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gradschool123345

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Everything posted by gradschool123345

  1. I received a funding offer from Georgetown as well. I believe in the funding letter it states that the funding is for the first two semesters but other people have posted in this forum / the McCourt forum that the offer is renewable. Unless you've been specifically told that it's only for the first year you should confirm with McCourt that you'll have the opportunity to renew your funding offer the 2nd year. Additionally, if you're deciding between these two schools it's helpful to remember that GWU, McCourt, & American all allow you to take courses at each other's policy schools. Obviously, you would only want to do this 1-2x and should be so excited about where you're going that you only want to take classes there... but if there is one class or specialty that one school has that you don't want to miss out on this is an option!
  2. Coming From: Data Scientist in market research. Academic background in education policy. Deciding Between: HKS ($0 - total tuition expected to pay ~100K) Harris ($20/year scholarship - total tuition expected to pay ~60K) Heinz MSPPM DC Track (65% scholarship - total tuition expected to pay ~34K) McCourt MPP (50% scholarship - total tuition expected to pay~56K) Other Factors: I want a program that is both quantitative and leadership oriented and that allows me to take classes / do research that has a national and international focus. How I'm leaning: In my heart, I want to go to HKS. It is my dream school and I don't want to pass up on that experience because of $$. However, I don't want to be limited in my post-grad opportunities because of student loan payments and $100K is A LOT of money. I'm negotiating with Harris to see if I can get a better offer (using my Duke offer of 32K / year + 4K apprenticeship) and I'm leaning away from McCourt and Heinz completely. So really it's going to come down to Harris or HKS and my willingness to take on student loans for the school I really want.
  3. I was expecting to see a disappointing financial aid offer if admitted but it doesn't make it easier. The tuition costs are definitely a tough pill to swallow though (esp. compared to my other offers which allow me to attend Sanford / Harris / Heinz for 20-40K total). I know it would be a crazy financial decision but I'm not willing to drop HKS from the list just yet. Anyone else in the same boat and considering taking on this much debt for the opportunity to study at Harvard?
  4. The one last year seems to just say that they read out every applicants name and decision status to double-check that everything is correct before the release to the website.
  5. At the admitted students day in Feb. they mentioned that the pay is $15-$18(ish) / hour depending on your experience and what you bring to the RAship. They also mentioned that you can only work 19 hours a week on campus. For TA (2nd year only) it's 3K a quarter.
  6. I think we'll have the name reading post today and results tomorrow. Others on this thread have pointed out that spring break is next week & we're already bumping against the mid-march deadline so it won't be next week.
  7. They were ranked last year in public policy analysis as #3 - not sure why they were dropped from that list.
  8. I recommend posting this in the Harris 2019 channel instead of as its own topic.
  9. It seems to be a strict one post-per-day rule. So if those in this forum are correct that would leave two more days for the admitted students & name reading posts and then decisions on Friday..
  10. I was initially interested in American primarily because of its location in D.C. The benefit of location can outweigh the school depending on your short and long term goals. I went to a smaller undergraduate institution to be closer to my state's capital and don't regret it. However, I am leaning away from American now and towards Heinz and Harris because I want my graduate education to be quantitatively rigorous.
  11. Program Applied To: MPP, MSPPM (Heinz) Schools Applied To: Georgetown (McCourt - MPP), GWU (Trachtenberg - MPP), Carnegie Mellon (Heinz - MSPPM), Harvard (HKS- MPP), American (SPA - MPP), University of Chicago (Harris - MPP), Duke (Sanford - MPP) Schools Admitted To: Georgetown ($$), GWU ($0), Heinz ($$$), American ($$$), Harris ($$), Sanford ($$$) Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: HKS Undergraduate institution: Medium State School Undergraduate GPA: 3.6 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): Undergraduate Major: Economics / Political Science GRE Quantitative Score: 153 GRE Verbal Score: 161 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 Years of Work Experience: 3 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Have worked in data science for the past 3 years. In undergrad, I had a ton of work experience including student body president, chair of a statewide student association, research assistant, intern at the state capitol, campaign field representative, research analyst at a newspaper, and legal analyst at a state organization. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): Strong - I was able to highlight how my quantitative experience combined with my policy and political experience would allow me to provide a unique perspective. I spent about two months writing each SOP to make sure that I could tie in my comments to each school in a specific and genuine way. (There was overlap in this time (i.e. writing two SOPs at once) but I made sure to start writing each SOP 2 months before the deadline). I also had friends and professors review and provide comments. Think early on about who might help you in this process, not just LOR writers but also who might review your SOP, additional essays, and resume / CV. I reached out to people to review my SOP about a month before it was due so I had to make sure it was finished early. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Strong - University President (I sat on the hiring committee while in undergrad), former professor and Department Chair (research advisor), and a former colleague who could speak to several of my legislative / lobbying / student government achievements. I was nervous to reach out to some of my LOR authors at first, especially since I applied to so many schools. I made a comprehensive list of each school, what they were looking for in an LOR, why I wanted to be in that program, and when the LOR was due. I also provided the resume I was submitting and a blurb on why I wanted an MPP overall. Everyone was more than happy to help and wrote very strong letters. I also gave 3-5 months notice (depending on the school) which I think was appreciated and helpful. It's never to early to ask for a LOR and then remind them later if you need to. I also sent flowers / nice wine to thank each LOR writer. Other:
  12. Also in with 36K and 4K assistantship. I received similar packages from Harris and Heinz with slightly less from McCourt -- so now I'm even more lost about what I should do.
  13. I got a call this morning too! Anyone willing to share how much funding they received? I'm not sure what is considered a competitive offer.
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