kaban2018

thanks @iwearflowers! It sounds like I don't have to worry too much, there should be plenty of options in August.

Hi all, I'll be attending GWU in the fall, but live overseas and won't be able to arrive to DC until early August. I'm wondering what the housing market is like in DC - there is a large student/intern population, but also a huge population of people who simply live and work in DC, and are moving all the time. If I found temporary housing when I first arrived, do you all think it's realistic to be able to find something once I'm on the ground, or will everything good for graduate students be snatched up by then? If I need to look earlier, when should I start? Seems like most things available now are renting for summer sublets. I am eager to find something but wary of sending a deposit or making a decision from far away, when I don't know DC or its neighborhoods at all. That being said, if it's the kind of city where everything gets snatched up well in advance, I should probably get a move on and see if I can get some help from people on the ground. Thanks in advance to those who know! 

Hey ExponentialDecay, thanks for your thoughts. Can you elaborate a bit on why you think that level of debt would be "insane"? Is it because it's just a ton of money for an MPA, which isn't leading to a high paying job, or specific to Evans? And if specific to Evans, what are they lacking (besides name - or is that it) that makes that level of debt so unwarranted? What level of debt would you consider ok (or, none, which I would guess is your answer)? Thanks

Hey all, I don't know if this should be here or in the Gov't Affairs section, but... here we are. I'm asking for your help in considering these two schools. I'll list below some relevant info, and thanks in advance for your advice! I'm going back to school after gaining some on-the-ground experience in nonprofit work internationally. I'm interested in understanding the dynamics at work behind funding nonprofit and public sector work, and how to improve philanthropic strategies to have more impact. In my head, this requires a strong quantitative curriculum focusing on program evaluation, with a few classes on nonprofit management and philanthropy. This also might mean getting a doctorate after the MPA degree. Professionally, I want to stay in international development, but working to drive philanthropic strategy to something more effective. I don't know what this would look like but could be research, could be working at a big foundation, could be consulting. Now, for my thoughts on the schools: Both offer rigorous programs and I think both can get me where I want to go academically. Both seem to have alumni doing cool things. The differences: GWU Pros: Kathryn Newcomer in program evaluation (and many other strong professors). Network, through students, professors, and career services, which are supposed to be top notch. A solid scholarship, which makes going to the school, along with the flexibility to work part time while studying, extremely cost-effective - I'd probably walk out with no more than 10k in debt, if that. DC network, which is great for working in international development, which is my interest. Curriculum is flexible. GWU Cons: I would have to live in DC, which is not appealing. The cohort strikes me as professionals first, and students second; it seems that many would come part time and are more or less doing the MPA or MPP to check the box and advance in their careers. While I think they will all be smart, capable classmates, I don't get the sense that academics are their first priority. (I know, I know... it's a professional degree. But I'm really hoping to be pushed by my peers, so this is important for me). UW Evans School Pros: Much more of an "academic" feel and very supportive of students I felt like I clicked well with the potential classmates during the open house. Location - I have always been curious to live on the west coast (I am a NYer who has left with no intention of going back, if I can avoid it). Loved the campus Love the curriculum which is also flexible. UW Evans Cons: I received no funding, so I'd be between 50k and 90k in debt, depending on my luck with assistantships and second year scholarships. Even the best case scenario of 50k is a lot to swallow. The location - am I locked into Seattle, and is that bad? While most people recognize the DC school names and the fact that they are in DC, I don't know if that's the case with UW. In short, it feels like I need to decide whether or not I am willing to take on huge debt in exchange for what I suspect will be a better lifestyle after years of feeling like I am somewhere I am not meant to be. The flip side is that it's hard to turn down access to the DC network, which probably can help me make professional connections faster. I appreciate your thoughts, insights, questions... I am really struggling to make this decision!

In case anyone else is curious, I received my notification of aid on March 28th.

Just bumping this topic... Anyone? It's driving me nuts to hear nothing - I can't decide if that means that I am receiving nothing or if they are just taking a long time! Would appreciate any insight out there! Thanks in advance.

been_a_g, jxmp, I appreciate your feedback!

Just curious if anyone has heard regarding funding from SPEA? They indicated that decisions would be going out mid-March, but when I wrote on the 15th to ask if they had made decisions and if all students would be notified or only those who received funding, they simply told me they were still in the process and couldn't give me more firm information. I'm very, very interested in attending but funding is, as for many, a big part of my decision. Has anyone out there heard anything? The suspense is killing me! Thanks!

Hey ya´ll Does anyone have any feedback on Texas A&M Bush School MPSA program? I see a number of posts on the MIA program, but I have applied and been accepted to the MPSA program, with some funding that makes this one of the more financially reasonable options. However, it seems like this is a relatively new program and I am not clear on its caliber, caliber of students, etc. Does anyone want to share their insight on why they applied or accepted/declined their offer of admissions? A bit of background about me: I am interested in nonprofit management and philanthropy, with a goal of pursuing a PhD after completing the master's degree. Thanks in advance!

Thank you for your response! I appreciate the insight.

Hi all, I'm surprised I haven't really seen any posts about this - either I've missed them, or I am missing some major piece of the puzzle. But here's my question for you all, if you'll be so kind: I have applied to eight different schools for an MPA or similar program. So far, I have heard back from four (all accepted), with funding information from three of those. None have offered a funding package that will leave me less than 40k in debt, so clearly I want to hold out for responses from the rest. I'm also admittedly doing a mad dash to look for scholarship opportunities now, because I seemed to have been a bit in the clouds about what kind of funding I might receive. Now, the tricky part: One school has asked for my decision by March 15. It is one of my top choices, but also the most expensive and the scholarship they offered me barely makes a dent, because of how expensive it is to start. This school, like each of those I applied to, has its various pro's and cons, and I know it would be a great program - but so would most of the programs I applied to. One school won't send out funding information until mid-March. One or two schools likely won't send out their admissions decisions until early April, according to the results survey here. And some of these scholarships won't send out their decisions until as late as May or even July! So the question is - how do I make this decision with so much up in the air? Do I make a decision assuming that I won't get the scholarships? Do I ask the early school for a deadline extension (I have already confirmed that they indeed meant March 15, as it seemed exceedingly early to me, and they said at this time they do not offer extensions). Do I accept that school, just in case, and then if I get a better offer, decline it and swallow the several hundred dollars I paid to accept my slot? Do I call them up and say that I'm really in a pickle because I can't afford the program, and see if they offer more money? Perhaps I'm missing something major here - I'd appreciate any insight ya'll would be willing to share. I am being vague about the schools I am referring to, but hopefully this information is not too necessary. Thanks in advance, and good vibes to those of you in the same stressful position!

Hi all! I have looked around, but don't see a lot of information on the forum about Central European University. Has anyone applied here? Pros and cons of the program? I understand that currently the political situation of the university is delicate, but they promise that any accepted or current students will receive their degree, regardless of political decisions. Has anyone been accepted and chosen not to go because of these reasons? Any major pluses about the school? Why did you choose to apply and/or accept offer of admission? Any thoughts on the MPA program in particular? I am interested in all perspectives... just can't seem to find a lot of information on this university! I have applied (2 year MPA) and am currently waiting to hear back. Thanks in advance!