CCD2016

I applied in the fall. I was a political science major during undergraduate. I have not heard back from them yet, actually. Been a little worried about it.

This is remarkably similar to the situation I am in. $0 undergrad debt, wanting to keep grad debt ~$40k, but I am realizing this is increasingly unlikely. Even with a fairly substantial scholarship offered at admission. There will be more to develop, but I am incredibly anxious about debt, living expenses, etc. I have a lot to think about over the next few months, for sure.

They told me financial aid packages would become available around mid-February for accepted, incoming graduate students.

Anybody else hear back from DU's GSSW? I was super excited to hear back. I will definitely be attending in the fall!

I know the early action deadline has long passed, but their priority deadline is not until March 1st. If I was hoping to be considered for scholarships/other forms of aid, would it be too late to apply? Like, would it even be worth considering? I recently got into WUSTL and it kind of shifted my goal posts a tiny bit and was wondering if it was even worth the time investment to apply to the University of Michigan.

I turned my application maybe 2 hours before the early action deadline (12.15.16) and received my admission decision dated 1.11.17 on Friday 11.13.17

Anyone else get their acceptance on the online portal? I saw mine today! Scholarship was lower tan I would have liked, but still excited! Anyone else here back?!

Hello all, I am currently serving a year in AmeriCorps VISTA and am starting the graduation app. season strong. While I just finished up my first app, I guess in the preliminary periods of researching programs I didn't consider the full gravity of tuition rates. I am not applying to many programs that provide a lot of assistantships, etc. and none in my home state (my home state is quite expensive, anyway). I have zero undergrad debt and will get a $5.3k education award from AmeriCorps when I finish. How much debt for an MSW aspiring to work in hospital/health social work seems justifiable? I have heard of the "not more than a year salary" rule, but that seems like it would really limit options for MSW students.... because initial salaries can start low and it's not like the high end is particularly high to begin with. If I was hovering around 40k, how quickly should I say no, etc. Thanks, y'all.

I have been selecting the programs I will be applying to this application season and one program I have came across is balancing location with program quality/concentration/specialization. It lead me to wonder, is there a reason to put an emphasis on the concentration/specialization? Is a more generalist program bad? Would you lose a competitive edge by going to a program that doesn't have a specific faculty member interested in the form of social work that most interests you? Is this something that could be resolved by practicum placement? Thanks

Still configuring an exact list, but: University of Pittsburgh, University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin, WUSTL, Denver University, and University of Utah.

Hello there! I actually ended up accepting a VISTA position with a social service agency. I really didn't feel super comfortable with the options I had for the fall, so I decided to get some experience in a more social work setting bc that was certainly the field I was less familiar with. My path-- I am likely going to just apply for an MSW program. I have more interest in a more case management type position that I thought after some exposure, so I will be applying to programs that provide some sort of balance (or opportunity there of) so I can (hypothetically) find some balance and have access to either career path. Idk much about your work history, etc. But volunteering/working/doing AmeriCorps VISTA are all great at helping decide. Front line experience in the social policy/social work arena is incredibly important. But it can be more helpful depending on what you are more interested in, tbh. I have enjoyed the experience so I wanted to make sure I tossed that out there In terms of the advice I have received, the information can be pretty generally grouped. 1. Bigger programs with a macro focus can lend to a lot of the same educational opportunities MPP programs might have. The obvious difference being your education for an MSW is more social service centric (ie, core social work classes), but you can take classes about policy and some have analysis classes (UMich, DU, etc. etc.). Some programs only require 1-2 gen. courses before you go the policy route. 2. Your practicums/internships are important. You should spend a decent amount of time thinking about practicums for your MSW. If the schools has a good relationship with agencies that do policy work, etc. you could potentially make some ins, network, etc. 3. General background can help guide the decision. IE, having a more quant centered background can help you fill in the gaps an MSW may provide to you. 4. Depends on what you are truly interested in. MSW will be more social service centered, while MPP/MPA will be more quant/gov/admin centered. They can each lend from each other, but ultimately it depends on what you are more interested in. If you want to talk more, dm me!

I am really interested to see the response with this. Not too hijack the discussion, but I have had a hard time placing what schools "will be reasonable to apply to" based off of my experience as well. Wondering what macro level considerations exist for top level graduate MSW programs?

