Kaneisha Grayson's Blog, page 12

Client Case Study: A 32-Year-Old Woman from Nepal Gets into Columbia SIPA with a $60,000 Scholarship

After earning her Economics undergraduate degree in New York, Nysha dreamed for years of going to graduate school at the prestigious Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Being thirty-two, her job as a technology executive and her imposter syndrome kept her from beginning her application process until late in the cycle. 

On what the graduate school application process was like before working with The Art of Applying®, Nysha said, “Nepal is underrepresented in Ivy Leagues, so I didn’t know if I had any chance of getting in. I knew that I could write well and could write a good essay, but I wasn’t sure where to begin from. I was a collective mess of nerves and that was the biggest factor because I was really close to not applying at all.”

With advice from her family, Nysha searched on Google for stories of people like her who had gotten into Columbia SIPA. She booked a Quick Call after being inspired by our client Harman’s success story. 

In Nysha’s words, “So, I was frantically Google searching “SIPA” when I came across The Art of Applying®. I think you had recently just posted a success interview with one of your clients. She was from India and a woman so I felt, “Well, she’s Asian, she’s a woman, and she got in. Then I thought, ‘I’ll just take the call and see how it goes.’”

Nysha shared that she was nervous about how close the application deadlines were and whether or not The Art of Applying® would be able to help. Nysha shared about her Quick Call experience with her Breakthrough Coach, “After [the Breakthrough Coach] heard my story, she said, ‘You have a great story. We do not simply take any client, we only take clients that we feel like we can support and we can take as close to your goal as possible. So, if you’re okay to move forward, let’s do a full one hour Breakthrough Call.’”

When she decided to work with The Art of Applying®, Nysha said this, “I came into the cycle pretty late, around the end of September. Even though it was during the pandemic and I was traveling somewhere, I took that one hour Breakthrough Call sitting in the airport lounge because I didn’t want to miss a single day in the process. By the fifteen minute mark, I was sure that was an extremely productive conversation and I was already sold to work with The Art of Applying®.”

Nysha was nervous about whether her investment would pay off, but she valued the honest feedback from her consultant and the community of fellow applicants who encouraged her to work hard on her application. In her words, “My favorite part of working with The Art of Applying® without a doubt was working with my consultant. She was available every time I needed her and she was really transparent and honest, but equally supportive and comforting.”

Even though she joined us later in her application process, all of Nysha’s hard work paid off! Nysha was accepted to Columbia SIPA Harris with a $60,000 scholarship! What’s Nysha’s advice for applicants struggling to decide to get help with their applications from The Art of Applying®?

“The application process is such a personal process. You’re putting yourself out there, writing your own essays, etc. And I was like, ‘If I’m writing the essays, what am I getting from The Art of Applying® if I have to do the application on my own?’ Getting that guidance was something I was missing. And also just the cohort, not only the consultant. I made friends in The Art of Applying®. We communicate in chat, we support each other, and we celebrate each other, so that was invaluable.” Nysha shared. 

Congratulations Nysha! We are so proud of you and happy to have been part of your journey to policy school.

Start Date: September 2020 | End Date: May 2021

Applicant Information 

GPA: 3.97GRE: 157 Quantitative, 155 VerbalGMAT: 740Major: EconomicsWork Experience: 7 years in technology

Acceptances

Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) – $60,000 scholarship ($30,000/year)Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy – $54,000 scholarship ($27,000/year)

Scholarships

Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) – $60,000 scholarshipGeorgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy – $54,000 scholarship Notable QuotesOn deciding when to work with The Art of Applying®: 

“Make use of the entire cohort [application process with The Art of Applying®]. April and May is the best time because you can work with your consultant more. I was very prepared in a sense. I took a lot of quant courses in undergrad and that really helped, but if you’re someone that doesn’t have that or aren’t sure, at least have that first call. Figure out where you’re at. There are multiple times where I wished I had applied earlier [to join the Application Accelerator®] to have the information I needed and would have made the best use of the program. With my job, there was so much I missed out on through The Art of Applying®.”

On what Nysha thought about the Application Accelerator®’s tuition cost:

“I saw in one of your videos that whatever tuition fees you pay, you’ll likely get them back in scholarships. I didn’t believe that video. Now having gotten a scholarship of $60,000 over two years, I guess it’s more show vs. tell.”

On taking the plunge of enrolling in the Application Accelerator® program and staying committed to it: 

“I don’t know if this is common, but I paid right after the Breakthrough Call. [The Art of Applying®] had so many testimonials about getting into universities that are my dream universities that I thought, ‘Even if somebody is exaggerating, there has to be some level of truth.’ I was really coming to a black box. There was this huge fear of the unknown, but you have been in this business for a long time. So when I say I gambled [on paying the tuition and enrolling in the program], I really say I gambled because there was a sense of trust I felt I could give to The Art of Applying®.”

Want to have a success story like Nysha’s?

