Stan E.

Runnincircles: If you were awarded financial assistance in the form of a fellowship you may want to reconsider your decision to pursue a GSI/GSR/reader position. Based on the information below, you'd only be allowed to work a 25% role as a fellowship recipient. Since the majority of 25% appointments are readers and some GSRs, you'll likely be paid an hourly wage which is substantially less than a salaried GSI role, like Rashi discusses above. The primary benefit of being a GSI/GSR/reader is tuition remission, and with your fellowship, your total compensation would be substantially less. As an alternative, you may want to seek out other opportunities, like work study or an off campus internship, to supplement your fellowship. From: http://grad.berkeley.edu/financial/deadlines.shtml Fellowships for Entering Students (for the 2009-2010 admissions cycle) To become eligible for university funding, U.S. citizens and permanent residents must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 2, 2009* deadline. Follow the instructions in “How to Apply for Student Loans and Other Federal Student Aid” on the Financial Aid page. In addition to the FAFSA, you must complete the appropriate fellowship sections for domestic (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or international applicants of the Graduate Application for Admission and Fellowships to be considered for University Graduate Fellowships, Departmental Block Grant Fellowships, and Diversity Fellowships. Fellowship recipients may supplement some fellowships with a teaching or research appointment at no more than 25 percent time per semester. Contact your department about available assistantships (see Teaching & Research Opportunities).

I hope everyone is happily enrolled at a great program. For those of you who will head west to the Goldman School at UC Berkeley, please join our class group on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=119289384754142&ref=mf

From the Associate Director, Martha Chavez at GSPP: In terms of salary information, at this time, I have general information because not all students report their salary information. Over the last few years, public and non-profit salaries range between $50,000 to $80,000 (with private sector salaries being higher and there are definitely people who do make more). Candidly, it will depend on many factors (i.e., your own experience, academic background, skillset, location of the organization, how well you negotiate your potential salary, etc.) In terms of student loan debt, in 2007, I conducted a survey of students (50% response rate ~ half the class (about 40 students) since the survey was optional), and found that their average loan debt was about $25,000. However, it is really going to vary by student. There are ways to minimize your educational and housing costs. For example, there are numerous living options right around the Berkeley campus, which are much more affordable then let's say if you live in the City of San Francisco. Also, most students minimize their loans by taking on the GSI, Reader, Tutor or Researcher positions. Finally, if you are an out-of-state student, you can apply for California Residency, which will decrease your tuition costs significantly in the 2nd year of the MPP. Also of interest: The Fall 2010 course schedule is available for viewing now and can be found at http://gspp.berkeley.edu/courses/docs/Fall%202010%20Courses.pdf -- You'll want to look at the graduate electives starting on page 3 and following that list are the core classes. The schedule is always subject to change, but for the most part, the core classes and electives class dates/times are listed there. In terms of syllabi, we have some of last year's course syllabi. The faculty submit new and revised versions closer to the start of the school year. If you want to see specific syllabi, please let me know what courses you are interested in, and I can check if we have them available for prior years. Who's enrolling at GSPP for certain and who is going to be at the open house? - Stanley

Hey there-- the event starts at 6:00 PM at UC's Washington Center: 1608 Rhode Island Ave, N.W. Enjoy. -S

I only considered two programs, was accepted to both, and will be going to UCB in the fall. All cheerleading aside, some thoughts: Academic prestige Whereas GSPP may not be the top ranked MPP program, all but one of their graduate degrees ranks in the top 10, based on US News Rankings. Any elective course you take will be in another top-ranked program with great faculty. I think we (especially these forums) pray too much to the rankings. It's what you make of it. Don't make a decision on rankings alone. Policy work beyond theory You will work on at least three very real policy projects: 1: as a group in the second-semester intro to policy course; 2: as a paid summer intern; 3: in your advanced policy analysis. Many internships turn into APAs for actual clients and are similarly compensated. Second year students often take on other commitments such as GSI work or internships. A good deal GSPP is a bargain compared to its private equivalents. Also, graduate student instructors are unionized at UC and any reader/tutor/instructor positions at or above 25% (10 hrs/wk) include some fee remission and wage/salary. Networks GSPP does have a large network in DC, but its reputation is probably strongest in California. The career counseling office hosts a spring networking trip to DC for students. I have an inquiry in for stats on graduating student salaries and average student loan debt. I'll share it with the board when I get a response. Come to study, stay to work Berkeley and San Francisco (FYI: don't call it San Fran, locals like SF or simply, "the city") are great places to live and study especially if you are a liberal. I've lived in the Bay Area for the last three years after finishing my undergrad on the East Coast. California might be saddled with problems, but this place has stuck its barbs in me, and because of it I have no plans to head home anytime soon. The weather here approximates a Mediterranean climate, ahoy the culinary cornucopia, and, again if you are liberal, lots of like-minded people. Let us know when you make up your mind.... and I may see you on the April 7 open house. Cheers!

I'll be there, too! It's just a short trip across the Bay for me. Hope you will have a chance to take in both Berkeley and SF. ^-^

California is broke... I'm sure the state budget crisis is a factor.

Hey great news-- we should connect sometime: stanley.ellicott@gmail.com Probably will see you at the April 7 open house. -S Best wishes to everyone.

I received a postal notification. In fact, I haven't seen the letter. I instructed my boyfriend to phone with news if I received anything but a single sheet of paper in an envelope. EG: If admitted, is this your first choice?

Yes! Received my letter of my admission just a short while ago. My first choice!

Très excitant! Did you hear this from the admissions department, Coakley? I am still waiting on funding information from UMass Amherst....

That sounds like a tough call. I followed my boyfriend to San Francisco for graduate school, and now that I've settled here I can't bare to leave. Congratulations on the admit. Fingers crossed that notices go out sooner than later-- this is my final decision.

Oh whoa, I never took the time to read the date stamp. You're right-- someone is either extremely confident, or made an error in reporting their admission. I am becoming very anxious for this letter.

Noticed one result pop up today (U)... wondering if notifications are going out.