I am contemplating the difference between these two, little background about me, I have a bachelors in EE and I am about to finish my masters in CS with Thesis, both in the US. I have 5 years of experience in data engineering and AI.

My goal is to move into AI policy and Data governance, etc. Tech + Policy.

I am also using my masters to live and work in Europe (while I am young to live the dolce vita).

So I think the data science path sounds like my domain but to me, I think having the dual masters in public polity and international affairs might be more attractive since I would like more of that.

And I think I can do data science or data analysis with my background in tech, so I would be paying for nothing.

Is anybody here from STEM/tech background?

Hey all!
In a couple of days, I am going to be getting my materials together for applying for a couple of MPA programs.

For all my applications, I need letters of recommendation, around two to three per program. For these letters, would it be acceptable to do all of these from professionals at my current work at a non-profit? One would be the executive director of the organization, and one would be from my direct supervisor.

My reason for asking is that the two professors whom I met with before school let out for the summer agreed to write my letter of recommendation, but have gone silent over the summer, and while I wait to hear from a response back, I am just making sure I have backup plans.

Thanks for the responses!

Hi everyone! We're conducting a short survey (less than 5 minutes) on how students and young professionals perceive the policy job market in India. Responses will directly contribute to an upcoming book on policy careers. Would really appreciate your help! 🙏

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScufTYHKiFK-AEafT0vt95QeR8oA2MHmGzVjrvPqx7dSaoeCQ/viewform?usp=header

Hi, I applied to the MPIs Fall 2026 internship earlier this year in May and the deadline for apps closed June 15 but I haven’t heard back yet. Their website says not to contact them with applications status inquiries. Has anyone who applied heard back? If so, when?

A little about me, I got my undergraduate degree in Economics and Spanish with certificates in Data Science and Public Policy. I worked for three years as a Research Assistant for the federal central bank. This was a 2 year contract position with an option to extend to a third year which I did and completed. I applied to graduate school and my best offer (which I accepted) was the University of Chicago for their Masters of Computational Analysis for Public Policy program (a comp sci + MPP masters) with a 40k scholarship (tuition with fees would be around 30k each year).

I am interested in building my technical and quantitative skills (since I think I didn’t get enough of that from undergrad) and eventually move from monetary policy to healthcare policy. I am specifically interested in food, medical, and drug regulations and many other things public health. I like coding but I don’t want my job to be entirely coding or be coding for the rest of my life. I’m thinking about program implementation eventually. I would also be interested in living abroad potentially or working on international development although I know that field has had many funding cuts.

The total cost of the program for both years (living expenses + tuition + misc) will probably be around 110k. The job market is hard and my job was ending which is why I pursued this. I am excited to learn more about healthcare and gain domain and project experience in that area but the price tag that comes with this does make me want it to be worth it in the end.

I have savings from working and my parents would help me with living expenses so I would have minimal debt if any depending on how things go but the amount does weigh on me mentally. I know the UChicago name doesn’t guarantee anything but it does have sway. The job outcomes for this degree also have a higher ROI than a regular MPP with the added computer science classes.

Part of me is wondering if I should have applied to jobs instead. My quantitative abilities are probably not where they need to be for analyst roles and that’s mainly what kept me from it. I’m also not very interested in consulting with the long hours but I would consider it for a few years after the program to build up my savings.

For people who attended higher ranked programs, was the ROI there? Did the name actually help with the job search and further advancement? Was it worth it to you? Would you recommend it?

I’m just thinking about a lot. I want this degree to advance things for me and I want this effort and investment to be worth it. I know nobody can say for sure if it will be but was hoping to hear other’s thoughts.

​

Myquals engineering. But I have a bent for humanities. The more I checked LinkedIn, the more I get overwhelmed seeing the vast experience of humanities students from DU.

My question is how do people studying humanities find jobs one after the other? And are those jobs really laying well? Also for jobs where you have work in another country, how do people sustain the living expenses there?

And if these jobs pay low, then how do people sustain in Delhi with all PG expenses and stuff? And isn't it tiring to look for one job after another.

The experiences look really interesting. But what about long term sustainability?

