kargigogo

Wow I'm sorry to hear that... I'm sure it feels like a kick to the gut. Keep your head up!

It's starting to feel like I just might...

I got 10k a year, which is really nice... it'll make it hard for me to make a decision at the end of the month if Maryland doesn't let me know their financial stuff before then.

I got the online acceptance letter about a week and a half after I applied (I applied at the beginning of December and got the online acceptance before Christmas) and I'm not sure when my physical letter arrived because I was out of the country, but it was definitely at my house before February 5th. I have not, however, received anything about the scholarship.

I didn't get a call, but that could be because the only number I had when I applied was my Ugandan phone number. The joys of applying to schools while in Peace Corps... are not that joyful. But I am excited to hear from the school - financial considerations are definitely going to be a big part of my decision.

Cost is a really big issue for me as well, like most of us. I applied to two programs - one that seems to be so perfect and really fits the exact niche I'm looking to hit (Maryland), and one that sounds great but isn't as specific to my weird interests/passions (Pitt) but would still be somewhat related. I'm waiting to hear back from Pitt about scholarships - I'm hopeful that with a solid GPA and a strong background in national service that it could work out okay for me (fingers crossed!), but I have to make a decision before the end of the month for Maryland and I likely won't have all the financial information for them because I've applied to a couple fellowships that probably won't let me know until after that. It's totally stressing me out - after spending the last two years making so little in Peace Corps it's hard to imagine taking out huge loans for school. I hate having to make a decision without all the information, but of course I am thankful to have been accepted to both programs. Location to me is important as well, and I took that into consideration and only applied to schools that were in cities I'd enjoy living in and would work for me. Baltimore/DC is where I'd like to end up, so that would be super nice to start making connections to the area. Ranking to me doesn't matter as much, I feel like your education is what you make of it and I doubt people look at a resume and then look up school rankings.

@Joy418 - thanks so much for asking about Pitt scholarships. Eagerly (and with fingers and toes crossed) waiting for that to come through!

I got accepted to Maryland yesterday. I'm super excited, because it's my first choice and I wasn't expecting to hear anything until March at the earliest so I was totally shocked to get the email. Hopefully the Shriver Peaceworker fellowship will happen so that this dream can become a reality!

I got accepted to Pitt this week. It only took a bit over a week to hear back - I was shocked it was so fast! I wasn't expecting to hear anything until January at the earliest!

Yes! I finished up my application for UMB and submitted it on Friday and I already want to check like a million times a day. I should be better at this after waiting 9 months for my Peace Corps invitation, but apparently I'm not. I really hope I don't have to wait until April to hear back... I might go crazy!

I completed two terms of service, and received the maximum 2 scholarships ($5500x2). It's obviously not a ton of money, and it can be a big commitment so I would only do AmeriCorps if you're really passionate about service and find the right program for you - it definitely should not about the money alone, cause that stipend is not ton to live off of for a year if you don't like what you're doing. That being said, one bonus is that some schools match fully or partially the amount. You can check out matching schools and programs on their website.

Hey all - new to the board (although I've been stalking it slowly for a while) and thought I'd join in on all the fun. I'm currently enjoying the fun of writing personal statements, so I guess we can all commiserate together. I'm applying to two MSW programs (Pitt and University of Maryland - Baltimore) and potentially two child life programs (Pitt and Mills). I'm really interested in combining social work and child life, no matter what program I end up at, as I think they go hand in hand. Thus, I really tried to find programs that have a strong health component and a connection with children's health settings. I have a BS in psychology (minor in public health) and a BA in political science (GPA for the dual degrees - 3.6). I have worked with children in educational settings in the US and two other countries, and I have a lot of volunteer experience - I'm finishing up my Peace Corps service at the beginning of next year and have completed two terms of service in AmeriCorps previously. I'm hoping I'll have a strong application and can demonstrate my true commitment to service and working to meet the needs of children. (And if they're looking for someone who is particularly adept at hand washing clothes or using a pit latrine, I'm definitely their girl!) It's a bit hard to focus on the applications as it all seems so removed from my current life right now, but I'm almost done with UMB's and then I'll move on to their Coverdell and Shriver Peaceworker applications. I just wish I wasn't so easily distracted when I get internet connection!