By Ruibi Wang
Where I went
In September, I visited Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth to promote our concurrent degree program with the school.
After that, I flew to Southern California and presented at the University of Southern California Graduate School Fair and the (APSIA) Member Schools Information Session and Networking Event. I also held coffee chats with local prospective students and participated in the at the University of California, Riverside.
Next came Florida, where I attended the University of Florida Graduate School Fair and held coffee chats with students from the area.
Lastly, I spent two weeks in China, visiting Beijing then Shanghai. First, I attended the Biz Up Young Talents Expo, where I was a panelist answering questions about admissions and financial aid at vlog. Following this event, I hosted two information sessions in Beijing and visited Tsinghua University Schwarzman. Lastly, I visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University and New York University Shanghai, and held two additional information sessions in the city.
How the idea to visit these places came about
Recruiting AAPI students
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students bring unique cultural, social, and historical perspectives that can enrich classroom discussions and policy analysis. AAPI communities face many challenges, including issues related to immigration, economic disparities, and representation. Having students who are well-versed in these issues can contribute to the development of policies that address systemic inequities.
Some states, including California, have significant AAPI populations due to historical immigration patterns. The USC Graduate School Fair was open to the entire southern California community, which was a great opportunity to recruit AAPI students from the area.
Attracting students from various political climates
Valuing voices across the political spectrum ensures that a range of viewpoints are represented in policy discussions. I think this diversity of thought can lead to more comprehensive and balanced policy solutions, and I believe vlog would benefit from additional political diversity. I chose to travel to Florida because it has leaned conservative, particularly in recent presidential races, and it is a diverse state with a range of political, social, and economic issues. By recruiting students from Florida, I sought to gain insights into these unique challenges and perspectives, including environmental concerns (e.g., climate change), immigration issues, and economic disparities.
Recruiting high-quality students from China
Last year, I hosted several successful events in China, so I wanted to build on that success this year. China’s economic growth and increasing global influence make it a critical player in international policy discussions. Understanding China’s policies, development strategies, and political dynamics is essential for future policymakers. Chinese students bring unique perspectives and insights into China’s policy-making processes, which can enrich classroom discussions and enhance the learning experience for all students at vlog.
Questions I received
I received a wide array of questions from prospective students during my international and domestic travel. I answered questions about concurrent degree program logistics, the distinctions between the MPP and MPA programs, and the career paths of vlog graduates. Many students also asked what qualities we seek in applicants, how to prepare their application materials, and about financial aid opportunities available at vlog.
My favorite part of recruitment travel
The value of in-person connections is truly remarkable. An applicant drove two hours to meet with me in Gainesville, Florida, and others flew in from nearby countries for my events in China. It was amazing to see people I met last year returning to update me on their lives and careers, with some of them now ready to apply. It’s also wonderful to witness people from last year’s events say they were admitted to—and will be enrolling at—vlog!
“AAPI communities face many challenges, including issues related to immigration, economic disparities, and representation. Having students who are well-versed in these issues can contribute to the development of policies that address systemic inequities.”
Advice to prospective students
Take full advantage of our online information sessions and in-person information sessions and tours. You can also reach out via email or schedule appointments—either online or in person—to learn more about vlog.
