ugachaca

Hi Everybody, I'm looking to focus on economic policy (domestic slant), but strangely i give the slight edge to the SIPA curriculum even though it is regarded as having a bit more international flavor. There is a financial incentive in place to attend Harris and i currently reside in Chicago (enjoying it). Complaints are informally registered on these forums about both schools' administrations/career services, but of course I’m not sure if the individuals writing them are just expecting jobs/internships to fall in their laps. With that said, students at some schools rave about career services, so I think it’s fair to say from what i know that both are pretty average in this regard for tier one schools. Both very good with quant studies I gather. I think SIPA has a much larger alumni network and tradition vis á vis Harris, and this strikes me as the school’s biggest advantage over Chicago. Indeed, I think the SIPA reputation may have a slight edge over that of Harris, though I don’t really believe the quality of education of the former to be better. Not impressed with Harris’s facilities, but this isn’t a deal breaker. SIPA will cost about 40-50K more to attend, so I’m really leaning towards Harris at this point. Perhaps I’m crazy to even consider SIPA, but I’m still agonizing and would like to hear some thoughts. Is there any reason for me to give SIPA the thumbs up over Harris given the above? I’ve received a decision extension and must make a selection by May 1st. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!!!

Wow, so you haven't recieved one concrete decision yet? I hope you get a positive one today! Good luck! update: in w/o funding and will not be attending. Good luck to those waitlisted!

Congrats to all accepted and good luck to those on the waitlist...i'm still waiting for any decision! I hope they stick to their guns on this notification date because i'm looking to finalize my plans for next academic year by the end of the weekend. If i do get accepted and without significant funding, i can state right now i'll turn it down immediately for those of you who are dead set on Wagner and waitlisted.

Both are nice options, but if you're looking to do any serious data analysis/quant work, perhaps you should not opt for Denver. With that said, i have no idea as to the strength of Maxwell in this regard. My sister went to Korbel (when it was GSIS) and is doing quite well, but she specifically cautioned me not to apply/go there because of weak quant training. The one qualifier i'll toss in is that she graduated in like '03 or '04, so perhaps they've shored up the program in that regard. You should ask some questions if this is a concern to you. Good luck with your decision!

Wait, nobody has recieved any funding info yet? Another few weeks? Wow, NYU knows that we need to make a school choice within the next 2-3 weeks, so it's really counter to their interests not have a word on funding by the end of the month at the latest.

No, but it seems like there are quite a few of us still waiting for a decision. I hope they get it out by the end of the week AND with the final word on funding. I really can't wait another 2 weeks for a decision after the decision. At this point, i will only look at Wagner if i get a really nice package, and will be able to eliminate it right away if there's not enough $ or (of course!) i recieve an outright rejection. It's the last decision i'm waiting for (aside from a word on external funding) so i'm getting a little impatient!

Sounds like you have a lot to consider, but if you're not sure about the particular program in which you'd be enrolling at Heinz, that's a big minus in my mind. I don't think i'd enroll in a program which may/may not be of interest to me. With that said, i've heard great things about Heinz all around. U Chicago probably gets the edge when it comes to the university's global reputation, and this may be a bigger factor for you since you're an international student who (apparently) is interested in returning home following program completion. I'd say the bottom line is that if you're unsure about pursuing Health Care Policy, think twice about taking the money... that is unless you can and want to switch to PP and Management. Good Luck!

The lady in the career office is implying "lies, damn lies and statistics," when it comes to schools and job stats. There's all sorts of tricks departments can use if they so choose, and i think that's why she says (politely) that those things aren't readily comparable across schools.

Waitlisted: I think the fact i applied to the MPA program (min 5 years exp) with little public sector background hurt my app a bit. With two nice ones in the bag, it will be tough to justify sticking this one out...

Yes, same thing with me. No reponse other than the initial application submitted. All things equal, Wagner is my last choice so i'm handling the wait a little bit better than the other pending decisions.

still waiting...i'm an MPA applicant, so not quite sure if that matters. any other U Mich MPA applicants out there?

Yeah, i'm worried too. I posted good numbers and am several years removed from undergrad, but the majority of my WE is not public sector related aside from one consulting assignment... so i'm figuring that may do me in.

Congrats to all of you. Arrgh, i'm still waiting--very unproductive day!