BoSoxFanatic245

Yes, but I haven't spend any time thinking about it since I just committed. All I know is I want to live in Arlington to cut down on costs. PM me with your e-mail address and we'll talk.

I just called GW to let them know that I will be attending. In the end, I decided that the advantages that Maxwell has over GW in reputation, ranking, etc. will be entirely (or almost) eliminated due to several factors: 1) financial package from GW 2) location in DC 3) 2-year program will allow me to intern during summer between first and second year and during second year, which will give me a leg up when looking for a job

The most important thing is that I really prefer the Maxwell program. But taking out $47,000 in loans is not easy. Do any current students or prospective students know about internship or job opportunities, research positions, etc. that students do at Maxwell to earn money as a student?

I'm deciding between GW with 80% of tuition funded plus a $16,000 stipend for 20/hours of work per week during the first year and Maxwell at Syracuse (with no funding). I just visited Maxwell and really liked the program and I wasn't wild about GW but is the deal too good to turn down? Is Maxwell's reputation really so much better than GW's? Any insight would be greatly appreciated! Here's what I'm thinking about the two programs. Pros of GW: -financial package! -location in DC -opportunities to intern before work experience -2-year program will most likely be less intense each year compared to 12 months straight through at Maxwell Pros of Maxwell: -reputation -interested in the Social Policy concentration -can finish program in 12 months -alumni network in DC -close knit group of students -cheap city Does anyone have an idea of living costs for a year in DC? Maxwell estimated that it would be about $15,000 in Syracuse so does $20,000 for DC seem right?

Here's my update Will most likely be attending Syracuse Maxwell School for the MPA program next year.

Seems like there's a lot of IR people on this forum planning on going to Maxwell. Any information on a more domestic-based track, particularly the Social Policy concentration?

Out of curiosity, what are the 2 other programs you're considering?

Hey everyone, I'm wondering if you can provide me with some thoughts on the Syracuse Maxwell School MPA program. I just received an e-mail from them saying I was admitted. I know that it's been rated as the best public affairs program in the nation by U.S. News since they started doing ratings, but any other knowledge of it would be helpful. It's a one-year program (July to July) instead of the traditional 2-year masters program, right? I'm particularly interested in domestic policy matters. Would the school fit in with my interests? Thanks for your help.

I was admitted to the MPA program way way back (mid-November) and just received my financial package (half tuition plus $3k stipend) about a week ago via e-mail.

GW's process is pretty ridiculous. I've already been admitted, so at least I have that stress out of the way. But I was told I got in 6 WEEKS ago and still have yet to receive my financial package! I'd like to go there, but until I receive the financial information I won't know if I'll be able to afford it.

I don't know anything about the master's program, but I studied abroad in Paris for a full year last year and took half my classes at Sciences Po. The student body is very driven and hard-working. The classes are definitely difficult and there's a big emphasis placed on the exposé to teach students to become good public speakers. I'm assuming you're fluent in French? You definitely need to be.

Haha I'll keep that in mind.

I'm pretty sure I remember when I met with someone from admissions last summer they told me that students are free to change from the MPA to the MPP program or vice versa. I'm not sure if you can do it immediately after you enroll, or if you have to wait a semester or something, but I'm almost positive it can be done. I would recommend calling the school and asking the question. It's not like they can rescind your offer now anyway. If you're nervous, just don't give your name and say that you're just a curious student.

I have a friend who graduated from WWS last year and she told me that she was the only student to be admitted straight out of undergrad who wasn't a WWS Pickering Fellow. Seems to me that unless you are entering the foreign service, you don't have much of a shot getting in without working experience (bad news for people like me!)

Still haven't heard anything back from UNC. I was told to expect something the first week of March, but nothing yet.

I'm also curious about Maryland's reputation, particularly for domestic policy. I was just awarded a huge financial package that will be hard to turn down from them, so I'm very interested to see what the school is like. Anyone else going to the open house on March 25?

I'm still waiting to hear back from some schools, but I have a feeling that my choice will be between the American and GW MPA programs. Any thoughts on the two? From what I've read it seems like GW's program is more highly regarded, but the two are tied in public affairs ratings according to US News and World Report. I've also read that American's program is more quantitative based (which I'm trying to steer away from). Any insight people could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Also rejected. Congrats to all who got in!

I'm guessing today (Monday) will be the big day for decisions from GSPP for us east coasters. Good luck all!

Does anyone know if GSPP favors CA residents over non-residents? It seems like that's the case.

Program Applied To: MPA, MPP Schools Applied To: American (MPA), George Washington (MPA), Harvard (MPP), Syracuse (MPA), Princeton (MPA), UNC (MPA), UCal-Berkeley (MPP), Maryland (MPP) Schools Admitted To: American, George Washington, Maryland Schools Rejected From: none... yet Still Waiting: Harvard, Syracuse, Princeton, UNC, UCal-Berkeley Undergraduate institution: Brandeis Undergraduate GPA: 3.79 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: Politics, French and Francophone Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 770 GRE Verbal Score: 670 GRE AW Score: 5.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): none Years of Work Experience: N/A Describe Relevant Work Experience: none out of undergrad, but 2 summer internships with my congressman in his district office and 1 summer internship with a thinktank in D.C. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I don't think my SOP was either outstanding or terrible. I was honest and wrote about my desire to hold elected office someday and my ability to accomplish what I've done so far with no real help through connections. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): 1 from a professor who is my senior thesis advisor and 1 from my internship director in D.C. (I didn't read either of these because they were submitted online but I'm sure they're well-written). A third LOR from the district director of the congressman's office where I interned. I think it was well-written and accurate. Other: I studied abroad for a full year in Paris and took classes at Sciences Po, a prestigious political university. I also co-founded Brandeis Students for Barack Obama on campus.

I think that's a little overly optimistic, especially for someone like me who is applying directly out of undergrad. I'm going to go with the "I'm not getting in" mindset for the top schools until I hear otherwise. It'll help me stay sane.

Phew. That makes me feel at least somewhat better.

I'm another east coaster waiting to hear from GSPP. Crossing my fingers for some notification tomorrow. I was reading somewhere on the admissions site that the school gets something like 900 applicants for 80 spots. Is that true? The mere mortals like me surely have no shot, then.

I'm waiting to hear back from Syracuse (MPA), UCal Berkeley (MPP), Harvard (MPP), Princeton (MPA), and UNC (MPA). According to their admissions websites I should hear back from Syracuse, Berkeley, and UNC in early March. Still no word from any of them. Should I be worried or just continue to wait it out? Has anyone heard back from any of these schools yet?