zparo

Previous Schools: Large public / state university, Midwest Previous Degrees and GPAs: Journalism, 3.7 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 160, 162, 5.5 Previous Work Experience: <1 Year (international baseball, sport & fitness policy), but plenty of extracurricular involvement and leadership relevant to my career goals. Math/Econ Background: basic Micro/Macro Econ, basic Stats, Calc 1 Foreign Language Background: N/A Intended Field of Study in Grad School: Master in Public Administration; domestic poverty alleviation and youth homelessness Long Term Professional Goals: Policy work within state/federal anti-homelessness organization (USICH, etc.) Schools Applied to & Results: Syracuse Maxwell ($$), Duke Sanford ($$), GWU Trachtenberg ($$$), Wisconsin La Follette ($Tuition), Michigan Ford ($), Cal-Berkeley Goldman (Rejected) Ultimate Decision & Why: GWU Trachtenberg. The flexibility that the school offers in terms of curriculum and part-time / full-time status was a huge draw for me, as this means that I'll be able to keep my job within DC while earning the degree at the same time. Avoiding debt is a huge plus, too. Advice for Future Applicants: If you know what you want to do, and you can pinpoint how a specific degree would allow you to achieve your career goals, then don't let youth or a lack of work experience dissuade you from applying and dreaming big. The math background, undergraduate degree and work experience aren't necessarily pre-reqs to getting into a good school. Be specific in your statement of purpose, connect your life experiences to your career goals, then click submit and cross your fingers for a few months.

Called the office, but they're already out for the day. The admitted students day went well, though - very laid-back, but very informative. It was my first visit to Syracuse, so it was helpful to scope out the city a bit. Everything I've heard from others appeared to be true: it's a cold, gloomy city, but it has its share of college-town staples. Very survivable for 12 months. Unless I receive some incredibly generous funding from the Maxwell School, I'll likely stick around DC and attend the Trachtenberg School at GWU. I love my current job in DC and have the opportunity to continue working while taking evening classes at GWU, so that's a huge draw. And while GWU encourages students to find work / intern opportunities while studying, Syracuse advises against it ("the curriculum keeps you busy enough" is the apparent mindset). As a May 2012 grad (journalism degree, nonetheless), acquiring the work experience while studying is huge; otherwise, I'd exit the MPA program with a fancy degree, but less than a year of relevant work experience, and I'd be trying to work my way back into the city I'm currently enjoying. To be clear, I think Maxwell is the stronger of the two programs, but GWU's flexibility provides it an advantage. I think I'd be dumb to leave my job right now. Let me know if you have any other questions on the admitted students day!

Anyone else still waiting to hear back re: funding? They mentioned at the visit day that decisions should be sent by Thursday (yesterday), but I've still yet to learn anything. Nothing hidden in spam folder, either.

Still waiting to hear back, as well! Fingers crossed. Congrats to all who have heard good news today!

Received the same email. Anxious to hear about funding! Good luck to all.

Admitted to Maxwell School at Syracuse and La Follette at Wisconsin. I believe GWU will release decisions this week.