belle00

I posted this over in the applications forum, but thought it may be a good idea to feel things out here as well. Thanks! I'm applying to a large number of MPA/MPP programs, but thus far it looks like only one of them is looking to actually interview applicants (UNC). I got the call this morning and was offered either a phone or in person interview. Here are a few questions I have that someone may be able to help me out with: Will taking the phone interview over the campus interview realistically deter my chances of getting in? I live in a different area of the country, and I work 60 hours a week. They want to interview in two weeks and taking a day or two off of work would really put my employer in a pickle at this point. If I do opt to fly down does the university cover the expenses or would I be expected to pay for the flight/hotel? Aside from the obvious (being able to meet professors/students, check out the campus/program in person, etc.) is there anything I should really consider before finalizing call vs. face-to-face? Thanks in advance for any advice. I don't really know many grad students that aren't pursuing PhDs in math/science, so I feel a bit lost on a few things.

I'm applying to a large number of MPA/MPP programs, but thus far it looks like only one of them is looking to actually interview applicants (UNC). I got the call this morning and was offered either a phone or in person interview. Here are a few questions I have that someone may be able to help me out with: Will taking the phone interview over the campus interview realistically deter my chances of getting in? I live in a different area of the country, and I work 60 hours a week. They want to interview in two weeks and taking a day or two off of work would really put my employer in a pickle at this point. If I do opt to fly down does the university cover the expenses or would I be expected to pay for the flight/hotel? Aside from the obvious (being able to meet professors/students, check out the campus/program in person, etc.) is there anything I should really consider before finalizing call vs. face-to-face? Thanks in advance for any advice. I don't really know many grad students that aren't pursuing PhDs in math/science, so I feel a bit lost on a few things.

Literally laughing out loud. I cannot wait to submit my last one on February 1st.

Couldn't agree more.

Jersey girl here, but I'm sorry to report that I just wrapped up my GRE in December! I walked into studying for the GRE thinking that it would be a piece of cake. After my first practice test I was in a puddle of tears and more defeated than I have been in a long, long time, ha. I actually got a Kaplan tutor for a few months, and it raised my scores dramatically. The Kaplan methods helped me so much. I'm not a math gal. I absolutely knew that there was no way I was going to master all of the math needed to make a grand quant score on the GRE. The Kaplan methods helped me attack the problems in a way that was far more efficient and logical than I could have ever imagined. Use that cheat sheet at the back of the book. Understand those methods. Memorize them, put them into use on the practice tests. TAKE THE PRACTICE TESTS. Every single one of them. Because of the nature of my job, I have many small pockets of free time during my day, generally 10-15 minutes. Download apps like Quizlet and Freerice for vocab practice. Quizlet already has multiple sets of the Kaplan 500 words loaded. They were enormously helpful for me as I was able to constantly practice outside of my set aside study time. As for testing day, make sure you check out the center BEFORE you go for your test. If you're in Lodi I'm assuming you're going to the Fair Lawn testing center. If you're doing a Saturday test, go on a weekend. If you're doing a weekday test, go on a weekday. The center is on Broadway which may require a jughandle turn depending on which direction you come from. They also had minor construction going on when I was taking my exam. Checking out the route and the parking situation a week ahead of time really eased my mind.

How many of you have actually read your LOR(s)? I have great relationships with everyone who agreed to write a LOR, and I made A's in all of their classes. There have been a few horror stories on here where people say they had the same experience but got a lackluster LOR in the end. So I'm curious, has anyone had access to their LOR?

Thanks for the kind and sympathetic responses! After a final desperate (but sweet) e-mail, they both finally got back to me! One had a computer meltdown, the other is submitting them as I type. The ping of my e-mail keeps going off as hers roll in. What a relief.

Two of my three recommenders have thus far missed 4 deadlines, with two more applications due tomorrow. They all made January 1st. One has submitted everything. The other two have missed everything starting with the second one due on January 4th. Clearly I am beyond the point of asking someone else for references. I've sent the automated requests. They have the materials done, obviously. It's the actual submission of the forms that is not getting completed. These two are also my absolute strongest. I've had great relationships with both throughout my academic and post academic careers. They were both very enthusiastic about helping me out when I asked in October. I just... I mean. I don't even know what to do. *head. desk. TEARS.*

Supposed to address*** clearly it's been a long week, ha.

Good Lord. I just turned in my application (nothing like last minute updates!) and I couldn't agree more. How in the WORLD am I supposed to dress such overwhelming issues with such little space?!? I feel like my application overall was so weak. Not thrilled

Whew- okay- I feel a bit better about the situation. Thanks! Considering I know my recommenders pretty well on a personal level, and they each know I'm a very forthright and honest person, I would hope they assumed this was just me trying to be on top of things.

There was a thread below (that's now a week dead) that discussed lying to professors about application due dates. I'm new to the community and just read through the entire thing, ending in a bit of a small freak out on my end. I sent all of my recommenders an email with the school names, a brief explanation of the specific program, as well as a section called "Date of Application." Not all of these dates reflect the actual dates of applications due. In fact, there are 3 at the end that I lumped together under February 1st (the last actual due date that I have) because they're all incredibly far off. Those applications are due in May, June, and August. I wanted to set a date for myself to personally have them done and submitted by, and so I just randomly chose that date. Now I'm concerned that my recommenders could find out and feel like I lied to them intentionally, when in all reality it was more for me than anyone else. I'm just ready to wrap this process up! Any advice as to whether or not I should reach out to rectify this?

Since I really enjoy baking, I'm going to get together some really nice gift baskets of baked goods for my references. Nothing like ruining some New Years resolutions for people . I'm also thinking about tossing in a bottle of red wine and will obviously include a heartfelt, handwritten thank you note. However, I was wondering the same thing as Mr. AuDguy. When is appropriate to give the gifts? Many of my applications won't be done until February 1st. Thoughts?