Rugger

I feel like it could be a dangerous game though if you don't already have a background in defense/intelligence. These jobs are extremely competitive and you'll be competing against others who also have masters but from GW, Georgetown, Columbia, SAIS, Fletcher, and HKS. The alumni networks for these schools are also extensive. There is certainly a breaking point on debt, but I'd want to know a lot more about employment statistics before jumping into a little known program. Not to say its impossible, your professors or other contacts may be able to help you out with a job/internship, but it just seems like a much larger pool to utilize if you go to one of the top tier schools.

Did you do ROTC, Westpoint, or OCS? The route you took affects your Post 9/11 GI Bill eligibility. You don't start earning credit for it while paying back the government with your initial contract if you went to the academy or had a ROTC scholarship. Being 100% eligible is huge because that opens up yellow ribbon program matching funds from the school and VA. But no one can answer this for you. The FAO program is great. Would they really let you go in 3 years? For some of the other services, it's a much longer commitment because of the school, language training, and actual tour in that field. If you want to stay in, there are also options as a senior captain/junior major to go and get a degree from some of these schools. But if you want to get out, then no need to kick the can down the road if you're unsure of the value of the FAO program.

What was the timeline for you application? When did you register for the test? Have to submit the personal narrative? Go for the oral exam? Get placed on the register and hear back?

You keep pushing this, which I guess any business person would do, but people can easily use this site, the admissions office, former supervisors, former professors, searches on LinkedIn (to find people from your job or school who are now at or alumni of HKS), etc to do almost anything on your site for free. Maybe you do have some value added but I would hope someone looking to be a part of HKS and finding solutions for the future would have the ability to use those resources to figure out how to write an SOP or build a resume. But maybe that's just my personal bias. I found this site and the work Matt Clemons did with the admissions blog to be extremely helpful in getting me where I want to be without spending a dime.

In the theme of the current string of threads, I am trying to decide between HKS and SIPA. I want to focus on international security and SIPA has an international security policy concentration for their MPA. HKS has the international and global affairs concentration which is fairly regimented but would allow me to take several classes in security. They also have opportunities at the belfer center, even for people not chosen as student fellows. I like NYC more than Cambridge/Boston and have closer friends from a previous life now located in NYC. While I also have friends in Boston, it's not quite the same. HKS has a very strong brand and the people I've met all seemed great. Both schools impress me. But am I crazy to not just be jumping at the chance at HKS? The financial difference between the two is negligible for me.

adollarninetynine: What is it about their career services that you find lacking? And what concentration are you?

Looks like I'll be choosing between SIPA, Georgetown and HKS. I'll be able to attend each for less than $10k tuition and fees due to outside funding. The admitted students days are going to be big next month.

Kadisha: That is accurate. SIPA also has about 12 slots for the YRP. I have not had a chance to talk to them to see just how close they get to that max number, but you can get the basics here: https://www.gibill.va.gov/benefits/post_911_gibill/yellow_ribbon_program.html (and here you can scroll down to Columbia and SIPA specifically: https://www.gibill.va.gov/gi_bill_info/ch33/yrp/2012/states/ny.htm) Edit: The latest data is for the 2012-2013 academic year... I don't know how things may or may not change for 2013-2014.

In (some time after 7pm eastern-- I'd given up hope of getting a result today)! Congrats to all those accepted. Hopefully those still waiting won't have to wait too long.

I will be paying for the flights and trains between cities, but I also have friends scattered throughout Boston, NY (even with a reject from SIPA, I'll probably still go pester my friends there), Chicago, and DC. I don't plan on having to pay for a place to stay during the whole time I'm on the east coast and I have a few vacation days saved up- so I'll be treating it more like a mini-vacation in that respect. A chance to see the cities and spend time with old friends in addition to getting a chance to visit the schools before I make a final decision on where my time, money, and effort will be spent for the next two years. Tom-MPP: Deposit is in the standard range that I've seen from other schools, nothing crazy. And no details on guest speakers, so we'll see what happens.

Thanks! At the moment it is, but in April I'll be taking a step back to look at the finances. Also getting an even better feel for the programs I'm weighing at their admitted students days will help, so I will be going to Harvard's (kayak.com here I come!). I did not apply to the MPA2 program. I have not taken any graduate level coursework, and felt I did not quite meet their definition of established professional. I honestly don't remember an optional box relating to it, so I likely did not click it. @Tom-MPP: They have a link to the forum for admitted students that has been talked about elsewhere, and the standard stuff that other schools have had on sites they link you to after admission: info on the admitted students day, how to submit your deposit, various deadlines, etc.

@ Soapwater: Thanks! And no problem. I had just under a 3.6 undergrad GPA from a Top 50 private school. Q: 162, V:166, AW: 4.5. About four years in the military after college, which played into my SOP. Very strong letters of recommendation (at least they read that way to me when my recommenders sent me a copy after loading them to the website). @ Tom-MPP: The tab is there for me. Also, nothing on a background check, but I wouldn't be surprised if they ran a credit check and police records check. Seems like that would just make sense- and if you were just young and dumb when something happened then it can easily be explained if they ask you about it.

Very excited to have this acceptance! Still not sure where I'll end up as I plan on going to the various admitted students days and taking another look at the financials... but coming into this Harvard was my top choice. First week of April will be a big one.

Same here. This is going to make for a very tough decision, and I'm still waiting on a few schools!

Don't sell your military experience short. You'll have a lot of leadership experience, been responsible for thousands or millions of dollars of equipment, and if you deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (or Japan, Korea, Europe, a Marine Expeditionary Unit, etc) you may have experience working with host nation forces or locals or other coalition allies. Your decision making and public speaking skills may have been regularly tested. Obviously it varies by MOS or specialization, but 8 years probably gave you a lot of opportunities a civilian or would not have.

For those who received an e-mail: were you MPA or MPP? I know amostell said MPA. edit: Accidentally skipped a word originally.

I did not know they simplified their application this year. That could certainly affect things. The deadline was a few days later last year, but only 4 or 5 I believe. The main benefit I see with expecting the 13th or so is that I'm not worrying about it and if it pops up into my inbox early, then it's a nice surprise whichever decision I get. haha.

Last year it was March 13 for MPP... so I won't be holding my breath for another week and a half or so.

That's what I had seen as well. Curious as to where the word about next week came from.

thewildchild: Yes, it's listed as completed on the 14th.

I heard back today and submitted my application just before New Year's Eve, but my last LOR did not get in until the 14th of January. A look at last year's results showed Georgetown releasing results well into March for what it's worth. I am certainly not in a position to speak for the university, but it may have just been their first round?