Hello, I have been considering applying for an MSW at a school with a macro/policy focus instead of getting my MPP. Hell, maybe even applying to both. Any advice? Is there any meaningful difference between getting your MSW at a school that has a policy concentration/macro focus and getting your MPP and specializing in social policy? I understand the difference to be that MPP/MPA will largely be more quant focused, but I was wondering if there are any others? Any disadvantage to the MSW that the MPP/MPA can resolve? Any career impact, etc? Thank, yall.

Hello, I have been considering applying for an MSW at a school with a macro/policy focus instead of getting my MPP. Hell, maybe even applying to both. Any advice? Is there any meaningful difference between getting your MSW at a school that has a policy concentration/macro focus and getting your MPP and specializing in social policy? I understand the difference to be that MPP/MPA will largely be more quant focused, but I was wondering if there are any others? Any disadvantage to the MSW that the MPP/MPA can resolve? Any career impact, etc? Thank, yall.

Where would everyone draw a comfortable line for debt? I was accepted into a top 30 program in my region/city of choice. I will, at most, will have to take ~25k out in debt to get my Master's there. I do not have any loans from undergrad or any other kind of debt. How much debt is too much debt, given this context?

Yeah, I have not directly asked about deferment but I know it is a possibility at the school. I am interested in the Americorp position for a lot of reasons, but namely that it is with a good site, working in an area I am interested in. So, I am leaning that direction for sure. I am particularly interested in public policy and social policy/social work. Are there other opportunities, other than Americorp, that you would suggest looking into? Things you did that you found helpful/valuable?

Hello everyone. I am currently trying to decide between two primary options I have moving forward. To start, I have been considering a year in Americorp in the VISTA program. It is in my area of interest, housing policy and homelessness, and could provide good experience, educational stipend at the end, and in general make me a much better candidate for grad programs. I did not do particularly well on the GRE the first time around, so I could also take the year and try and improve my GRE score. I understand that VISTA's don't get paid much, etc. But if I did Americorp I would have a roommate (girlfriend) lined up in the area that would allow me to control renting costs, etc. Additionally, I could go to grad school right away. I got into what would be considered my top option (mainly because of regional preference/it is where I want to live long term) but the problem is I did not get any funding. In general, the school does not give out a lot of funding. I would be fortunate, however, because the program centers on mostly evening/weekend classes so I could work while going to school to help control the loans I would have to take out. Plus, I know more people in the area so I could likely have more opportunities. Additionally, I do not have any loans leaving undergraduate, making myself a little more flexible. Altogether, I would, in a worst case scenario, have to take out 30k for my Master's. More likely, though, I would be able to keep the costs closer to 20-25k if not lower depending on opportunities that arose. I guess more specifically, is 30k of debt for an MPA in social policy/policy analysis too much? Like I said, I have no undergraduate debt. Advice?

Hello all, I feel like I've gotten pretty close to asking this question, but I'll ask it much more obviously since application season is, well, here in a lot of ways. I'm considering apply straight out of undergrad (despite advice from the forums), but I was hoping to get a more realistic picture of what I can expect (so I can make a more realistic decision). I have been working (through an internship at a local food nonprofit) and I have continuing through most of the Fall semester. After my official employment is terminated I plan on continuing to volunteer. Most of the work I've been doing falls into 3 categories. 1.) Food Production. 2.) Community based outreach. 3.) Project coordination. Although it was not a large portion of our job, I did help with project coordination on some level. Yes, I never majorly designed a program or supervised one, but I have some experience with it. After I end my paid employment, I'm hoping to stay on and take more of an administrative/coordination role if possible, but I'm not sure to what capacity that would be since I have to get paid work as well. Other info: GPA: 3.5 cumulative; 3.3(ish) institutional at a mid-level state school. GRE: Still in the process of taking and practicing for. Although much of the (admissions) decision is pretty holistic between GPA/GRE/Work experience/SOP/Letters and you don't have access to GRE scores, but I was hoping to do an imaginary of what my application chances would be for application season in 2016. Schools I'm aiming toward: La Follette, Humphreys, Bush, Truman, Evans, Portland State. The schools fluctuate, but La Follette or Humphreys have consistently been the dream. In addition, getting fellowships/assistantships would be fairly critical. What are the (calculated) probabilities I could get into and get fellowships/assistantships at these schools (top 20) based on this resume, assuming GRE scores within the range of admissions? Advice for how to get into the range of getting assistantships at these schools if I'm not already?? Or is work experience really that overpowering? Thanks y'all. 0

