I have finally finished the last assignment in what could be called a midterm period at LSE. Except...none of my essays, presentations, or assignments in the last two weeks were graded. They are all formative assignments. So, I'll get feedback in terms of writing, preparation for the final summative papers, and general comments of my understanding of the course load. But, let's just say...phew! I'm tired!
Last week, I had a paper due in my media policy class. I wrote a short analysis about the increasing access to broadband in the United States and how educational policies aimed at teachers in secondary schools needs to change. It was actually a lot more interesting that I thought it would be! It might be a topic for my final essay. I also had a paper due in my US legislative politics class last week. That one was about the electoral connection!
This week...I had an outline due for my final paper in my information systems for the public sector class. I'm writing on the organizational structures of two different web councils in the US federal agency structure and how those organizations effect the delivery of digital services to citizens. The graded essay is due in April (bit early), so I'm looking forward to getting that feedback right away!
And, tomorrow, I have a presentation about the deliberation process in Congress for my US legislative politics class.
Can we say "Katie needs coffee?"
If you're wondering how everything else is going at school...
Our capstone project final presentation has been set for March 18th. It's the day after my birthday, so double the celebrations! We're aiming to have the entire 15,000 word report written by the end of this weekend.
As for my policy paper, I changed my topic and focus, but I like my new idea much better. Plus, I think it will be much more feasible to write about.
LSE is pushing me to the extreme, again. But, I am still glad that I chose the rigor of my program and the school. I know it's all going to be worth it once I finish in a few months!
This morning, I registered for my final courses at LSE. Weird, huh?
Even weirder? It could also be the last time I ever register for courses!
During my first year at LSE, as you may recall, there were no option courses. All first-year students have to take the same three requirements in addition to the stream requirement. All my units were clearly selected for me! This year, minus the two main requirements, I've gotten to choose what I've wanted to take. And, since last semester, I was interning, I waited for this term for the majority of my units to balance out a workload.
This term, I'm taking:
MPA Capstone: My group will be completing our project with G4S this term!
MPA Policy Paper: Started last term, but my final policy paper will be submitted.
It's going to be another long semester of reading, late hours, and tons of coffee. But, I'm up for the challenge. I'm excited to finish out my final two terms strong!
I will have officially been back in London a week tomorrow morning. It's crazy that even a week flies by this quickly anymore.
I mentioned in my post earlier this week that on Thursday we'd be having our introductory sessions for the second year. Thursday started off rainy (of course), but I got to collect my loan check for the term. It's the little things of feeling slightly richer and poorer at the same time.
The second year sessions began with our Dean giving us an oversight on some changes to the program. Following that, besides being reunited with so many of my friends in my program, we had an introductory class to a half-unit course we are required to take this year. It deals with power, organizations, and leadership. It's taught by the "father" of the MPA program, so I'm looking forward to this one!
The afternoon and early evening of Thursday was spent listening to the various capstone projects that we could choose from for the year. Essentially, there are numerous government departments (UK), non-profits, world organizations, and non-profits that we can choose from. Each capstone group contains between three and five people doing research, preparing reports, etc. I submitted my preferences today, and we get to find out our projects/group this week!
And, we also finally registered for courses. Sadly, in all my years of higher education, I was shut out of a class I wanted to take completely. I wanted to take a media and politics course as an option this year. It's not even offered until the Spring, but despite registering for it, I've been shut out and put on a very long waiting list. But don't worry, I registered for two others that will be my options to take in the Spring!
We officially start classes this week. As for my schedule, besides interning and capstone group projects, I only have class two days a week!
More on my weekend adventure including the boat party to come!
Crazy to think that is has almost been a year since I started grad school, huh?
The entries from last summer clearly focused on my preparations about London and grad school. Those pages still get tons of page views weekly, so I do hope they are helping others! If you can't tell, this summer, I don't have the same preparations as I did before.
My visa is still active until after I graduate next June, my phone plan is still ongoing with direct payments from my UK bank account, and my housing is all set. It's nice to have everything set up ahead of time while I was gone this summer. Although, I still have qualms about packing to go back in a few weeks.
Not worrying about finding a new landlord or putting my belongings in storage was the best thing that I could have done. I'm staying in my same flat with the same company. After all, you can't beat Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove!
