Wozezeka

I'm curious if I get in. I know I'm a long shot due to my atypical undergrad (agriculture) no name university (although I think I had an excellent education) and GRE scores that, while above average, weren't stellar. It's not my top choice, but it would still be a great opportunity. Plus all the other schools I applied to are in cold locations!

Got the call. If it's affordable enough either through scholarship or a job, this will be where I go!

Wow, I appreciate the post, but we have different definitions of cheap. I'm talking $300 or less.

I took Statistics in college, but I don't think I learned much (foreign professor who I couldn't understand!) and it was a few years ago. I also never took calculus. I've been accepted to two school so far. Keeping my fingers crossed for the rest, but I've already been accepted to my top choice. Anyway, neither of them stated that I am required to take these classes as pre-recs but I think I might do so anyway. I think it will help me in class and if I decide to eventually do a PhD it would help as well. Do y'all know of any cheap but credible online classes? It would have to be short in duration, I can't take the classes while I am working (too busy at work 70+ hours a week)

** Washington. I'm typing on my phone!

U of Easjington have me funding, but not enough to make it affordable. It's not my top choice but I'm not saying mo yet. I contacted them and discussed funding. They referred me to a few more fellowships and discussed ga/ra/ta jobs that would cover tuition and provide a stipend. You might look in to that. Congrats on the admission! I'm still waiting to hear back!

Yup. I think the previous poster is correct about dates. Fingers crossed for next week. I've already been accepted to my top choice but I'm an austinite and I would also love to attend UT!

Just accepted today!!!! Now I just need to wait to hear about funding. I'm not making a decision yet but I really like the program at SPEA.

Got an email about experience day but haven't been admitted yet.

IU - Bloomington is my top choice based on program UT - Austin is my top choice based on location. I currently live in Austin and... I can't imagine a better place to love (edit... Fruedian Slip - "Better place to live". I've heard great things about SPEA and it is probably the best program for my interests, but I will be heart broken to leave Austin! Zebra Finch - Most decisions for masters admission aren't sent out until March. I know it's hard to wait, but it's too soon to be defeatist.

Wow. That's why I hadn't heard back from SPEA. I sent an email to check in on things and they said my transcript hadn't arrived! I just overnighted them. I know the deadline isn't until Feb 2nd but I thought all my apps were wrapped up on Christmas Day! I'm glad I emailed them to check in. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed now! But damn, I was horrified to realize my app wasn't complete!

That's so crazy! That's awesome. Now it's just going to be a long wait to hear back from the other schools. I doubt we get this lucky again!

I was notified yesterday that I was admitted w funding to U Washington Evans school. Their deadline for apps is Jan 15th. I am kinda caught off guard. I don't think they have rolling admissions so I didn't think I would hear until March. Is it not unusual to hear back this early, or to hear before the deadline?

My last letters of recommendation were submitted yesterday (a great xmas gift!) so I can only wait now. I really hope to hear back from SPEA. They are tied for top choice with UT. The only advantage that UT has is that it's in Austin, where I currently live and hope to stay. Where did you hear that it takes 2-3 weeks? That seems very quick

Getting nervous about my scores being received on time. ETS says they have been delivered but someone from the admissions office said it could take up to 6 weeks. This seems like it should be easier and faster. Anyone know how long it takes?

Is it appropriate to send thank you letters to recommendation providers once the process is over?

It's definitely not rolling admissions. I've submitted everything. I am just waiting for one more LOR and I need to upload my new test scores. I didn't know that I could submit my application, therefore initiating the Recommendation Request process, without attaching my SOP. I wish I knew that before hand! Then I could have taken care of the references in September instead of December! I wish they were more clear about that. UT is my top choice (I live in Austin and wish to remain here) what about y'all? I know a few people who have gone to LBJ and one of my friends is currently enrolled.

I didn't do a life story for the PHS, which I feel like a lot of people do. Instead I outlined examples of leadership in promoting equality (hand in hand w diversity) and what I learned and how that relates to my decision to pursue public policy. I don't know if that is exactly what they are looking for, but it felt right. I just didn't see the relevance in a life story and as a white person from an upper class family, I didn't have much to offer in terms of diversity, but I could highlight experiences that allowed me to understand other cultures and diversity.

