unknownscholar

I'm down, though I have no true methodology to how I figured out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, which led me to the MPP. I can do this phone call over the weekend, when my minutes are free :-) Hit me on the pm for next steps.

personally, I wouldn't take money that I didn't need in this case. I'm thinking about Ph.D students who get no funding vs. me who has no extra costs. Maybe I'd have more incentive if it could be used as pocket change, but the principle of even that is something I'm glad I don't have to consider. In terms of qualification, I've heard it's somewhat common that one fellowship opens up the floodgates for more. Now, I don't know if that means that those who have fellowships are more qualified in some way, but one could assume that, like GPA is a signal, so are fellowships. I know someone who gets pretty much every fellowship she applies for, something in excess of 100K that she can't touch unless costs come up. Though she's finished all her grad work, she just picks up another disipline so she can use it instead of just telling them she doesn't need it. She even complained that they wouldn't just give her the balance. She can be greedy that way. But the bottom line is, unless it's stated, there is no way to tell what people will do with your app, but if knowing that you could have a nice chunk of change just to have in your pockets (as hard as good money is to come by) then go for it. I've never heard of this particular fellowship, so I'm not sure what the rules are, but if you have no additional costs, and you can only use this fellowship to cover such costs, then don't apply. Just as the woman I described above, you'd be just sitting on money that you can't have until you create costs for it. It should bein the hands of someone who had immediate need for it. Plus, as you mentioned, you're busy, and might not want to make yourself more busy to get the money (not on the front end but the back).

You don't just have a shot at those schools. Your numbers and years of work of experience represent exactly what the schools you listed are looking from a statistical standpoint. Those numbers are even above average for at least one of the schools you listed. I imagine that if you don't completely screw up your personal statement, your "chances" are as excellent as can be. If I were you, I'd take your least favorite of these schools you listed and replace it with an application at an ivy like Princeton WWS or Harvard KSG, or both. Or just add them both to the list if you can spare the cash. I'm sure they'd be impressed, too. Can't hurt, right? Did you happen to go to one of the 5 Cs? Just curious. Also, feel free to contact me if you'd like some perspective on social policy analysis. I've been working for a social policy firm for more than 2 years, and counting.

Well it's been a while since I started this post, but just want to followup for those who may be interested...getting through applications and trying to matriculate can be extremely cumbersome, so I'd like to shed as much light as I can for those who are all over the place, like I've been. Feel free to hit me up with questions. I finally moved into my new apartment in DC, and I've got to say, paying that extra month of rent was well worth it because the influx of students looking for off campus housing in DC is ridiculous right now, and rents are going up. While there are a few little well kept secret opportunities you may run across when moving to a new area and getting to know your fellow classmates through facebook and the like, if you have to go out onyour own and find something, do it early! You'll see how invaluable this is. I also met with me financial aid advisor and she was quite helpful in explaining the details about all these different loans and I felt very encouraged that gaining scholarship money after the second year was A LOT easier once you've matriculated and had a chance to produce and get to know faculty members. I don't feel so bad about this debt now. I also met with some of the head administrators in my program, who gave me a lot of good info about profs to take and law school courses, and I also received information about who vouched for me to be accepted off the wait list. Is it unreasonable to think that building a professional relationship with that person is advantageous? I'm going to work on establishing that.

500 isn't excellent, but it's not bad either for someone who isn't very strong in Math or simply doesn't like it much, which is the consensus. You'll only need to get 10 more questions right to get in the 600s, and I think you should aim for this. You don't want to have to wonder if one "less than admirable" score may cost you your first choice. Always aim for the median scores of the schools you're applying to, as a general rule. But anything in the 600s in Q is considered pretty solid at most schools, unless you're applying for a quantitative heavy curriculum, which you arent. With just a little practice in this section, perhaps over the next month, you can certainly improve to at least 550, and likely more. Good Luck

I think your work experience is excellent and that if any of these schools value work experience, as most professional master programs do, you'll be among the competitive group of applicants. I'm not too knowledgeable about the MA programs, but your work abroad should speak volumes to the adcoms at those schools. My numbers nor my work experience is as excellent and varied as yours, and the only MA program I applied to rejected me; my guess is that governmental affairs MAs may be a little more competitive, at least in international relations. Others will probably add more substantial insight into this. Your GPA isn't the highest, which is a major determinant of funding possibilities, but if you do excellently on the GRE, you should have a pretty good shot at any of these schools with at least a little funding. Great job! Good Luck!

