MJA87

So $8k total in tuition + at least $40k total for 2 years living expenses? $48k for the degree is obviously MUCH more manageable than the $86k+ I originally calculated. At the end of the day, you have to weigh the costs and benefits and decide what's right for you. I'm sure UMD is a fine program and it will give you access to a huge job market, so that sounds good to me.

Any idea if most people with a 3.0+ get it renewed or is it more competitive than that? I wouldn't want to attend based on the assumption that I'll receive the funding for two years, then have the old switcheroo pulled on me.

I'm in the same boat. I like the program a lot, and the idea of relocating to the west coast sounds awesome to me, but I think the money will stop me from attending. At least $32k for tuition and fees + $40k - $50k living expenses = A LOT. I don't know if I can justify that amount of loan debt for this degree, though it's very tempting to think that it doesn't matter because of IBR and loan forgiveness for public service. Big, scary decisions forthcoming

Does anyone know if the tuition fellowship is per year, or a one-time offer? I assumed it was per year and did my cost of attending calculations based on that. If it's a one time offer, that additional $16k will probably put Duke out of my range, which is unfortunate because it was very close to my top choice.

Whoa, that's an amazing offer. Do you mind if I ask what your stats were? As I mentioned above, I was offered the standard $16k which really leaves me wondering how I'll finance the rest of my costs :/

Same email here. $4k assistantship and $16k funding! It's still fairly expensive over all, but I'm still very excited that I got in.

Of course this is just my opinion (and I'm interested in hearing from others), but I don't know that I could justify $86,000+ ($46k in tuition and AT LEAST $20k a year in living expenses) in debt for an MPP from UM. I might consider something close to that debt load for a TOP (HKS, Goldman, Harris) program, but probably not UM. I'm fairly deb averse though, and am bringing almost no savings to grad school.

Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I might ask a related question I had in this thread: Does anyone know about the possibility of turning an MPP into a PhD? I was speaking to a colleague of mine (who is a PhD) about my applications to MPP/MPA programs, and she was encouraging me to eventually peruse a PhD. Her specialty is a different area, so she's not entirely familiar with the public policy realm, but our conversation got me thinking. Once I get an MPP degree, what would the process to pursue a PhD in a related field be like? Thanks for your time.

It will definitely affect my decision in that I don't think I'd even consider GWU at full cost. I wonder how willing they are to negotiate funding if you've received other offers?

Yeah, that's different wording from my letter, so it looks like you're being considered for funding. Congratulations!

Just wanted to let you all know that I heard back from Trachtenberg today. I got an email basically saying that I was accepted without funding. I'm interested to hear from anyone who got offered funding. How much did they offer and how did they let you know?

I just found out I'm in with a renewable 55% scholarship. Congrats to everyone else heating good news too!

Thanks a lot guys. I'll update once I hear anything (hopefully soon!)

Just got the email to check my status about half an hour ago. I'm accepted with no mention of funding. Excited and worried all at the same time, though according to some in this thread I should expect a letter in the mail soon.

I still haven't heard anything. I'm starting to worry as it sounds like many have.

Thanks for taking the time to do this scholl43. I applied to the regular four semester Pittsburgh track because I thought I would be more competitive for funding that way. Do you think doing that track will hinder my job prospects compared to the DC track? How do you feel overall about your chances of landing a good job when you graduate? Also (and feel free not to answer this very personal question), what were the specific details of your funding offer? For example, how much did they offer to take off of tuition, how much did the offer in stipend, etc...

You need advice on waiting for your results? I'd say remain patient and maybe check your email a couple times a day. If you really want to hunker down and wait, I'd recommend getting a comfortable chair and a book; maybe a few gallons of water depending on how long you'll be waiting.

Sorry to spam the thread, but I just had a conversation with Barry from the admissions office and wanted update everyone. I emailed Barry and got a very detailed response in less than two hours. He also returned a call I had placed to him, and wanted to speak to me directly even though he already responded to my email. He let me know that since there was no mention of funding in my acceptance email, that meant that I was not awarded any funding. He did give me a lot of information regarding assistantships, fellowships, etc... I just want to take a second and acknowledge how great Barry is. Even though I wasn't awarded any funding, he took the time to reply to me via phone and email. Not only did he reply quickly (even though he's probably very busy this time of year), but he was extremely helpful and friendly. That's the second time I've talked to Barry and the second time I've been blown away with how awesome he is. I've had the opposite experience with several other schools, where calls simply go unreturned and if you actually reach someone, you're treated like a burden rather than a potential student. I know it doesn't have a lot to do with the education I'd receive at UW, but dealing with someone like Barry really gives me positive feelings about Evans.

Wow, you're totally right. I just searched "Evans" and found the acceptance email. That's very strange. Anyways, still no mention of funding

Thanks for the update. That's a bummer for me. Not only did I not hear anything about funding, I didn't even receive an acceptance email. I just randomly checked my status on the website and saw I was accepted. Evans sounds like a great program, but unfortunately I can't afford it without funding. I just wish I would hear back from their department to hear definitively "no funding" so I could move on.

I don't think anyone "sneaks" into these programs or just gets in "by the skin of their teeth", and I certainly don't think applicants should view admission offers that way. Starting a rigorous program feeling like you are in some way less qualified or deserving than other students is not a recipe for success. I see it as binary: you're either accepted or not. No shades of gray. If you're offered admission to a graduate program, it's because they want you there and you deserve to be there. It doesn't do you any good to say "I suck, I can't believe program X would want me!". It's more beneficial to be thankful for your offer, to be forward-thinking, and to start your program in the right mindset.

Your work experience will make you unique and your GPA is serviceable, so you've got a good foundation. In the time between now and when you apply I would study your ass off for the GRE and try to knock it out of the park, as well as gain as much experience possible with a foreign language. If you bring your experience, GPA, a 160/160/5 GRE, and near fluency in a strategic language, you'll be a very competitive candidate.

I haven't heard back from USC Price yet, but I'm anxiously waiting. I think by this time next week many (hopefully myself included) will have heard something.

I called and left a message with Barry yesterday asking about funding, but I understand they're probably extremely busy in the admissions office. Anyone else have any updates re: funding or acceptances today?

Same here. Though Evans seems awesome, I just don't see myself being to make $70k+ in tuition plus two years of Seattle living expenses work. That's like $110k in debt for an MPA :/ I'm still hopeful for funding, and I'm very interested in the possibility of getting an assistantship position as well. If anyone knows anything about the process of getting an assistantship at Evans is, that information would be greatly appreciated.