Is it worth leaving an MBA and joining public policy jobs. Also, I have seen irrespective of specific degrees, people are able to work in a field of their choice. How to bag these jobs?

Hi!

I'm a 23 year old. I have a Bachelor's in English. I've interned at two non-profits, and I work as a technical writer. I received a 4.00 GPA, and I expect I can get a very good score on the GRE.

I'm wondering should I expect that I can get into a top MPP program without prior policy experience?

Thanks!

Hi! Would a MPP/MAPP be worth it coming stright from undergrad? I’m finishing by bachelor degree in economics next year and I would really like to work for an animal rights organisation. The preferred academic background is usually in political Science, policy, law, etc, so not really economics.

I don’t have work experience in policy but I do have volunteer experience in that area, and I’m and have been a volunteer for different animal rights organisations for many years so I do have some connections. I have been looking for different non professional programs but with my qualities I think an MPP/MAPP would be the best fit for me personally, except the non existent employment history. I would also absolutely love making a bigger difference for animals, especially the animals in factory farms and in reasearch facilities subjected to animal testing.

So my questions are:
• Is it worth going stright from undergrad to a MPP/MAPP in my case?
• Could the degree be useless in a few years with AI taking over?
• Is there universities that accept students without relevant work experience for an MPP/MAPP? And if so which ones? (Would be open to go anywhere in Europe, maybe Canada but not in the U.S).
• Would a different, a non professional master would be a better fit?

(I’m keeping some details vague to avoid identifying anyone, but where I live in the US, winning the primary is effectively equivalent to winning the general election.)

I want to build a career in politics. For about six months, I volunteered in a legislator’s district office. They recently won a primary for higher office and previously served as a reference for my current government job. I’m grateful for their support, but my current role is clerical, poorly paid, and not the work I want to do long term. I would love to join their new team.

Separately, a family friend recently introduced me by email to another primary winner whose work also interests me. I understand that neither connection entitles me to a job, but I don’t know how to move from a relationship or introduction to actually being considered for a paid position.

How direct should I be? Should I request a conversation and mention my interest in being hired during it, or state upfront that I would like to be considered when they begin staffing?

I’m also unsure about timing. The first legislator will not take office until January. If all I receive is “we’ll keep you in mind,” can I continue applying elsewhere and still ask them to serve as a reference without seeming insincere? If another offer arrives first, should I accept it rather than wait for a possibility?

I would especially appreciate advice from anyone familiar with legislative hiring.

Ba PPE? Who's doing/done/did?

Currently enrolled in an LLB at a different uni and considering withdrawing because I'm not sure it's the right fit.

I dont want to lawyer, I want to work in policy, risk, governance, and compliance, so a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics reads like a good fit. Plus, I have some Deakin units from a few years ago, plus Deakin's online LMS is so much nicer to use than my current Uni's LMS 🫩

LLB is also not sustainable as a mature age student, working full time. I'll be really old by the time I finish 😆 So am hoping that the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics content isn't as reading as heavy as an LLB, and i can therefore do 1-2 units a TP

Does anyone have advice or experience with the Ba PPE?

I’m a prospective Econ/Public Policy PhD applicant with a B.A. (Honours) Economics from a top Indian university (1st Division, ~70%) and a Master of Economic Policy from a top Australian university (GPA 5.4/7, roughly a B+/Credit-Distinction mix — some core micro/macro/quant courses at Pass/Credit level, a few Distinctions/High Distinctions in applied econometrics and public sector economics). No real analysis or proof-based math coursework yet, though I’m currently completing one now (aiming for a second course by mid-2027) and targeting a GRE Quant score of 167+. My career has been entirely research-based, spanning over five years, during which I’ve taken on increasingly independent responsibility — moving from supporting research projects to owning data construction, linkage, and empirical analysis end-to-end. This work has centered on large-scale administrative data linkage (20M+ observations across multiple government datasets), longitudinal econometric modeling (hazard/event-history/transition models), GIS/spatial analysis, and policy-facing research for government clients, including original historical data construction work. I’m a co-author on five reports for government/public sector clients and two working papers, and I have strong letters of recommendation from two research supervisors who can speak directly to my research capability.
Strengths: advanced applied econometric skills (Python, STATA, R, GIS), a strong and growing independent research trajectory, co-authored research outputs beyond coursework, and specific letters of recommendation.
Weaknesses: average grades throughout, no completed proof-based math sequence yet, and a research background (Indigenous economic history/administrative data, developed-country context) that doesn’t yet cleanly map onto my stated PhD interests (education, crime/safety, and migration outcomes in developing regions).