If you’re tired of putting your dreams on hold, not knowing where to start, or feeling like you might not be able to get into your top choice school, we’re here to help. Book a Quick Call with our team today to get started!

The post Client Case Study: A 32-Year-Old Woman from Nepal Gets into Columbia SIPA with a $60,000 Scholarship appeared first on The Art of Applying.

Ask The Art of Applying®: Full Ride from a Top 15 Business School or Your Dream MBA Program

At The Art of Applying®, this is what we call a “champagne problem.” An amazing business school loved you and your application enough to give you a full ride to their top 15 ranked program. That’s amazing! But, it’s not the top three program you had your heart set on. What should you do? Should you take the scholarship and go to a world-class business school, or reapply next year for the dream MBA program to see if you get in?

Welcome to another installment of our Ask The Art of Applying® series where we give you a peek into what it’s like to be a client asking a question in our Q&A Vault. We bring you answers to your questions about getting into graduate school. This month, Adam, one of our consultants and a graduate of University of Virginia Darden School of Business, is answering a question about whether to reapply for a dream program or not after getting into other great schools with full ride scholarships. 

Our client asked: What should I do if I didn’t get into my dream business school, but got into other great MBA programs with full ride scholarships?

Here’s the full question from one of our amazing clients, “Team, I got a complete ding for my application to Stanford Graduate School of Business and their Knight-Hennessy Scholars fellowship. But since I graduated this year, I’m still eligible [to apply] for another year. I’ve been admitted to some schools with full scholarships and am waiting to hear back from two more. So, should I forgo all of these acceptances and try all over again this coming fall? I know exactly where the holes are in my application and can work aggressively now to fill them in, but I’m not sure if it’s worth considering it since there’s no guarantee I’ll get the scholarship or get accepted into Stanford. But, I might! What are your thoughts?”

Let’s get specific.

Kaneisha Grayson, Founder & CEO of The Art of Applying® and graduate of Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School asks, “What are your results for this season so far and which schools are pending? Do you have any offers from the previous year that are still open?”

The client replied, “I withdrew from Wharton and was admitted with full scholarships from University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business, Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, and The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business. And, I’m waiting on Columbia Business School and NYU Stern School of Business.” 

How does trying to apply to both Harvard Kennedy School along with Stanford Graduate School of Business complicate this matter?

When this client began the process, her goal was to get into Stanford GSB and Harvard Kennedy School for a dual-degree program. More from her, “And, if another opportunity opens for me to pursue my preferred route [of applying to HKS] since I didn’t apply to any Harvard programs, should I take it?” At this point in time, UT Austin, Georgetown, and Ross don’t have dual-degree programs with Harvard, so if she goes to one of those, she’ll only get an MBA.

What about deferrals?

The client also said, “Or, should I get a deferral for a year from some of these schools? What does that process look like?” This is an interesting option. If she approaches a school like Ross and asks for a deferral due to the pandemic or other reasons, she may be able to wait for a year and sit on the offer while she reapplies to Stanford’s Knight-Hennessy program. She can later apply to Harvard Kennedy School for the dual degree program. 

Get good advice, but ultimately, you have to make the choice that’s right for you.

Kaneisha closes this Q&A by encouraging the client to get this question answered with the help of a consultant or one on one time with her. But, I was curious what the client ended up choosing to do with her “champagne problem.”

When I looked into it, she did exactly what I think I would do, which is choose to attend University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business. It’s an amazing school and the client chose not to hold out for Stanford and Harvard since going to Ross would help her achieve her goals in both the short term and the long term. It’s a tough call, but she made a really good one. It’s painful to wait another 12-18 months when you’ve got an awesome school ready to take you and pay for you to be there. 

Where can I get help with my tough questions about getting into business school?

If you want any help applying to or choosing between the right MBA programs, book a Quick Call with us, and we’ll make sure you get the help you need. If you enjoyed this post, keep your eyes peeled for another edition of Ask The Art of Applying®!

The post Ask The Art of Applying®: Full Ride from a Top 15 Business School or Your Dream MBA Program appeared first on The Art of Applying.

Ask The Art of Applying®: How much should I ask for when negotiating scholarships for graduate school?

Congratulations! You’ve gotten into your dream school and you can’t wait to get started! But, you either didn’t get a scholarship offer or you got one that only covers some of your anticipated costs of attendance. What should you do? 

Welcome to another installment of our Ask The Art of Applying® series where we give you a peek into what it’s like to be a client asking a question in our Q&A Vault. We bring you answers to your questions about getting into graduate school. This month, Adam, one of our consultants, is answering a question about how much you should ask for when it comes to negotiating scholarships for graduate school.  

Our client asked: What should I do if I want to negotiate the amount of scholarship aid I get from graduate school?

