KLD3

I've narrowed my choices down to Berkeley and Minnesota. I would appreciate opinions! Minnesota awarded me a scholarship covering 100% of my tuition for both years and health benefits. Berkeley will waive most of my tuition if I can get an assistantship, but I would still end up paying around $30k with other fees. The cost of living is much lower in Minnesota, and I'd actually have a higher salary while still in the program, since I'm not obligated to work on campus. That allows me to work part-time in my previous field and save a pretty good amount of money. After I graduate, I plan to work for a non-profit. I'd rather not get into the specifics of my focus, but I don't expect to earn very much more than 50 - 60k. Because of this, do you think it would still be worth it to go to Berkeley and owe the extra 30k? It's possible having Berkeley on my resume would help me get more appealing or slightly higher-paying jobs, but it's difficult to predict. Money aside, I'm much more excited about Berkeley. It would be a more inspirational learning environment for me, and I'm excited about the faculty and the city itself (especially the warmth!). I just don't know if it's so much better that it's worth thirty thousand dollars. Clearly I'm running out of time, so I would love your input!

Can anyone tell us about the open house today? I wasn't able to go. I'm leaning towards attending GSPP, but I'm not 100% sure, so ANY input is greatly appreciated. Impressions, any new info shared by faculty or students, etc. Thank you!

Hilldog, did you get the same email I did? Designated as an "alternate" for funding... :\

The only one I've seen so far is the Humphrey at the University of Minnesota: http://www.facebook.com/groups/hhhadmits2013/

No, all my materials were in. I think UT wanted 6 credits of gov and 6 credits of econ. I fell a bit short there. I didn't think it would keep me out since it was recommended, not required, but that could have been it.

Denied. I'm not that surprised, since I got a very vague response when I emailed Prabhu yesterday. Still kind of bummed, though, because I really love Austin.

And congrats to those of you who have heard!

At UT? I applied to the MPAff. I have no idea! I didn't get a fellowship at Berkeley, and it sounds like it may take a few months to secure an assistantship, so that's not going to be a guarantee before April 15th. I didn't hear ANY financial information yet from Minnesota or Georgetown. I'm very confused right now. I really don't want massive loans, so I'm hoping something comes through soon. Do you know where you're leaning? Thanks for the update!

I haven't heard from LBJ yet either. I found an email the admissions coordinator sent back in November, and it says decisions will be released in the first two weeks of March. Looks like they're right on schedule, and we have a few more days before we should allow ourselves to worry. (Ha!...)

It was an email saying I've been "recommended for admission" and that official notification will follow shortly. The first letter of my last name is at the end of the alphabet.

So did I!! Just when I was beginning to feel really confident about going to a solid, local school, and staying in the same city as my partner. Too confused to even process the news right now... No fellowship, though. I'm going to have to do a lot of research on getting assistantships.