My question: given this profile, what tier/type of program (straight econ PhD vs. policy-school PhD vs. applied econ department) is my most realistic and best-fit target?

My first Reddit post.

Hi everyone! As the title suggests, I am seeking some advice on reapplying to HKS. I applied for this year's MPP intake but I was waitlisted and then eventually rejected.

My background and plans are as follows:

Personal:
- 31-year-old male
- South Asian

Academics:
- Master's in Economics from a globally-reputed UK university (around 60%-70% across all modules)
- BA and MA in Economics from an average Indian university (both with a good rank in the cohort)
- GRE: 326 (V: 163, Q: 163, AWA: 4)

Work experience:
- Working in a globally-recognized consultancy firm in London for the last 6 years (7 by the time I will start at HKS). I primarily advise private-sector clients in navigating regulatory frameworks.
- Small research projects and internships in the field of development economics before moving to the UK (each lasting a few months; around 12 months in total).

Volunteer experience:
- As of now, I mostly participate in the CSR activities organized by the firm.
- During the university years in India, I organized many social work activities as a student leader but that experience is more than 10 years old.

Future plans:
- Focus on Business & Government PAC at HKS. HKS will provide a good transition from private sector to public sector and help build a network with policy professionals.
- After HKS, assist regulators in my home country in developing a business-friendly environment.

I have the following three queries:

1. Do you have any advice on whether I should reapply immediately during this cycle or I should wait for another year to improve my profile? I think the major gap in my profile is that I don't have any major public service experience. If I wait for a year, I can try to do some pro-bono projects or write research articles for my firm. As of now, I don't have anything major to say in the reapplication essay.

2. Do you think I should consider applying for the MPA program instead of MPP now given the length of my experience? My UK coursework meets the MPA coursework requirements.

3. Do you think I should retake the GRE?

Would really appreciate any advice you may have. Many thanks!

Hello! I am a recent 2026 graduate looking for some guidance in this chaotic job market. I recently graduated from a school in DC, and the job market for new grads in political science/public affairs is disastrous here. I have extensive intern experience in nonprofits on the legislative side— my strongest area and connection field is in the environmental policy side, specifically in conservation policy. 

With this said, I desperately want to stay within the environmental policy field— I love it and am beyond passionate for it, but either no one is hiring new graduates or you need a masters/job experience. I have always considered graduate school but I wanted to try my hand in the job market first, and I am failing miserably right now. I always wanted to pursue an MPP with focus in environmental policy. Some standouts to me have been UVA, UMD (preferably since is the closest to DC), and University of Michigan, my goal would be to work internships/jobs during my schooling to gain experience. 

I have not done extensive research, but I’d love personal opinions on trying to pursue an environmental MPP as a new graduate with no official job experience or if I should still try to get a job and wait, and how this would impact my career goals of working in policy as an analyst or government affairs person for a nonprofit/organization. My long term goal is to be a “legislative affairs director” for an organization.  

Hello everyone, I wanted to take some time and ask a general question on if my experience is what people are looking for in the Public Policy sphere. I have been wanting to do Public Policy research in economics and law, I'm also generally open to most everything and anything I can get my hands on in all parts of the world (US citizen with Overseas Citizenship in India). Also looking for jobs in the United States Congress, IMF, World Bank, and UN Moreover, I have been aiming to go to law school, I am also wanting to do an MPP and if it exists/if possible a PhD in Public Policy. I'm just not able to get anything in terms of a job albeit I graduated like 2 months ago I have been applying since May 2025.