As for the preparations that I have made this summer, the majority of them focus on what is next. Of course, I made a list of courses I'm interested in taking. I filed the paperwork to change streams from public and economic policy to public management. And, I even have my internships set for the fall!
What remains on my to-do list before I depart at the end of September is preparing different versions of my resume and other career documents to prepare for the upcoming job applications. Luckily, though, I can do that in the comfort of my home with my dog at my feet.
I've got about a month left before I hop the pond again. Stay tuned!
Since my last post, this bookworm hasn't stopped trying to get through a massive booklist before school resumes in less than two months! Here is what I've had my nose in lately.
HUGE JFK FAN!
I saw Jared Cohen and Eric Schmidt speak at LSE back in May. I knew I needed to check it out!
During the academic year, I have to literally schedule time to read for fun.
When I was an undergrad at Syracuse, I usually read for fun on the weekends. Now, during grad school, I find myself reading on the bus or the tube. Finding a time to read a book for fun is something that has kept me sane for the past five years. And, I know it will help keep me sane for my final year!
Being home for the summer has allowed me to read a lot more for fun. I still have about two months left in my summer vacation, so I do expect to get through a lot more books. But, I thought I would give you a photo summary of what I've read so far!
A couple of weekends ago, I flew to Princeton University. It was the reading weekend for the Journal of Public and International Affairs. As you may recall, I was selected to be a Contributing Editor for the Journal back in October. The MPA office sends two students on behalf of LSE to be the contributing editors.
The weekend started off with landing Thursday evening. Ganga (the second year, contributing editor from LSE) and I made it into Newark and Princeton right before the massive snowstorm. We stayed with two MPA students at Princeton for the weekend. It was nice to actually be back in a real house instead of my tiny studio for the weekend.
Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University
During the day on Friday, Ganga and I camped out and did work before the weekend started. Friday night consisted of the weekend starting with roundtable introductions, the schedule of the weekend, and dinner! It was great to get to meet other MPA/policy master's students from around the US and the world. The rest of Friday evening consisted of starting to read the paper submissions and a Princeton MPA party. Don't worry for my fellow LSE MPA students....we still win on that front!
Saturday was the main reading day. By the evening, we selected the final eight papers that will be released in the Journal for the 2013 year. That evening, there was a social planned. It was a great way to cap off the weekend before the final meeting on Sunday, and my flight back to London.
I know my trip to the US was short and academic, but it was nice to be back on the home soil for awhile. I'm glad that I was able to be a contributing editor for the Journal, and I look forward to participating again next year!
As I have been slow to post, I figured that some of you may be interested to see the adventures that I have been embarking on!
8th-First Day of Class and my Internship!
9th- MPASA Marketplace. MPASA is a student organization designed specifically for MPA students. I joined the career team, the social team, and the Public Sphere. I also was able to meet up with my friend John from Syracuse. He's on a Marshall Scholarship here, just finished a Master's, and has started his second.
11th-After staying up to watch Biden in the VP debate, I went to a Careers in Public Policy event to hear about public service careers in the UK. In the evening, we had our first Policy in Practice Seminar for the MPA programme. Our Dean of the Institute presented on the creation of public policy.
12th-Had my first wine club meeting! Tons of fun, met some great new people, and looking forward to the rest of wine club.
13th- Went to Greenwich, the Dickens Inn, and spent the evening in making sure I wasn't getting sick.
14th -Had high tea with Nicole off a GroupOn. Stay tuned for a blog post about that!
15th-We had our second Policy in Practice Seminar for the MPA Programme. We heard from Craig Calhoun, LSE's New Director.
17th-Went to the Welcome Reception for LSE's New Director, Craig Calhoun.
Apologies for the delay in posting. As you can imagine now that the semester has started, my hours of free time to blog, watch my favorite television episodes, and sleep, in some instances, has been limited. Now that week two is wrapping down, I can honestly say that I am settling into a routine of classes, homework, networking events, etc. It doesn't go without saying that the first two weeks have been stressful enough already, but I love it. Being challenged is something that I've always wanted out of academia, and LSE sure does know how to do that.
