RH7

Can't really help you on these programs, but just a comment on option one. If you want to defer SIPA, you need to pay the $1,000 enrollment deposit, and pay an additional $1,000 deferment deposit. You only get the $2,000 back if you actually enroll. And they apparently only allow you to defer if you have compelling reasons. So applying to other schools would only be an option if you don't mind losing the $2k, I guess.

Do you know how to even respond to the offer? If I don't say anything, will they just assume I don't want to go?

What programs did you apply for at the other schools and what do you plan on doing after? I'm assuming DC is the best place for part-time work, but London has loads of opportunities as well in the ID business. Btw, I'm from Indonesia AND I'm currently at SOAS, but can't really help with AU or ANU...

The SIPA curriculum is just so much more flexible, and in my opinion, better designed (probably due to the fact that LSE’s MPA program is only a few years old). I think I may want to switch my concentration and I’m hoping to do some of the approved electives at Columbia Law School (two things LSE won’t let you do). Also, most of LSE’s courses are yearlong, which tend to drag on and restrict you from taking many different classes. I think only 2.5 credits (9 SIPA credits) are electives, and the rest is core. I’m also getting tired of the education system here. I’m generally a very strong student but pretty weak when it comes to exams, which are so important in the UK. Many courses are 70%-100% exam or something, rendering a lot of the work you do throughout the year useless. Another reason is that I’m currently doing my undergrad at SOAS, which is about three blocks from LSE, so I could use a change for two years. I’d rather go to Georgetown or Michigan than LSE tbh… but that’s just my opinion.

IR at Kings is good but it's not that great. A bit overrated IMO... I would go with LSE, its more their cup of tea. It's probably the best route as well to do a PhD after.

Thanks, I'm not exactly rich but I guess I shouldn't feel as bad about this anymore. I was thinking of jumping off the bandwagon like everyone else, but I really want to go to SIPA. To your question, I think a former SIPA student sent an email to everyone saying SIPA actually encourages you to work while you study, which is one selling point of studying in NYC (at least I think he/she said that). The important question is whether you can earn ~27k part-time haha. Personally though, I think it might be a better investment (time and money) to concentrate on studying in your first year so you could get some of that second year financial booty...

I think SIPA estimated all other costs outside of tuition around 27k or something per year! Anyway, due to a partial external grant and generous relatives, I'm facing a cost of around 80k-82k (excluding second year aid) for the whole two year package. I also luckily have no undergrad debt. Given this (for those of you pulling out of SIPA) if you were in my position, would the 80k debt be justifiable for you? And Knotty yes, I'm trying to defer for one year.

In loans? Probably not. If I have money already though, then probably. In a similar vein, (especially for those of you who are planning to pull out of SIPA because of the costs) how much money would you actually be willing to pay for SIPA and consider it worth it?

Could I just ask what everyone thinks a reasonable amount to pay for SIPA is? Purely for tuition....

Before answering this, I was just curious as to why you don't just go straight to law school if you want to be a practitioner in government?

I'm a final year undergrad student in London, and since most programs in the UK are three years, I'll be graduating at age 21. I'm financially supported for school ($24,000 in the US and $31,000 in the UK) but only until I'm 24. So if I want to do a two-year program in the US, I need to graduate by 2013 - basically I can only take one year off after graduating to work, I can't apply in two or three years if I want to make use of these funds. I was wondering if anyone knew how likely it is to reapply the following year and actually get in. Next year, I'll be working for a consulting firm in London, but I would only be working there for a few months until the next round of applications are due. So if anyone has information or advice, I'd really appreciate it! On another note, is deferring entry generally straightforward and allowed by most schools?

I currently study in the UK, so maybe I could provide a slightly different perspective. While not at Oxford, about 80% of my professors are Oxbridge grads and our programs are generally structured exactly the same way. I don't know how familiar you are with the education system here, but most people will tell you its very different. In particular, the heavy focus on exams and dissertations basically render the work you do throughout the year useless. You may actually prefer it, but I for one surely do not. Also, most MSc courses at Oxford aren't specifically designed for jobs in policy analysis. Apart from greater knowledge and critical thinking (and criticizing EVERYTHING is how you earn marks), I don't think you would gain many real skills compared to the MPP at Harvard. Most courses (maybe apart from Said Business School and a few others) are highly theoretical, and so it's the kind of environment that's more conducive for an academic. Maybe this is what you prefer, maybe not. Either way, that's just my two cents...

I'm in a similar position. I have some really cool jobs waiting for me as well, but just on a one year contract. Does anyone know anything about the possibility of deferring entry for a year and maybe how I could go about this?

Um...where did you get this information?

Why does it seem like everyone is getting in? Oh right, I know.... damn.

Mind if I ask what you applied for at UCL? Is it the MSc PP?

Congrats sky_blue! But I'm afraid thats looking less and less likely with each acceptance... WHY do rejections seem to come last WHY?! It's bad enough to make people wait, but then to reject you after is just doubly cruel .

On the website, it says some people may not know until July And btw, does anyone know how many MPP applicants/places there are at GW? When I applied, I was under the impression that it wasn't as popular as my other US choices. I just applied because I was admitted at undergrad level but didn't end up going, so I thought I'd get in again. But judging by this forum, it seems very competitive! Just wondering if the other schools in my sig are likely to be rejections....

I'm sorry blackhair96, did you get an email saying that or did you check GWU's decision online? I never received an email from GWU, but I checked my status online which says that I've been selected as an alternate for admission. I assume that means waitlisted right? I don't know why I never received any email about this...

Yes! It was indeed a question, and not intended to be rhetorical! The latter two are statements. Take it or leave it, but it ends at that. Jesus Christ...

Oh my I'm terribly sorry, I thought a question mark was used to denote a question, not a statement.

<br><br>Fair point

Many, many top statesmen cheat, CEOs cheat, lawyers cheat, doctors cheat, teachers cheat, clerks cheat, husbands cheat, wives cheat, etc. Students cheating? NO??!! What I'm saying is that it happens everywhere. So the fact that some students at top institutions are cheating shouldn't really be a surprise.

Program Applied To: MPP/MPA Schools Applied To: HKS, SIPA, TSPPPA, GPPI, Ford School, LSE (x2) Schools Admitted To: LSE Schools Rejected From: LSE Still Waiting: HKS, SIPA, TSPPPA, GPPI, Ford School Undergraduate institution: School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London Undergraduate GPA: Upper Second Class Honours 2.1 (very big range 3.0-3.7 probably. I'd say I have a 3.3-3.4) Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): N/A Undergraduate Major: Economics & Politics GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 490 GRE AW Score: 6.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 0 Years of Work Experience: 1 Describe Relevant Work Experience: 2.5 month research internship at a Manila-based think tank, 2.5 month internship at a UK development consulting firm in their Asia-Pacific Regional Office, 6 months part-time training contract at the same consulting firm in London. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Entertaining? Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Nothing special I'm sure. All Oxbridge/Ivy professors, but none I know too personally. Other: I'm deferring my entry to LSE and any other school I end up getting for sure. Might re-apply for entry in 2001/2012. Going to work for UNDP in Aceh next year!

...to be honest, why should schools give a crap that people cheat? People cheat in life. That's just how it works.