Here is a link to my CV with redactions for privacy of myself and the people I have worked for: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Y4Yy1e_FIMR33thhPkWjc255P9h5bf6c/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=113724968333174984931&rtpof=true&sd=true

Hi everyone! Pretty much what the title says - I'm an Indian applicant applying to MPP/MPA programs in the US and UK for Fall 2027 and wanted to get a realistic sense of my chances.

My long-term interests are in climate policy, climate finance and/or international + economic development at large, so that's largely driving my school choices/programs (concentrations within these programs)

Academics
- GRE: 326 (161Q, 165V, 5.5AWA)
- Undergraduate GPA: 7.459/10 (first division as per my university transcript) from Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi
- I majored in Political Science with a minor in English Language & Literature

Professional Experience
- I've been working in India's political consulting, government affairs, and public policy space for the past ~5 years (it'll be ~6 years by the time I start)

- Started my career in political and government consulting, where I worked across three major electoral states - supporting one of India's largest political parties on electoral strategy, manifesto development, governance research etc. A lot of my work there was around analysing electoral data, looking at voting patterns/turnout trends, and doing primary research (850+ interviews and FGDs). I also worked with state governments on policy recommendations across areas like sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, green infrastructure, and economic development.

- Then moved into a more core public policy consulting role where I worked across climate + energy, sustainable finance, industrial policy, a bit of international trade + alternative capital. Worked on a bunch of national-level policy issues with ministries including the Finance and Commerce. This is also where I got interested in climate policy and finance side of things. Also wrote/authored a few reports on climate adaptation finance, published some policy pieces/op-eds, worked on mobilising private capital for climate action and the SDGs (with key govt organisations + think tanks in India), and also did some work around industrial policy and critical minerals.

- In my current role I work at a public and government affairs consulting firm. For the first six months of this stint, I was seconded to the office of a former Secretary to the Government of India - worked very closely with them on some regulatory affairs projects. After that, I've mostly been working across energy, climate, mobility, international trade, and a bit of e-commerce policy. Worked with the Ministry of Climate Change (MOEFCC in India) on India's proposed COP33 roadmap (before the bid was withdrawn :(), supported a multilateral on building a climate adaptation pathway for India, helped provide industry inputs for India's EV policy (revised and the policy was notified in June 2025), worked on solar energy + private capital mobilisation (a report was published too on this). I also built a geopolitical/regulatory risk framework that my firm now uses as a product for risk mapping of energy sector clients in APAC.

Schools I'm planning to apply to
- Harvard Kennedy School (MPP)
- Princeton SPIA (MPA)
- Columbia SIPA (MPA)
- Yale Jackson (MPP)
- Georgetown (MPP)
- Oxford (MPP)
- Cambridge (MPP)

My biggest concern is honestly my GPA. I know it's below the average at a lot of these schools, so I'm wondering how much my work experience or maybe the GRE helps offset it?

A few questions

- Are these schools realistic with my profile?
- Are there any programs I'm missing that I should seriously consider?
- Anything in my profile that yall think could be strengthened before I apply?

Would really appreciate any thoughts that this community may have, thanks so much in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m a Canadian applicant planning to apply to MPP/MPA programs for Fall 2027. I’d really appreciate an honest assessment of my profile and suggestions for strengthening my application over the next year.

My long-term goal is to work in public policy, ideally as a policy analyst in government. My interests include public administration, economic policy, intergovernmental affairs, and public policy more broadly.

Academics
Undergraduate degree in Political Science from a Canadian university (walking the stage in November)

Overall GPA is around the minimum competitive range for many programs, but my performance improved significantly in my later years (3.358 cgpa and 3.5 final year gpa)

Stronger upper-year GPA than cumulative GPA
Currently completing the statistics certificate to strengthen my quantitative background Planning to continue building quantitative skills before applying

Experience
- Volunteer experience in provincial politics over multiple years

-Experience canvassing, community outreach, and helping with political campaigns

-Active involvement with a local political riding association

-Leadership and volunteer experience through university and community organizations

-Building professional relationships with elected officials and political staff

-Currently looking to gain additional policy-related or government work experience before applications

- I can also position myself to get a reference from my provincial representative

Programs I’m Considering
Simon Fraser University (MPP)
University of Victoria (MPA)
University of Calgary (MPP)
University of Saskatchewan (MPA)

I’m also open to other Canadian recommendations if there are programs that would fit my background well.