Here’s the full question from one of our amazing clients, “I just received a scholarship from American University School of Public Affairs for $30,000, the equivalent of about 40% of total tuition. However, I’d like to negotiate for more. I’m wondering how much I should ask for. Is it better to ask for a higher number, like doubling it, and see if they accept that or meet me in the middle? Or should I begin with a lower amount in negotiations and see if it goes up from there?”

Always ask for more, but not for too much.

Our consultant, Virginia, weighs in, “Great question! I always advocate for asking for a higher amount when you negotiate.” Start high, but don’t go unreasonably high, because they won’t take you seriously. But, you should definitely start with a number that’s high and even feels a little uncomfortable for you. And, if they meet you in the middle, that’s much better than if you left money on the table by asking for something lower and getting half of that.

Should I write an email, or make my ask over the phone?

This can go either way because on one hand, you don’t want any specifics lost in a conversation. On the other hand, there’s a benefit to scheduling time to talk over the phone as it’s harder to say no directly to someone you’re speaking with. This also applies to making your ask in-person. Just be sure to be well prepared – since the admissions people negotiate aid all the time, they will be very skilled in navigating the conversation. 

How much should I ask for?

Virginia says, “I do think you can ask for double the amount of your awards. But, keep these points in mind: 

What is the graduate school’s maximum award amount?
Sometimes public policy schools have limits they can’t move past.
Do they have an established set of fellowships?
Depending on what other students got, you can infer whether or not it’s likely that you’ll get these things from the school too. It may not be realistic to start your counter-offers at a higher level than what their fellowships offer, like asking for full tuition scholarship with a stipend.
What’s in it for them?
Although it would be great for you to have more scholarship money, you need to explain the benefit to them in giving you that money. Why should the school help you with a lower financial burden at graduation? Talk about why your contributions and planned service to the world aligns with scholarship funds. Pitch them on why they should be so excited to make your financial burden lighter.”How do I get started?

Use your other awards as leverage. If another school is giving you a larger scholarship, the school you’re negotiating with may want to match that award. Bear in mind that if that award was from a less selective school, the school you’re negotiating with may not see that offer as the same as what they can offer. 

One exercise to go through is mapping out your graduate school budget in a spreadsheet. Use different award amounts as scenarios for how you’ll spend your money and where it’ll come from to help you justify the amounts you’re asking the admissions committees for. 

As far as amounts to ask for go, you should take some time to think through the scenarios and take a look at the named scholarships and fellowships the school already has. Ask to be considered for those scholarships and fellowships, especially if you haven’t already been awarded a specific scholarship. According to Kaneisha, if you name a specific scholarship you’re a fit for, it makes it much easier for the school to agree with you. Kaneisha had success with this approach at Harvard previously. 

The Bottom Line: Should you ask for more money? 

Kaneisha Grayson, Founder & CEO of The Art of Applying® says, “You always have the right to ask for more money and you should. Bring your financial aid letters and appeal email drafts to us at The Art of Applying®. If you bring them to a weekly Q&A call, we can go over them and everyone on the call can benefit from them. Or, you can submit them to your consultant for feedback.” 

Where can I get more help with graduate school application and awards negotiation?

If you want any help applying to or negotiating with your dream graduate schools, book a Quick Call with us, and we’ll make sure you get the help you need. If you enjoyed this post, keep your eyes peeled for another edition of Ask The Art of Applying®!

Application Intervention® Case Study: MPA/ID Applicant Takes Her Essays to the Next Level

Kaneisha, our founder and CEO, recently sat down for an Application Intervention® with a client seeking feedback on her MPA/ID application to the Harvard Kennedy School. Originally, the client signed up to work with The Art of Applying® in 2018. However, after receiving an unexpected professional opportunity, she paused her graduate school plans and picked them back up again in 2020. 

In her 45-minute Application Intervention® session, the client received some critical feedback to transform her MPA/ID application. During the session, Kaneisha reviewed and live-edited several of the client’s essays. In particular, the client was looking for advice on how to make her application stand out in the applicant pool, and for feedback about her level of technical experience. 

To help other applicants, we’ve summarized the feedback Kaneisha shared with the client in this post. 

Focus on demonstrating an understanding of the types of analytical skills required for the program. 

After reviewing the client’s profile, Kaneisha validated that she was a strong applicant. However, the client was concerned about her lack of economics experience. While the client met the prerequisites for the program, the rest of her experience was not heavily focused on economics. Kaneisha gave the client several strategies to showcase her analytical skills.

First, Kaneisha suggested the client focus more on highlighting her existing technical experience as opposed to her personal experience. Kaneisha shared,

“For the MPA/ID, it’s such a quantitatively rigorous program… I want a lot more focus [in your essays] on the analytical skills and how they relate to your career and a lot less heartstring stories.”

Kaneisha also shared a list of questions to address in her essays:What helped you move from the microeconomic mindset to the macroeconomic mindset? Why is the MPA/ID a better fit for you than the MPP? What technical and analytical skills do you already possess? Which ones do you lack? What could you have done in prior experiences had you had more rigorous analytical skills?How might the problems you’re able to solve become much bigger with more sustainable solutions as a result of your MPA/ID education? 

