DeputyDowner
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Posts posted by DeputyDowner
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@MPPKS I don't, but I did live there for a summer in undergrad. Let me message you some places I've found in the area (online) that are more family convenient.
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On 3/25/2016 at 4:51 PM, wmkx said:
For those who have committed (or are likely to commit) to attending Ford, when would it be a good time to find housing? Other forum threads suggest scouting a place as soon as you submit your intent to register, but wouldn't that be too early? Or do some landlords allow you to sign a lease now to secure a place but have the move in and lease start around September? I am located in California and I am not sure how many opportunities I will have to visit Ann Arbor before the fall.
Most leasing options I've seen in Ann Arbor start in July or August. It's very much a college town, with most housing is intended for students (meaning places tend to be less flexible than in a big city, because most people need to move in before September and move out in June). Depending on what you're looking for, of course. If you don't mind (1) living outside of Ann Arbor or (2) spending a lot of money on rent, there are more flexible options.
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On 3/22/2016 at 0:18 PM, Grad Decision 2016 said:
Howdy guys - is there anyone out there who has filled out the form letter requesting more funding and who knows how that process works precisely? Do you think there'd be a chance admissions will respond before April 15? Maybe they're going to wait until after visit day when more people who have received full funding will decline?
I've been offered the 1/3 tuition fellowship, but having received other funding offers elsewhere, it makes little sense to take on so much debt. But, I really like Michigan and so am holding out. Anyone know of any stories from past years of people getting bumped up in funding before April 15?
I'm also on the alternate list for a FLAS Fellowship at Michigan - anyone have any insight into what chances I might have of that coming through??
Thanks all! Have a great time April 8-9 for those who are going!
I have no idea what the FLAS Fellowship process is, but I have a feeling that some of the funding info will be released before April 15th. I'm saying this based on their timeline for the Bohnett Fellowship selections. My understanding is that they'll be chosen/announced before the deadline, and consequently, at least three people may be changing pots of funding (potentially freeing up money).
That being said, I'd expect the rest of the funding decisions to be made after 4/15, simply because that's when they'll have a better idea of who's coming with whatever financial package (and how much they have left to disburse).
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If you know you want to work in Texas, you should stay in Texas. Actually, if you want to work in DC, it won't hurt you to stay in Texas either. And if you're not interested in foreign affairs, then you should stick with Texas.
Like you said, its sort of a no brainer. Congrats on the funding for LBJ School!
- RCtheSS and Undecided2016
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1 hour ago, MH2 said:
Thanks, I checked. Got accepted. No funding again.
Congrats on the acceptance - sorry about the funding
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4 minutes ago, RCtheSS said:
I personally wouldn't try to leverage funding offers between every program I was accepted into; only try to ask the programs you really, really would like to go to if you could afford to. Then you can reiterate that to them however you wish: "This program is my top choice for this, that, and the other thing, and I would absolutely attend within a reasonable cost."
1I think this is probably the best strategy - I don't know how effective it would be to go to Berkeley and say, "Hey- Duke offered me $X.XX, can you match that." Programs have different funding capabilities (private vs. public university/big vs. small/etc.), but if you make it clear that its where you really want to be and that you need the assistance to help make that possible, I think that can work well for you.
1 minute ago, mfmpp said:Silly logistical question: is this the sort of conversation that's better had by phone or over e-mail?
I'd recommend emailing your question and, in the same email, asking if you could discuss the issue further by phone (if you feel like you need to).
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38 minutes ago, MH2 said:
I haven't received a rejection email. Is that odd? Should I call them up?
I'd suggest checking your promotions/spam/other sections of your email first. I know every email I get from Michigan gets forwarded to Social/Promotions folders for some reason.
Otherwise, it seems like admissions decisions and waitlist notifications have gone out. Not sure about rejections - never hurts to call and ask though.
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5 hours ago, aslabchu said:
I hate to be that guy, but it's not always about this kind of raw biographical and statistical data. (I know law school tends to be that way, but MPA/MPP seems different.) We're talking about the very best schools, and it has a lot to do with how you presented yourself to them. It's very easy to get put in the "high achieving empathetic white dude" pile and never find your way out again. Did you have a solid narrative across all your documents? Did your letter writers back you up on it? That kind of thing matters more than you'd think.
Just want to highlight this again. I didn't get into HKS either, but honestly, it's because I wasn't a good fit for me.
In my experience, public policy programs tend to be much more concerned about fit, which isn't stressed as much at law programs. Law schools are dying to fill as many spots as they can just to keep themselves afloat; MPP programs are much more like PhD programs (especially since so many of them are designed to provide some level of funding for many students).
Additionally, being strong in math is important (I say this as someone who isn't strong in math and hates math). That doesn't mean you necessarily need a better quant score, it may just mean you should try and take a stats or calculus class so they can tell you're serious about being able to do quantitative work.
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5 hours ago, MPPKS said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Do you suggest filling in the "additional information that would be helpful" area?
Definitely. It can make a big difference to the front office if they know that you will come if they give you some assistance to do it.
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For folks who aren't being offered funding on the first go-round, make sure you fill out the form included in the acceptance email. I think it's titled something like "Form for Funding Reconsideration" or something like that. If Ford is a top choice for you, I think that's a good way of letting them know that - which may lead to money from anyone who goes elsewhere.
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46 minutes ago, RCtheSS said:
I know who you are, fellow PPIAer!
I won't be able to go to Spring Preview weekend because I'm in my best friend's bridal party that weekend. Already regretting my decision.
HAH, yes you do. I figured it was you.
It's too bad - looks like we're going back to Circus for karaoke.
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Just now, murray said:
Yeah I'm definitely going to try to go. You learn so much about a program from meeting students and professors in person!
Nice! Yeah, I've actually been to the Ford School before - to anyone who's never visited UMich, I highly recommend it. Had an amazing summer there back in 2013, and Ann Arbor is a lot of fun.
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1 minute ago, coasts said:
Don't discount your accomplishment! If you look in past years' results, there are definitely admits who didn't get any money.
And even if there aren't, there are many applicants who aren't accepted at all. Congrats to all the other admits!
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6 minutes ago, murray said:
Accepted with 50% fellowship. Is everyone getting fellowships? Is anyone expected to pay the sticker price or is it just so that they look as prestigious as the private schools?
Also accepted with 50% fellowship - I think most students accepted to the Ford School receive some kind of assistance, but I don't think all do.
Anyone planning on attending Preview Weekend?
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1 hour ago, CatMonster said:1 hour ago, cooperstreet said:
What top 10 department admits people w/o funding? please out them so we can shame the
That would be UCLA.
Unfortunately, yes. My understanding is that they accept several students without guaranteed funding, but offer many opportunities to apply for funding. That's just a bit riskier than I feel comfortable with (especially since I currently live in Virginia... I'd literally be moving across the country and paying three times more for living plus out-of-state tuition).
2 hours ago, ultraultra said:It's really awful that that's happened to you, especially at a top program. I can't imagine that creates a positive environment among graduate students...
If I were in that situation I would ask to be put on a waitlist for funding (as someone suggested) or at least ask what it would take to be on one (higher test scores, etc). After that I would (after doing whatever necessary for self-care - bath, wine, netflix, w/e) start looking for research-oriented jobs to pursue over the next year in an attempt to boost my profile for the next cycle. Graduate school is stressful enough without spending the entire time worrying about where your rent money is coming from + graduating in massive debt in a volatile job market is very unwise... I don't think its worth it to plunge ahead instead of taking a year to rebuild and try again.
I've reached out to the graduate program coordinator to ask these and similar other questions recommended to me by my undergraduate professors. I also have a call scheduled with a professor tomorrow, so I'm looking forward to getting her thoughts on my situation as well (from an in-departmental perspective). I don't mind having to teach or do research to support myself (in fact, I'd really like the opportunity to teach early on - I think that could be cool), but it is asking a lot to move cross-country to pay for everything for at least a year, and then hopefully prove competitive for TA/RA/fellowships (which I have doubts about - especially since I assume I am in the minority and that most admits will be fully funded).
And I'm weighing my options. I've already been out of UG for two years working in campaigns and policy analysis, but I also applied to some master programs. My biggest weakness (in my opinion) is probably my quantitative skills, and I may be able to bolster myself a bit by going through a MPP program (if I'm admitted). But I will likely sit out a year if those prove unaffordable.
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I was overly ambitious this cycle - applying to only top 10-15 programs with stats that leave a lot to be desired. I was admitted to a top 10 program in my field (American politics) - but my offer letter made it clear that it would be without any financial aid. And that I would be able to try to "fund my remaining four years" through competitive opportunities (TA/RA/etc).
I am probably going to decline, but what would you do in my situation?
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17 minutes ago, cgfren08 said:
How in the world would a top 10 program not offer funding?
I wish I knew, hahah.
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Hey y'all, checking in. Applied to MPP/MPAff/MPSS programs at Harvard Kennedy School, Michigan Ford School, Texas Johnson School, and A&M Bush School. Best of luck to everyone in the next few weeks!
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3 minutes ago, Determinedandnervous said:
Got a rejection too. Congrats to those that make it in!
Same. Also found out my acceptance to UCLA won't include funding. Pretty sure I'm down and out for this PhD cycle, but hopefully some of my masters applications come through for me and come with some financial support.
Best of luck to everyone with the rest of the cycle!
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22 minutes ago, s1994 said:
Thanks for the information. Then I would say all offers are already out.
I suspect you're probably right. Congrats, @CarefreeWritingsontheWall!
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5 minutes ago, s1994 said:
I wonder if these admits receive offers at the same time or not
Hard to tell. I personally am hoping they're not, but I assume that most initial admission email are pretty formulaic, so they can be sent out all at once
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1 minute ago, VMcJ said:
Only a rejection from Northwestern in the website (no email so far).
But at least some NYU and Georgetown offers were issued and I received nothing. Now Princeton. And then only four are left, and they are CHYM.
I'd hold out some hope - there's still a month or two to go before everything's finalized. You never know what can happen.
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4 minutes ago, wpg205 said:
sending out acceptances piecemeal has to be literally the most painful and anxiety producing way to do it.
Not going to lie - if I were an adcom at a top 10 program, it's exactly what I'd be doing. There's a certain sadistic streak to admissions folk. Too much power for anyone to handle.
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2 minutes ago, VMcJ said:
Thanks, Josh Lyman. I really needed some Josh to my current Toby Ziegler.
Grad school makes me so sick I could vomit. #WestWingBestWing
Have you already heard back from other programs?
@Eobard Thawne, that makes sense. I'll problem be at the back of the pile if they go alphabetically. Probably also at the back of the pile if they go academically, if I'm being honest, hahah.
Narrowing the List
in Government Affairs Forum
Posted · Edited by DeputyDowner
No longer relevant - sorry!
Jk