Windmills
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Posts posted by Windmills
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Have UT Jackson School masters applicants already heard back about funding/merit aid?
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I got full tuition coverage (I'm a non-resident) through the HHH Scholarship as well and a Graduate Assistantship which includes 47% off health insurance. It sounds like the GRA is my primary source of funding then the HHH scholarship covers the rest of tuition that the GRA doesn't—as opposed to the HHH first covering all of tuition then getting extra money from the GRA.
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3 hours ago, lbruneetoile said:
Wtf. That's not a good look for potential students who need to make decisions ASAP.
3 hours ago, CakeTea said:I am in the same boat. Humphrey has an odd decision process: application action, long wait, admission, long wait for funding. this is rather odd given that Humphrey isn't a large programme and still takes its time to make funding decision. One would expect a smoother process.
I just got my merit based aid email. I imagine you guys should too, if you haven't already.
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32 minutes ago, lbruneetoile said:
Has anyone heard from Minnesota Humphrey re: funding? They said the deadline was the 15th so hopefully that comes today or tomorrow, but my decision pretty much hinges on what (if any) aid I receive from them. Argh, I thought after getting admitted I wouldn't have to wait anymore!
Nope. I talked to a professor in the school last week who said they would try to make decisions soon but didn't know if they would also send out funding letters the same day or until later. Either way, they're also on spring break this week so I imagine they won't be sent out until next week at the earliest.
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2 hours ago, aslabchu said:
When did you initially apply? Jan. 15?
Actually by Feb. 1st. I think I submitted my IUB app a week or so before that date.
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Received funding information from SPEA MPA-MSES: Tuition Remission and Service Corps Fellow.
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I was just doing my daily status check online and saw that I had gotten in to a safety school at the end of January...
I work from home and one day a few weeks later I got a push notification on my phone and saw an email with the subject line "Admission Decision: Con..." when it cut off. I scrambled to my email and saw that the rest of it read, as it looked, "Congratulations!" I was pretty pumped since this is a highly ranked program and the better version of the safety that I had been accepted to earlier.
Afterwards, I was curious and checked the status page for my top choice school and saw that after months of nothing (it was my earliest deadline too), my status had changed to "Accepted" and the page had a new set of "Congratulations!" and accepted information. This particular program isn't all that popular or selective, but it's at a good, nationally recognized school that I didn't think I'd be able to get into—especially coming from a small, no-name undergrad. I never cry from happiness, but I certainly did then. I went and hugged my dog and told her the good news. Then I composed myself and texted my sister who was at work but immediately called me back to confirm; I couldn't contain myself during the conversation. She seemed just as surprised as I was. I definitely didn't get any more work done that day.
The next day, I was back to work when I got another email on my phone. It was an acceptance to another top program at an even higher ranked school that I thought would be even harder to get into. I was all cried out from the day before, but I think I was more shocked than anything anyway.
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Indiana University Bloomington's SPEA (for MPA-MSES) also reimburses up to $300. But you have to apply for it (simply send them your resume and transcript).
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3 hours ago, GeoMex said:
I did, this and last application season. For geological sciences at least, I remember something along the lines where it says you need to contact an adviser before applying, otherwise it might be difficult. For EER I don't know, but at first I was in contact with them and they were very nice and didn't mention anything of mentors.
Thanks for the reply.
I just spoke with a faculty member and they said theses for EER are not defended. It also sounds like thesis supervisors play a very light role throughout the process. Though I'm surprised the thesis requirements are different for Geological Sciences and EER MS students.
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I don't know much about the standalone MSES, but I remember reading a post here somewhere along the lines of SPEA getting most of its reputation from MPA (at least at the masters level). And there are these posts from the Environmental Studies 2011 thread:
On July 13, 2011 at 10:51 AM, surprisecake said:Indiana couldn't even fill their MSES incoming class this year! I don't know what the hell happened there.
On July 13, 2011 at 11:44 AM, cunninlynguist said:That's crazy, and a little sad, about Indiana, but it makes some sense. Their MPA program is reputable, as is the MPA/MSES. Qualified applicants who want a sufficient emphasis in science should just opt for the MPA/MSES. And apparently they have! Regardless, that's a bit worrisome - I've considered dropping them from my list anyway.
Granted those posts were a while ago and things may have changed on the MSES front.
I'm not sure the process, but I wouldn't add an MPA unless you're actually interested in going into the policy/public affairs side of ecology and wildlife conservation. I'm sure the MSES is a strong program, but if you're also interested in ranking and reputation then I imagine there are other programs that are known specifically for ecology and wildlife conservation.
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@zerozircon Interesting. Did Geology applicants have to contact/secure an advisor with similar research themes before applying? Since it wasn't required for EER, I wasn't planning on contacting faculty unless I'm certain I'm going to UT.
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Going by US News rankings UW-Madison might technically be higher than UT, but as Ax8 said the difference isn't large. For MPAff, UW is #12 with a score of 3.8 (whatever that means) and UT is #16 with a score of 3.7. If you're leaning towards Public Policy/Analysis specifically, UW is #10 and UT is #11.