While the client didn’t have a lot of economics-focused work experience, the answers to these questions would demonstrate her understanding of the impact that the MPA/ID’s technical skills will have on her career. 

Make the answer to the prompt easy to identify. 

The client made a common mistake in her essays: focusing too much on storytelling as opposed to directly answering the prompt. In response to one of the client’s essay introductions, Kaneisha said, “This would be a beautiful intro if this was a Ted Talk.” While it can be tempting to craft a beautiful story, storytelling should not take precedence over clarity. 

In fact, Kaneisha stated that starting an essay by answering the prompt as directly as possible is actually preferable. Kaneisha advised,

“Do not elevate storytelling over the answer that [the admissions committee is] asking for.

Storytelling matters..but what they really want to know is the answer to the question up front, and then you can tell a beautiful story.” 

Elevate your essays from college admissions to graduate school level. 

Kaneisha had one big piece of advice for the client:

“Always connect [your personal story] to systemic, macro issues.”

Kaneisha explained that contextualizing your experience this way is the difference between undergraduate and graduate school essays. This approach demonstrates an understanding of how your unique perspective can add value to your career. To help frame this advice, Kaneisha recommended that the client think about her personal experiences as gems in a treasure chest that can be shared with other students.

For this client, part of that recommendation included demonstrating an empowered racial identity and clearly defining how her experience could help inform her policy school perspective. Taking this approach can demonstrate to an admissions committee that an applicant understands how their lived experience is an asset to their career.  

Have the right mindset for policy school. 

One piece of advice that Kaneisha shared with the client was to make sure she demonstrated an understanding of how policy can enact larger-scale change. Kaneisha said,

“What we want to do in going to policy school is get out of the…mentality of ‘I’m going to build a well and help these 100 people’ and [instead think] more like, ‘I’m going to create global water policies that affect millions.’” 

This piece of feedback also demonstrates why applicants should avoid focusing entirely on personal experience. Instead, policy school applicants should tell the story of how their personal experience can inform policy and in turn, enact broader change. 

Concluding Thoughts:

This Application Intervention® client had a strong application that needed some fine-tuning to take it to the next level. In the 45-minute session, Kaneisha live-edited three of the client’s essays and gave the client key questions to transform those essays. Additionally, she was able to give the client some advice for addressing her lack of economics-focused experience. Overall, Kaneisha helped this client elevate her essays from undergraduate level to graduate school level. Fortunately, other MPA/ID and MPP applicants can also learn from much of the feedback that Kaneisha shared with the client. 
Whether you’re applying to MPA/ID programs or looking at other degrees, we can help answer your questions about your application. Schedule a Quick Call with our team to discuss.

Ding Analysis: Rejected from Harvard Kennedy School due to Lack of Clarity in Essays, GRE score, and Misunderstanding of the Degree

Being rejected from your dream school can feel like a significant blow to your graduate school plans and ego, but it’s not the end of the world. If you’ve recently been rejected from a graduate school program, reapplying is always a possibility. However, to make reapplication worth it, you will want to address the weaknesses of your application. 

Our founder and CEO, Kaneisha, recently conducted a Ding Analysis for one of our clients who applied to the Harvard Kennedy School MPP program. Our client, “Amy,” had previously applied to HKS on her own and was rejected. She came to us for help on her HKS MPP degree re-application to complement the MBA program she is currently enrolled in. Kaneisha noted that Amy was a strong applicant for the program, but there were several weak spots in her application that likely contributed to her rejection.

Key Takeaways from Amy’s Ding Analysis Answer the prompt quickly and clearly.

One of the biggest takeaways from Amy’s Ding Analysis was how she structured her essays. Amy made a common mistake in several of her responses: not answering the prompt directly at the beginning. Kaneisha noted that in many of her essays, it took a few paragraphs for Amy to answer the question presented. Other times, Amy did not spend enough of her essay real estate fleshing out her direct response to the prompt. While her essays were well-written and entertaining, Kaneisha noted several points at which the admissions committee likely got lost in what she was trying to say. Amy often focused much of the essays on setting a scene or telling anecdotes instead of directly answering the question.

While speaking to personal experience can add color to an essay, the most important thing is to answer the prompt directly. An admissions committee should clearly understand an applicant’s response to the prompt at hand. In many of Amy’s essays, she devoted too much time on anecdotes and not enough time on direct answers. In Kaneisha’s analysis, she noted many of the areas where Amy was unclear or which aspects of the essays were superfluous to make editing the essays as easy as possible.

Avoid vagueness and generalities in essays.

