[MA/MPA/MPP/Master's funding]

Here's a general question for everybody: what is reasonable to expect for funding in a terminal Master's program? I've received a 50% scholarship at a school I'm fairly excited about, but I keep reading about people who get full tuition and even full tuition + stipend for the MPA/MPP. It makes me think, damn, I'm not getting the best deal here. It makes me feel only moderately wanted. I want to be wanted a LOT. :|

Anyway, what have you expected from your funding? Should I be grateful for what I've got?

I have felt the same way in the past about the amound of funding people on these boards have received. However, I do know that overall, MPA students do not receieve as much funding as a PhD candidate would. I receieved an out of state tuition waiver and I was thrilled about it. Although it would be nice to have full tuition covered and a stipend, I accept the fact that most schools (not all) do not fund a majority of their MPA students.

A 50% tuition scholarship is great! If you are still bummed though, just understand that there are plenty of opportunities to get funding once you have entered the program. Other departments or offices at your school will undoubtedly be seeking grad assistants.

[New Orleans, LA]

I am from the MS gulf coast and by nature, I visit New Orleans a lot. The city still has its bad areas (as does the MS coast) but for the most part, life is back to normal. The campuses are doing great and the shopping/dining/entertainment in the French Quarter is as good as ever. Avoid the places that are still looking rough because the crime in those areas are still extremely high.

[Athens, GA]

I too am looking at apartments in Athens. A lot of your recommendations are very helpful rising star. Do you know anything about the Paces at Woodlake? It seems like a nice quiet place for graduate studies. Also, do you know anything about Bromsgrove or Cross Creek? I am looking for a one bedroom like blablabla so any helpful advice is appreciated! I am planning on a weekend trip up there but I want to have a list of places to visit before I go.

[MPA / MPP / Phd Policy Admissions 2008]

I am deciding between UGA and UKY. My top choice is UGA and they said they would make their funding decisions today so hopefully I will hear some good news later this week. I have not heard about funding from UKY either and they are far less responsive when I email them questions regarding money. They have not even told me when decisions are to be made, if they haven't already been.

I fully expect the worse, though, because my test scores are not that high. I hate to think about it that way because all of my other stats are way above average but I know that my scores are low enough to drag down my chances. I still have a drop of hope though

Waiting stinks.

[MPA / MPP / Phd Policy Admissions 2008]

Desigrrl,

Everything you said in your post circled around money. I would wait and hear about offers from Harvard and NYU and then make your decision. Whichever school gives you the best offer, take it. It is no fun being in debt, especially if you already are. Plus, those two schools are closest to home, your relationship, and they are high ranking in your field. Both are amazing schools so you would not have to worry about credentials. I hope all goes well for you! Let me know what you decide. I am kind of in the same boat. I am waiting to hear about funding before I make my decision.

[MA/MPA/MPP/Master's funding]

I got accepted to all of the schools I applied to in early February but I still have not heard about funding. My top two schools said they would make decisions by mid-March, and here we are. Is anyone else in the same boat? It is driving me crazy. I emailed my top school yesterday and they said that they were making decisions now and would let me know something on Monday or Tuesday. What does that even mean?

[Accepted but Waiting for Funding]

I got accepted to all of the schools I applied to by early February. Now I am just sitting and waiting to hear about funding. My close friend got all of her acceptances and funding offers in the same letter. We even applied to two of the same schools. Now I am sitting and bitterly waiting as my envy grows inside. It truly is a sickening feeling. I definitely agree that waiting on funding is harder, because like so many of you, I can't go without it.

My top two schools said they would make funding decisions by mid-March. Well, here we are and I still haven't heard anything. I did get an email from one of the schools stating that they are still deciding on assistantships and they would let me know something definite in 3 or 4 days. What does that even mean? It got my hopes up, but I have a feeling it shouldn't have.

I feel everyone's pain. I hope we all get amazing offers, and soon.

[Rank by selectivity (MPP)]

gwu and american are both ranked a little higher than gtown. gtown is a fair amount harder to get into though. the rankings have little to do with difficulty.

i have a fancy assistantship at georgia now (#3), but i was outright rejected by columbia, which is in the 20s. I got into gtown without aid. gtown is pretty stingy with most its admits.

all of this was back in 2006.

it really doesn't make a huge difference where you go, the point is to do well there.

Are you going to Georgia? I got accepted but I am still waiting to hear about funding. I am pretty doubtful about receiving any but I emailed the program director and he told me that they would be able to give me more information in a few days, whatever that means.

[MPA / MPP / Phd Policy Admissions 2008]

I got into UGA and UKY... now I am just waiting to hear about funding, which is the worst part to me...

Anyone else considering either of those? If so, what have you heard?