washndry

I'm interested to know how this turned out for you, as I'm interested in much the same topics as the OP, and GW has just offered me (very very late in the game) what amounts to full tuition coverage. In my situation however, I've already given the nod to Syracuse (which gave me next to no $$) so I'm not even sure whether it would be proper or allowed to switch my answer, if I did decide to go with this new offer. To think I had all of this settled already....

Thanks for the reply. I discounted Albany despite the funding, as I don't think it has the connections or depth to help me towards where I want to go. After working out the costs for the two remaining programs, I would have to take on about the same amount of debt (~60k) to attend either school. If I were to look for the dual degree option at Syracuse, I can multiply that figure by about 1.5. This is all very scary to me. That aside, Syracuse seems to be more supportive as an institution than GW, just from my dealings. Additionally, upon further reflection, while the MA-ISTP offered at GW is very exciting as it is spot on what I'm interested in, I feel like that level of specialization at this point could be counterproductive, and the broader "tools" based approach of Syracuse might give me more options down the road. The dual degree option would also help me should I decide to go on to further education. So right now, I'm pretty sure it's Syracuse, hope to get into the MA Econ, and spend the time before July on finding some sort of financial solution. So am I crazy to do this?

Excellent, thank you!

I'd be more than happy to be corrected about this, but the only thing I found aside from the standard student medical fee I mentioned was a plan for staff and students employed by the university. If it is something that should be expected, I think I'll try to contact them on Monday.

Right now I'm looking at two schools, George Washington and Syracuse. One thing I've noticed while going through a comparison is that while GW offers students health insurance at a very good rate (about 1700/yr) Syracuse does not offer students health insurance at all. There's a nominal health services fee, which covers use of the on-campus facilities, but for someone that requires regular prescriptions and likely specialist visits, this isn't sufficient, not even counting a real emergency requiring a hospital. Problem is, health insurance for an individual is absurdly expensive in NY, and would cost me about 1600 a month. Anyone have any ideas about covering health costs while in school, or perhaps someone knows how the new health care legislation might be helpful here? Depressing as it seems, with little/no income, can I apply for Medicaid (this seems wrong to me on some level)? Do I just need to hope I can find a part time job that give health benefits? As for my current situation, I'm covered by COBRA from my previous employer, but it runs out very soon.

I was fortunate in that I was accepted to all the programs I applied to, however only 4 of them offered any sort of funding, so they are the ones I am now giving consideration. RIT gave me a full tuition assitantship, but I don't see anything they do that I couldn't also get out of Albany, so I'm only considering the latter. Just as background, I have a BA in History and Science, worked in IT consulting for 6 years, and now want to work in (federal) government/NGOs/public-private on science and technology policy, policy analysis, and as much econ as I can reasonably pick up (my undergrad was light in this, I've taken a la carte courses to help). In the back of my head I'm mulling a PhD (Econ is my thought), but I don't think that's something I'm going to dive into at this time. That said, here are the pros and cons I've been able to list for each: Syracuse Maxwell (MPA) Pros: Excellent reputation/#1 ranking 1 year program, so lower opportunity costs, and cheaper has the option of a concurrent Econ MA (which I'm very interested in, I just haven't heard back from the director on details) on visit day, both professors and current students seemed very enthusiastic, friendly, and approachable Syracuse has relatively cheap cost of living Alumni network one of (if not the) best around Cons: 1 year program, so intense and no room for a job/summer internship in Syracuse, which has crappy weather but is also not near any major hubs of activity generalist MPA, though this could also be a good thing depending on how you look at it worst financial offer of the 3, 5k for the entire program University at Albany (MPA) Pros: Grad Assistanship with full tuition + stipend for the first year, 2nd year program requires students to get an internship outside very cheap overall to live, I'd be graduating with essentially no debt I visited them first, and was actually surprised how much I liked the professors, they really seemed like they were enjoying their jobs they have a specialization in technology policy, however it's focused more on government informatics and IT than on policy analysis very focused on placing students after school Cons: Doesn't have the overall reputation of the other schools has alumni connections, but very heavily focused on NYS/NYC, not sure how they are about Federal stuff (they mentioned they have good success with Presidential Management Fellowships) in Albany, crappy weather, though it's the state capital so better location wise than Syracuse was not hugely impressed with the other students I met GW Elliott (MA-Intl Science and Technology Policy) Pros: Offering half tuition merit aid, making it the middle option financially (cost of living may throw this off though) Good reputation alumni network seems strong, with lots of practitioners on faculty Program is very specialized towards what I want to do, though more internationally focused, the other programs seem more domestic based Study abroad option for a semester in DC, so right where a lot of the action is Cons: My experience with them is colored a bit, since I haven't been to official visit day (it's the 16th), though I did attend an informal info session + tour. That can only tell you so much, and also I get the impression the administration team is somewhat disorganized based on how they've handled the admission process. The focus of the degree could be a liability in the future if I decide to try a different area (at least that's my thinking) No idea on how econ/quant heavy I can make the curriculum, or if I can register for courses in other depts. DC is very expensive There are a lot of these threads floating around I know, but any thoughts are appreciated.

I'm considering it, but I'm baffled why they'd schedule their open house the day after the majority of schools require a final decision.