As for a routine, it's important to note that for everyday of the work/school week, I'm up by 6:30/7 everyday and go to bed around 2/3. You and I can both do the math on that. It's clearly preparation for my future political campaign. Thank goodness for weekends and those occasional 10 minute naps on the tube. Here's my class schedule:
Mondays:
10:00-12:00 - EC455: Econometrics Lecture
14:00-15:00- EC455: Econometrics Seminar
with the option of a help-session in the evening for STATA, a statistical program
Tuesdays:
9:00- 11:00- EC440: Microeconomics/Macroeconomics
13:00- 14:30- GV478: Political Science and Public Policy Seminar
EC440 help session in the evening
Wednesdays:
11:00- 12:00- EC440: Seminar
14:00- 17:00- MG419: Management Class
Thursdays:
Day off currently. This will be the day where I will intern the most!
Fridays:
10:00- 12:00- GV478: Political Science and Public Policy Lecture
All in all, I have a lot of free time to do work for my remote internship, read (a lot!), and go to Starbucks. With having class in the morning, I feel accomplished by midday. It's been a bit different as I have never had class really before 9 or 10 at Syracuse with the exception of one or two classes. The Starbucks on campus knows my order when I stroll in around 8 or 9 each morning to get a last minute review session before class each day. I've started to find my favorite areas to do work in.
The homework load has been a lot. I expected it to be a lot, and it certainly met those expectations. We have problem sets for our main core courses with EC455 ones being graded randomly to make up a percentage of my final grade. We found the fun news today that EC440 problem sets will only be graded to provide feedback, and that the entire grade for the class will be based on the final. It's a lot to think about, but my goal will be to stay on top of everything as best as I can to save trouble come May and June when I'm studying. Back to the books, I go!
Now that the school year has officially started, we can get down to business discussing what I will be taking for the next year. Unlike the United States, our semesters do not mean I get to take different courses each semester. Instead, the concentration of the classes are spread across both the Michaelmas/Lent terms with exams falling in the summer term. Most grades for all courses are decided on those exams in the summer term. The advantage of this is I will not have as many assignments as frequent- no weekly blog entries, no papers every two weeks, etc. I will also get a month or so off following the Lent term. One of the hardest things that I am facing is that without a lot of continuous assignments, or midterms, it'd be easy to forget about a reading assignment. I'll be using time management to its fullest these next two years. My program requires us to take four units during our first year as a student. All of us have to take three basic courses. Micro/macro economics, Econometrics, and a political science course. My stream is the only one that his the required course for the stream to be taken in the second year. My required course is more economics, and it would be foolish to try to take it without a solid background. Thus, my choice to fulfill my last unit was a little hard. I could take two half-unit courses, or I could take one of the other streams' required courses. In the end after a lot of thinking, talking to my advisor, and going to the newly founded MPA course fair, I chose to take a class on public management. Ideally, it should be a base for further work in the government. I've copied the course descriptions from the LSE website! Take a look!
In this course we develop tools to analyse important political phenomena including elections, legislative bargaining, lobbying, bureaucracy, civil conflict, and international relations. We focus on game theory as a way of understanding strategic interactions among political actors. Students will learn basic game theoretical concepts and apply them to a variety of political contexts; these tools should be useful both for explaining existing political outcomes and for designing interventions to achieve desired future outcomes.
EC440: Micro and Macro Economics
An introductory graduate course providing an economics background suitable for high-level public policy-making. The emphasis is on acquiring sound models and methods suitable for appraising policy-making issues and applicable in a wide variety of contexts. The first term (MT) covers microeconomics and the second term (LT) covers macroeconomics.
MT: Microeconomics: Week 1: Demand and Supply in Competitive Markets. Week 2: Consumer Optimisation: Demand for Goods. Week 3: Consumer Optimisation and Labor Supply. Week 4: Firms' Optimisation the Supply of Goods and the Demand for Labour. Week 5: Monopoly. Week 6: Uncertainty and Insurance. Week 7: Markets and Asymmetric Information. Week 8: Monopolistic Competition and Game Theory. Week 9: Externalities in Consumption and Production. Week 10: Public Goods.
LT: Macroeconomics: Week 1: Growth and poverty. Week 2: Institutions and economic performance. Week 3: Regulation and economic performance. Week 4: Human capital and growth. Week 5: Productivity and innovation. Week 6: Unemployment. Week 7: Finance and economic performance. Week 8: Openness and economic performance. Week 9: Economic fluctuations. Week 10: Stabilization and reform.