I set up an appointment with about 8 places and saw them all in one day and was able to make a decision immediately after. I found them all on craigslist. I don't think it will take you beyond a day or 2 to decide what you want. Depending on what you want, I'd be sure to make a decision on that trip or immediately after because you'll be met with the hassle of trying to get a place with the rest of the influx of students who are living off campus. But if you wait a little later, you may be able to find a good place from the many that will be become vacant after the summer intern season is over. If you want the people on CL to keep you in mind (given that you've begun your search much earlier than your move), be sure to stay in touch with them and/or offer something to sweeten the pot, like renting long term (over a year). This works well for many young professionals who are looking for a tenant because they don't have to worry about going through the process of finding a roommate all over again in another year. Also, beware of all the scammers on the DMV craigslist. If they are out of the country, it's a scam!

yes the 40K is for tuition.

Sorry...maybe I wasn't clear. The 40K is the amount of loans I have to take out for year 1. And I'm locked into a 4 yr lease because I arranged it that way. This is not really a huge concern, because my rent isn't that much. Like I said, as long as I'm employed at least part time, I'll be able to pay it. Im planning to live in DC, so this is actually a better deal for me. And the external scholarships, I think you're right that I'll have to research those on my own, but I was actually hoping that I'd be able to land an assistantship after the first year since you have one year's worth of graduate qualifications to lean on.

my best friend is.. for a masters in international relations, i believe.

So, I've resigned myself to the fact that I'm going to have about 40K in loans this year, but I really need a financial plan to be able to get through year 2, and potentially 3 and 4 (assuming I get into another program). My goal is to have minimal loans, if any, in the subsequent years. I emailed the financial aid office at my school to ask about getting a financial planner to help me budget and deal with debt repayment, but I'm not sure they have that available. Does anyone know any reputable companies or organizations who offer to help students figure out their total debt and provide budgeting advice? Basically what I'm looking for is not only the bottom line cost I'm incurring, but someone to use as a resource for finding funding opportunities to minimize my debt. I will be working fulltime and attending school fulltime this fall (fulltime work status will end at the end of the fall semester), and am locked into a lease for the next 4 years (fulltime job is related to the program). Beginning in 09, I will be working part-time and may also have an internship by then as well. I'll have enough money to pay rent as long as I'm working part-time, but it's more important to me to be able to work in an environment that will allow me to attend school at minimal costs (such as an in an assistantship) or an internship that pays a stipend and tuition costs. Any suggestions on who I may need to speak to regarding these matters?

No problem. And don't be discouraged. I never thought I could get in either. It takes a lot of hard work, but definitely not impossible. I only took the test once, and scored slightly better than your diagnostic. My diagnostic was around the same as yours. I know with devoted studying for just a little while, those numbers can skyrocket. That's not just talk either. I suck, to say the least, at standardized testing and this was the only one exam I've thought to be doable. You're definitely on the right track. Keep us posted on your progress. :-)

Your numbers are similar to mine, and I was accepted into pretty good institutions (see signature below). I do, however, have two years of relevant work experience. I think this was the sell point for my app because I had some trouble getting into NYU and GU. I think the work experience is what most programs are looking for, but for students who are coming straight out of undergrad (which I'm not--I graduated in '06), I think you would need a pretty stellar record to get into the programs with funding (which I'm assuming you'd want). My suggestion would be to use the summer to land a related job just to be able to put it on your resume and at the end of the year, just before the apps are due, ask your employer for a recommendation. You should also look into what area of the MPA most appeals to you. For example, the MPP at Vanderbilt isn't nationally ranked at all, probably because it's pretty new and only has the Educational Policy concentration, but their Peabody School (education in particular) is ranked 2nd or 3rd in the country. And their avg GREs for the program are one of the lowest I've seen for such a high caliber school. Look for these little clues when you do your research. And continue to study for the GREs. Odds are with even a month's worth of studying, you'll improve significantly. I had only studied a month before I took the test for the first time. If I decide to do a Ph.D. I'll devote probably 2.

it's hard for me to spend time doing stuff like that when I know I need to get into another program next fall and to get some funding. I'm really all over the place. But I think my best bet is to continue studying for the LSAT because a good score will pretty much solve the rest of my issues.

