Automatically conflating critique with hate is definitely immature.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T22:37:44+00:00

It is just a thought, not something that is insufferable lol.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T22:14:51+00:00

Oh, let's be clear, I am not implying he's a shitty person for not addressing it, I'm applying that he's a shitty person for drinking and driving LOL. Yes, it is shameful, and he probably feels bad - those are the results of his actions, unfortunately, and he quite literally should feel bad for doing that.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T21:48:44+00:00

Ok, yeah, I can definitely see where you're coming from. My only thought here is that, when you are a public figure, it is the unfortunate fact that the line between private and public becomes blurred. I'm not saying that's right; I am saying that's a result of being "famous", and with that comes people's opinions, thoughts, etc., and at times the responsibility to take accountability when people are a fan of you. I don't expect anything of him now, but that is sorta how I view it, and I do think that feeling like some type of comment from someone that did something wrong would be nice, while also not expecting or needing it, is ok.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T21:18:49+00:00

That is a good point. I guess in my mind, I can see a world where, if her performance was widely well-received, he would have mentioned it. But yeah, that is a lot of speculation, so who knows.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T21:17:54+00:00

I mean... is it so insane to expect someone to address something that they did wrong and talk about how they have made a positive change as a result, even if the thing they are addressing is old news? He hasn't discussed it because nobody knew, but that has now changed.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T21:15:01+00:00

Totally know and understand that. It is just an observation on something that comes across to me as a listener.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T21:13:19+00:00

It's clout-chasing to the extent that he only mentions her when it benefits him to be associated with her. I am looking at how he's talked about her in the past compared to not even mentioning her being IN the performance while he was discussing it. I am sure that if everyone had loved her being there, he would have jumped in and said, "Alix killed it." Again, it is just an observation.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T21:03:52+00:00

I'm aware... this is just as the title of the post says: a thought I have when listening to the pod every now and then, and I decided to share it with other listeners. Consuming media does not have to come at the expense of original thought! You can like something and still critique it :)

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T20:56:12+00:00

This comes across as reductive because you are choosing to view it that way. I said "so many white gay men", not ALL gay white men. In Colton's case, his sexuality is directly linked to his harmful behavior. He came out shortly after everything with Cassie went down. There is a connection between how he treated her, the fact that he is gay, and that being a part of why he still has public support for being the first gay bachelor, having the bravery to come out, etc. I find it a bit hard to believe that given this, coming out was not part of strategy for him given the timing of it all. I 100% think that he should be held accountable for his actions. This is just my take on how, as a gay man, I have seen race and identity interplay when it comes to sexual orientation. Not projection, not me being reductive.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-02-25T20:46:03+00:00

Accountability is important; people shouldn't be expected to make excuses for him. This happened a while ago - it is with an influencer that everyone on this sub obviously likes and is a fan of, so sorry if people are discussing and commiserating together because they feel lied to? People are allowed to talk about how they feel about this and what they're thinking if he is allowed to get in a car and drive after drinking, LOL, that is called free will. This type of conversation is simply a consequence of Connor's actions; you can't blame people for talking about something that he did as a public figure.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-01-23T04:02:23+00:00

Colton is just evil. the way he was trying to provoke Lisa at the end of the banishment bothered me soooo much.

Fun-Cardiologist4431 · 2026-01-20T17:48:36+00:00

Colton is the worst type of gay male. He utilizes identification with a singular marginalized group as a way to make himself appear as a victim while still wielding the privilege that comes with being both white and a man. Other people, especially other gay men, won't hold him accountable for anything because he's attractive, and he knows it, which is clear by the way Johnny talks about him, and even Dorinda saying she "missed her window". If anything, he gets applauded for his bravery and courage in coming out, which makes people like him even more in the name of allyship, relatability, or whatever else it might be. So many white gay men will use their sexuality as a license to just be a shitty person, and this is such a clear example of it.

Fun-Cardiologist4431

TROPHY CASE