Another point of feedback that Kaneisha shared was that Amy’s essays included several generalities and platitudes. For example, Amy often made sweeping statements using phrases like ‘us’ and ‘we’ without explaining who she was referring to exactly. This can be problematic because the admissions committee likely does not understand who the applicant is talking about if they do not state it clearly. Unfortunately, when this mistake repeatedly happens throughout an essay, it can read like a series of empty statements and weaken an overall argument. Kaneisha suggested Amy edit her essays to state who phrases like ‘us’ and ‘we’ refer to.

Understand the degree. 

In one of Amy’s essays, she indicated that she wanted to do something that wouldn’t be possible with the MPP degree. Kaneisha pointed out that this misconception demonstrated a lack of understanding about how the MPP program works and was likely a red flag for the admissions committee. Applicants should be careful to confirm anything they say they would like to do as part of a program is actually possible. Otherwise, it may appear to admissions committees that the applicant did not do their research.

Address a lower GRE score. 

Kaneisha also shared some critical feedback about Amy’s GRE score. Amy applied with a decent score, but she only took the test once. Amy also had a decent, but unremarkable college GPA. Kaneisha pointed out that while Amy did not have incredibly low scores, she could have retaken the GRE to demonstrate an attempt at a higher score. 

In some cases, The Art of Applying® team recommends that applicants with less-than-stellar test scores take supplemental coursework to make up for their scores. However, in Amy’s case, she is currently enrolled in an MBA program, and Kaneisha noted that her coursework should make up for her lower test scores. 

Applicants should keep in mind that supplemental coursework may be a valid strategy for counteracting a low test score or GPA. For applicants who are not sure about how their test score measures up, Kaneisha’s rule of thumb is to aim for a GMAT equivalent of a 680. Applicants who score below the equivalent of a 680 should consider supplemental coursework or retaking the test.

What to learn from Amy’s Ding Analysis 

Overall, Kaneisha noted that Amy was a strong candidate for the HKS MPP program but that her application had some missteps. Most notably, Amy’s essays were well written but missed the mark on directly and clearly answering the prompt. This was compounded by the fact that Amy used several generalities and vague statements throughout her essays. While her arguments were sound, they were hard to follow. Amy also demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding about how the MPP program worked, which was likely a red flag to the admissions committee. Finally, Amy could have improved her overall application by submitting a second GRE score. 

Although the feedback shared above was about a specific application, Kaneisha’s notes hold for anyone applying to a policy school program. It can be difficult to spot issues in your own application. Having an expert review your materials can help you understand where your application might be falling short. At The Art of Applying®, we help applicants put their best application forward.
If you want to give your application the best shot possible, book a Quick Call with our team to get started.

PhD Series: How to Apply to a PhD Program in Four Steps

Does the opportunity to discover something new excite you? Have you ever wanted to “be the expert” on a topic, advance knowledge in a particular field, or become a college professor? If so, pursuing a PhD may be the right next step for you. While daunting, we are breaking down the process of applying to PhD programs into four easy steps.  

Step 1: Know Yourself and Make a List

Before starting the rigorous pathway towards becoming a PhD, ask yourself if your long-term career goals can be accomplished with a Master’s Degree rather than a PhD. A Master’s degree can be completed in a shorter period of time (i.e. less debt!) and can offer substantial scheduling flexibility for those who want to maintain a full-time job while in school. We recently covered a few factors to help you decide whether a PhD or Master’s program is right for you.

Once you have committed to pursuing a PhD, consider the following questions when researching programs: 

Do you want to attend the top PhD program in your field? Are there specific researchers you would like to work with? Is there a particular region of the country you would like to live in? Which programs offer scholarships and financial aid?Step 2: Review Admissions Requirements and Deadlines

Requirements differ based on the graduate school and field of study. However, most programs require school transcripts, standardized test scores (most often the GRE), 2-3 letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae (CV) and essays. Use application deadlines, including scholarship applications and financial aid deadlines, to create a realistic timeline for tasks. Remember to provide recommenders with ample time to complete and submit letters.

Step 3: Prepare Application Materials

In addition to transcripts, standardized test scores, and letters of recommendation, PhD programs often require a CV, personal statement, and research proposal. A CV is an academic summary of your experiences, including degrees, research experiences, publications, presentations, awards, and professional societies. The personal statement is a narrative essay detailing your personal experiences and how they have led you to pursue a career in academia. Finally, the research proposal discusses the research question you would like to pursue in graduate school, including relevant background, methods, and statistical analysis. Programs will sometimes combine these two essay prompts into the “Statement of Purpose” essay. 

Step 4: Submit Application

You have put in the hard work; now it’s time to relax! Budget a full week prior to the application deadline to review all materials, paying close attention to spelling and grammatical mistakes. When you’re ready, submit your materials to the programs’ online portals. Remember that submitting materials generally takes at least a half hour for each program. Don’t put this off until the last minute! Earning a PhD offers students the intellectual freedom to explore unanswered questions, the knowledge and expertise to tackle the world’s most challenging problems, and the opportunity to develop a skill set that is both highly marketable and broadly applicable. If you are looking for additional guidance on your PhD applications, The Art of Applying® is here to help. Our dedicated team of consultants is here to help you develop your personal statement, CV, and make sure you have the strategy to get strong letters of recommendation.

