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awex

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  • Gender
    Female
  • Location
    PA
  • Application Season
    2014 Fall
  • Program
    Public Affairs - NonProfit Concentration

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  1. Husky-- I second everyone else's advice on this topic, but wanted to chime in, as well. I received a Service Corps fellowship from SPEA and will be attending this fall. Being awarded this was one of the main reasons I decided on SPEA because I like that I will have real world experience throughout my entire graduate program and not just internships during the summer. None of my other schools gave me an option like that. Anyway, I'm not sure exactly how these were rewarded, but I'd be happy to share my stats to give you an idea -- 161/154/5.0. My undergrad GPA was 3.9 and I have 2.5 years FT work experience in a related field. As you can see, my math score wasn't stellar, but I was still accepted to all schools I applied to. I had math/econ classes in college that I received A's in. Not sure if they looked at that to see that I could actually do math, but maybe. It had been a while since I had taken a math class, but I did use some ETS prep guides to practice. I'm also going for nonprofit management and not the environmental side of SPEA. I would think my math score would not be so hot if I was going for that track. Good luck with your applications!
  2. That's great! I got the email about setting up my IU account earlier this week, but still have yet to do it. I'll have to do it this afternoon so I can take a look at that. That should be helpful in finding some places! I actually received a call from a SPEA student last night to follow up with me and see if I had any last minute questions to help make my final decision (I had committed a few hours before, but they must have still had me on the list of people that had not committed/denied). I asked her about housing and she said that there were a few complexes right near SPEA that were nice and pretty cheap with roommates. I think she said her rent was about $400 with a roommate and utilities. The places were Fountain Park, Woodbridge, and The Crest. Just wanted to share since it sounds like we are all looking. I haven't looked in to them, but made note of them to research!
  3. Thanks! I've been practically stalking Craigslist since I've gotten home from Experience Day! hahahah
  4. Thanks for answering my question! Nice to hear that others are coming in from the work force versus what I heard/saw at Experience Day. I agree that it's nice to have 2 - 3 years experience to take advantage of the program. In fact, if it wasn't for my current job, I would not have been going for this specific degree. I paid my deposit last night and got an email from Megan today to set up my IU email. After this whole process of researching, applying, and waiting, I can't believe I've finally committed somewhere! I've started looking for housing options, as well. Just peering around Craigslist to get an idea of what's out there. At this point, it looks like most posts are regarding summer subleases, with some other ones for Fall thrown in. I am hoping to live somewhere close to downtown. I live in the downtown of my city now and just love being able to walk to restaurants and bars and the like. It seems like Bloomington is all pretty centralized though so there are plenty of options of housing that are still close to things. I've been planning on buying a new bike, but I think I'm going to do it when I'm there instead of moving one across a few states. I figured the less amount of things to take, the better! Bloomington looks great for biking! Are you all considering just getting off campus housing or trying for an on campus apartment? I was looking at the on campus housing options just to see what they offered and some seemed comparable in price to an off campus place. I wish I had taken the time to look at more places and neighborhoods when I was out there, but I had to make it a quick trip!
  5. Question -- are you all coming straight from undergrad or from the work force? I will have just shy of 3 years work experience in a nonprofit by the time I go in the Fall. Most of the people I talked to on Friday were coming straight from undergrad. I'm a little nervous about getting back into the school mode (but excited! I love school and homework and all that stuff). I'm not concerned about an age difference (some people have pointed this out to me?) because I'm still in my early (I guess mid ..) 20s and my friends are all of ages, but just looking to see where you are all at. Thanks!
  6. Hi everyone, I was at admitted students day Friday, too! I wish the weather was a little better (drove out there on Thursday from PA in pouring rain .. ugh!), but I did enjoy the day. I was pretty tired Friday evening after the jam packed day they had planned for us. I found all the sessions to be worthwhile and informative though. I will be paying my deposit this week for SPEA I received a small stipend and a small portion of tuition remission from the school, so that was a big part of my decision making. Also, I have prior work experience and I learned on Friday that they do waive a few credits for related professional work experience. I stayed behind to talk to them about it and they said that I can probably have about 3 credits waived based on my history. That is a pro to me, too - not so much that I could save money by not taking one class, but more so that I can take advantage of an extra class that suits my interests! I did get a Graduate Student handbook previously mailed to me (I asked for one) and it outlines all the available classes. There are so many I am interested in taking! I will be an MPA (Nonprofit Mgt. concentration) and Master of Arts Administration dual degree candidate (MPA/MAAA). I have not seen that sort of track at any other schools. I was planning on just pursuing the MPA degree, but with just a few more classes I can leave with the Arts Admin one, too! That is more suited for what I want to do (museum management, etc) so I figure why not?! I am really excited about the program/curriculum. I am a little concerned about the area though. I liked the downtown for sure -- it seems like there are a lot of restaurant and little shops, but it also seems kind of secluded. I've never lived in a college town before, so I think it may take a bit to get used to, but I'm sure my schoolwork will keep me busy enough! Plus, the campus was really beautiful! I got to see it in the sun on Saturday and it was great!!
  7. Congrats on the admit! I am not attending Penn State, but I do live in Harrisburg now. If you have any questions about it, I'd be happy to help answer them! I'm not from here originally, but have lived in Harrisburg for about 2.5 years. I'll be moving out this summer to go to school and I will miss it for sure! Good luck!
