MsMPP

I am getting more and more nervous as the date approaches. I already live in the area where I will attend school and have a full time job. I am just nervous about the assignments and my grades. I've been reading over the summer but still feel like I am not doing enough. I am looking forward to meeting cute guys in my program :wink: and the social/networking aspect of grad school b/c I don't know many people here my age with my same interests. I am also looking forward to purchasing my brand new laptop and working on my first assignment. Not to mention I love fall weather and fashion.

I will most likely be at AU this fall in the School of Public Affairs. Any other MPP students here? I will check this thread throughout the summer.

Stilesg57, Thanks for your reply. I have heard Mason was conservative but I did not know it was to that extent. I hear AU is pretty liberal. I thought it would be the other way around. I am about 90% sure I will attend AU. I told myself I am going to school for academics, not to be comfortable and the bottom line is AU has the academics in my book.

I am really torn between these schools for different reasons. I think both have a lot to offer me. I choose American because it is a Tier 1 school over all, and the School of Public Affairs is ranked 14 in the nation(Mason is a Tier 3, SPP ranked 45). I like that the classes are on the main campus with all of the amentities including a full library and student life, plus free parking after 5:30 p.m. I love the closeknit community feel of the school. I am against American because they are so dang expensive! Although my financial aid covers my tuition little to nothing is left over for other expenses. I choose Mason because they are a 15 minutes drive from my house, I like the reaction I get from people when I mention the school, and they are very cheap. With my financial aid, I wouldn't have to work while in school(but I will anyways), I can afford extra classes over the summer, and live VERY comfortably while in school. This is a luxury I totally missed out on in undergrad. I also like that it is a large school with a very large alumni network, and more students for me to get to know. I don't like that Mason campuses are broken up all over the Northern VA region. The program I am going into is not on the main campus, it is a building in another city. I have heard Mason students aren't very social for some reason. While I believe their program is 'good', I don't think it is better than AU's. Is American worth giving up the luxurious life style Mason is offering me?