PolitoJunkie

] You're looking at about 40/45 minutes by train. The train is Amtrak, and it goes directly to Princeton. Once you're off the train it's a probably a 10-20 minute walk depending on what part of campus you're going to. Otherwise it's like 5 min by car. Also, Amtrak's standard fare for anything on the coast is 40ish at the cheapest (roundtrip). So it really just depends on which train/time you catch. Try the AAA discount to get a few bucks off. It's doable--I know ppl that drive it. If you could carpool with someone that might help even more (in terms of cash, but prob not time b/c of traffic).

I'm still waiting for one or two more responses but as of right now I'll be there in the fall.

Thanks, between your input and my visit (finally) I'm feeling more confident that I will like DC. I was considering both GW and American but I just saw American and really loved it. I may still take you up on your offer for more info though so thanks again! So, I'm trying to narrow down some areas in the NW that are farther east but still ok. Petworth, 16th Street Heights, Brookland, Le Droit/Bloomingdale, Brightwood, Shaw/ Mt. Vernon, Crestwoods, Mount Pleasant, Kalorama, Palisades?? I'm sorry to name pretty much the entire side BUT I'm trying to find out why these places have more reasonable prices for pretty nice stuff. Anyways, any commets are helpful. Thanks!!

I might be too late, but if you elaborate on what you want to know we could probably be more helpful.

Preferably a one bedroom, but hey I guess I can suck it up and get roommates as well.... but I won't like it lol I was considering Capitol Hill, but I wasn't sure about the distance, etc....good to know thanks=) I really want to live in the city if I can afford it.

You should go where you feel you'd be happy. Who wants to look back in a year and realize that the program, the people and the city are not for them AND they still have to move to D.C. and make contacts, etc. Plus all that money for an experience you hate. In addition, your long-term goals are important. Sure you could make either school translate, but you have to ask if it would take more work. If one program is more academic/private/non-prof oriented, is that good for your career? Rank is great and everything, but if a school doesn't have a program that matches your interests and hasn't placed many people in the area you hope to acheive you won't be happy longterm. You'll have to pay back debt and maybe, hopefully have the opportunity to get into a position you want at a salary you can handle. Just keep in mind your degree is supposed to work for you, not against. And in policy is not a profession to be in for the money. If that were the case you'd be in business school. Forget the contribution you want to make and personal satisfaction if all you want is money. There are better ways to accomplish that. No one is going to say, "Oh, you ONLY went to Georgetown." It's a great school and the ranking difference is minimal. So my point is, go with your gut. Weigh what factors are important to you--why you applied to each program and what you liked/ did not. Then you will have your answer. I have never known one's own intuition not to lead where one wants to go, but arbitrary rankings say nothing except that someone liked their program. Not that you would like it. Basing your decision on some number (not that I'm saying that is what you are doing) is like handing the decision over to that other person and saying, "please decide my future". Anything could come of that.... I'm sorry for going on , but I just get tired of coming on here and hearing the same advice of "go with the higher rank and more money." It's a bigger decision than just that... so that's my forty-five million cents.

Soo, no one has commented much on actually living in DC but I figure it's still worth asking... Can I find a place within reasonable place near American/ GW? Like $800-1000 per month or do I have to live outside the city? Ideally I'd like to be relatively safe also. Any suggestions?

When I looked for an apartment I used Promove on Druid Hills Road. They may have some info on houses, but I couldn't say for sure. There must be some other realestate agents or something around that deal with homes. Driving around the neighborhoods is not a bad idea, the houses usually have signs. Other than that I would suggest checking the Emory Classifieds once you get your LL account.

Where do students usually live/ what are the neighborhoods around the school like? How far is the school from the Minneapolis nightlife? What is the city's trend? Is is more artsy/alternative, drinking and bar scene oriented, etc. Just an idea of what people tend to do when they go out? Bars, clubs, lounges, coffee shops, museums... where do people hang out at night? (I'm on the youngerside). Also, does the city have a more conservative/ liberal edge to it? What is the interaction among races like? Are there a lot of immigrants/ other cultures? Is it a friendly place/ hard to meet people? Do people often go to St. Paul? How much would you say is normal rent expectancy? It snows alot... anything in particular you recommend for the weather? Like do I need snowboots, snow tires, etc. What's the cost of living like? Thanks for your help=)

Well, I'm sure you've thought of this but since Fels focuses on local and state gov. more I would say you should think about the arena you ultimately would like to focus on. I'm not familiar with Syracuse, but I'm also considering Fels. For me the fact that most of their alumni work in the local gov. or private sector is not very helpful. But like you said, they are cheaper than a lot of other schools and have the Penn name. But that's what I'm finding is helpful to narrowing things... can the school get you where you want to go. You said you live in Philly... if you like the city and want to live there for an extended period (something I got the sense they value when I visited) then you should consider the fact that the Penn name will go far in the city and in less money.