EC455: Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis
The course introduces students to the quantitative evaluation of public policies with the help of regression based evaluation methods, cost-benefit analysis and computable general equilibrium modelling. The first six weeks of the course introduce students to basic multiple regression analysis including hypothesis testing, modelling of non-linear relationships, and dummy variables. From week 7 of MT the course covers a number of regression based evaluation methods to assess the casual effectiveness of policy interventions. These include the use of randomized experiments, natural or quasi-experiments, panel data, difference-in-differences estimation, instrumental variables, matching and regression discontinuity designs. The final part of the course provides an overview over cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis and an introduction to the use of computable equilibrium models to assess policy interventions.
MG419: Public Management- Strategy, Innovation, and Delivery
The course develops the perspectives, knowledge, and intellectual skill required for rational discourse about intelligent practical action in the core public sector. In Michaelmas Term, the course focuses on the design of organizational strategies in public sector contexts. This general issue is subdivided into the design of organizational strategies for start-up, realignment, and success-sustaining transitions. In Lent Term, the course delves specifically into scholarship and teaching cases about the design and operation of practices whose logic is to perform three functions instrumental to sustained organizational achievement: strategy development, developing innovative capabilities, and delivery (encompassing both production and management control). Overall, the course provides a foundation for further coursework about management in the public sector as well as the ability to engage constructively and critically in the development of public management practice.
My past week has been renamed as math camp. As my pre-semester math review course begins for the second week tomorrow, I must say that math camp has been both easy and intense. Highs and lows of remembering basic concepts from high school to those moments where I said, "I just had to choose taking language over math at Syracuse." Nevertheless, it's been a good review as these concepts we have spent numerous hours on in lectures, seminars, and problem sets are the base for the classes this semester. After all, it is the London School of Economics.
My week was pretty basic since I did spend most of time either in class or at home doing homework. Several nights, I was left frustrated because I never took calculus. And, I don't know if you have ever had to learn basic concepts that should be taught over a year in a week, but I have. I'm surviving, though. Our test is this coming Friday and will be used only for advice on harder level economics courses...
I did have some fun during the week.
After all, all work and no play, makes Katie a dull person.
I was able to check out a lot of campus this week including a lot of the restaurants both on and off. I discovered the Fleet River Bakery with three girls in my program for lunch one day. Let's just say that you can't beat seven pounds for a fish sandwich, potatoes, and a huge hot chocolate. Also finally made it to Lincoln's Inn Fields. It's a park on campus which has the potential for outdoor reading sessions when it isn't raining out.
Lincoln Inn's Fields
The highlight of Monday- Friday was my Thursday. After morning class and lunch, I headed over to Syracuse London! It was a weird and good feeling to be back inside Faraday. I spent an hour or so catching up with the director as well as a few staff members I really got to know while I was there. I'm going to be volunteering as a student guide and on some other events in the future as well as try to begin to form an official SU alumni group in London.
Thursday evening after a math seminar, I headed back to Syracuse London for an Encompass film event. For those who don't know, I participated as one of the US delegates in the Fall 2010 Encompass Journey of Understanding. The film event was a new recruiting video to get more to apply to this life-changing experience. What was great about the program was that I was able to be reunited with two people who were a part of the program that I haven't seen in two years. Nicole was there as well- she did the program with me.
Aisha was still in high school when she participated in the program, but now she is interning with Encompass, and Ericka was the US/UK coordinator for 2010. I was also able to meet the new Syracuse students selected for the amazing experience this summer.
I'm featured with Aisha on the Encompass Business Card!
And, the best ending to my Thursday evening was being reunited with my favorite professor, Wolfgang! I knew he was teaching on Thursday evenings, so I saw him briefly during a fire drill. We talked only for a few minutes, but it was great being able to talk to one of the biggest influences on my life. He provided so much support during the grad school process to my capstone, and when I was applying to be a Remembrance Scholar. He and I are getting coffee in the coming weeks which will be great!
Yesterday, I became an official London School of Economics student! Starting off the day with a cup of coffee on my commute was much needed as it was the first day that I've been here with a set schedule. Finally, I've adjusted to the time difference and have gotten over jet-lag. Registration was fairly quick.
