Kartopery

Update:
After emailing Laura a few times, I got my fellowship award DOUBLED. Thank you so much for letting me know that was a possibility! Haha. My wallet owes you a lifedebt Ironheart.

Congratulations @ironheart and @Kartopery
I submitted January 5th for MDP. Haven't heard from SIPA. and its my first choice.
I am soooooo expectant. I pray to get accepted just like you 2
 

Absolutely go with the other program.
This is 4+ years of your life. You got accepted to these other programs, and your letter-writer should understand your desire to attend another school. If they don't, then honestly, I think it's fine to burn that bridge. Clearly that person doesn't have your best interests at heart if they are personally offended by you not accepting the offer to their program.
Do what you want. Life is too short to live it on other peoples' terms.

Absolutely go with the other program.
This is 4+ years of your life. You got accepted to these other programs, and your letter-writer should understand your desire to attend another school. If they don't, then honestly, I think it's fine to burn that bridge. Clearly that person doesn't have your best interests at heart if they are personally offended by you not accepting the offer to their program.
Do what you want. Life is too short to live it on other peoples' terms.

Columbia's one of my top schools @ironheart so I would strongly consider going if I'm accepted. Who knows, we might see each other in a class! I'm also international from Asia

Congratulations! Guess we'll be seeing each other at orientation?
What program did you apply to in UPenn?

Update:
Very excited to let you guys know that I just heard from the assistant director today that I was also accepted to the MPA ESP program! 
Waiting to hear back regarding fellowships, but I'm definitely leaning Columbia over UPenn. 
Glad to join you happy people!

Do you think that being a doctor in something is going to make waiting tables more enjoyable?

The anticipation while waiting for letters is killing me!! I was originally told October 1st, but one university got behind with decisions and promised it would be this week. Ahhhhh.
Any suggestions for easing the anticipation besides just trying to ignore it? Ahhhh!!

Help. 
I am working on an academic Master's at a hippie dippie seminary. My classmates are largely incompetent (save one or two who seem to have managed to get their heads out of their own asses long enough to come up for air). My thesis, which is in philosophical theology, is 4 weeks behind schedule- and I can't even talk about it with colleagues because it isn't about some touchy feely shyite.
I'm applying to PhD programs and F$#%*ING nervous about it because my application is... acceptable (but only just). 
My boyfriend is 5 hours away, in his Residency and I barely get to see him.
If I don't get into one of my top 2 programs (which are only an hour from where he lives), it might mean the end of my relationship since most of the other programs are so far away. 
And my dog just destroyed my last pair of clean underwear, and the washer is broken. 
And I have a cold.
Someone please bring me bourbon. And a hug. And tell me it's going to be okay. 

Gah - 
I just paid to report GRE and TOEFL to four out of 8 schools I'm applying to. 
That's 165 dollars that I'll never see again. 
Between taking the GRE 3 times (one time, I paid extra to reschedule) and the TOEFL once, I've already spent over 1,000 dollars in test taking and related fees - and I haven't even started paying for the applications themselves  and still need to order some more transcripts...
I know a lot of people that applied to over 15 schools and spent over 2 grand on applying .. GAH
 
Sorry - just had to vent GAH GAH

Thanks. I needed that.  Also I really really don't  ever want to do algebra again.

Absolutely go with the other program.
This is 4+ years of your life. You got accepted to these other programs, and your letter-writer should understand your desire to attend another school. If they don't, then honestly, I think it's fine to burn that bridge. Clearly that person doesn't have your best interests at heart if they are personally offended by you not accepting the offer to their program.
Do what you want. Life is too short to live it on other peoples' terms.

Was your Quant score better on your first exam? Some programs allow you to submit both tests, and then they take the best score for every section.
Your 162 Verbal score is great! I would say if your finances prevent you from taking it again, stick with sending both tests, (or just this one if this is an improvement for Q). GRE is just part of the whole application package, and a program like geography, though it involves math, is certainly not as math intensive as some others. Buck up, be confident, and let that confidence come through in the rest of your app.
 

Congrats ironheart! Must be great to know you're in so early. I submitted the rest of my applications today so now the long wait begins!

I know it's a little early and some are still finishing up their applications, but I just wanted to start this thread since I received my decision from SIPA yesterday for early action. In for their MPA-ESP program.
Good luck to everyone!