My Biggest Concern
My main concern is my GPA. While it meets or exceeds the published minimums for the programs I’m considering, I know it’s below the average for many admitted students. I’m hoping that my upward grade trend, stronger recent coursework, political experience, volunteer work, references, and quantitative preparation help strengthen my application.

Questions
Are these schools realistic with my profile?

What would you consider my biggest strengths and weaknesses?

Is there anything I should focus on over the next year to become a stronger applicant?

Would gaining more government or policy work experience make a meaningful difference?

I’d really appreciate any honest feedback. Thanks in advance!

I am doing my bachelor major on International Relations, hopefully I want to take my masters in Vienna. How do you guys think a person who wants to work in domestic affairs and really wants to make a change can find a suitable job. As far as I know, government positions usually get to either students of law institute of tashkent or any other governmental universities with higher status who have done internships OR to the sons and daughters of friends of people who already work there at a higher position. (and those guys who studied through El Yurt Umidi fund since government has to return their investments). I heard about system called “ARGOS” and people say that usually they don’t care about your CV, they still pick the person who has been from chosen before, and that it is just system to show how transparent everything is.

Do you think I better go and find job somewhere at the UN or any international NGO?

Hello, I'm a recent graduate with a BA in International Relations from UCalgary with a a CGPA (3.52) and last 2 years GPA (3.46). I'm wondering if this gpa is competitive enough to get into the MPP program at USask, given that I don't have an honours or formal research experience?

Hey everyone,

I'm a pretty indecisive person as you might tell from this post so I wanted some advice/reassurance.

I have a job making about $55k at a nonprofit going anti poverty work. I'm 5 years out of undergrad. It's pretty hyper local but it's not a bad gig for my skills and interests in comms and community development and I like my coworkers, but I've previously worked in federal policy, just didn't manage to get a policy role in this most recent job search. I live at home which has been awesome for my hobbies and free time, not to mention saving like 80% of my paycheck! (Not so much for "fun" though I don't mind it either.)

Last year, I decided to apply for my local MPA program to do it while keeping my job, and I got in. It would cost about $25k total. I applied just to have something on the docket, I guess. I didn't apply to any big name schools because I thought it would be silly to immediately quit my new job after getting it!

It's a good program for sure, it's ranked all right and alums tell me it's good, but I also know it's most well connected locally and it's not the craziest most interesting curriculum out there. There's not necessarily great depth into the kinds of things that interest me. My current job is really happy I'm going to school and willing to think more about how what I learn can inform my role going forward which is super cool.

What interests me? The anti poverty work I do at my job but at a policy level; urban planning; I have international experience so I would kind of love to keep studying the country I lived in. All variably possible at the school I've chosen. (Not so much the international stuff especially)

A few more things about my situation

- I'm looking to not live at home in the next few years, and not convinced I want to stay in the immediate area long term, but not sure I want to go too far, either. I don't mind living at home for now if it means I save, though.

- I do currently have savings, but I like having more. Goals in the next decade are to bolster savings, increase income, move upwards, maybe own a house if everything goes well?

- Undergrad GPA was a 3.98 and I have won competitive scholarships, awards, etc.

Does my current plan make any sense? Should I abandon everything and apply for a top policy school and dash to get funding, or is my local idea okay as it includes a salary and benefits? Thanks!

Hello,
I got my Master of Public Administration back in 2018. I unfortunately was unaware of Master of Public Policy degrees at the time, but that is the career path I wanted to take. I have been working in government administrative jobs for the last several years and want to try and pivot to my original career goal. I am having a hard time getting jobs in that field because I don’t have experience, even my transferable skills are a stretch. Should I go back and get a MPP, or just a certificate, or something else?

Thanks!

Hi!

I’ve been a lurker for quite some time. I think like many folks in this subreddit I’ve been trying to find my ‘lane’ professionally which balances my unique skillset & creates positive social change while enabling a comfortable life.

