divertan

For those with acceptances and aid offers, could you let me know how long it took between getting your admits and receiving funding information from SPEA? Would really help to have an idea of when I should expect an intimation, if one's coming my way!

Congrats cs_mpp, you may be one of the first to have heard back decisively! From what I've heard, funding (IF given) is usually either full ride + stipend, or at least a full ride (tuition and living). Don't have the numbers on how many peeps in an incoming batch are likely to get funding, however. Hope this is useful, do keep us updated!

Finalllly!! I'm in, folks! Seems there are chem prereqs (with a lab) required for the MSES portion of the dual degree I'd applied for - didn't see anything about this on the website earlier - so I've been accepted to the MPA but not the MSES. Given the fact that I can still study enviro policy and sustainability within the MPA curriculum, I'm not too bummed! Merit based offers to be extended mid March onwards, according to the email notifying me of their decision!

Very quickly (currently at work!), will try and answer what I DO know, which isn't much!! Last year, NUS shortlisted applicants for the interview rounds mainly by country. This is because they wanted to have in-person interviews with most shortlisted candidates (except a few who were based in places too far from the South East Asia/South Asia general region - those people had Skype interviews), and it makes sense to club these together, logistically. That said, given that I've heard that there are many more applications this year, they may not have decided to follow the country-wise rule. For example, I know that NUS conducted both in-person AND Skype interviews for Indian candidates. It is definitely possible, as Namir says, that they are processing applications by date. [in which case, given I submitted my app on the last day, should I still be waiting for a call?!] Kaleem - Unfortunately I don't have any info on candidates from Pakistan specifically, just found out about the India interviews from a friend already at NUS... =( True - I don't think rejects have gone out yet, since they're in the middle of their interview rounds. I haven't gotten any notifications yet, anyway! I assume once they've completed the interviews, rejections/invitations for diagnostic tests etc./acceptances will go out. But you should check the grad cafe results page in any case! Applicant205 - See my answer above. I'm assuming it's country-wise, but only because that was the case last year! =)

From what I know, one round of in-person interviews for India happened last weekend (the 28th?), and there have been a few others (again, Indian applicants I know personally) who've gotten invites for Skype interviews too, since then. I think it may be time I accept I'm not getting a call. LOL. Disappointing given the prestige of the NUS programme, and the potential funding involved. Sigh.

Aaaaa still waiting, to hear anything at all! Of course, my file was finally confirmed as complete only a little over 2 weeks ago, which means I have until next Monday to fret, at least ...but still. Also, is SPEA sending generic emails to everyone re an Experience Day Chat today/tomorrow? Would be great to hear back from those both accepted and rejected on this, so I can hazard a guess as to where I stand! Thank you all in advance!

While I knew I'd likely need to do both microecon and stats prereqs (didn't do either after high school), and I DO, the mention of placement exams in their email earlier today threw me a little. Could someone clarify whether these placement exams are mandatory or if you can choose to take them up only if you'd like to do more advanced versions of courses, as dudeinspace has said above? The language in the email I received seems to make it pretty clear they're a requirement. It seems grad school's about to begin early. Damn.

Hey! Didn't get the Career Services email, but I did receive emails from two professors - one who'd reviewed my application file, and another whose work I'd mentioned in my SOP! Oh also, the admissions office hooked me up with a current international dual student so I could better understand how the funding works. Extra mile, indeed. As naso said, I like Duke a lot. Maybe even more so, now.

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!! 16K funding as well!!!!! Let's see what this translates to given I'm a dual degree applicant but still...AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

Hi!! Has anyone heard ANYTHING from Sanford yet?! It's my top choice and the waiting is KILLING me, but I'm too afraid to write in and ask them anything given that they said decisions would be released in early March... March is now just THREE days away and I'm going craaaaazy! Will be dying a thousand deaths every day from Sunday onwards...early March should mean we'll know in the first two weeks right...right?!

Hello everyone! Had heard about the joint grad school fair by Yale and Duke, and along with the "Big Four" grouping mentioned above (thanks 2nd AC!) I'm definitely feeling a lot more confident about Duke's MEM...totally missed out on applying to Bren, since I was so focused on enviro policy and pretty sure that my legal background would make me a bad fit for programmes geared towards enviro science... That said, THANK YOU untrachel!! Your post is very very encouraging, given that I'm looking for a more professional programme than an academic one, AND that policy work in DC is the dream!!

UPDATE! A friend who's doing an MPP at NUS currently just informed me that the admissions office has received an overwhelming number of applications this year, and interview calls are going out in batches, based on when you applied. I applied on the very last day...so, maybe there's still hope? Also, I couldn't wait any longer so I wrote to them a couple of days ago - decisions on shortlisting for interviews will be out in a week, and they intend to make offers by end March/early April... Hope this is useful!

Ever so slightly. Seeing as we're all in the same boat and what not. I was seriously contemplating starting a thread titled "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH" but it seems I may have found my peeps right here. Bring it on, March!

Bahahahaha oh I needed a good laugh! This thread is great!!

Congratulations Sjn092, Wozezeka and 2ndAC, what great news!! Decided to go through my application checklist yesterday, since I had literally applied last minute, and found that one of my three recommenders hasn't sent in his letter yet!! Have followed up with him, as well as SPEA, fingers crossed!! 2ndAC, I really really hope you're right about that email meaning something, cos I'd gotten one too...and the programme at SPEA is great!! Waiting now, with bated breath.