jwaller2

[jwaller2]

Schools I’m interested in so far: Michigan ( Dual MPP and MUP if they accept me). U of W (Evans): MPA/MPP
Undergraduate institution: University of Tennessee-Knoxville
Undergraduate GPA: 3.18
Undergraduate Majors: B.A. Recreation/ Sport Mgmt with Business Minor

GRE Quantitative Score: N/A
GRE Verbal Score: N/A
GRE AW Score: N/A
Taking it this summer, but I am generally a good test taker (only reason I have above 3.0)

Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Plan to go straight through (internships every summer of course) I graduate in fall so technically 1 yr if admitted

Years of Work Experience: No full-time experience but have been employed since I was sixteen

Describe Relevant Work Experience:

-Interning as a Grant Writing and Sponsorship Intern for the Maryland-National Capital Park Planning Commission for 3 months this summer

-Interned for the Lansing,MI Dept of Parks and Recreation (part of mayor’s office) and organized city wide track events, fourth of July festival, supervised summer camp counselors,etc. I Also wrote a grant for them that was approved for $6,000 from Jackson National Life Mortgage. This grant required me to do budget analysis and ended up saving the department’s scholarship program so that low-income kids could continue participate in programming. Also garnered sponsorships for upcoming activities guide

-Facilities manager for the RecSports Division of Student life. Manage between four buildings and also supervise a full student staff under me. Startes as an entry-level employee and now hold the highest position an undergrad can have

-Served as Pre-College Mentor for past two summers for a two week college institute for students from at-risk high schools in Knoxville

Languages: English (Do I need to buy rosetta stone this summer?)

Activities:
-Single undergraduate member of the RecSports Endowment Fund Committee
-Member of Dean of College Of Ed, Health, Human Sciences’ Advisory Board
-Member of Mu Rho chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Incorporated (Chapter of the Year 3x in a row)
-Member of NIRSA and TIRSA
-Member of NRPA (Attended 2012 Congress in Anaheim on my own funds)
-Member of TRPA (Awarded $1,000 scholarship for leading student in field)
-Member of Adidas Partners in Sports
-Member of Phi Theta Sigma National Honor Society

Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): Will recieve LOR’s from top Chapter 13 Attorney in Detroit, Dean of my college, And Director of MNPPC (one of the top Park/Rec Departments in nation). I am also in the process of founding an Out-of-State Student Association here at UTK.

Other: I aspire to become one of the leading officials for park/recreation development and land use in a large city (municipal) and maybe move on to a federal level. I believe that my specific work experience and ability to write grants will help me. Also, I do not volunteer very much because I work 20+ hours per week and fund myself. Lastly, I am a black male, if that helps.

What do you guys think? I am a MI native so I would get in-state tuition at UofM. I have about four months to get my application stronger so any suggestions are great! Also, any school recommendations (MPA/MPP) would be great.

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