To learn more about how we can help, schedule your 15-minute Quick Call.

Ask The Art of Applying®: Don’t Submit Your Test Scores If the Admissions Committee Said They’re Optional

You’ve worked so hard for so long to get a great test score for getting into graduate school, but you’ve fallen just short of the target score range for your dream program. Thankfully, many schools are making standardized test scores optional. So, what should you do? Should you submit your lower score, or leave it out? What gives you the best chance of getting in? 

Welcome to another installment of our monthly Ask The Art of Applying® series where we give you a peek into what it’s like to be a client asking a question in our Q&A Vault. We bring you answers to your questions about getting into graduate school. This month, Adam, one of our consultants and a graduate of University of Virginia Darden School of Business, is answering a question about whether you should submit your test scores to programs that have deemed them optional. 

Our client asked: Should I submit my test scores when the admissions committee at my school says they’re now optional?  

Here’s the full question from one of our amazing clients,

“Hi, I’m applying to the Harvard Kennedy School’s MC/MPA program, which is their Mid-Career Master in Public Administration. Basically, for folks who are really excited about public service with at least seven years of work experience already. The school is saying that the GRE is optional. I have a score that’s a little bit below what their target is. Should I submit my test scores or not? ”

After much debate amongst the consultants, we became convinced that this is the right answer: you should not include your GRE score in this case. Especially, if you have a strong GPA, compelling essays, and great letters of recommendation. You should only share it if you hit that target score or do better. If it’s optional, a test score lower than their target doesn’t help you make your case that you deserve to be there. 

What if I want to submit my test score anyway?

Put it in the optional essay and highlight any issues you had that would explain why you had a lower score. Maybe the test crashed while you took it remotely, or you have a learning disability that kept you from hitting the target score. In the same essay, be sure you include a sentence on how you’ll focus on academics. Going to class, being proactive in study groups, and going to office hours are great things to highlight your ability to improve performance in weaker subjects – especially if they’re quantitative. At the end of the day, schools aren’t worried that you’ll flunk out. They want to know if you’re comfortable with numbers and can keep up with the rest of the class. 

What else can I do to show my comfort with quantitative coursework?

Other things you can do are take supplemental courses in a quantitative subject and get good grades to show that you can handle them, talk about the other quantitative classes you took in college previously if you did well with them, and best of all, you can showcase work experience in which you have proven that you can handle quantitative work in a professional environment. 

What should I do if I get waitlisted? 

Our CEO and Founder, Kaneisha Grayson, weighs in! “Don’t submit the score unless you get waitlisted and you want to provide some information.” It’s a data point they do care about, but the schools recognize that not everyone is able to do their best or even get access to taking tests during these difficult times. So, don’t put your scores in your application if you don’t feel comfortable with them. 

My situation is different, can you help me?

If you want some help from experienced consultants who can help you decide whether it makes sense to include your test scores or not, we’re here for you. Book a Quick Call with us, and we’ll make sure you get the help you need. If you enjoyed this post, tune in next month for another edition of Ask The Art of Applying®!

PhD Series: What’s the Difference Between a Master’s and a PhD, and Which Should I Apply For?

One of the most common questions we receive from clients is whether they should pursue a Master’s degree or a PhD. This decision depends on multiple factors and is highly individualized, depending on both the professional goals and life circumstances of the client. In this post, we demystify the decision, by discussing the key differences between Master’s and PhD programs and offer additional tips to help you decide which to apply for.

Master’s Degree vs. PhD

 Master’s Degree* PhDTime1-2 years3-8 yearsCostVaries based on program, $30-70K/year x 1-2 yearsVaries based on program, $30-70K/year x 3-8 yearsCareer OpportunityUsually mid-level  Highest level of study, greatest opportunities for leadership positions in academia or industryProtected Time for ResearchVaries, traditionally 10-20% of your timeVaries, traditionally 60%-90% of your timeSalary1 Varies, $56k-$109k (median range)Varies, $68k-$122k (median range)*MBA excluded: The MBA is a unique Master’s level degree that offers training for business professionals. The cost of the degree, and the median salary for individuals with the MBA degree is significantly higher than those with other Master’s level degrees.

A note on salary. Earnings vary widely based on your graduate degree course of study, your prior experience, geography and the sector that you are working in once you graduate. Salaries are different in academia, the public, private, non-profit sectors. The career office of your target graduate program is a good source for salary information of recent grads. Professional groups and academic associations are other sources you can look to for salary information. 

The biggest differences between a Master’s Degree and PhD are the time commitment, research training, and job prospects. Pursuing a PhD, while more time intensive, offers additional and rigorous training in academic research, a highly marketable skill for both academia and industry. While the cost can be substantial, do not let it be a deterrent for either degree program. There are often several scholarship or teaching assistantship opportunities available for interested students.  

