[Public Administration vs. Public/International Affairs]

Hi all!  I am curious, what made some of you decide to apply to/accept admission to masters of public administration vs. public/international affairs or vice versa?  Particularly in instances where the universities may have had both programs and they were very similar in course and internship requirements.  Does having one credential over the other make you more/less desirable as a job candidate at NGOs/non-profits/government?

[average work load]

It ultimately depends on the individual instructors and the amount of work they give you combined with your own time management.  I have been through a grad program in another field and had plenty of time for other things, but now that I am switching to something more challenging, I will likely spend more time preparing for classes.  I read on old syllabus for a course I will have to take and it basically said to allot at least 6 hours of time outside of class per week for that particular course.  

[GSPIA Fall Admission 2014]

Hey guys, I saw this link with GSPIA FAQs that I thought were helpful as some of this stuff wasn't mentioned in detail on the website.  http://mstaniland.wordpress.com/faq-frequently-asked-questions/

 

Edited:  Looks like the above link is kind of old, so I'm not sure if certain procedures and policies have changed or not...still a good place if you have questions and you can just verify the info later.  

[Attention Public Policy/Affairs PhDs & Applicants!]

I am curious for any updates from the doctoral folk.

[Pitt (GSPIA) Funding]

I think all first round founding offers have been made. Try calling or emailing them. Also check your spam folder.

[Deposits at two schools?]

I would just email and ask them and be honest.

[Government Affairs 2014 Wrap Up - Final Decisions]

Previous Schools Tier 1 school 
Previous Degrees BA and MA in linguistics, languages and area studies GPAs: 3.5/3.4
GRE Scores so so....not a standardized test person
Previous Work Experience: summer government admin jobs (8 months total), 3 years teaching English at universities abroad, 1 year of being a teaching assistant, 10 months of being a research assistant
Math/Econ Background:  basic statistics, basic math course both in undergrad and received As. No econ
Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Italian, French
Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPA with non-profit/public admin focus/global studies
Long Term Professional Goals:work for an NGO, but I am open to consulting and also FSO
Schools Applied to & Results: Applied and accepted to UGA (MPA with $0), GA state (MPA) with $0, Syracuse-Maxwell (MPA) with $5k, Indiana-SPEA (MAAA) with $1700/semester, Pitt-GSPIA (MPA) with $26k

I applied to the joint MPA/MAAA at SPEA, but was told my quantitative background was not enough for the MPA portion of the dual degree.  They told me that I would have to take a math bootcamp and then ask to be reconsidered for the MPA after my first semester.
Ultimate Decision & Why: GSPIA because they offered me the best financial package.  Their program is also quite flexible so I can tailor it to fit my interests.
Advice for Future Applicants:  I did myself a disservice by waiting too long to apply to more schools.  Be aware of deadlines and apply to as many schools as you can.  If money is an issue, don't limit yourself to a handful of schools like I did.  I am happy with my decision, but I wish I had more options.  

 

Also, if you are horrible at taking standardized tests like I am, study study study.  Invest in a course if you must.  I took the exam 2 times and studied on my own, but my scores were just not that great which didn't help in the funding department.  

 

I think my saving grace was my SOP.  I worked on it and reworked it for a long time before submitting it  I had  a critical eye give me feedback on it as well and my statements were very strong.  

 

Lastly, aim high.  Don't decide on behalf of admissions that you won't be accepted.....just put in the work on your application and give it a try.  Good luck!

[AMA: Foreign Service Officer]

How would you recommend preparing for the exam?  

[GSPIA Fall Admission 2014]

I received some aid info (tuition scholarship) and an email from the Center for Metropolitan Studies but I think the latter is just volunteer stuff....no info on their site about assistantships. So far the best offer!

[Syracuse Maxwell - Admitted thread Fall 2014]

Congratulations!!!!

[Syracuse Maxwell - Admitted thread Fall 2014]

I didn't apply for the Atlantis but thw program looks awesome. I think they are supposed to diniah up first round funding offers this week.

[Thoughts on Indiana SPEA]

Awex congrats on your funding offer. Were you notified bt emil or snail mail? I am still awaiting news on funding. Also if I do attend I would be doing the dual MPA/MAAA! Fingers crossed for the $$$$

[top MBA programs for arts leadership]

I know that the University of Wisconsin-Madison has an MBA with a major in arts admin. Not sure how good it is, but it may be worth considering.

[UGA MPA 2014]

I don't hear much about UGA here. I just received an informal notification of admission.   Did anyone else apply?

[Attention Public Policy/Affairs PhDs & Applicants!]

Those of you who have applied to PhD programs, are the adcoms looking more for research experience/publications or are they looking for more professional experience?

[Acceptance conditional upon taking a math course]

I got a similar condition, but I would fulfill the requirement on campus through a "bootcamp".  

[GSPIA Fall Admission 2014]

I'm MPA with Public and Nonprofit focus. I would likely minor and pursue a certificate as well if I go there.

[GSPIA Fall Admission 2014]

I just got my admit into GSPIA!  Anyone else considering Pitt?  They said funding decisions would come out "soon".  I can continue to bite my nails as I await the money decisions of all the schools I have been accepted to.

[Syracuse Maxwell - Admitted thread Fall 2014]

Congrats all!

[Syracuse Maxwell - Admitted thread Fall 2014]

I really wish I could, but I'm on the other side of the world.  If I were stateside I would definitely take advantage of visiting.

[Syracuse Maxwell - Admitted thread Fall 2014]

I just got an update email saying they just finished final round admits.  I'm wondering if anyone else on the board has heard from them?  They said financial info will start being released the week of March 17.....this wait is killin' me!

[What's the Deal with Professors Turning in Recommendations Late or not even at all- even after you've politely notified them several times?]

I have had this happen and it was very frustrating.  I never asked that person again.  I had another person flat out not write the letter, but since I was applying to her department and she would have been reading it, she didn't do it.  lol.  

 

 

Seriously though, if they don't want to do it, I would rather them tell me no so I can find someone who will submit the letter on time. 

[Andrew Young School of Policy (GA State) Fall 2014]

Update:  False alarm!  I emailed them about my admission status because I thought maybe they tried to email me and I didn't get it (no spam or anything) but then they said they hadn't made any decisions yet.  Looks like there was some sort of computer glitch when I logged in.  Boo!  Hopefully, I still end up getting admitted.

[Syracuse Maxwell - Admitted thread Fall 2014]

Finally received the physical admissions letter. Nice to have the packet in my hand, but this wait for funding is driving me nuts!

[Andrew Young School of Policy (GA State) Fall 2014]

I just logged in to check my status and I was admitted to the MPA. I haven't received any emails or snail mail from them though. Has anyone else heard from them?