Went to ND undergrad, so I'm pretty familiar with the area, so feel free to ask me any questions :-)

I saw a derivative of this topic in a program related forum, so I thought I'd start one in a general area. My admissions cycle is officially over, and since deciding on which school I am to attend in early May, I've done the following: -submitted my seat deposit -about to turn in my acceptance of loans, since they've processed my financial aid app -visited the school city to find an apartment, submitted application and security deposit and now just waiting for the lease to arrive in the mail to sign...so I essentially already have a place for the next 4 years. -arranged to keep my research job here in NYC and will be working via VPN for the next few years while attending school -and starting to organize here to plan out my move which will be sometime between tomorrow and july 15th (my lease starts tomorrow, so I have some flexibility on when I want to move) ...Now what? I should also note that I've done some networking, mostly because I'm trying to do a lot of things, particularly: get into the school's law program next yr, get some scholarship money for subsequent years, and summer internship possibilities. I think law school is what I'm most worried about, because I've been met with a bunch of locked doors. I'd like to take a law school course this fall, and it stated on their website that this is possible with permission but that permission seems to come with a lot of seemingly misleading requirements. And, I haven't been signed an advisor yet (don't know when this is going to happen), so I've been trying to research profs, but they don't provide much info about them on the website, and I don't exactly know how to approach them. The fact that I haven't really heard anything about scheduling classes or an advisor or the official "what-to-do-next package" makes me feel like I'm behind in this and so I've been somewhat aggressive (in my opinion) when I correspond with others by email, although my language in my correspondence doesn't appear that way. I don't have a whole lot of time before my law school app is due (November), so I'm really eager to make connections with people for recommendations, and I just don't get the sense that anyone is really following-up. Though I'm a bit on the impatient side. Since I was a waitlist admit, I also feel like maybe I may not be someone that they necessarily are eager to hear from, although i don't know who "they" are. I'd like to actually have some feedback on who contributed to my getting the green light, but I'm doubtful there would be any way to find out. I figure they could be potentially interested in my goals or background, and a good starting network for me, but again, one can never tell. Anyone have any experience finding out this kind of information?? And finally, I know a lot about my school, particularly the kind of people I'm dealing with, both from personal experience and from word of mouth. Has anyone else heard that GU is known for its ability to bring in a lot of students with "cutthroat" mentalities? Is this everywhere at the graduate level? People have said similar things about the city of New York, but Ive been here for 2 years and wouldn't exactly make that argument, even given my very poignant experiences here. K this post has a lot going on in it. Feel free to respond to any or all of the points I've mentioned here.

thanks for the tip, erin. I'm going to looking into their calculator with all my loans in there. This thing is really cool. I think it was just jitters because I just returned from DC, and it was a rather intense visit, having to find an apt and whatnot. All in all, if I didn't have any apprehension I probably would have been a little more worried. But I think this is okay. debt's okay. I gotta live the dream! I just gotta keep thinking: final move...final move. Though, thanks NYU. You placed a nice lil end to my tumultuous application cycle. :-)

maybe it's just me, but I'd be wary about posting your personal statement. Then again, I'd be wary about allowing someone to critique it online in general, just because if it's a really good one, someone may steal it. And in worse case scenario, it will be sent to the same school to which you are applying. It's probably just a little paranoia, but I wouldn't do it. I'd have a friend look over it, preferably a friend who either majored in English or is well respected for their writing. Everything is so much more competitive at the graduate level...you have to fight for your niche in the world. And as much as I hate to admit it, we all have to play that game, at least until we get where we're going. If you don't have anyone else to read everything word for word, maybe you could share with us your flowchart or organization of your statement, giving us the topic of each paragraph's discussion. Better organization alone transformed my personal statement into something I hardly even believe I wrote.