Additional Tips

If you are still uncertain about which path you should pursue, ask yourself what your ultimate professional goal is. Have you ever wanted to “be the expert” on a topic, advance knowledge in a particular field, or become a college professor? If so, getting a PhD may be the right next step for you. If, however, you want additional training in a topic but do not want to engage in intense scholarly activity for several years, perhaps a Master’s is the best step.Still feeling anxious about your decision? Need help with your Master’s or PhD Application? The Art of Applying® is here to help. Our experienced team of consultants have trained at the top academic institutions in the world and more importantly, are dedicated to your success. To learn more about how we can help, schedule your Quick Call with our team.

 1 Salary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Education level and projected openings, 2019–20: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2020/article/education-level-and-openings.htm 

How to Prepare for an MBA Interview: Lessons From a Wharton Interview Dojo Session

Interviewing for a graduate school program can be very daunting. You never know what exactly an interviewer is going to ask, and unlike a written application, you can’t obsess over every answer you give. That’s why we started offering Interview Dojo sessions to our clients. In an Interview Dojo session, we pair clients with one of our consultants for a mock interview session with feedback. When possible, we make sure the consultants are alums of the school they’d like to attend. 

One of our clients, “Caroline,” recently sat down with our consultant, Nicole, for an Interview Dojo session. Caroline has applied to the MBA program at the University of Pennsylvania, and Nicole is a Wharton alum. To give you a sense of what Interview Dojo sessions are like, we’ve summarized their conversation in this post.

Practice Interview Questions:

An Interview Dojo session starts off with a practice interview lasting about 20 minutes. Nicole received a copy of Caroline’s resume to help inform the direction of the interview.  Nicole also reminded Caroline, that she should keep in mind that anything from her application is fair game during the interview. Here are the interview questions Nicole asked Caroline: 

What most excites you most about Wharton?Looking at your resume, it seems like you’ve moved around a bit professionally. What can you tell me about that?Why are you interested in business school now? Why is this the right time for you?What are your plans for the MBA? Do you feel prepared to take on the academic rigor of the program? You may find it necessary to balance the academic rigor of the program with other extra-curricular opportunities that Wharton offers. How will you approach balancing courses with extra-curricular opportunities? How will you know if you’re meeting your goals or staying aligned with your priorities? Where do you think you’ll struggle? What’s something you want to take advantage of while in Philadelphia? Nicole’s MBA Interview Feedback for Caroline: 

After Nicole finished asking Caroline her questions, the feedback session began. Nicole’s notes ranged from general commentary about Caroline’s delivery to specific feedback regarding her responses. 

Be mindful of acronyms. In referencing a workplace, Caroline used an acronym that didn’t exactly match what was on her resume, leaving Nicole unsure about what position she was referring to. Be mindful when using acronyms in your responses to keep your answers clear.

Connect with your interviewer. Nicole also recommended that Caroline smile more. While she noted that this is a comment often disproportionately aimed at women, she said that it applies to both men and women. Interviews are, at their core, a likability game. Nicole shared, “[The interviewers] are listening to the content that you’re saying but they also want to connect.” All applicants should make an effort to connect with their interviewer, and smiling can make the connection more genuine. 

Take your time. Another general piece of feedback Nicole gave was that Caroline sometimes rambled in her responses. She said, “It’s okay to pause and take some time to respond…but try to succinctly move on to the next point.” Sometimes interviewees feel the pressure to speak right away, but taking time to think through a response can be very helpful in crafting clear responses. 

Prepare to answer questions about your school’s city. Nicole also vocalized that her question about what Caroline was excited about related to living in Philadelphia seemed to stump her. Nicole noted, “In any business interview, they’ll probably ask about the city.” Applicants should prepare a few notes on what interests them about a school’s city or community. 

Structure your responses. Nicole also pointed out that learning how to answer questions that stump you is an important part of interview preparation. Nicole said, “You will get questions you don’t expect so it’s good to prepare for that.” One tip Nicole shared for smoothly answering a question is to start off a response with something along the lines of, “There are several reasons but my top one is….” Structuring your response this way can help buy you some time while you think of what you would like to say. 

Need help preparing for your interview? 

An Interview Dojo session like Caroline’s will include a practice interview, tailored feedback, and time to ask general questions about the interview process. Caroline’s Interview Dojo session prepared her for the real interview, while also answering some of her remaining questions. 
Getting ready for your graduate school interviews on your own is a challenging task. Practicing for interviews is very different from drafting your essays. If you’re not sure what to expect, sign up for a Quick Call to learn more about how our consultants can help you prepare to answer questions with confidence.

Ask The Art of Applying®: HKS MPA/ID and Harvard MUP Fellowships

Financing your graduate school degree can make or break your ability to attend your dream school. No matter what program or school you attend, you will need to figure out how to make your dreams a financial reality. Fellowships are a great way to cover a portion of a program’s cost or sometimes the entire amount. 

