matcha

I was looking at the same thing, although I decided just to go with a MPA first. Both law schools and mpp/mpa degrees like people with experience because, for one, it gives the school confidence that the student actually knows the field they think they want to go into and all the ups and downs of that particular career. If you have experience and are extremely certain about why you want to get a JD/MPP and what field you want to go into, then I think you are solid. On the flip side, I took off some time before going back to get my masters and I would highly recommend it. There is a lot to learn from being "on your own" and working full time that you just can't get from a text book.

Did everyone get their Health forms in? :-)

Yeah, I would choose U of Chicago. The program is AMAZING and it would help you reach your end goal. And really, isn't getting an advanced degree about reaching our end goals?

Regarding the loans: I contacted the financial aid office. They hope to get us our loan information by July- the first bill isn't due until August. Whew!

I'm so sorry. Hang in there, you are almost over with school. Make sure you take at least an hour a day doing something for you. Take a bath, go to the gym, watch a stupid movie...it'll help keep your sanity. If you have a trusted professor you might go to them with for some support and advice!

Think of this solely in financial terms- is the experience you had worth another $50,000 (or however much you pay) for the final year? You mentioned trying to find another grad school that fits your needs better. I like this idea! I think $50,000 is a lot to spend on something that will burn you out and not give you the knowledge or experience you need to be successful. I took a couple years off between my undergrad and grad school experience. I highly recommend taking the time you need to become the person you need to be in order to succeed. I almost guarantee you'll return to grad school eventually- better pay, better job experiences, better long-run outlooks. However, don't underestimate the importance of being ready for the school and making sure the school is right for you! Don't let your family and friends dissuade you from taking the time you need. Working for a few years is NOT the worst thing in the world- in fact, a lot of grad schools really like "real-world" experience in a student. I would suggest taking the time you need for your sanity, getting some real-world experiences, and looking around for a better investment for your mind and money.

Yeah, I sent all the loan stuff in at the beginning of May, so I'm hoping to hear back really soon! Money has the tendency to make me nervous...

I was thinking about the packet that had financial aid stuff, loan information, things of the financial side. I will feel better once I see the numbers in black and white and know I can pay for everything! :-) Yeah, I've been trying to keep on top of the deadlines. The health form is due super soon and the rest is due in July, I believe.

Has anyone received their welcome packet yet? I was told it would come around the first of June, but so far no word from anyone... Perhaps I was misinformed and it is going to come later?

They won't weigh carry-on (hand) luggage, but they do weight luggage that you check. You are only allowed one carry-on and the size restriction is quite strict. You are expected to be able to lift the bag over your head and put it in the over-head storage yourself. Shipping books in the US is quite cheap, so perhaps that is a possibility . You might even be able to ship your bike, as that was a popular option for my undergrad friends. Preventing back damage is a good thing! Check out the TSA website for exact restrictions- http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/guidance_international_flights.shtm Edit: the TSA website is very useful, so might as well post it!

Don't forget your statement of purpose! You can explain away a lot of things in those pages as well as describe your amazing experience level.

I was just wondering if I should buy a printer. I guess the answer is yes!

I think you all have a point. We are going to try to only ship the expensive things (TV, etc) and buy everything else once we get there. I hope Ithaca has good second-hand stores! :-)

Does anyone know anything about the computer labs on campus? Is printing free, are there limitations to numbers of pages, etc? Thanks!

The quote I received from Pods was about 2K. After the $1,300 Budget Truck Rental plus gas (those trucks guzzle gas like nobody's business), I calculated the truck rental to be twice the cost of a Pod. I am now looking into shipping large items with an organization like Transit Systems. It seems to be even cheaper than a Pod. I would recommend others think about the same.

Anybody consider using the new 3G network connections from Verizon or AT&T? I enjoy my 3G connection on my Droid and not having to worry about whether wireless is available when I need it. I have no clue if it is useful for a laptop though.

Sweet! Thanks red_crayons. I'm super excited about getting a mac!

Is anyone familiar with Cornell's deal with Apple? I heard they give Cornell students great discounts, better than the average student. Is this true? If it is, do you have to go to to the bookstore on campus or is your NetID acceptable for most Apple stores? Has anyone explored this yet?

Try contacting the housing department at your university. Most universities will help connect you with someone they trust. Or ask current students about who they know or have heard to be reliable.

Movin' from Santa Fe, NM to upstate NY. That is quite a change for me and I'm super excited about it! Here's how I did the renting part: I took a four day weekend, visited with the department on one day and got a feel for the campus, on the second day I looked at seven different houses and signed a lease, and had two travel days. It was a whirlwind, but I'm really glad I did it! Some places had a very different feel than the pictures would make it seem, some places had really creepy landlords, and some places were "up hill both directions" and hard to walk anywhere to or from. It was worth the few days off plus travel expenses to find a great place. Now I have to move my crud. I'm thinking about renting a pod or space on a moving truck (ABF) to get my mattress, chair, bookshelf, kitchen stuff and dresser across the country, then packing up my car and heading across country. If figure it will cost around $2,000. Anyone know of any better suggestions for moving stuff cheaper?

@cornell11- I think it also depends on how much you want a roommate or not. Places with lots of roommates are cheaper- a place all to yourself is more expensive. Plus, places near bus stops or campus will also be pricier. Keep in mind that a parking pass is around $600, plus there is limited parking and lots of parking tickets issued. Also, during the winter, you might want to be near campus in case roads close or at least in an area that gets plowed often.

Some schools want more experience than others, so it depends on your aspirations. For example, Harvard is big on work experience. I think the important thing about work experience is time spent with one company. In general, hopping all over the place can make a resume weaker. There are some experiences you can only gain after spending years at a particular job or organization.

Honestly? Yes they have the power to do that. They can alter decisions based upon facts that come to light after April 15th. It is within their rights and abilities. However, would they? I would say it depends upon previous classes and grades, as well as their standards and tolerance for "senioritis". Basically, hope for the best and prepare for the worst. You might want to call your admissions officer and tell them before they see it, just to know their reaction without the long wait.

I found my apartment on craigslist, although I did have to go and visit. Definitely do not trust the landlords word for it- go check it out yourself. You need to get a sense of the space. There were several places with great photos and locations that turned out to be not a great fit.

Here's a few places to start: http://www.petersons.com/ugchannel/code/LateDeadlineSchools.asp Does it have to be an MPP, or would you want an MPA? More MPA's have rolling admissions than MPP's. I'm not sure why... CIPA, Fisher, Roosevelt, and Northeastern have rolling admissions. Brandeis has a late admission, although I'm not sure when. That's just after a quick search. I'm sure you can find more, if you look around.