goforthegold

Really? That's upsetting.

ParisDreams, I am! Shoot me a message. I'm waiting to hear back about the start of the online orientation right now and am on the same page as you. Wouldn't mind getting to know a fellow LBJer!

Sure! I quite like the idea of tempered radicalism as well: http://www.radicallearners.com/temperedradicals/

Personally I too am tired of the word. I much prefer the word citizenship and all it entails: being a citizen, leading as one, serving your fellow citizen, etc. There's been a good bit of criticism about the neoliberal model of "leadership" we see and read so much about these days, particularly by people like William Deresiewicz. Look into it if you're interested.

I applied to three very similar ones housed in large public universities in areas that had generally warm and favorable climates (this was important to me): UT LBJ, UW Evans, U Georgia.

Maude007, I'm actually in the exact same boat as you are. I got into the LBJ School and Evans. At LBJ, I have both a full tuition Fellowship and in state tuition, whereas at Evans I have nothing in the way of scholarships and would pay out of state tuition (through my nose). For me, it was a no brainer: I am going with LBJ. My general thinking was this: Both are great cities and great, similarly ranked schools and programs. Being a Texas native, I like Austin and know the city well already, and I know UT very well. I've visited LBJ many times and am very familiar with the program and was won over with the extensive personal touch and support I've received so far and how small and close knit the school is (somehow I did not get the same sense from Evans -- the program seemed a bit distant and cold to me in terms of its correspondence and the way it arrayed itself). LBJ also has some great faculty I've read about over the years whom I'm very keen on learning from and potentially working with. And the money and instate tuition just sealed the deal for me -- though I should mention that I was never able to personally visit UW or Seattle. A word on the cost of living: Austin is expensive. I've personally had trouble finding housing there, both in terms of availability in close proximity to campus and in terms of my budget and needs. That said, I'm sure Seattle is worse. But don't come down to Austin expecting it to be dirt cheap -- it's not. Anyway, if you have any questions or thoughts, shoot me a message! I've done my fair share of research on both schools, but know much more about LBJ, naturally.

There is not, to the best of my knowledge. However, based on what I have heard you will be hearing from LBJ with contact information and such of your incoming peers around May should you accept your offer of admission.

You may also want to consider moving to the state with your preferred state university and establishing residency there (if the timeline works for you). All things considered, it may be worth it.

Do consider your state university. In-state tuition can sometimes be the next best thing after a fully funded program elsewhere.

Update: I did receive an instate tuition waiver for the first year that could be renewed for the second. But it was just too little, too late, and I had soured on Georgia. I went with my actual instate university, which also gave me a fellowship.

Accepted my offer to UT MPA (not DC) program, with fellowship, over the weekend. I couldn't be more excited!

The last email I received from UGeorgia stated that not all Assistantships have yet been released; some are yet to be awarded. That said, I did not get one, and I doubt I will at this point, since most do seem to have been awarded. The program has also been very, very bad about returning my emails on this matter as well as others. Without funding, I will not be attending and have chosen another program for the Fall. It's a great program, but you're right; it's just not worth it without funding, which at this point may not be coming for either of us.

No, don't worry about it. Coming from a personal account and the admissions director, it can seem that way, but I see it as just another formal acceptance offer (albeit from LBJ!) from the school itself, not a personal one from admissions director. Though if you do have any questions, your reply will right go through and the account is manned, so it won't bounce. It's a nice touch, come to think of it. Makes the letter more personal and the school more inviting and welcoming. Or is it just me?

LBJ sure does! Send the admissions director (the person who sent you the offer of admission email, Stacy) an email requesting further information, and she'll get back to you with all the details.

Amy, Well, this is certainly strange. Unlike you, I have received multiple emails. But like you, I too see an "Applicant Accepted Offer" message on the GradStatus page, even though I have done no such thing. Try going through your Spam folder and also looking carefully through your email inbox. I have gotten three emails from UGeorgia to date: one with the conditional offer, and two with admission details (the latter to clarify an earlier misstatement). And definitely send an email to PADP to clarify exactly where you stand -- though I've had terrible luck with getting any response at all from them. The program is probably swamped, I know, but it can be a bit frustrating. Good luck, and be sure to update this thread with your plans and thoughts on the program if you decide to pursue it further!

Bumping this. I just got an email welcoming me to the class of 2016!

Any prospective or current student offered no funding at all and is out of state? What are your thoughts on going to Evans in that case? Is it worth it, or not? How have you, or plan to, help pay for what comes out to around 100K total over two years?

Just got an email confirming that I have been accepted to U Georgia's MPA program! Anyone else here get the word, too? There was nothing in the email about funding or scholarships. Does anyone know if that will come separately or at a later time? What are your thoughts on the program, Athens, and U Georgia? And who are you: what do you hope to specialize in, what past experience do you have in public policy, etc.? Post away!

In addition to this, I would suggest taking relevant courses in public policy if you can through an online program, perhaps. Statistics, calculus, economics, etc. As for the application, consider including it in your SoP. I have seen successful SoPs that incorporate life experiences such as this to help make a point about how you are more concerned and motivated to better the world in some sense, and also how you have become more resilient and mature. It can be worked into your narrative, in other words, if done carefully and with humility. Your Letter of Recommendations can also help to make up for this: pick people who know you and your circumstances well and can vouch for your success moving forward. Good luck!

I've never heard someone say they dislike Seattle! May I ask why? Also, does anyone know if in-state tuition waivers are awarded separately? Or is it just the case that whatever the admission offer said is all they are offering -- which in my case would be nothing? Also about on-campus jobs and such: are they easy to come by?

Thanks for the heads up -- just checked out the page. To those who were accepted: Was there a fellowship offer included in your acceptance email? What were your stats and qualifications?

Anyone heard back from U Washington Evans School? I applied for the MPA and just found out I was accepted! Though I've yet to hear anything about fellowships or scholarships. Fingers crossed. I'd love to hear about who my future classmates are, what they did in the past and hope to do in the future, and your thoughts on U Washington and Seattle. Post away!