Within 1 mile there are definitely some homes... some of my friends lived about that close and I'm pretty sure they were within that. I think $650 should be fine for that area, it's just a matter of finding an opening. But $650 per person should be more than enough. I meant two-to-three miles. It's just that you have to go down the main road in front of school a bit, but there are some large neighborhoods nearby so you should be fine.

So... I'm considering the U of MN...in Minneapolis. Anyone have a more recent take on this city, or just want to gush about why you love it for that matter? Thanks in advance!

Temple: It's in the Northern Liberties section...I think. Anyways, the school has been buying up the surrounding area so it is changing, but slowly. I hear the edge of Northern Liberties is being re-done as housing needs expand, but it's still pretty rough overall in Northern Liberties. Getting better, but rough. I have friends that went to Temple and live up there, but for the most part I don't go to that area. There are a few blocks in the middle of campus that are ok, but there's a lot that Temple has bought and hasn't developed yet. So there's just lots of people around that aren't necessarily the best characters. I mean it is North Philly...that part of the city is no joke. Penn: Beautiful campus... not as big as it looks at first. It's in University City, which also used to be a bit rough, but is getting better since Penn also started buying up everything. (they own alot of the surrounding housing) An actual Penn student could tell you which blocks not to go beyond (from what I hear, that area is still in the process of changing. By no means is it as bad as north Philly, but some people don't like to walk to far off campus alone at night.(Personally, I haven't had any problems there and I feel safe) Some students also live over in Center City or South Philly, on the edge of Center City. Housing is about the same in UC and South, but Center City takes a jump. I would say no to NJ, simply b/c it's a half our into the city and then you transfer to the subway. I live in NJ and I wouldn't want to do that trek everyday. My friends in South Philly report that their journey is enough. Anyways, that's a little general rundown of the neighborhoods.

It's definitely possible to live in Druid Hills for less than $650 in rent. I did so in one of the nicer apartment complexes for 2 years... about 5 miles from school. If you're going to live in DH, I'd say that it's better to have a car just to get away from campus and the Emory bubble from time to time. It's not hard to find housing for rent within 2/3 miles of campus, but I think in most cases probably need more than two people for something like that. I'm not positive on that however. On the plus side, in my limited experience, people with more roommates could also afford way nicer houses (bigger rooms, more bathrooms, etc.) Oh, and definitely factor in time if you're going to drive from off-campus. Generally I'd give myself 15-30 minutes (b/c of parking and traffic) during the morning and 2-7ish. Also, if you don't need to have a house but just want the quiet that one offers, there are aparment complexes close to campus that don't allow undergrads. Marta buses are pretty accessible around campus, although I can't attest to their reliability. Generally, you'll want to live in Decatur/DH.' VA Highlands. Decatur and Highlands will tend to be a bit more pricey just b/c they are more trendy. Any further way and travel time will be a bit silly. Like I said, I lived in DH and it could take me 1hr. to 45 minutes depending on the time. This should not scare you though, b/c as with anywhere you just need to time it right. But ATL can be annoying b/c there's not a lot of fast backroads to take, so be warned. As a Grad student I would not live in Highland Lake Calibur Woods or anything withing 5 minutes of those. It depends on the buildings, but those places are swarming with undergrads for the most part. And Emory Definitely plays hard. Finally, parking at school depends on which deck is closest to your school, so that can vary. Carriage houses.... I haven't heard of this, but I wouldn't count on it. Druid Hills is by not means a poor neighboorhood. The people living in those homes are upper middle-class at the very least. If I remember correctly DH has the best highschool in GA, which says alot b/c their school system sucks. But anyways, it's kind of an expensive area to own a home. I think that's it... anything else???

I was wondering if Mareserinitatis and Dinosaurfight could elaborate on what they like about the program. I haven't had the chance to visit yet. I am also weighing some choices and I'd like to see what others like about the program. Thanks!