It's hard to say "no" to a full-ride, but if you truly want to end up in Austin then I think it's a no brainer to go to UT. The only thing is you said "ten years from now." Do you want to get experience or live elsewhere for a number of years first, and then settle down in Austin? Unless you are absolutely set on ending up in Austin, you might want to consider the possibility that you'll change your mind and want to work or live in DC, NYC, etc. instead. In which case I would also consider the national appeal of UW/La Follette and UT/LBJ. I don't know enough about either to comment on that, but I am curious how marketable UT/LBJ is to federal agencies and DC in general compared to a local university like Georgetown or "better" MPAff programs.
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Does anyone know how the thesis is structured at UT? I'm not sure if a masters in geology has a similar curriculum as energy and earth resources, but EER has 30 credits with 6 for the thesis. I guess you don't join a lab and do original research since you don't get a thesis supervisor until the second semester. Also I don't know if all theses are always defended, but the EER curriculum page just says you complete the thesis in the last semester. Does that mean you just write it and submit it?
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For a career in energy policy analysis, I think Indiana and UT (if I switch to the dual degree with MPAff and EER) would be my best bets. Although I'm not sure how an MEM with a focus in policy looks compared to a dual degree in public affairs science/energy. And I still feel like Bren is more effective at helping graduates get jobs.
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There's a decent amount of discussion about Bren and SPEA on this board, but the EER program isn't as popular so I'm hoping anyone who knows anything about it can comment. I'm interested in renewable energy and energy policy, particularly I want to support and implement wind, solar, or smaller-scale clean programs. I have a background in science and research but recently switched fields so I don't have any applicable undergraduate coursework or professional training in energy or policy, so I will greatly value each program's course offerings. My primary goal is to get a job afterwards, ideally in (federal) government or maybe the private sector, so employment prospects and professional training will be one of (if not) the most important factors, alongside cost.
UT — The program only requires 30 credits, 6 of which are for the thesis. I can choose the "Policy and Law" module, but I worry that 24 credits/8 classes really isn't that much graduate coursework and learning, especially since I've got some catching up to do. Their course descriptions are also pretty vague so while they have classes like "Energy Technology and Policy," "Energy Law," and an "Energy Symposium," I wonder how much renewable energy (more along the lines of wind and solar than geothermal) opportunities they have since the Jackson School specializes in oil and gas and geology. Also while there are a few faculty members with research similar to my interests, I feel like a thesis would be the least beneficial use of my time compared to other graduation requirements like a capstone project since I will not be continuing in academia. Generally, I worry that this program might be too research-focused for my career-oriented goals. That might be offset though if the course load is relatively light and there are relevant work or intern opportunities in Austin during the school year. No word on funding yet, but so far it is the cheapest ($36k/year). Also, name recognition among employers in energy will be a huge plus (I'm interested in renewables, but if an opportunity arises in O&G... just saying). Austin is my personal top location pick.
UCSB — Their program overall seems the best fit in terms of coursework and professional opportunities and training/career services/networking/etc. I've never had the quarter system so I don't know how I'll like it. Their course load seems a lot busier, so I don't imagine I'd be able to work or intern during the school year (I know it's basically required to intern during the summer though). They seem to heavily stress group work and collaboration. I'm not sure if they're just referring to the master's group project/Eco or if they mean practically every class, but I tend to prefer solo work. I didn't get any funding, which makes its ~$50k price tag tied with IUB for the most expensive.
IUB — It would seem their program is on par with Bren's (but perhaps with more of an emphasis on policy than science): similar course offerings and a group capstone project at the end. Though I imagine their career services and job placement isn't as strong as Bren's. It's a 2.5 year program so two summers' worth of potential internships is nice, but getting out and getting a full-time job is even nicer. I haven't head back yet about funding. If I don't get any, by the end of 2.5 years both IUB and UCSB will be a bit north of $100k. Overall IUB isn't as well known as UT or UCSB, but SPEA is highly ranked and it seems like a lot of people are very impressed when they visit.
I plan on visiting each school and should hear back about funding around March/April, so both will have a big influence on my decision.
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On February 11, 2016 at 8:12 AM, zerozircon said:
@ScrewLeucite UT Austin got 750 applications this year, which is higher than normal. When I talked with my potential adviser, he said that there are a higher number of applications this year because of issues with oil.
Yep, the Jackson School got 667 applications for 2015 (583 for Geology; 84 for Energy and Earth Resources). Acceptance rates were 15% for Geology and 49% for EER.
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I'm in the same boat. One program I was accepted to supposedly hasn't made funding decisions yet and implied I could reach out to faculty to ask about RAs. Though I also wonder whether it is possible to actually secure or hold a spot for an RA or TA position before even committing to a program.
2016 Applicant Profiles and Admissions Results
in Earth Sciences Forum
Posted · Edited by Windmills
@zerozircon I probably should have specified that I am in EER rather than Geology. I just said JSG because I do not think there are really any other EER applicants on this board. There was no mention of aid in my initial letter and I talked to the program contact at the end of February who insisted that decisions on awards had not been made yet but should be by Friday, March 11 (they are on Spring Break this week). I thought I would hear back today since it is March 15, unless I did not get any.