Taking the GRE next Saturday. I've taken it once and I think I can improve my scores simply by maintaining my energy throughout the test. I was exhausted at the end the first time around. I can't say I've had much of an opportunity to study between the first and the second test. I've been doing practice problems, but it's hard to teach yourself these things! What should I do for an hour a day for the next week to prep for the test? What are some good tips for the AWA What advice do y'all have for keeping up the pace for a 4 hour test?

Anyone willing to review my essays? I am still editing, but I aim to submit my essays at the end of next week. I can PM them to you. Feel free to rip them to shreds, I am looking for advice on overall style and if they adhere to the prompt.

I'm currently trying to study while working a very busy job and I am not seeing my scores improve. I take the test next week, and then again in December. I am using Magoosh to study, but I haven't done math is such a long time. What can I do to improve my scores? Obviously not within the next week, but by December so that I can do better the next time around. I have no idea what my awa score will be, I'm not too worried about that. Practice scores in order by date: Power Prep 151 Q 158 V Power Prep 155 Q 163 V Magoosh 151 Q 159 V - Wasn't trying that hard and I was really tired, but still... I have always been successful. Great GPA, Great work experience, excellent writing abilities, amazing letters of recommendation, but I don't want mediocre GRE scores to hurt my application. At this point I am not even dreaming of funding, just acceptance. I know that I could kill the math section if I had time to study and re-learn all these concepts, but I don't have that luxury. I wake up at 4 to study an hour and then I work 10 - 12 hours a day 6 days a week, then in my down time I apply to other jobs (Hate my current job) and work on application essays. Any advice? I feel like my study method right now is to do practice questions and see what I got wrong, but I don't have materials to practice the concepts that I missed, other than to do more practice questions. Just FYI - I'm applying to MPP/MPA Programs - UT LBJ, Indiana - SPEA, Berkeley, Mich, Seattle Evans, Maryland My Top 3 in order are UT, Indiana, Berkeley

I made a test-taking tips post. I wish I had a 159 Q, I love math but I guess my strength is verbal. For reading comprehension I take notes as I am reading. It takes more time, but if I don't take notes, I am too focused on finishing the text quickly and I don't actually comprehend anything! I also answer the easiest questions first, both for Q and V. I am prone to making silly mistakes on Q, so I always write down what they are asking for. Do they want X or 2X? Because I can solve for X and plug in that answer, but they actually want 2X! Also, Algebra and Geometry are really all you need for Q. I personally need to review exponents, but most questions should be solved without the calculator. If the answer does require plugging in random numbers, then use at least 3 sets of numbers that are very different from each other (but within the provided guidelines) because a rule might work for one set but not another. You can mark questions that you are unsure about, but at least plug in an answer before you mark, that way you have a 25% chance rather than 0% if time runs out. For Issues: create your points and then your evidence. At least 3 points, intro, and conclusion. You can make up the evidence as long as it doesn't sound too crazy. Argument: When reading the prompt, write down all the assertions, then come up with reasons they might not be true. Pick the strongest 3 or 4 and turn that in to your body. Then follow up with a paragraph about how they could strengthen the argument, then conclusion (plus and intro)

Any idea on how much scratch paper we get? I tend to scribble all over the place and use lots of paper for the quant section.

What are some strategies you use? I try to answer the easy questions first, allowing myself time to think on the harder ones. For reading comprehension, I take notes as I read. I find that, when under pressure, I tend to focus on how fast I am reading rather than understanding what I am reading so, while taking notes requires more time, I save time in the end because I understand what I have read. What do y'all do? I am taking the test in 2 weeks and then again in December (unless I do an AMAZING job the first time around)

Thanks for the advice. It's a difficult decision, but if I can get another acceptable job I will take it. I don't want to blather on about my job, but I know that the best thing for me would be to switch tracks. Hopefully I am accepted. It's rather difficult to work a demanding job, study for the GRE, prep for admissions, and apply for other jobs, but I'll manage.