As an international student (sometimes it's weird to hear that phrase), I had to show both my passport and my visa. The UK Border is being serious in checking student visas lately as we learned that another institution in the UK was not checking, got in serious trouble, and had to send all of their students home. Once I finished registration, I went to pick up my student ID card. Even after submitting all my paperwork and photo online, it wasn't quite ready. I can pick up Monday which is fine because only a few buildings I have found so far require showing it to get inside.
After registration, we had a scheduled lunch at 13:00 (I'm getting re-used to the time writing), but since it was 11am, a bunch of us headed for a cafe on campus. The LSE Garrick will become my favorite place to eat, do work, and grab a coffee with a friend. It reminds me of Schine Dinning, but with a little more flare, for all of those from Syracuse reading this. It was nice being able to get to know some more first-years that are embarking on the journey as well.
Our lunch hour was the first time that almost all the first years were in the same place. Around 70 or so were there, and while the lunch fare was not the usual pizza that was given at free lunches at Syracuse, it was well worth it. I finally got to meet Kaitlyn, another American. We have been talking literally since May on Facebook about everything in terms of preparations.
MPA Orientation came after lunch. I got my first taste of an LSE classroom. It was a lecture hall, but more compact than I am used to. Let's just say it reminded me of a typical classroom, with stadium seating and small desks. It was not a Maxwell Auditorium or HBC. But, it's another way that I am going to be getting used to the UK education system.
The Dean of the Programme, Lloyd Gruber, started off the hour-long presentation of what we need to know these first few weeks. He recently took over being the director of the programme and comes from a wide range of academia experience, on both sides of the ocean. Providing humor throughout the presentation allowed us to take in the seriousness of the program while also share a few laughs.
We started off our orientation with tabbing in anonymous answers to demographic questions. Regions of the world where were all from, ages, work experience, and fun questions relating to London. I was quick to notice after the age tab that I am one of the youngest in the program as that was almost the smallest bracket represented. At the same time, I also noticed quickly the difference in the years working. While I did a lot of internships during my time at Syracuse, I have never been in the "real world." Our Dean noted that those who have not been in school for a long period of time are intimidated by not studying in a long period of time. At the same time, he stated that those of us who had been accepted straight out of undergrad were "hot stuff." It was a nice compliment to receive as those of us in this programme are clearly all type As.
One of the more funnier questions that we responded to in the little quiz was our future career ambitions. Only five percent of the room want to be in an elected office position. You better believe I made up that five percent. #WALPOLE2040
The rest of our orientation hour was getting used to the programme regulations, hearing the phrase, "some of you will fail," course selection, and general information on how to use the online applications. After using Blackboard for four years, I have to learn a new program called Moodle to submit documents, gather class information, etc.
We also learned about the new aspect that the Institute of Public Affairs is launching. The Policy in Practice Seminar Series is going to be a weekly Thursday evening event with those in public policy careers (government, non-profits, etc.) to discuss the more practical side of what we are learning in the classroom. As Dean Gruber mentioned the new series will feature discussions from the new director of LSE, Lords, and Nobel Laureates. One of the best things about it is that it is a MPA-only event. Other LSE events often fill up very quickly when distinguished guests come to campus.
Once we did all the academic work, we were divided into groups of about 15 to begin a 30 minute policy challenge. The question, you may ask was : "What is the greatest policy challenge facing the world? And, how should it be solved?" Yes, 30 minutes in a group of 15 had to answer that. Before our group began working, we all introduced ourselves-name, where we were from, past work/education, greatest accomplishment. My group only had a few people that I had already met. Let's just say this once again: Everyone in this program has a unique story that makes you want to sit down and keep asking questions. We all have ambitious goals.
2nd Year MPA Student Profile Booklet
As for the policy challenge, our group eventually decided on socio-economical inequalities between blocs. Our attempt to solve the problem resulted in four different actions. Eventually, all the groups presented to a group of professors (who we will have!) to receive feedback. Much of the feedback was devoted to setting more benchmarks, defining the problem more effectively, etc. The challenge itself reminded me a lot of the mini-challenges we did in PAF 101, and yes, I did feel as if Coplin was somewhere snickering to himself.
And, for the cap of the evening, the MPASA (MPA Student Association) organized an open-bar in the Underground. The Underground is one of the several on-campus bars. And, while it was not Chucks, it clearly has potential to be. Having a few drinks with my new classmates, I got to know a lot better. But many of us left early as it was raining, sleepiness, etc.
