awphenomenally

I went with a more expensive route (not the most expensive but only cause I asked for more money). I am already in a ton of student debt and will be banking on loan forgiveness programs as it is. Ultimately, my happiness and future job were worth more than $10-20k. Plus, cost of living would possible cancel that extra funding out.

That is ultimately what made my decision. If schools did not have a list on their website of alumni employment, I emailed someone at the program to obtain it. I choose the school that had alumni/professors where I want to be. I feel confident that post-grad I will have a job and in a field I want to be in. If this is not clear, sector/field = private, state govt, federal govt, nonprofits, etc.

Yes, it is always worth a try. I asked 3 schools for more/initial funding. The two that had already offered me some, offered more. The one that I did not get initial funding from eventually offered me some. I had attended admitted students' day (for a very small program) and made some connections with staff and two faculty members. I emailed the staff/person who would be in charge of speaking with the admissions committee along with the two professors who were pulling for me to attend. I realize that profs dont tend to have much pull, but it is always worth a try! As it turned out, they both mentioned something to the admissions committee and in less than 24 hours I received funding where there was previously none.

I made my decision a day or so ago. Deciding factors: -Caliber of peers -Quality of professors, relevance in my desired field, and accessibility. Plus, it helps when a few are clearly strongly pulling for you to go to their school. -Funding Ultimate Deciding Factor: Post-grad job Where do the students get jobs? What sector? What area? Will I get the job that I want? Do alumni have connections? What are the alumni relations like between mpa/mpp alums and the program?

I recommend admitted student's day and really focusing on alumni job placements. Where does the schools already have connections?

I am not sure how large Georgetown's program is, but at Wagner, you will have a huge cohort. This means actively seeking out faculty. I have also found the staff pompous and rude. From a friend currently attending, it is a bit cookie-cutter and the caliber of your peers is meh (from someone who attended an Ivy for undergrad).

It seems others are in the same boat as me. April 15 will soon be on us... meaning a final decision on grad school. I still feel completely lost in making a choice. I have it narrowed down to 3 schools. How did you decide? What criteria are you including in the decision? Have any advice for making a choice?

Hi Minty, I am also considering MSSP along with the MPP programs I have been admitted to. Penn did offer me money and when I interviewed there, I liked the people and the school. However, I am concerned with the a) lack of a professional degree and if I can learn what I need in 1 year. I actually applied to the dual degree with Fels but was unexpectedly not excepted. So now I am wondering if Penn is worth considering at all. I have a phone appt scheduled with the program director and one of the open houses this week to further explore.

American https://www.facebook.com/groups/135283613306368/

I guess I am celebrating that I will not spend the next two years in a town with 3 main street as well.

If any of you have questions about Cornell or Ithaca, let me know. I went to undergrad there and am very familiar with both. FYI they are planning to open a school/college of public analysis and management in a few years.

When did you hear from Heller?

I was answering an inquiry. I grew up with nothing and now I have $50,000 in student loans to my name. Harvard is the one who needs a reality check. The average college graduate has over $24,000 in student loans. I never stated that I was better or wiser. I simply don't want more debt so that I can do what I plan on getting a masters for. So contrary to your thoughts on be being a high schooler, I have experience working in both the private and public sector and have decided the public is where I want to be. Not only that, but I know many Harvard graduates and applicants, like your self. You are not someone I want to be around. If it was, I would go work in finance or spend a lot more time a few blocks away at 740 Park Ave.

It is not a pride thing. It is a reflection of the university's essence. It clearly shows that HKS is not somewhere that I would be happy.

I applied to the MPP program but in the google group, there are both MPA and MPP applicants.