harvey1105

Program Applied To: MPA/MPP Schools Applied To: Columbia SIPA, HKS, Princeton WWS, Berkeley, LSE, NYU Schools Admitted To: SIPA, HKS, Berkeley, LSE, NYU Schools Rejected From: Princeton Still Waiting: Undergraduate institution: Top 50 public state school Undergraduate GPA: 3.49 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: Mechanical Engineering GRE Quantitative Score: 164 GRE Verbal Score: 161 GRE AW Score: 5.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): Will be 5 years by this fall Years of Work Experience: 5 years by this fall Describe Relevant Work Experience: Two large consulting firms, both management consulting and technology consulting. Focus in public sector clientele. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think my SOPs were earnest, touching upon some of my personal reasons for pursuing this degree and change in career. Also, I worked in my work experience with almost all of my essays - as a private sector consultant, I've gained a certain perspective on how things work in the public realm. My intended focus in grad school will be on domestic government affairs. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I managed to get recommendations from folks who were important in my career and also widely spread throughout my professional life. I obtained one from a former client at an international multilateral, one from a manager on a state government project, and one from a partner at my old firm who is an HBS alum. Other: 0

The tuition costs between Columbia and Harvard are about the same, $54k vs. $51k per year respectively, and both are two-year programs. While cost of living is a factor, Cambridge vs. NYC isn't a huge gap, plus I will be attending with the support of my significant other (aka no rent) wherever I go. My biggest worry is about not getting any funding from Harvard. I'm debating if I should contact them before or after the decisions come out, because I'm afraid if I do it afterwards, the funding is already appropriated.

WWJD? I got into HKS which is my absolute dream school (literally cried for joy when the email happened) for their MPP program and now I've got the tough decision of weighing with my second choice, Columbia SIPA, where I've received a generous $80,000 scholarship over two years. I would be happy and successful at either school, BUT I feel more connected to the mission, student body, and culture at HKS. Plus there is that extra boost of prestige that I don't have (as a public state school undergrad). Financial aid decisions aren't released from HKS until April, but I am finding myself having nightmares of the horror on not getting any funding. What would YOU do?

I found out that I have been accepted to HKS for their MPP program. I'm completely ecstatic - Harvard is my dream school and I want to go there so badly. I am 99% certain that I will go there regardless of the financial decision that comes out in April. HOWEVER - I was offered an incredible fellowship of $80,000 over two years to attend Columbia SIPA, which is my second choice, and I just cannot imagine the pain I will feel turning that sum of money down. I feel that both schools offer amazing opportunities, and both programs are relatively on par with each other in this respect. But I feel much more drawn to Harvard's mission, student body, and culture over Columbia's. And Harvard's funding won't be released until the first week of April so I'm in the dark for now. I would like to know if there is any advisable way for me to tactfully inform HKS of my situation and this competing offer. Should I call the financial aid office now, before decisions are released, so they can put it into consideration? Or should I wait until the numbers are out, and then see how I did, and then call and ask for more if necessary? Any advice appreciated!!