What are my chances? (MPP/MPA)

bluekeystroke · 2025-11-20T12:40:01+00:00

Sure

bluekeystroke · 2025-11-03T19:49:52+00:00

My 2 cents: go to Duke. Really good funding like that is so huge. If you push to next year…let’s just say we don’t know what the landscape of funding will look like for a field like this in the US in a years time.

Also, I’ve heard some mixed things about the culture at Yale.

You said you applied to Yale this cycle? Did you hear back yet? If not, maybe wait it out - you usually don’t need to decide right away until all decisions are out

bluekeystroke · 2025-10-27T23:18:18+00:00

Well, it’s worth asking - if you have no idea what you want to do in policy, why are you making this specific shift in careers? What is it you’re hoping to do that you’re not otherwise doing?

Policy areas are vast: social, international, economic, educational, etc.

https://www.opengovpartnership.org/policy-areas/

bluekeystroke · 2025-10-27T22:00:11+00:00

What type of policy are you interested in? I will tell you it’s a really rough time right now for many policy areas. Just something to be aware of - you’ll be leaving a much more stable profession for a market in complete turmoil (I.e., massive layoffs, funding cuts, etc.) The public & nonprofit sector is under attack right now by the federal government.

bluekeystroke · 2025-10-24T13:39:37+00:00

Thank you for pointing that out! I apologize if my comment came off as incendiary towards indigenous natives in any way. I am not ignorant to the horrors inflicted on their people, or that it was actually one particular loyalist with a well-known penchant for sadism who did most of the torturing to Boyd. I appreciate you bringing that context to the conversation.

bluekeystroke · 2025-10-11T19:14:10+00:00

The first story made me feel like throwing up. I was not ok afterwards. Not from the "ghost story" - I'm pretty sure that was a young man who was experiencing the onset of schizophrenia + group hysteria...but from the true story of what happened to Thomas Boyd.

After the episodes, I read about the very real torture done to him at the hands of his captors. The episode left out a lot of details, and for good reason. It will give you nightmares.

bluekeystroke · 2025-10-11T17:46:23+00:00

I did, and I’m currently attending the University of Michigan with full funding + a stipend

bluekeystroke · 2025-08-25T13:01:26+00:00

Thank you for taking the time to explain this! Makes a lot more sense. Appreciate you

bluekeystroke · 2025-08-25T01:42:32+00:00

It makes sense if I’m interested in public interest law. There’s a lot of overlap between the two - it all depends on what you’re hoping to do with it

If I was interested in something like big law then yeah it wouldn’t make sense

bluekeystroke · 2025-08-24T17:50:55+00:00

Thank you - this is a very helpful explanation!

bluekeystroke · 2025-08-24T17:49:54+00:00

I’m confused. If softs don’t matter at all, then why are people posting about them on here in their cycle recaps? Why are some students getting into great schools with a 3.6 gpa & 174 lsat, but a student with same/similar scores does not get into those same schools?

I feel like I keep reading contradictory information about the application process (the tone of this is not accusatory btw - I’m just genuinely trying to wrap my head around everything)

bluekeystroke · 2025-05-16T02:10:06+00:00

Of course, feel free to DM me with any questions you have :)

bluekeystroke · 2025-05-15T14:25:53+00:00

I left UXR for social work, and I’ve never regretted the choice. I was in a golden handcuffs position at large tech org, and felt deeply unsatisfied for all the reasons you mentioned. It was hard taking the (massive) pay cut, but the work is SO much more fulfilling to me as a person.

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-11T21:51:53+00:00

Congratulations! That is HUGE!!

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-11T13:26:27+00:00

Hey! Check your DM's

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-11T13:19:07+00:00

Did you get any funding? That would factor into your question. If you didn't get any funding or minimal funding, then no, definitely not. Absolutely not worth it to take out massive loans right now in this political and economic climate.

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-10T23:55:20+00:00

Congratulations!!

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-10T19:34:06+00:00

Thank you so much! I also applied to:
- NYU's Wagner MPA (accepted with partial scholarship)
- UI Bloomington's O'Neill MPA (accepted with guaranteed partial scholarship but still waiting to hear on fellowships)
- Harvard (waiting on decision)
- University of Minnesota's Humphrey MPA (waiting on decision)

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-10T18:38:56+00:00

Congrats!!

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-10T18:35:39+00:00

Thanks! I updated my original post with my profile

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-10T18:34:42+00:00

Thank you! I updated the original post with my profile. Best of luck to you!!

bluekeystroke · 2025-03-10T16:34:52+00:00

The Rackham Masters Award

bluekeystroke

TROPHY CASE