hall0822

I'll add my thoughts as someone who is planning to accept a MSc offer from UCL over the insanely priced NYU.... I feel like UK Masters programs and their employability depend heavily on the field you go into. It sounds like there's a lot of sciences being discussed in this forum. I have an American friend who is currently a MSc Anthro major at Stirling and he seems very confident in his employability afterwards although he's also considered a PhD. I'm a policy student so I feel like UCL's location is ideal to attain an international NGO position after graduation. I figure I'll worry about the immigration issues later because the UK student visa gives you 4 months from the conclusion of your studies. My program, and I think many of the taught masters are a ful calendar year (Sept.-Sept.). I've also spoked with several former classmates from undergrad who work for consulting companies, another field i'm considering post-MSc. They've said that UK degrees from Uni's like UCL & LSE are regarded just as well as degrees from NYU...so that's basically what sold it for me. And the $50,000 savings.

Now that my own process has somewhat concluded I can reply to this thread. Very interesting to read through these! Schools Applied To: NYU Wagner (MUP), UCL (MSc Int. Public Policy), Michigan Ford (MPP), Carnegie Mellon (MSPPM, OSU (MPA) Schools Admitted To: NYU ($0), UCL ($0), CMU ($21K Admitted to their Adelaide program instead of Pitt), OSU (Full Tuition + Stipend) Schools Rejected From: Michigan Schools Waitlisted At: None Still Waiting: None Undergraduate institution: University of Minnesota Undergraduate GPA: 3.54 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): NA Undergraduate Major: Marketing & Public/Non-Profit Management GRE Quantitative Score: 680 GRE Verbal Score: 550 GRE AW Score: 4.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 1 Years of Work Experience: 1 Full Time Describe Relevant Work Experience: Current AmeriCorps VISTA, Former State Senate Intern Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I began the process without clear direction but as I thought about my journey to this point and my experiences (work, personal and education) everything became more clear and easier to write. I think I tied everything together really well...but who knows really. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I'd say average...this was probably my weakest part. 2 professors at the Humphrey Inst. whose classes I enjoyed most and excelled in. Also my VISTA supervisor. Other: I studied in Denmark for a semester which contributed to my reasons for wanting to focus on international public policy. Also when I was in high school I was an active City Council student rep. which also worked it's way into my SOP. I intend to go into international economic development so that's why I think CMU admitted me to their Adelaide campus...I never applied or wanted to go there but after admission I did consider it. This process has definitely affirmed for me that most grad school admission committee really do take a thorough approach to each candidate and consider their long term goals in the selection process. Decision: Ultimately I will end up at UCL assuming no major financial aid from NYU.

Thanks! That's really helpful. I've all but decided on another school but I'd like to get an answer from Michigan "just in case" they decide to throw loads of money at me. But it appears that won't be the case....congrats!

So for those of you accepted to Ford, what does your Wolverine Access site look like? I ask because I didn't get an acceptance yet and mine still reads transcript not received. I decided not to deal with Rackham not having my transcripts because I knew the Ford school had them for sure and Rackham wasn't giving me the time of day to confirm whether they actually had them and didn't update the system.

I'm thinking it was based on my personal statement and my ultimate career objectives of working in international economic development. I mentioned the Adelaide program in my statement also...but it was definitely a reference to doing a semester there, not the entire program. I guess i'm lucky that CMU wasn't my first choice. It's not the best fit for my interests. But it definitely is a great school.

I am! I'm interested mainly in international economic development and possibly consulting but probably more realistically an organization like UNDP.

So after hearing of all the acceptances at CMU I was beginning to think it would be a rejection for me. But yesterday I received an email from CMU stating that they felt the Adelaide campuse would be a better fit for me and they forwarded them my application. I apparently have been accepted at Adelaide but now am confused. I applied to CMU mainly because I was expecting funding based on my AmeriCorps service but now with this curveball I think CMU is out for me. Good luck to all of you still waiting though!

I applied to the MSc International Public Policy ... still waiting to hear back though.

Nope. I called them a week after the deadline (2 weeks after I submitted my materials) to check on a transcript and they said my application was with whoever was reviewing it because they had to track it down to confirm the receipt of my transcript. That's about it.

Did you apply to the DC track?

I applied by the December 10th deadline as well. However I applied to the MUP program. I'm guessing, as many of you said, that decisions will come mid-March or even towards the end of the month. Did everyone see the thread about the mix-up Wagner had last year with admitting people who were supposed to be rejected or vice versa? Hopefully they have things straightened out for this year!

This is an interesting topic...I think my initial consolation prize will be similar to my celebratory prize...champagne or related alcoholic beverage. Afterwards, I think I'll take a trip to LA for the Coachella Music Festival in April. After that...hello applications to teach abroad.

I'm reading Stones into Schools by Greg Mortenson. It's the follow up to Three Cups of Tea which focused on the work of the Central Asia Institute to build school in Pakistan. This new book focuses more on his recent work in Afghanistan and his work with the U.S. military. I received it for Christmas and just started it but it seems equally inspiring.

Application Fees: $40 (Applied to 4 schools but received waivers for 3 because of AmeriCorps service) GRE: $150 Prep Materials: $50 (Thank you Borders 40% off coupons) Transcripts: $65 (Boo Carnegie Mellon for losing mine and requiring me to resend) ________________________ $305. I'm always suprised at how even college admissions can be "bought" in terms of high-priced prep courses/consultants and such. I'm the type that believes if it's meant to be you don't need all of those fancy things. On an AmeriCorps VISTA budget the $305 was a stretch for me.

Carnegie Mellon has a free online app

So I received I letter today from ETS. Assuming it was my scores from Nov. 6, I opened it nervously. Instead it was a letter offering me the chance t retake the verbal section only because there were apparent issues with the computer. Here's the exact language: "The GRE Program has recently implemented another review process of individual test performance for the computer-based GRE General Test Verbal and Quantitative sections. The purpose of the process is to analyze each test taker’s performance data to determine if the test presented to the individual was an appropriate selection of test questions by the computer. It appears that in a very small number of cases, the computer algorithm may not have functioned as effectively as intended. As a result, ETS® is offering these test-takers the option of taking a free retest on the affected section only. In this optional retest effort, the GRE® Program is attempting to be as fair as possible to all examinees." "There are multiple conditions that operate when the computer algorithm selects test questions for the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Among these conditions are the selection of various item types and the selection of differing content. In addition to these conditions, the computer-adaptive algorithm considers the examinee’s performance on the previous questions and the statistical properties of the questions. On your test, it appears that the computer algorithm may have selected a more limited range of test questions than is desirable; no other part of the General Test was affected. Because you may have experienced this irregularity, we are offering you a free retest of the affected section." "There is no way to predict what might happen to your score. If you choose to retest, your score can go up, down, or remain the same." They've already sent my scores to the schools i'm applying so the retest would be a replacement of those scores. I got a 550 on the Verbal and during my practice tests I was getting high 500s and low 600s. I'm wondering if anyone has run into this and what you've done. Or just your thoughts on my situation since it is getting close to deadlines. I have already submitted 2 of 4 apps so i'm thinking it may not be worth the hassle. Any thoughts are appreciated!