BonAppetit

Haha, I was just looking at the schedule and wondering the same thing. Since it's not mentioned, I'm doubtful. Although there's actually no time for lunch or dinner scheduled in, so maybe we're just supposed to assume that we'll be fed? I'm coming down from NY and am trying to figure out if its best to come the night before and then leave after the cocktail thingy on Friday night, or if I should get up as the asscrack of dawn on Friday, go down there, and then maybe get there late but not be rushed to leave... still not sure.

I'm just wondering if anyone is still considering GW and going to Elliott's open house on 4-16? Or am I the only one?

So, after emailing them last week and asking why I hadn't heard anything, I received a response asking to make sure my address was correct in their records. Then, a few hours later, I got an email inviting me to the open house, so I'm assuming I'm accepted? I'm not going to be able to make it to DC for the open house, but I'm planning to go to the event in NYC on April 6.

Hey everyone! I feel very uneducated about this whole financial aid thing, so I thought I'd ask a few of you for some thoughts. I was lucky to be accepted to two programs I am very interested in -- the public diplomacy tracks at both Syracuse and GW. Both have offered me types of aid that would amount to roughly $24,000 -- but GW's is a one-time scholarship that will be stretched out during the two years. Syracuse's is a TA position that last for one year. SO... if I were to obtain another type of graduate assistantship during my second year at Syracuse, I would come out (financially) very far ahead of where I would be at GW. But, if I don't, it's really a toss up. I inquired about this and was told that I can certainly apply for an assistantship again, but it doesn't sound like they are able to make any commitment until next year. Anyone familiar with Syracuse's IR/Journalism program know the likelihood of getting aid your second year, if you received some your first? Or, in general, does this typically happen in IR programs? Any thoughts as to how I can sort this out in my number-crunching?

Ok well I know GW told everyone they would hear on Monday, but I was notified on Friday that I got in -- and now they say financial aid decisions will be made by the 24th. I'm hoping they'll be early on THAT one, too, because I can't handle waiting much longer! American is my only school I haven't heard from yet, and I'm getting kind of annoyed, to tell you the truth... Anyone out there still waiting for IR results, or is it just about waiting for financial aid these days?

I hear ya. I've heard back from the other two schools I've applied to, and one has already offered me a financial aid package, so I would like to get moving on the decision-making portion of this now.. and I can't until I hear one way or the other from American. I think I'm going to try to email them, too, and see what happens, although it looks like you guys haven't had much luck with that so far...

Has anyone been rejected by SIS yet? I'm wondering because it looks like everyone has already received admittances from them, and I haven't gotten ANYTHING (positive or negative) in the mail all week. I've gotten acceptances to two other places and this is my last one I'm waiting for... sigh. Guess I'll have to call them on Monday. I'm just curious if anyone else is still waiting, too?

I've seen a few people who posted that they've been admitted to the Public Diplomacy program at Syracuse, and I know there's a few other PD people from other schools milling around on this board. But I don't think I've made contact with most of you. I'm kind of curious how many people on this board are considering studying in one of these programs. I'm also wondering, what do you see as the benefit to a PD degree over an international communications-focused IA degree? It seems like much of the coursework is the same, for example, at Syracuse's PD program and GW's international comm. program. Also, for any Syracuse PD folks -- have you heard anything about financial aid yet? I see most of the Maxwell MAIR people here have already gotten GA positions offered to them, why do you think it's taking so much longer for the PD program to receive notice (or am I just not getting anything?!

I was wondering about this, too. I'm planning to attend a "welcome weekend" for admitted students later this month and my husband wants to come along and see what the town is like. He won't be moving there with me, but he'll be coming on weekends, etc. Anyhow, I was pleased to see on the online form that the school asks if you are bringing any family members and says they will have breakfast, lunch and dinner for them throughout the weekend, if you register them. I thought that was very family-friendly and it impressed me. Of course, my husband won't be interested in attending many of the other presentations, but he might want to come to the welcome address or something like that...

I have to say I'm quite envious of the several of you who have already been admitted. Syracuse is my #1 choice. I'm having trouble articulating - even in my own head- exactly why. I just really get a good feeling from everything about it. I've applied to the public diplomacy program, which is joint between IR and the Newhouse communication school. I'm not sure how the admissions timeline rolls for the PD program, as my application emails are all coming from Newhouse -- and they say they'll let us know by March 15. But, once again, I'm not sure if that is just the comm. school, and if Maxwell makes its decisions first about me or what... the wait is killing me! What have you been told about funding, by the way? Did they give you time frame for finding out?

Hi Blue~ Yes. AND I just got an email from them GW this morning stating that they have the largest pool of applicants ever (surprise surprise) and that they expect decisions at the END of March, now. When I saw who the email was from I got excited -- until realizing it was just a form letter GW isn't my top choice, actually. I'm more interested in American (Int'l communication) and, above all, Syracuse (public diplomacy). However, GW has some regional coursework/study abroad options that appealed to me more than the others, so I decided to go ahead and apply there as well. I haven't been able to visit any of the campuses yet, as we just moved back to the US about a month ago. Have you done any visits?

The baby in the apartment next door to me crying - no, screaming. For the last 25 minutes. And the grandmother singing loud lullabyes to him/her in Gujarati. And "jingle bells." I hate these thin walls!

Yes, it was George Washington. That was the last communication I've received from them, though! And to be honest, I can't even remember when they said they would make a decision by. I'm also waiting to hear from American -- short of them telling me "thanks for your application check!" I haven't heard anything from them, either. However, in looking at the results page, it looks like no one else has heard from them, either, so I'm not getting too nervous - yet.

I've done a couple cross-country moves by myself. The first time I rented a U-haul, had a friend drive it while I drove my car, and paid to fly him back home. It was expensive. Second time, I used a cheap-o moving company that packed my stuff on with other people's stuff (nationwide relocation service). It was a NIGHTMARE. They were very unreliable and the mover himself appeared to be a heroin addict or something. Fast forward a few years, and my husband and I moved cross country again and found a LOCAL moving company in the Yellow Pages. While they contracted with Mayflower, the fact that they were local meant they were much more concerned about our move, and their prices actually came in below the national company (i think we paid about 1500 to move a large one-bedroom apartment from WI to NY). If you can find a company like this, it will greatly reduce your stress levels in moving and will allow you to keep all your stuff - as well as all the sentimental stuff that might be thrown out if you have to cram everything into a small car.

I feel like I am still struggling with this question! After two years spend considering, and researching, master's programs, I decided that USC and Syracuse were my top choices, because I'm interested in the area of public diplomacy and those two schools are the only ones who have degree programs specifically in that field. Yet when I told my friends and coworkers this, they kept asking things like, "What about Georgetown?" or "What about SAIS?" or "Where is Syracuse?" I started to feel inferior! Also, I've seen, from my friends, the dividends of the brand-names -- it seems like they get the best shots at jobs, the best shots at prestigious grad programs.... But I keep thinking, what's the point in applying to a great famous school if I can't focus on what I'm *really* interested in? Is it worth it? I decided it wasn't, so I didn't apply to any "brand-name" schools. I'll cross my fingers and hope that it was the right decision, but I guess I won't find out for a few more years