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.

From what I have seen, MPAs are a bit less quantitative than MPPs. The curriculum really varies between schools. Since I didn't apply to any IR programs, I can't say for certain. But I would imagine those are less quantitative as well. As soapwater noted, a MS may be a better route for someone that wants to avoid math.

My letter didn't mention anything either. I am going to call today.

I have read in other threads that some people have heard back on funding from different programs. I am curious to know if your funding was provided in your acceptance letter or afterwards. And when did you complete the FASFA? Was it merit-based or need-based? Sadly, funding makes a huge difference for someone that already has Ivy League-sized student loans (and lives in NYC where saving money doesn't happen for fresh college grads).

Actually, Taubman is so small they they give some funding to nearly all their students according to their website.

I agree. I actually have zero policy experience. Up until this summer, I was applying to medical school so I have been working in medicine August 2011. I have been accepted to 3 programs thus far. Some facts about me: Cornell grad '11 in biological and nutritional sciences; GPA 3.3 + honors thesis

I was lucky to interview for UPenn (Fels) yesterday with an alumnae who graduate in 1963 and spent his entire career in public administration. He made a point that really made me think (mind that he has a bit of bias). Schools like Brandeis, GW, etc. are regionally know, whereas big name schools Harvard (Kennedy), Princeton (WWS), etc. are nationally and globally known. As much as we wish that didn't matter, it does.

I saw it on my phone and my heart sank. My phone only shows the first few words of an email and the subject. The whole "thank you for applying" sounds like a rejection. I am glad I have the reassurance that I have gotten in elsewhere but I am dying to go to WWS.

I too am awaiting a Maryland decision. My MAPO also says completed. (It did take an unexpected amount of time for some of my supplemental material to arrive.)

I too am anxiously awaiting March 15th (aka Woodrow Wilson!) So far, I have been accepted at Brown, American, & Albany - Rockefeller. Still waiting to hear from most but just had my UPenn-Fels interview yesterday.

Just some insight: American has admitted 125 students so far (most of which were admitted in the last 2 weeks). There was only about 25 students admitted before January 30th. I think the essay really makes a huge impact on your applications. Don't start making a plan b until you know how all of plan a is working out.