I'm preparing to take a few classes over the next year why I work/volunteer for a few nonprofits (one of which I have had a lot of opportunities to do some project coordination, etc.) and I've been struggling with deciding a route for my last year of school. So my options for this upcoming semester is: 1.) Try and finish up a soc. minor by taking a Social Inequality class with a professor I've enjoyed having on a topic I love OR 2.) Take macro (I've already taken micro) and really blitz some econ theory classes in the spring. Is there any chances that really blitzing econ classes could actually make an effect on my application/funding opportunities? Other relevant considerations: I've already been approved to take a methods of public policy analysis class in the spring (graduate course I've been waived to take). My other math classes include Calc 1 (B), Micro Econ (A), Intro to Empirical Political Analysis (A), Stats (B). I'm hoping to go into social policy analysis/advocacy type work. All of this is outside of all the work I'm doing for the GRE quant section. Thanks in advance.

Is there any difference in consideration between the two GPA calculations for public affairs programs? My institutional GPA is okay and the last 2 years show a sharp increase (3.79), but with my cumulative GPA considered, my GPA ends up being 3.55. Obviously the overall consideration is complex, but I was wondering if there is any SIGNIFICANT difference in calculation when looking at the GPA's by admissions?

I have quite a few questions and would love to get into contact with anyone who currently goes or went to the school who'd be willing to talk with me? Thanks

Additionally, a few of the schools I've looked at (not listed above) have offered condensed one year programs with 8 week courses. Are there any major disadvantages/advantages of the 8 week condensed format?

Hello everyone, I'm entering my senior year of undergrad at a state school. I will be begin applying in the Fall for Public Affairs programs, hoping to study Policy Analysis maybe choosing a policy area speciality after I apply. I am hoping to apply to some programs with a broad array of options in terms of policy focus, but having a policy analysis speciality is crucial. As far as some of my specifics: 3.48 GPA, 3.8 GPA since my junior year Internships at a communal food policy organization that specializes in food security/equality and facilitates several communal gardens across the city. I plan on volunteering with the same organizations or a different one during Fall 2015. I have yet to take the GRE, but I've started by rigorously focusing on the quantitative section. Not a strong quantitative background, but I have transferred microecon as an A, Calculus as a B, Intro to Stats as a B, and Intro to Political Analysis as an A. I plan on taking macroecon in the fall and some stats/econ classes in the spring to bolster my resume. Additionally I have to right a senior/honor thesis and hoping to have a quant focus with it and hoping to get published. Some programs of interest (in order): La Follette (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Humphrey (University of Minnesota Twin-Cities) Ford (University of Michigan) Harris (University of Chicago) Glenn (Ohio State University) Bush (Texas A&M University) Others, but doubtful application. Does anyone have any advice to make my application competitive for funding. Specifically, my goal is to get an assistantship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Along those lines, what is the typical profile of those who have received the assistantship? Other programs I should be applying to? Am I pie in the sky with my goals, etc. Lastly, a lot of the programs state that program requirements include a B in American Government, Calc, Econ, etc. My sophomore year I received a C in Pols 1000 (American Government). Do you think this will effect my competitiveness? I've since taken classes on the judiciary, the executive branch, etc. all upper level classes with A, which I hope will compensate for that. ***I know it's fairly unusual for a first year out to apply to these programs, but I do not have access to a lot of the classes necessary to build the skills required to flourish in the career I hope to pursue (program evaluation, policy analyst, etc.)

I have noticed in most reviews and rankings, the two are usually incredibly close together. Does anyone have any input that might set one apart from the other? Some deciding factors: General college atmosphere (bars, sports, etc.) Cost/financial aid/funding availability Job placement Specializations Domestic v. Foreign Policy Faculty Competitiveness And anything else anyone finds particularly relevant. Thanks a ton.

The other day I stumbled upon the GWU Graduate School of Political Management and noticed the Legislative Affairs, Strategic Public Relations, and Political Management Masters. I had a few questions about the program(s). These definitely seem like degrees for students who have already been to graduate school/law school and/or professional work experience. Is that true? The website seems to specifically flag when it's more designed for professionals, but all programs seemed to be more directed that direction. Secondly, how many students go straight from undergraduate to this program? Lastly, is it less/more/or differently advantageous than going to a Public Affairs/Public Administration programs?