coffeewalk
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Everything posted by coffeewalk
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Hey just a heads up to double check course and section times with courses you want to take at GSPP. Out of the like 15 polisci GSI positions, only 1 works with my schedule (I think).
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Haha yes same! Though doing a 50% GSI position the first semester seems like a lot! I wonder when they will start sending out reader and research positions.
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Has anyone heard back about additional funding from Martha? Also who is definitely attending? I'm so excited!
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So, USC's event basically involved me sitting in two rooms for 3 hours and 4 hours. Because the event was separated by those who got Deans Merit and those who didn't, I didn't get a great idea of what my classmates would be like, especially since there were people from all different programs at the event. There also weren't many opportunities to talk to current students except for 1-2 who sat with us at lunch and a 15 minute panel of just MPP students (who seemed kind of meh about the program). In contrast, I had very high expectations for Goldman, because it basically needed to prove it was worth the $20k more than USC (assuming I have a GSI/GSR/reader position all 4 semesters). It definitely met and exceeded these expectations. There were many opportunities to talk to tons of current students in various environments, the faculty on the faculty panel seemed to love there jobs and are doing really interesting research, everyone I met or have talked to before Goldman raves about what a collaborative and non-competitive environment it is, which is I really value. Also the students there have really interesting research opportunities and summer internships. Secondary factors I really value is that it is a public university, the campus is beautiful and more entrenched in the community, and the Goldman school itself on campus is two small buldings that feel very welcoming where students and faculty often hang out working. The one thing that makes me nervous is how easy it will be to get some kind of assistanship the first semester (the others seem easy). I do think USC has a lot of great programs, and I liked the idea of their international labs. I also appreciate that a lot of the professors are involved in organizations outside of USC, meaning their skills have real world application.
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Update: after attending both admit days this past weekend, I was pretty underwhelmed by USC's and really impressed by Berkeley. So that's where I will be heading this fall!
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Who's attending the Dean's Merit Event tomorrow? What kinds of info are you hoping to get from tomorrow's session? What are you choosing between?
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The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
coffeewalk replied to fenderpete's topic in Government Affairs Forum
@emilyf413 I am just deciding between Price and Goldman. I also got into Harris but ruled it out. I live in LA and really like it here, but Goldman has such a great reputation and the GSI position make it more affordable. But not more affordable than free... I'm also considering my partner which makes things harder as well. -
@SDtoMPP Thanks! Also for the salary scale for GSI positions. Is the % you work (i.e. 25% or 50%) that percent of the salary? So if it's $4,000/ month and you work at 25% you'd get $1,000/month?
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The 'Am I competitive' thread - READ ME BEFORE POSTING
coffeewalk replied to fenderpete's topic in Government Affairs Forum
@emilyf413 what school are you leaning towards? I also got a full ride to Price and am having trouble justifying the cost of Goldman (I'm in state), thought I relaly want to attend. -
@SDtoMPP do you have a GSI/GSR position at GSPP? Have you had one every semester? I am trying to figure out how much it will cost to attend Goldman (I'm in state) if I have a GSI position. Also following this thread as a fellow ed policy-er Thanks!
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@fallmpp2017 I also emailed without response :-)
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Help! I am really struggling to make a decision between Goldman and USC Price for an MPP. Here is my situation: Background: I work at an education non-profit and am interested in education policy and/or social policy, but want to gain more tangible quant skills (hence going to grad school). I currently live in LA (originally from DC) and have a lot of friends here as well as a partner who loves his job. I got into Harris, Price, and Goldman. Harris was ruled out because of the cost and the cold, and GSPP has been my first choice (I also thought it would the cheapest because of the in state tuition). I got no funding to Goldman and a full ride to Price, so now I am struggling with what to do. I know that I can likely get a GSI position at Berkeley to cover tuition, but I believe that still leaves about $4,000 in fees each semester in addition to the crazy high cost of living in the bay area. I also think it could be pretty stressful to have the additional workload of a GSI position. However, I know Goldman has an amazing reputation, and I love the bay area. I would love advice on if Goldman would really be worth the extra cost and life change and what people think of these programs outside of CA. I am really struggling here!
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@mfmpp what made you choose Berkeley? Did you choose it over better financial offers? I didn't receive any funding and have a full ride to USC but GSPP was my first choice (I live in LA)
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Yep I am @Dreadfulbard. Where else are you considering?
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@mfmpp do you know anyone who had success negotiating funding at GSPP?
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Does anyone know if Berkeley negotiates funding at all? If so, 8/ Martha the person to email?
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It seems like if you snag a GSI position you can get tuition remission. Does that mean all of tuition is covered or just part? How competitive are those positions. It's definitely not something to count on in making a decision since you don't find out until the fall if you get one. @mfmpp
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Accepted! I am totally shocked. No funding though... I will probably have to go with a full ride to USC Price, debt free is just so appealing. I will probably try to negotiate with Berkeley. Even with in state tuition thats about $50,000 in debt on tuition alone, not to mention living in the bay. What are other people thinking? Anyone else struggling with tough decisions haha
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@emilyf413 I haven't personally rented zipcar, but I have friends who have and liked it for things like weekends away.
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To folks worried about LA traffic: I currently live in LA and you can avoid traffic and driving in general if your life is conducive to it. Luckily USC (unlike UCLA) has a metro stop right there, so as long as you live somewhere on the metro (Hollywood, Downtown, Koreatown, Los Feliz, Culver City, even Santa Monica now) you could pretty much avoid having a car. Lyft is pretty cheap out there and it is probably a lot cheaper to use lyft the few times you need it than owning a car anyway. In terms of cost of living, I think LA is a lot more affordable than other major cities (boston, nyc, SF). If you're open to living with a roommate, you can definitely find a two bedroom for less than $1,000 a person depending on the neighborhood. One bedrooms are much more expensive, though. I'm likely going to Price for an MPP. I was shocked to find out I got a full ride! I was also accepted to Harris with $15k but am not bothering to attend admitted students day because I just don't think it will be worth the price compared to USC's offer. The other school I applied to was Berkeley's GSPP, but I doubt I will get in, let alone get any funding. Are people here planning on attending? Why or why not?