And, yes, if you haven't figured it out yet, I'm clearly very excited to get started. I have not started classes yet, and I feel I'm in one of those moments that I've only experienced a handful of times before in the world of academia. I had many moments at Syracuse where I was truly challenged and rewarded for hard work, but this is different. They say grad school is different, and so far, I have found that. I'm looking forward to the rest of this year (and next too)!
First, I've received so many thoughtful and kind responses following my blog post from earlier this week.
The purpose of this post is to explain the graduate school admissions process. Specifically, applying to graduate schools abroad was a new experience without too much advice. I remember when I first started the application process, I scoured Barnes and Nobles and Amazon in search of tips for Americans to apply to schools abroad. I was left empty-handed. Instead, I sort of entered the process blindly with the help of a graduate school admissions counselor at Syracuse. She was invaluable as we talked about my personal statement and how to best exemplify my accomplishments in the four years at Syracuse. Nevertheless, I still felt that sometimes I was lost.
When I realized that I wanted to apply to graduate schools abroad, one of the first things I did was to research programs. Clearly, this is an obvious step, but when changing one's higher education goals, researching is important! I started off with around 15 different universities that I could see myself attending. All of them had political science, public policy, new media communication, and public administration programs. Spending time researching what alumni of the programs are currently doing, the academic rigor, the opportunity for research and internships, and the overall reputation of the university.
When I had a list, I began the basic application. Similar to the Common Application that high school students use to apply to college. In high school, I was an overachiever, and that has not changed. Thus, I found myself filling out the basic forms into the wee hours of the night. One of the biggest tips that I found was to put on a movie or a television show (i.e. The West Wing) and work with that in the background. It seems simple enough, but having a distraction when imputing your resume line by line into an application is a good thing.
For the resume portion, I opted for the two-pager when applying to graduate school. While I had already entered my work experience, activities, and awards, a resume was still required. Spending hours receiving feedback on my resume from a variety of sources is essential. Remember, you are selling yourself, your accomplishments. It's important to spend time even reviewing the consistency of an ampersand to the use of the word "and." Presentation!
One of the most time-consuming parts of the application process was the personal statement. Expressing one's goals (public service) through a two page essay is hard. I had 15 different drafts before I had the essay that I could use to apply. Of course, each program did require a tweak, but a base essay took 15 different drafts. In my essay, I focused on my internship experience, how I had come to love the world of politics and public service, my desire to study abroad, and my honors thesis. I emphasized my desire to study graduate school abroad because I wanted to have an international focus to help better serve the American public. I concentrated on my thesis because it was a two-year research project, and the final draft of my paper came to over 100 pages. Demonstrating what I've done and what I want to do was how I conveyed who I am.
There were other parts of the application process: recommendations, writing samples, etc. Those mattered just as much as the three parts that I listed here. The grad school process was just another part of the end of Syracuse. Figuring out what to do after Syracuse had been a long-time coming as I wrote in my last post. The application process thrilled me as I was actively pursuing something that I wanted to do!
For those considering applying to graduate school abroad, feel free to contact me. I know I've answered a few questions from several already, and I will always be more than happy to do so.
Senior year at Syracuse started last August with me in a sticky situation.
During the summer that I spent in DC, I finally admitted to myself as well as those close around me that law school was not the right decision post-Syracuse. I had thought for many months that my decision to go to law school may not be the best approach to do for my intended career path.
At the beginning of college, I wanted to go to law school and had my heart set on doing either civil or real estate law. From there, I imagined entering the world of politics and government after several years. And yes, to those reading, I plan on running for president. I have planned on doing so since I was a child.
Joining mock trial in the first week of freshman year, I threw my heart into the organization and still have some close friends because of it. But, after interning for two different attorneys the summer before sophomore year, I knew my goals had changed. I was going to start taking more public policy courses including being a TA. Mock trial was a criminal case that year, and to be frank, my interest decreased dramatically. Taking a course related to the criminal justice system, I suffered the entire semester. After the first semester, I knew deep down that things were going to change.
During my winter break that year, I began applying for internships. Having the blessing from my parents to pursue internships out-of-state, and specifically in larger cities, I took BIG chances. DC, Boston, New York were all possibilities.