  8. @Howie - My reply is very similar to Gov2School. As much as I wanted to pursue a grad degree along side my current job, it just would not work out at this point. I am in an area that has a lot of colleges/universities around, but none offered the program I was looking for. I moved to this area of the country just for this job after college and was not looking to stay here long term anyway. I tossed around the idea of doing an online program, but I decided I want more of a community feel for my grad experience. Also, my current FT job would make it difficult to schedule classes and etc. I do not have a straight 9 to 5 -- some days I work until midnight or later, others I start early in the morning. Some days are 5 hour days, while others are 14+. Since I do not have a real definitive schedule, I was afraid I would not be able to schedule classes/work around it. As far as money and staying financially afloat is concerned, this is a big concern of mine. I do not have a savings that I can rely on and I still have some undergrad loans, as well. Like Gov2School, I am really only considering schools with funding packages. This makes the process a little harder for me (having to turn down schools I really like ) since, while I was accepted into all schools (still waiting to hear from one), I only received funding from 2. I am leaning towards Indiana right now as they offered me a fellowship with a small stipend that I can use for rent. I am hoping to get a part time job (if at all possible) to help cover the cost of other expenses. My fellowship will be working in the nonprofit field, so a PT job could be anywhere (retail, restaurant, babysitting, etc) just to get some cash. I'm not too concerned about the field it falls under. It's definitely a lot to consider and sometimes makes me very anxious!
  9. @Gov2School I read Lean In a few months ago and that theme really struck me. It helped me understand that my focus on growth opportunities and advancement was OK (in contrast to some friends of mine just looking for security that made me question my thoughts/aspirations) and perfectly acceptable as a life choice for me. It also helped me make my decision that leaving a secure job to better myself is what I need at this point in my career. It is nice to see many others in a similar boat, though. At least we are not alone. I've been thinking a lot recently about the consequences of leaving a secure job so this thread was a nice breath of fresh air!
  10. Hi, I'm in a similar situation, too! I have been with a nonprofit (more in the volunteer management area in contrast to your Communications side) for about 2.5 years. It is very scary to think that I will be stepping away from a FT job to go back to school knowing that so many people are struggling to find jobs. It's a big leap, but I feel it is necessary to move up the ladder in the field (at least from my experience). At my organization, there is not a lot of opportunity for upward mobility since it is a small nonprofit. Every time I look at job postings for different (somewhat higher) positions at outside organizations, they usually have a Masters as part of the requirements. I'm not content staying in entry level forever so I am hoping grad school helps instead of just leaving me unemployed at the end. Here's to hoping Congrats on your acceptance and funding!
  11. I had everything for mine done and submitted before November 15, 2013 for a Fall 2014 start. I took the GRE in August, spent all of September on my SOPs, dedicated October to filling out the apps online and then November to follow up with LORs to make sure everything was submitted. I currently work full time, but the months of December - mid March are considered my peak times where I am incredibly busy due to an annual program I am in charge of. August - November are MUCH slower for me at my job. I knew I couldn't dedicate enough time to my apps if I didn't get them completed and out before November. It worked well for my schedule to have them over and done with. Plus, I knew that my LORs would be received in plenty of time since I was a few months ahead! With that being said, I do feel like I sort of rushed into the process. I had made the decision to apply for certain in April /May 2013, but I just don't feel like I researched potential schools enough. I am happy with the schools I applied to, but after reading more here and online, I have some other schools that I wish I had researched and applied to. Rushing isn't always the best decision, I guess!
  12. @PParker -- congrats on the funding! @Samian I would definitely follow up with them on that! By the time Fall semester will start, I will have just shy of 3 years working for the same nonprofit organization, so it sounds like you have more than me. I just got my email, too. No funding for me, but I would not have to complete the PER based on my current job per the email, so that is a plus. Since I have received funding at other locations, I will probably decline soon, so hopefully if there is a waiting list, someone else can take my spot! Good luck to all! Edit: @Samian just realized you said you weren't going to follow up with them on it since you have other offers .. disregard my comment then
  13. @MPAallday I agree with the above posters about calling or emailing. They really have been super helpful during the entire process for me! When did you apply? I think it is on a rolling admissions schedule (maybe?). I submitted my application back in October and received an answer right before Thanksgiving. It was faster than I expected, but, from what I can understand that isn't their "busy time" for apps and that it may take longer for answers if you apply during like Dec, Jan, and etc. when schools receive a lot of applications at once. Good luck!
  14. @saffron238 congrats on the acceptance! I think you might be right about the scholarship info. That makes complete sense since I definitely would have checked the box! Nice to hear from another person pursuing the nonprofit side of the MPA. I haven't seen too much of that on this site. @PParker hmm .. that is interesting. It did seem vague in my email. I guess more info will be coming soon. Hopefully your 6 years will count for that - that would be really helpful. I also am hoping to hear some good news about funding this week. NYC is expensive enough to live, let alone with the NYU tuition on top. Good luck!!!
  15. @etownenviro -- That's a great funding package -- congrats on that! Knowing that it is pretty cheap to live there is a nice pro as well. I'm hoping to make it out for the accepted students day, too. I'm hoping that will give more clarity to my decision! It's a bit of a drive, but I think it might be worth it. @ArtsyGirl thanks!! I received an email with the information last Tuesday .. the 11th I think? Good luck! I hope you hear something soon!! I'm excited about the MAAA option there. I applied early and now have been thinking I should have just applied for the dual right off the bat, but they did say it was easy to add on. I would like to get into some nonprofit museum fields so it wouldn't hurt!
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