Program Applied To: MPA, MPP, MA (Intl Sci & Tech Policy), MS-STS (Science and Technology Studies) Schools Applied To: Virginia Tech (STS), RIT (STS), GW Elliott (MA-ISTP), American U. (MPA), SUNY Albany Rockefeller (MPA), U Mich Ford (MPP), IU SPEA (MPA), U Mass Amherst (MPA), Syracuse Maxwell (MPA) Schools Admitted To: All of the above Schools Rejected From: None Waitlisted: None Undergraduate institution: Top 10 University Undergraduate GPA: 3.2 Undergraduate Major: History and Physics GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 750 GRE AW Score: 6.0 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 5 Years of Work Experience: 5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Worked as an Business/IT consultant for a small firm, had a lot of Fortune 500 clients. Not public service, but I did get a lot of exposure to operational and management skills (and lots of frequent flyer miles.) Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think mine was good, but not the best thing I ever wrote. Then again, I don't think I'd apply that description to anything. I spend a good part of a few weeks on it, went through multiple drafts. Overall was pleased with it, but at the time thought it could have bee a little more specific. After talking to other admitted students though, it didn't sound like everyone had nailed down their interests as narrowly as I had been led to believe, and heck, my SOP worked, so must have done something right. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I can't say for sure since I waived my rights, however I got one from my undergrad thesis adviser (who was definitely pushing the idea of grad school to me, and we have a good relationship) and two from co-workers/managers at my previous firm, both of whom we worked together extensively and went through a lot together. I was a little concerned about not having 2 academic letters, but the other professor I had lined up fell through pretty late in the game, so my 3rd LOR writer drafted on short notice is a hero as far as I'm concerned. Other: as far as funding, Virginia Tech (RA-Full tuition), RIT (?), GW Elliott (half tuition), American U. (?), SUNY Albany Rockefeller (GA-full tuition), U Mich Ford (?), IU SPEA (?), U Mass Amherst (?), Syracuse Maxwell (5k/yr) Deciding Between: Honestly getting in to all these programs was way beyond my expectations. I'm visiting as many schools as I can before the 15th, so it's hard to pick between them until that's done. I will say though that Syracuse, GW, and Albany are all attractive since they give me money. American I visited and was impressed by the faculty and other admitted students as well. I think at this point I'm leaning away from the more research/academic programs at VT and RIT (always time for a PhD later?) I'll doubtless be posting here soon frantically looking for decision advice soon.

I think within your field, who you work with and what you've done matters most. Outside your field, brand names open doors, mainly because people won't have the same appreciation for your whos and whats.

I think this type of thread was already started, might want to keep everything together (though I don't really have a preference)

Based on what I've seen on these forums, asking for an extension to the accept deadline, especially when it's almost a month before April 15, is pretty normal and acceptable. I doubt if you call up and ask they will put a note in your file that says "is thinking about other programs too, let's rescind the offer." Worst that happens is they say no, and then you can worry about whether your proposal is good or not. Calling school A for an idea on the deadline I think is also ok, though accepting an offer you know you might later change your mind on sounds unfair to the other applicants to school B, especially if there's any funding attached.(And has potential legal complications, as JustChill mentions)

Certainly will depend on the type and inclination of the professional you go see, each one will have a different approach. However I think the spirit in which the "everyone" comment is made is not about freaking out about every negative thought and calling it mental illness or getting meds. There are plenty of mental health professionals that will immediately jump on this and write you a Rx on your first visit...I would be cautious about any such doctor. Instead, the comment is I think simply acknowledging that having a neutral, non-judgmental person that you can share questions and thoughts with and use as a sounding board, with near total confidentiality can't really be a bad thing, since we all need that sort of thing. For those who don't have very close and trusted friends (moving to a new city for example) it can work wonders. I'd start there, and worry about medication and herbal stuff later, as that is hit and miss, and can actually make things worse before they are better. Eating right (less fried/super sweet), mild exercise (going for walks even), getting proper sleep, and not drinking alcohol will go a very long way towards re-balancing those chemicals. I might as well pitch my go-to placebo vector though. Fish Oil (omega-3s) is said to have a lot of good effects on nerve/brain function, including for ADD and bipolar/unipolar depression. Like my doctor said "if you think it helps, keep taking it." Also, my understanding of St. John's Wort is that it mimics old style MAOI anti-depressants, which aren't prescribed often today because of numerous interactions with other drugs and random foods, so be careful. The only thing different between herbal medicine and the stuff a doctor prescribes is that the herbal stuff isn't well regulated. I also just noticed the OP seems to be in a Clinical Psych program...so probably knows a lot about this stuff already. But just because you study it doesn't mean you can't take advantage of it, though I can see where it might make it harder to make the decision. A lot of people have the impression that seeking help somehow makes you weak, or flawed or something. When you get the flu and go to your local MD though, people are much more accustomed to it.

Yes, it's quite possible that your negative experience makes you think that way, and other schools may be similar, I can't say. On the other side of things though, I'm paranoid, so rolling admits to me = "first come first serve" and I make damn sure to get things in as early as possible!

I got an acceptance to SPEA via email for the MPA last week, no mailed packet yet though. Based on what I've been reading here, and the email only a few weeks ago that said "we are now reviewing your app," I think it's rolling admit in some sense. I'm figuring they batch up a set of applications, and then go through a set, admit some, go through the next set, admit some...I wouldn't have any ideas on how they split apps that way, might be just by what month you submitted or could be anything else really, GRE or GPA maybe. And that really doesn't benefit late students...quite the opposite isn't it?...rolling means if they fill up early, they fill up, whereas in a traditional 1 set of applications process, people who submit in November and those that submit in February are both going for the same number of openings.

Accepted to MPA. I haven't heard about funding either.