In this month’s Ask The Art of Applying® series question, we will focus on fellowships for a few specific programs. We recently worked with a client interested in obtaining a joint degree MPA/ID from the Harvard Kennedy School and an MUP from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. The client was also interested in applying to the MPA program at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. 

Our client asked:

“Are there any suggestions for fellowship opportunities at Harvard Kennedy School – MPA/ID, Harvard Graduate School of Design – MUP, and the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs MPA?“

Before we get into specific fellowship opportunities, let’s talk a bit about each of these programs. 

Harvard Kennedy School – MPA/ID 

The Master in Public Administration in International Development (MPA/ID) from the Harvard Kennedy School is a 2-year program for students interested in solving global problems. Our consultant, Adam, shared that this program is highly technical. Regarding coursework, he said, “A lot of the courses are going to be similar to if you were doing a Master’s in economics or a Ph.D. in economics.” 

So who is a good fit for the program? Adam shared, “Usually, they’re looking for someone who doesn’t necessarily have to have that much more work experience than someone getting their Master’s in Public Policy…but you do have to be very familiar with quantitative subjects…You might even be doing a little bit of coding in R or Stata…This generally is for folks who want to jump into the numbers to solve big international issues.” 

Harvard Graduate School of Design – MUP 

The client was interested in obtaining a Master in Urban Planning (MUP) joint degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Our consultant Adam affirmed that this degree would make a lot of sense to pursue concurrently with an MPA. He shared, “[This program is] all about designing the way that cities work, so if you also understand public policy, it’s going to be very helpful in actually getting some of those projects done at a local level.” 

Princeton School of Public and International Affairs MPA

The MPA from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, formerly known as the Princeton Woodrow Wilson School, is also a 2-year program. The most important thing to know is that this program is that it is fully-funded. 

According to Princeton, “All MPA students receive 100% of tuition and required fees support. Additionally, the School offers a need-based stipend for living expenses for two years of study… Applicants must complete the Statement of Financial Resources as a part of the online application.”

Scholarship opportunities at Harvard 

While being accepted into Princeton’s MPA program may not require much additional financial help, Harvard programs are a different story.

One of our consultants, Virginia, chimed in with an important reminder about fellowship information in general, “The best resource for these scholarships/fellowships are the schools themselves.” 

With that in mind, Virginia shared a list of places to look for more information about the fellowship and scholarship opportunities from the schools’ websites. 

Harvard Kennedy School – Student Financial Services Funding Resource DatabaseHarvard Graduate School of Design – Financial Aid application 

Virginia also shared some additional resources from outside of the schools:

(Related to the MUP) American Planning Association ScholarshipsUniversity of Chicago Fellowship Database

Our CEO and founder, Kaneisha, followed up with a link to some Center for Public Leadership fellowships to help fund the MPA program.

Harvard describes the benefits of the fellowships: “In addition to receiving tuition support, our students participate in a robust cohort-based co-curricular program grounded in servant leadership and experiential learning designed to deepen self-awareness, cultural humility, collaboration, and social responsibility.”

Every applicant is different, so some fellowships that may have applied to our client might not make sense for you. Here is the full list of Center for Public Leadership fellowships. Note that each of them requires a separate application: 

Louis and Gabrielle Bacon FellowshipFor students interested in protecting the environmentBlack Family FellowshipFor U.S. veteransDubin Graduate Fellowship for Emerging LeadersFor students committed to creating community changeEmirates Leadership Initiative FellowshipFor students from the UAE or Middle EastFellowship for Serving African American CommunitiesFor students from any race or ethnicity working to reduce disparities in African American and other underserved communities in the U.S.George Leadership FellowshipFor students pursuing a joint degree with Harvard Business SchoolGleitsman Leadership FellowshipFor students interested in social changeU.S. Latino Leadership FellowshipFor students from any race or ethnicity who are committed agents of transformation in underserved communities in the U.S.David M. Rubenstein FellowshipFor students interested in the intersection of public policy and businessWexner Israel FellowshipFor students from IsraelZuckerman Fellows ProgramFor outstanding students in any field – business, law, or medicine

The Center for Public Leadership fellowships can help fund degrees for people from various backgrounds. Of course, managing scholarship applications on top of your school application can be a lot to handle. Having an expert to help you along your application process can make a big difference. 

Adam shared, “If you’re working with The Art of Applying®, your consultant is going to look at [your application] materials alongside you and probably has gone to a program like the ones you’re looking at yourself, so will be very familiar with what goes into each of these [applications].” 

If you’re looking for some feedback on your application or want to know how to give yourself the best shot at receiving funding, our team can help. Sign up for a quick call, and we can talk through your questions. Keep an eye on our blog for next month’s edition of Ask The Art of Applying®!