The Second Round Ding Report

Mr. International Development

• 1500 GRE
• 3.8 GPA
• Undergraduate degree from a Public Ivy with a triple major in hard science, humanities, and social studies
• Extracurricular involvement as a variety athlete, rode bike cross-country, set up social innovation program at my school; now run  a state legislature simulation for high school students and am on the board of an organization that tackles corruption in Kenya
• A Rhodes finalist
• Work experience includes three years in international development, all at the same company, including one and one-half years in post-conflict work in Afghanistan and one and one-half years in innovation cultivation/management
• Goal: To get a joint degree with Harvard’s Kennedy School to eventually find private sector solutions that enhance peace and reduce conflict
• 26-year-old South-Asian male

Sandy’s Analysis: Wow, you should have applied 2+2 the year you were a Rhodes finalist. Not sure what happened here. The only thing that comes to mind is the obvious–this seemed too much like pure Kennedy School, both in work experience and orientation.

Your goal: “find private sector solutions that enhance peace and reduce conflict” Dunno, had you done any of that? In most cases, stated goals don’t count all that much, but if they confirm other issues in your application, e.g. this is K school not B school (or even joint degree) that can be an issue. Anyway, that is what I can think up with based on the info you sent me.

This outcome is surprising, quite frankly.