MarkMc

I'm in the same boat.  I have no publications (I completed a dual program - MBA/MA - Diplomacy & International Relations).  I bombed my GMAT, but it was the exact minimum score to get into my program.  GRE is 156V, 152Q, 4.5AW.  My GPA is a blend of the programs (3.66), but my MBA would be north of 3.9 alone (Diplomacy and IR was a new field for me and very, very background intensive).  I applied to 4 programs.  I've gotten 1 interview.  Nothing back on the others yet, but I'm sweating bullets.  Hoping my work experience and recommendations make a big difference.

Where do you see a 67% error?  I see a predicted range of scores (and the anticipated score was actually higher than my GMAT score when my GRE was converted).  It gave me a higher predicted quantitative and lower predicted verbal percentile.  You may disagree, but typically GMAT test takers are better versed in quantitative methods (save for the science specific). 

And - graduate admissions department are the best place to start.  I ended up choosing the program with the admissions department that was the most straight forward and gave me clear answers about what it would take to get in.  They should be able to guide you on their ideal, typical, and borderline candidate profile.

Cat, JLT, and Bat,
 
 
The creamery seems to be the go to place to check out.  If you're into architecture the Schwab building was always one of my favorites.  I'm not opposed (contrary to most) to living on campus at Penn State.  The campus is huge and I don't think it hurts to be in the middle of it.  Because of the layout of the town it can be hard to find anything super convenient to where you're trying to go unless you're in university housing (in my opinion).  If you're off campus, so are undergraduates.  The frat houses are on the other side of College Ave so they're hiking back and forth.  There's no avoiding an undergraduate body that size. 
In terms of what you see for pricing - yes that seems about right for pricing.  I don't think a car is necessary, especially if you're on/close to campus.  However it you want to leave the SC/UP area - then yes - the only way out is a vehicle.  Most apartments and university housing will handle snow removal for you.  This season the area only got a couple of snowfalls (including one blizzard).  So if you're in a house you may have to shovel less than a half dozen times.  Socially everything will be fine.  Penn State  is a large, diverse campus with something for everyone. 
State College is kind of far from major cities, but there is an airport in State College (small, connects mostly through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Dulles - I used to hop from here to Cincinnati to Chicago when I lived there).  However, think of State College as a very large college town.  Miles of college.  During the summer and break it can be a bit deserted. 
Oh - and don't forget to take your obligatory picture at the Nittany Lion statue.  It's a right of passage.  Let me know if you have other questions I can attempt to field.

Cat, JLT, and Bat,
 
 
The creamery seems to be the go to place to check out.  If you're into architecture the Schwab building was always one of my favorites.  I'm not opposed (contrary to most) to living on campus at Penn State.  The campus is huge and I don't think it hurts to be in the middle of it.  Because of the layout of the town it can be hard to find anything super convenient to where you're trying to go unless you're in university housing (in my opinion).  If you're off campus, so are undergraduates.  The frat houses are on the other side of College Ave so they're hiking back and forth.  There's no avoiding an undergraduate body that size. 
In terms of what you see for pricing - yes that seems about right for pricing.  I don't think a car is necessary, especially if you're on/close to campus.  However it you want to leave the SC/UP area - then yes - the only way out is a vehicle.  Most apartments and university housing will handle snow removal for you.  This season the area only got a couple of snowfalls (including one blizzard).  So if you're in a house you may have to shovel less than a half dozen times.  Socially everything will be fine.  Penn State  is a large, diverse campus with something for everyone. 
State College is kind of far from major cities, but there is an airport in State College (small, connects mostly through Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Dulles - I used to hop from here to Cincinnati to Chicago when I lived there).  However, think of State College as a very large college town.  Miles of college.  During the summer and break it can be a bit deserted. 
Oh - and don't forget to take your obligatory picture at the Nittany Lion statue.  It's a right of passage.  Let me know if you have other questions I can attempt to field.

No.  You have to find a program that's the best fit for you.  Keep in mind if it is a traditionally structured program you'll find yourself deep in the bowels of the University so location may matter less. Also, what good is a location if you're miserable in the program?  Is the better location a better fit?  I think location alone is a tough sell, but look at the programs more inclusively.  Top 10 down to Top 50 is a big jump.

I can't imagine it being a deal breaker.  I would encourage you to schedule an interview ahead of the date (so you're front of line) make a connection with someone and then follow-up after the weekend.

It seems that interviews are far and few between for a Masters.  Typically PhD is more likely to require this due to the close working relationship you'll have with faculty to assess cohesion and ability to work together.  Similar research interests also help.  A Masters is a stepping stone to this.

You've listed the criteria that most people would consider when making a decision.  Let's take it step by step.
Cost - you don't want to buried under a mountain of debt.  Are you being covered anywhere?  Each of the Universities you list are expensive (With Rutgers possibly being the least expensive).  What's your end game with education?  Do you want to teach?  Work in administration?  Work in non-profit?  Work in public?  I see that you're looking at MSW so you  may be facing lower salaries.  Keep in mind that many positions related to this type of job will offer loan forgiveness.  Also, if you set your loans (Stafford) to income dependent they'll always be based on your income and they are forgiven once they pass the maximum amortization.  You don't want to go to the least expensive program and be miserable or go to the most expensive and be student loan poor.  Figure out what a realistic number is coming in and going out.  What can you afford?  What's your debt situation?  You may have to rule out some programs based on cost (or may be not). 
Doors - You want to have options.  You want to be able to find work that you find fulfilling and meaningful.  This may be a variety of types of positions.  You'll need to understand this.  What good is building a foundation to a house that can never be completed?  You'll feel enriched, but maybe slightly empty. 
Financing - I'm not sure what your debt situation is, but if you've been conservative until this point you should be able to get Stafford loans that will carry you.  They're subject to more requirements so it should help prevent breaking the bank (or bankrupting yourself).
My decision process - I only looked at programs that I could cover out of pocket.  I didn't want to assume anymore debt.  I applied to one highly ranked school (because they sent a free application).  I didn't even consider that type of program, so I did find another that was affordable and offered even more flexibility.  So I paired down based on cost.  With my plan, should I get in. I can afford to pay for my Doctorate and payoff all of my student loan debt before I graduate.  Then I started looking at programs that were a good fit and offered the type of enrichment that I found ideal.  Keep in mind I'm not considering and immediate move to academia (other than continuing to teach part time) so I wanted something that would broaden both my professional and academic horizons.

Nice trolling.

Keep in mind that many will be facing this very issue.  If the offer is good through April 15th you have no worries.  They reason for the end date is that they may look at candidates who will fill your spot if you turn it down.  I would reply to your contact there and advise them that you've received the offer and you're extremely honored and flattered.  Let them know that you're going to sort through the offers you've received (they don't need to know that this is the only one) and that you expect to reach a decision by whatever date you think is reasonable.  Let them know that they are currently high on your list.  Congrats!

I certainly incorporated various parts of my SOP into different applications.  Two of them were the same program (PhD Technology Management) so the SOPs were virtually identical.  They both had 2 page requirements.  I had one that had a 10 page requirement (which was awful) and another program that was a 3 page requirement on the business side.  I think important aspects of my history, skills, etc transfer, but still make sure to answer what they're looking for.