Thanks Arbitist! I think I'd probably choose Duke over Michigan, just because Duke has the Population Studies Concentration. Plus, I'm from Atlanta, so Duke would be closer to home for me.
I have a B.A. in Sociology, and I have been working as a research assistant for 2 years at a social policy research organization called MDRC.
Right now, my top choices are Duke and U of Minnesota
A first year MPP student just Skyped with me. He asked what it was about the Ford School that made me apply, and what my biggest challenge in life has been, and if there was anything I wanted the admissions committee to pay attention to on my application. Then he answered some of my questions. It was totally chill and informal and actually made me feel more positively about the Ford School.
Be prepared everyone!
I received that email, and I was supposed to have the Skype session today, but they never confirmed when... Did anyone actually have a Skype session yet?
Congrats to all who got in! I'm in too. I got a $36K fellowship and $4K assistantship, which starts in the second semester. Duke looks like a great fit for me, especially with its concentration in Population Studies. Plus I'm from the South, and I miss the southern hospitality that you don't really get in NYC.