Also, during break, I made my decision to quit mock trial. I stayed on for the first few weeks after the break for a competition, but for my final years at Syracuse, I never went back. The summer after sophomore year, I interned for the Office of Governor Deval Patrick in Boston. Even working part-time, I loved it. My position was in legislative affairs, and to be honest, I enjoyed knowing and reading specific parts of bills.
Going abroad the first semester of junior year, I kept realizing that perhaps law school might not be the right place. London truly became my favorite city. Traveling was a new hobby, and my political science courses left me with wanting more and more. I gained a new mentor that semester in Dr. Wolfgang Deckers, and he told me he never saw me pursuing law school. He believed that my heart was set on something entirely different. He was right, and although we discussed different opportunities, I didn't want to admit yet that law school was wrong.
After the semester abroad, I returned and threw myself into LSAT preparation. I hated it. I never enjoyed going to tutoring classes or even prepping. Material that is based on actual reasoning that has to be done in law school did not capture my interest.
What I loved? My internship that semester working at the Syracuse Housing Authority, my history classes on the Cold War, and my desire to apply for political internships once more. Taking the test in June, I walked out knowing that whatever the score would be, I was not entirely sure of myself and my future decisions.
During the semester I returned back from being abroad, I was also given the opportunity to participate in the Dulye Leadership Experience. Mentors were developed instantly, and throughout that weekend, I began my self-realization process even more quickly. I came home that weekend refreshed.
So, that brings us back to DC last summer. Interning for the Department of Homeland Security, I was involved in an area that I had wanted to learn more about as well as still being in a political atmosphere. By that time, I had added my history major and spent the summer learning more and more about past and present politicians. But, then the news came that I would have to retake the LSAT in October. Devastated, I finally broke down following a Josh Groban concert. There was a specific song, "You are Loved, Don't Give Up."It's always been sentimental to me, but that day it put me over the top. I knew that law school wasn't right. I'd be miserable if I went. I came home crying on the phone to my Mom, and she told me what I always knew. "Your father and I will stick by with you whatever you want to do."
Packing up and returning to Syracuse last fall, I stuck the LSAT out one more time, only improving slightly. When it came to apply to law school, I also had begun my grad school applications. It was something that both my parents and I discussed. Essentially, I applied to a slew of programs that focused on government and public policy. Yet, there was a twist. I have a keen interest in eventually working for the State Department or in the area of international affairs and relations. Thus, all of the graduate schools that I applied to were in London.
I did actually submit one law school application and received an acceptance. But, right before finals week ended in the fall semester, I was admitted to University College London (UCL). I never applied to another law school, and I never looked back. I knew that while I had other grad school applications to hear back on, I would be moving to London in the following fall. Right before Christmas, I received two more acceptances on the same day.
Many at this point in my journey argued two different points. The first was that it was clearly what I wanted to do, and what many would dream of doing. UCL was ranked as one of the best world universities. The other point was that I was running away from life here. To those who dissented, I'm still standing by my dream and what I want to do in my life. Two years of learning a subject area that I thrive for, the option to do a dual degree program, and to learn more about myself is what I need.
My top choice accepted to me on the first day of my last semester at Syracuse. I think it was fitting.
I got accepted to Syracuse late in my application process period. Many in high school had made similar remarks on my application to Syracuse as did those who commented about applying to LSE. With my acceptance into the Master's in Public Administration (Public and Economic Policy stream), I knew I had a plan. I was still waiting for one more graduate school to notify me about my decision. It came in March with a rejection. By then, though, LSE was all I could think about. My final graduate school total? 7/8.
As the final semester at Syracuse flew by, I kept receiving reminders that my decision not to pursue law school was the best one that I had made. Working on my honors thesis [Social Media & its Potential Effects on Civic Engagement], I would stay up for hours reading new political books and articles. Discovery of new ideas in a field that I had passion for was what I had always wanted in my life. My internship the prior semester with the Office of Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and my position with the U.S. Department of State through the Virtual Student Foreign Service Program solidified my goals in my mind.
At Commencement, I knew that I had a plan. THE RIGHT PLAN. I have not looked back and wondered if I should have kept applying to law school. Nor, have I wondered what it would be like starting law school this week as many of my friends have. Instead, I'm looking forward.