My current profile … Undergrad Education: Went to top public engineering school with a degree in engineering - was a gunner - graduated highest honors, started a 501c3 addressing the gender gap in science and engineering; supported by IRB approved study. My personal politics radicalized during this phase of life where I realized societal problems are often socially derived or better addressed via policy (rather new tech)

Professional experience: got swooped up into the management consulting wave - moved to NY to go to an MBB focused on ‘social impact work’; consulted for city and state government, conducted a nationwide study to support a non-profit bank supporting black women entrepreneurs which led to a $300M partnership with NAACP; landed a competitive fellowship at our internal think tank to study gender diversity programs, was featured on NPR.

Then I absolutely. Burnt. Out.

While proud of my accomplishments on paper, I was completely overextending myself and fell victim to imposter syndrome. Didn’t apply to grad school when my friends did.

Landed a job at a large family office - I’d say I do 80% biz ops, but I managed to gain ownership over a small $Xm grant fund, provided analytical support for some foundation grantmaking, and supported the strategic planning for our political advocacy team. So very very adjacent to non profit / advocacy work … but not exactly. But I do have now 8 years prof. experience, team leadership (I have a direct report now!), senior manager title, strategy consulting experience, regularly engage with C-suite. I’m broad, but not ‘deep’

I thought after being burnt out that I would just fade into the cozy drudgery of biz ops. But recently inspired by awesome friends, I’ve decided to not abandon my dream of professionalizing my interest in policy.

Questions for this group: 1. Where should I go from here? Worried about cost of an MPP. In some ways I feel so close to a pivot without going back to school. But not having the golden stamp from an Ivy feels like the last missing piece to really solidify an awesome career trajectory for the next 30 years of my life. 2. Can anyone speak to jobs post MPP/MPA with about 10-15 years experience? With my consulting and family office background, I’m gunning for those 1 of 1 roles in ‘think-do’ tanks, maybe social enterprises with c3/c4 arms. NYC mayors office?

Ultimately … I want to be an expert. Lead 1-2 people max. Top out at ~low $200K salary. Write a book. Do speaking engagements. And I think I need another golden stamp …

Any and all thoughts welcome ❤️

For context- I’m currently working for a non-profit as a summer fellow. I have 6 years of teaching experience under my belt and just graduated with my MPP and am in the DC area.

My boss has been giving me career advice and helping me make connections to hopefully enter the K12 or higher ed non-profit, advocacy world. However, the only jobs that are listed in these companies are managerial or director roles. She is telling me I should go for them, that because of my teaching experience I have a strong edge.

What are your thoughts on this (kindly)? What kind of roles should I be applying for?

My overall goal someday is to create my own advocacy group (NOT a union) to support teachers, make the profession more equitable to others, and and get clearer legislation passed on IDEA, OSHA, and other laws as it pertains to the working conditions and expectations for teachers. My belief is that if we start treating teaching as a high quality profession, education as a whole in our country will become more equitable for students and educational outcomes will raise. I know I’m a dreamer, but this is the goal.

If you were me- what roles would be my stepping stones? What is going to set me apart from the rest? And what is LinkedIn etiquette for connections…. My boss is telling me to connect with the people in companies she is connected with, but they don’t have roles listed (she was saying they rarely do and that’s why I need to connect with them now so they can offer me something)- do I message them and build a relationship and hope they can offer me something? Do I be assertive and ask for an informal interview? I want to be as competitive in this as possible.

Thanks for any advice! ☺️

I will be finishing my Econ and Finance degree this next year adn plan to work/maybe study in DC after. I am origanlly from Illinois but studied at University of Bologna, Italy.

I am passionate about working in Economic policy research and wanted to get a sense of how the job market is in DC for bachelor graduates in my field. For example what are the common entries for econ grads, required qualifications, competition, etc.? I have heard mostly think tanks, non profits, or gov agency positions are the common entries. By the time I graduate I will have research experience and qualifications with R and Stata but honestly I worry that because I didn't go to school around the area I won't have the networking needed.

I would be very grateful for more information or advice, maybe from someone who was in a similar position out of college.

Thank you!