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I decided against applying because it's just too expensive for me when I factor in relocating. Good luck!

There's the Davis-Putter Fund and Point Foundation if you are LGBTQ-identified. Other than that, I can only find scholarships for continuing students

Just received my acceptance to University of Michigan for the 20-month program. My application was submitted on November 30. What a fast response!

Just received my acceptance to the Social Work/Women's Studies and Gender Studies program at Loyola University Chicago! I'm waiting to hear about funding, but it looks like that won't happen until the March 1 priority deadline has passed. In the meantime, I'm going to apply for external scholarships and fellowships.

Anyone else applying to University of Southern California and concerned about the price?

I applied to Loyola University Chicago. My application was completed on Halloween, so I should hear back within 6-8 weeks of that date. I'm going to give it until the first week of January since it's the holiday season. Working on USC, University of Washington - Seattle, and University of Michigan. So much $$ for these darn applications!

You might not need to do a full-time position since you do have some experience. If you can, pick up a volunteer gig or internship for 10-12 hours per week. If you're looking for a full-time position, I agree with Racket. Sexual violence, domestic violence, or suicide prevention hotlines don't always require experience, just some training.

Good luck with your search! I dropped out of my AmeriCorps service because it was impossible to live off the stipend. I wish I stayed for many reasons including the additional opportunities for graduate school funding.

Look into programs that offer special funding for AmeriCorps alumni. Some offer up to 50% tuition remission.

Unless you can guarantee a break during summer leading up to grad school, take your time. Even then, you shouldn't feel burnt out going into school; it'll likely worsen anything you're already feeling.

I am definitely applying to Loyola because I don't think I want to move from Chicago and their MSW/MA in Women's Studies program looks intriguing. Also applying to USC and University of Michigan. Possibly UCLA as well.

I am looking into Fall 2017 but might end up applying for Fall 2018 since I need to take statistics (unsure if I can afford to sign up for a class this upcoming fall semester). Cumulative gpa is 3.038, major gpa is 3.207. Hoping to take statistics, and since my last semester gpa was terrible (failed a class that dropped my gpa and it was the second F on my transcript), I might take another two to show improvement. I have volunteered, interned, and worked for non-profit organizations and social service agencies since 2008. Most relevant experience: interned at a rape crisis center for a year and half, volunteered as a rape crisis counselor in the emergency room for two years (completed 312 hours of service), currently volunteering as a hotline crisis counselor and working full-time at a university in an office that helps victims and survivors on campus. In my opinion, my strength is having worked consistently in my field for four years and with my target populations for eight. And my letters of recommendation which will come from one of my supervisors, professor and mentor, and advisor of a fellowship program I completed.

I started looking into programs in geographical locations where I knew I could feel comfortable living, then I looked into the racial makeup of students and faculty. Once I found a program that best suited my personal needs, I looked into faculty and their research to find people with expertise in my interest areas. I also looked into additional resources for students such as student groups. And if a program seemed overwhelmingly white and heterosexual but demonstrates social justice values (obviously needing to do more considering), I looked into off-campus resources to answer the following: Could I build a support network outside of my program? Would I be able to find allies among my cohort and the faculty even if they do not share my identities? Would I gain enough from my fieldwork to feel it is worth sacrificing my comfort for 2-3 years in this program? A lot of the information can found on the program's website. Of course there's no guarantee a program will be 100% perfect or always safe for me, I want to find enough to make a well-informed decision and not feel like I have to sacrifice my identity for a degree. I am still narrowing down programs and trying to keep those factors and questions in mind. Hope that gives you a place to start.

I think it really depends what you would like to do career-wise. MSW with policy focus can be as marketable as a MPP depending on different organizations/agencies and the kind of roles you're seeking.

congratulations!

I am! PPIA 2014. I was going to apply to graduate school this cycle but decided against it since I am not entirely sure of my commitment to doing a dual-degree program. Best of luck choosing a program!

Congratulations on your acceptances! You're the PPIA fellow, right?

Based on what I see in faculty profiles at different schools, it seems it mostly depends which course you want to teach. I imagine you just wouldn't teach skills-based courses. Even then, it could depend on your professional experience? Good luck with applications!

I wouldn't do it. If you absolutely need to include the quote, work it into the text.

Right now my list includes: University of Southern California, Loyola University - Chicago, University of Illinois-Chicago, WashU, Rutgers, and Fordham. University of Michigan is one of the schools I would love to attend but feel less than confident in submitting an application. Same with UC Berkeley, which I mostly like because I am from the area. I just started to finalize my list and take the application process seriously. I was on the fence about applying for Fall 2016 but now I am determined to make it happen. I plan to draft my personal statement over the next two weeks.

I agree with the advice given above! Also, this is something that is likely already on your mind, but make sure you do research on resources available at the university. Universities of California have changed drastically and new programs are in the process of being implemented this fall semester. I don't know how much is available online so you might have to directly contact Student Affairs or a similar department. You wouldn't want to talk about change you want implemented on the campus when there's already specific changes underway.

Sorry for the late response! I am still on the fence about earning the MPP, though I think it would complement the MSW well. I am looking into policy and management concentrations for the MSW and would like to get professional experience that would set me up to earn my MPP with an emphasis on social policy. Also, there aren't as many universities I love that equally amazing social work and public policy schools.

We are very similar! I did UCPPIA and plan to get my MSW before applying for MPP programs (at least a year or two of working in the field with my MSW).