Vulpix

Even more interesting to me is that TC is so consistently called a mess, for several years now by alums and students, yet remains solidly in that top 10 year after year. I guess history and name withstand negative fluctuations in quality... I actually got the impression (in my visits) that IED is in better shape than some of the other programs. However, I did meet with my undergrad professor who did her IED EdD there, and said that the faculty has changed and there is hardly anyone left who is as good as it used to be.... (she graduated 2008)

Yes, they said "April" and I assume that means by the deadline. If not, I will just have to assume I won't get it and decide that way. I'm single (well, legally speaking), definitely frugal, and Would probably take out only $5K in loans. I have been saving up A LOT for grad school on my teacher's salary (hence the frugality). So in that sense, not a real permanent burden at all. I guess that's why I didn't get any need-based grants, although I'm still surprised because my savings is not even in my name, and my annual income is still <$35K, so I'm surprised HGSE thinks I can pay for it. They're right, though.

Right now HGSE is about tied with Penn in terms of money for me. However, I *may* end up receiving a $33K grant + small GA stipend from Penn. I'm trying to decide if that should be the deciding factor. With HGSE, I would need to take out a small loan. However, the loan will not be very great (I could pay it off within a few years with an average salary).

From reading past threads from my school and program, it looked like almost everyone actually did get *some* funding, so I guess I just had it in my head that this would be the case. I managed to save that money on a (first year-third year) teacher's salary over three years, but my income is still (after taxes) <$35K/year. I'm not saying I am entitled to anything at all, and I am in a very fortunate position to not have to take on that much debt because I have saved up, but I didn't think I'd be considered in the same way as a top tax bracket applicant in that sense, given my relatively low income (which I'm sure is high compared to other applicants) and of course the fact that I won't be working anymore as a full time student. IDK, I guess I was just hoping for a wee bit of non-loan awards, because all my other schools offered something too, and I figured they all have a similar process....

How's Cambridge feeling? I'll be there Thurs-Friday! Did you end up going to HGSE?

I might just wait to ask in person at the open house... but IDK. I'm such a chicken. Which is funny because when I had two job offers I was very confident in asking for more money from the job I wanted, but I guess I'm still intimidated talking to these people..

Someone else gave me the advice to try to ask HGSE for more money by explaining that I have grant offers from all of its competitors, so why not them? But at the same time, Harvard doesn't need me, I can't imagine that would be met with great agreement...

Yes, IEDP has sent me a lot of information and GA application. No news on the FLAS yet, they said "April"...

Not only am I questioning the money, but I'm also now wondering "Before I spend $70,000, is this even what I want to do with my life?" I'm just gonna power through these doubts and make blindly optimistic decisions

Thanks, I had seen this before, but most of it is only for after you've already enrolled to get business started. I meant for pre-matriculation, I think.

They said they give up to $16k in need based aid, and also possible merit grants. I can accept that they didn't think I deserved a merit award, but considering most people in previous years' threads here seemed to always get 5-15k in need based aid, I was still expecting something, anything. I understand that it's very different than undergrad.

Well, I just found out Harvard is giving me no funding. However, it is down to Penn, which has given me $10K in grants. This makes Penn still $4K more expensive than Harvard. Pending any additional possible GA/job opportunities, I guess cost is now a moot point in my decision making process. It's just sad that the richest school in the country (world?) can't give me even a thousand dollars in need-based scholarship...

Does Penn have an admitted students page that I'm missing?

For me, Penn with aid is still $10K more than HGSE. Which is why HGSE is still a frontrunner, but could have been such a done deal if they'd given me even half of what they gave others I just don't really understand their methodologies, as I definitely should have demonstrated more need than just loans. For some reason HGSE thinks my demonstrated need is just $12K, so they offered me a $20K loan. I can't fathom that.

Did you submit your FAFSA and everything on time? I guess it might not all go out in one day like with admissions. I'm comforted a little to know that I'm not the only one with just loans. It seemed like from last year's thread that international students are given more grants because they are ineligible for US federal loan packages... I'm trying not to take this personally. I don't have any existing undergrad debt (anymore) and apparently that is a big factor in their decision to burden you with loans or not.

I got a $10k merit award from Penn. they don't offer need based so. But I also applied for a GA and a FLAS scholarship that would be $33k. This HGSE loan package really bummed me out, but I'm still excited to visit and see

I got an email that my financial aid award is available. I'm on my phone and the website is wonky, but it looks like they only gave me loans :'(. I'm really upset right now. I'm hoping I'm just not seeing something but it looks like no grants at all for me. I guess Harvard doesn't want me THAT badly.

I wish we knew more about the "other" grants they give atop the need-based grants. People have mentioned "Impact" awards and other random things, but there is no info about that on their website. In fact, HGSE seems to imply that it will only be need-based coming our way, but anecdotally we've heard that they give merit grants too that aren't the special scholarships we applied for. This makes me nervous. I'm not sure how much my "need" is. Can I pay for HGSE on my salary? No. Am I living under the poverty line? No. It's all very wishy washy to me. Also, we're all obviously not working full time during the coming year, so wouldn't *everyone* need a little help? (Unless coming from extraordinary independent wealth) I mean, I got a "21st Century Scholarship" from NYU, and "merit scholarship" from Penn, and a TC "grant" that may or may not be need-based. All of these were within the same 9-13K range. I guess I'll just pray/assume HGSE has a similar algorithm...

I just got an email that I did not get the special scholarships (Urban Scholars, etc.) Not surprised... still waiting on the real info!

I definitely didn't realize NYU was still going to release scholarship info, I thought the study abroad thing was all I would get. Found out today I got $12,500 "21st Century Scholarship" and $3K work/study. Changes nothing for me but it was nice to see!

@nrvsandexcited94 is I believe I also think that the median age would be just a few years older (they said the average amount of work experience is 4.6 years).

I was watching this video touring the HGSE library, and just thought it was cool that there are "parent rooms" in the library where you can bring your child and there is a little bean bag/kid library area next to a study space in a private room for parents!

I think that is the party line. Of course March 30 would be the latest because admitted student events begin the 31.

They didn't really talk about either of those things, mostly just the types of practice-based classwork they do, the strong sense of community in IEP, and the network/opportunities at HGSE at large. When I get home from work, I can PM you all my detailed notes if you'd like! They were hush hush about admissions stats, but they did say that 75% of the admitted HGSE class is female, 20% international, average 4.6 years experience.

I think today would be the earliest. I actually thought It came out on Friday last year. In my IEP info session last night they said 1-1.5 weeks of course. They also said merit awards would be included then.