As I've stated on this blog numerous times before, leaving Syracuse was very hard. I'm currently jealous of everyone moving back this week. Yet, I know I will always have Syracuse, but my journey to continue to become the person I want to be begins in less than a month at LSE. LSE will be two years, and from there, maybe I'll pursue a job, my PhD, or see whatever else lands on my plate.
So, the point of this whole post? To tell my story. Many don't know how I changed my mind, and maybe, it will help someone else out in the future.
I'll leave you with the song that I listened to for days when I had my breakdown last summer. It's still a favorite, and it now has even more of a special meaning behind it. It reminds me to always be true to myself.
As I put on the brand new Taylor Swift song (read: HUGE fan), I can't help but think that there are only 33 days left before I leave the country. It's weird, but in a good way. I'm sitting on my bed currently, and I can see the barn lit up. Soon, my image through the window will reflect the city that I fell in love with. A change from a small town life that I lived this summer to the bustling city that I will continue to work on achieving my dreams.
With 33 days left, the majority of my preparations are done. I've paid for my first housing payment, and I have my visa approved and back. I've gotten a lot of miscellaneous things that I needed, ordered new glasses, said several "see you laters" after a few road trips to visit friends, and have started my master running packing list.
Left to do? Finally get new suitcases, order contacts, and finish my preparations to do math once again.
I've started to get more info on the first few weeks at LSE. The biggest news?
KOFI ANNAN will be speaking during what is dubbed as Orientation Week. Now, I think that is just pretty awesome. It will be a ticketed event, and I will be working my hardest to get a ticket to see him! Other events have started to be added to the LSE Event Calendar including several lectures that I will hopefully be able to attend!
As for the courses, I've been spending time reviewing the list of options for my final unit during the first year. About five courses at the moment are on my list to take-some are half units which would mean an additional half unit course as well. I have to admit that I would like to take more than one or two as so many of them sound interesting. At the moment, the two half-unit courses that are looking the most interesting to me are the US Legislative course and a course around leadership in organizations.
I've also signed up for the MPA-Student Association (MPASA) buddy system. I'll be paired with a second year student to help with questions and ease the transition.
And, finally, I'm excited to announce that I will be an international contributor for the International Political Forum. I'll be sure to mention when I have an article posted. I'll also be interning virtually for the US Department of State through the Virtual Student Foreign Service program for the second year!
After spending the last 17 years in American education including the semester I did study abroad in London (through Syracuse University), I'm going to be in for a big wake up these next two years. There is still essentially a semester schedule (called terms), but the courses generally run for the entire year. Meaning, that I won't take finals in December and then in May. I won't have numerous papers, additional assignments over and over as I did when I was at Syracuse. I won't mind not having those weeks where I had three papers, two tests, and a project on top of everything else I did in college (yes, I know I was and still am an overachiever).
I've spent a lot of team reading two blogs that I stumbled across while preparing for my adventure which starts in 59 days now. Wendy at Asian Polygot and Shannon at The Traveling Scholar have been invaluable with their past posts describing their transitions to LSE. One of the things that I noticed from both of their blogs is the dedication to studying one your own as well as excellent time management. I'd like to think that having juggled numerous semesters taking 19 credits, two internships, etc. will help me with the time management. I'd like to also think that the dedication that I did to finish my capstone thesis will help me to stay motivated to work on my own. Yet, all in all, as part of my adventure for the next two years, the structure of the courses will help me to grow. I'm in a professional program in order to prepare me more for the challenges of a hard work world and economy.
At the moment, I know three of the courses that I will be taking as part of my first year. I'm on the Public and Economic Policy track, but as with all incoming MPA students, there are three essential courses.
GV478- Political Science and Public Policy
EC440- Micro and Macro Economics for Public Policy
EC455- Quantitative Approaches and Policy Analysis
I've ordered the book for the political science course to read ahead of time. As for the economics and what is perceived to have some math, I've started to review basic economic principles and math concepts.
I arrive in London two weeks prior to the general courses starting as I also have to take a pre-semester course to prepare for the academic rigors. The other unit (must equal one) for me, will most likely pertain to political science. Some of the past courses I've noticed dealt with international institutions, the US legislative process, and the European Union. I'm really excited to see what other course I'll sign up. Registration occurs in person- something entirely different than Syracuse.