Well...I'll break the silence, being that this forum has been dead for some weeks. Where's everyone? my my my....how I am seriously thinking about eating my words. So got the official acceptance yesterday and immediately filled out the nys in state aid app. Man, this school is about 8K cheaper per yer, and I feel like I'll get at least some aid from NYS, so that's about 10K. wow. That really hurts. we're talking about 20K in loans at Gtown vs about 10K at wagner, plus I can keep my fulltime job here in the city, which will further offset the debt. Yet I feel like my job opportunities will be wayyy better in DC and GU law school could be considered a little easier to get into since NYU is ranked 10 spots higher. I just came back from DC, apt hunting, and found a pretty nice one that I hope will work out. Maybe it's just nerves about moving yet again (transitions really shake me up), but this is my chance to stay in one place. And the thing is, I don't have an issue with NYC. Never thought I'd settle here, I always thought it would be DC. I prefer the MPP over the MPA but wagner has that great policy analysis specialty which is exactly what I'm looking for, and my professional experience req. has been waived. I can still always move to DC afterwards, but how far does an NYU degree travel? Would GU look better in DC. no brainer, right? Am I really second guessing my overall number one choice over debt and transition jitters? Wow. This really blows. :|

Doubtful you'll get fired, too. But what's most important is the recommendation, and I'm not sure you've still got a good chance for a really good one.

hey guys. I too will be moving to DC. And I'm looking for a place in either NW DC (GU/Glover Park/LeDroit Park/Dupont Circle) or Arlington/McLean, VA. I'll be looking to share for about 4 years, so if anyone is interested, pm me. Haven't found a place yet by the way, but will be going up for a visit next friday. Update: already found a place. right across the street from GU: utilities included, rent stabilized for 4 years, efficiency apt. Good Luck to everyone else!

This was actually the title of my addendum letter to Georgetown's PPI. They had 90 people on their wait list, and I'm not sure how many people actually expressed an interest in continuing to be on the wait list, but I know within a day after receiving my wait list status, I emailed them back asking them to still be considered. And within 2 weeks, I submitted the addendum telling them how and why I'm interested in their program and the institution. I don't know if I would advocate saying exactly what I said, unless you know you spin it into a really convincing positive. I went to a pre-undergrad summer pgm at GU and that's when I decided I wanted to go there. told PPI this. I applied undergrad and was waitlisted then rejected as they didn't turn to their wait list that yr. Told PPI this too. I ended up at a tier 1 school and performed well and then I applied to the law school this yr (JD/MPP duel degree applicant) and was rejected from this as well... I told PPI adcoms this too. And from these rejections, one would obviously think there is some huge caveat in my credentials, but I turned this around into a positive, arguing (truthfully) that my credentials have become stronger and more concentrated in each round. And I told them that I've applied again and again because I'm staunch in my belief that it's where I need to conclude my education, that I've chosen them 4 times thus far, so it's not about choosing a good program, it's about excelling. And those rejections and holds have helped me to do that. Then I tied this into my career goals (a summation of my personal statement) which is analagous with the program mission as well. All in all, it was a pretty encompassing addendum that I didn't allow to get any longer than 1 page semi-single spaced. I hope this helps anyone who may be interested in how to get off a wait list. GU isn't a harvard or a yale, but its graduate programs are pretty strong across the board, if for no other reason than getting good job placements thereafter. PM me for additional info, as per your request :-)

I wont be there.. just curious though, what will you be studying? And have you found any housing? I'll be at georgetown.

I was on the wait list at Georgetown for the MPP, and was recently admitted.. and will be attending. I'm also waitlisted at NYU Wagner, and should receive a decision by June 1. I would withdraw but the day before I got my acceptance to Georgetown , I told them to keep me on the list. So.. they'll figure it out soon enough.

First, my scores: 480V,650Q, 3.5A--not noteworthy to say the least. I've heard from: Pace, UPenn, The New School, NYU, MIT, CMU, and several other graduate programs who's school I've never ever heard of. And my LSAT scores are even worse, but all the schools I heard from through the survey service had Tier 3 programs, some of which I applied to and wasn't accepted. This is why I didn't bother applying to any grad schools that weren't already on my list. Sending scores gets expensive. In general, I wouldn't place too much stock in these, because it's not necessarily that they know anything else about you, other than your GRE score, which isn't as telling about a person's background (it's not even required for all graduate programs). However, if you're really interested in the school you hear from, use their email to your advantage, get app fees waived, get acquainted with the contact person, and make them work for you. Never a bad idea. Good Luck :-)