Anonymous Applicant

Nicely done, sir! 35K is not much at all to take out to go to Duke. I know it's hard to turn down money, though. I say go with the intangibles. Is there anything special about Maryland's program given your area of interest? If so, do that. If not, then I'd consider taking out a little debt to go to Duke.

The total cost of attending Duke MPP for 2 years is listed at 110K. I would think that you would have more like 55K+ in debt after graduating even with that funding. No??

I'm almost certainly Texas bound (Over Duke) for the following reasons: 1. Total Cost = 45K difference (Don't spent a dollar to make a dime) 2. Equally strong network in DC 3. Ground Zero for Energy Industry transformations 4. Ability to work part time at State Capitol, Governors Office, or Private Utility 5. Quality of lifestyle in Austin & much more social and outgoing students at Austin (vs Duke where Policy is a microcosm and students do not seem to have many friends with Law, Business, or Undergrads despite the school being right next to the other professional schools) 6. From everything I've looked at, I would end up with the same job-title and pay either way.

Texas - Fellowship covering cost of (in-state) tuition and fees Duke - 10K Fellowship per year plus 4K paid and taxed TA/RA/GA Position per year Using both school's estimates this brings the difference in total cost of attendance to 45K, but if you work part time at Texas (as many students I met do), this difference would increase.

Actually - While I indicated I was Duke-Bound I'm still completely up in the air between Texas and Duke. Anyone mind flipping a coin for me?

I chose Duke over Michigan at least in part because of the difference between the two state and local economies. I really enjoyed both visitation days, but I know too many friends with struggling clients in Michigan to want to invest 2 years in that state's network vs NC / Raleigh / Research triangle - which is the #1 growing market for young professionals.

Program Applied To: Masters of Public Policy Schools Applied To: Harvard KSG, Princeton WWS, Columbia SIPA, Chicago Harris, Michigan Ford, Berkeley Goldman, Texas LBJ, Duke Sanford Schools Admitted To: Columbia SIPA, Chicago Harris, Michigan Ford, Berkeley Goldman, Texas LBJ, Duke Sanford Schools Rejected From: Harvard KSG, Princeton WWS Still Waiting: Waitlisted at Berkeley Goldman Decision: Duke Sanford School of Public Policy Undergraduate institution: Public Ranked around 50 Undergraduate GPA: 3.7+ Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.9+ Undergraduate Major: Econ GRE Quantitative Score: Close to 800 GRE Verbal Score: Below 600 GRE AW Score: 4.X Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 Years of Work Experience: 3 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Private Sector Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Recs, GRE Quant, Public sector internships Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): GRE Verbal, Private sector work, Other: