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TalkPoliticsToMe

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  1. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Great idea! Coming from: New England (Boston) but have lived in the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, and Alabama (family moved a lot). Deciding between: Duke University (Sanford), MPP - 50% tuition University of Michigan (Ford), MPP - Full tuition + fees, $20K yearly stipend Other factors: Accepted into UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA program with full funding. They have a partnership with Duke so I would be able to complete a joint MBA/MPP program. I was waitlisted at Michigan's MBA program with no guarantee of funding. My ultimate goal is to work in a role that combines my passions for communicating and creating engaging content, politics, and history to influence permanent societal change. I have also asked Duke if they can match my Michigan funding offer; not sure how realistic it is they will say yes. I intend to focus my studies on health / healthcare - areas in which both programs are strong. I prefer a program that emphasizes practical application (which both seem to do?) vs theory. I am also trying to reduce the amount of debt I graduate with. How I'm leaning: Previously was all-in for Ford (especially with such an attractive funding offer, one that I was absolutely NOT expecting). However, Duke has been very high touch and personalized. I've received multiple emails from them from their Director of Admissions, Dean of Career Services, a professor, and contacted by their Student Ambassadors. Ford has been a lot more quiet - although they have been super responsive when I have emailed them directly with questions. I'm not sure if the difference in communication style is due to the difference in class size (Ford cohort is twice as large as Duke's) and style (Duke being a private institution vs. Ford being public). I also know if I attend Michigan I would have access to all their department courses (interdisciplinary study is highly encouraged) and centers of excellence, such as the Sanger Institute that hosts Crisis Simulations (would be helpful from a PR perspective when negative publicity blows up in any situation) and additional Leadership Development programs. Not to say that I could not do this at Duke but it is a fairly newer phenomenon at Duke. Am I reading too much into Duke's communication style vs. Ford? Should Duke match my Michigan offer, what is the best way to proceed? I realize I very blessed to be in this position, but I am super torn between both programs.
  2. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Never know until you reach out!
  3. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Hi Julliet - appreciate your response. I thought I would respond back in case others are looking at this thread. I was admitted into both Michigan Ford (with full funding) and Duke Sanford (50% funding), so my GRE score did not hold me back as I thought it would! I'm glad I decided to apply, and believe my work experience and letters of recommendation put over the edge. Not mention I put a lot of time into my statement of purpose (spent a year refining it). To those who were borderline from a "stats" perspective, keep at it anyway! I
  4. TalkPoliticsToMe
    So I had similar stats / "worse" to you: Undergrad: Top 25 Business School (#21 now) GPA: 3.33 Major: Marketing, Information Systems GRE: 151Q / 156V / 5.5W (I hate standardized tests) Work Experience: 5 Years this August - primarily in private sector (healthcare consulting and now a Drug/Pharmacy Retailer) LORs: Strong - I gave each recommender specific direction on what I wanted them to highlight. For - professor to focus on my commitment to high quality work and studiousness; work supervisor #1 to highlight a time when I led a workstream and demonstrated leadership; colleague #1 - had him focus on who I am as a person and what makes me unique. SOP: Strong - I am a killer writer and spent a year refining my story. So advice to all -- start NOW. And when you feel inspired jot your thoughts on paper, doesn't matter how disjointed it sounds. You can fix it later but it's important to note what inspires you, what you are passionate about, and why, and how that ties into your pursuit of graduate study. Invest time in researching the programs that interest you and be able to articulate clearly why THAT program and how you will contribute to the school. Results: Admitted into Michigan Ford MPP with full funding (tuition and fees, $10K/semester stipend, healthcare coverage) and Duke Sanford MPP with 50% funding. I didn't apply to other programs (I thought about NYU, USC, and Harris but ruled them out). I'm planning on focusing in health / social policy. Moral of the Story: don't doubt yourself. Believe in your story, start early, solicit feedback from those who you trust, and go with your gut. You don't have to take in all the feedback or advice you get from folks--the minute you start feeling like your essays are no longer "you" or "authentic", regroup and start again. Good luck!
  5. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Another great program. Congratulations on your acceptances!
  6. TalkPoliticsToMe
    SAME!! See you in Ann Arbor ?
  7. TalkPoliticsToMe
    I’m in too! So elated. I’m such a sucker, cried while watching the video ? let’s pray funding comes through ?? And congratulations to all!
  8. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Ford decisions are out!
  9. TalkPoliticsToMe
    I called the admissions office a few minutes ago and they said decisions are being released “by end of week” so I think Friday, 3/15 we will know. It seems they are following the same timeline as the MBA and other graduate programs on campus.
  10. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Health / social policy with the aims of working on public health campaigns as part of DHHS or other state agencies
  11. TalkPoliticsToMe
    This made me LOL. But seriously pondering the same thing. I’m hoping Ford is following the same timeline as Ross (MBA). If they are we will receive formal decisions on Friday.
  12. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Let me know what they say...in a similar situation (MPP/MBA) and didn’t even think of this. ?
  13. TalkPoliticsToMe
    I'm hoping they follow Sanford's lead and release this week! The anticipation is killing me.
  14. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Finally got access to the portal and PHEW I AM IN! Also offered a $24K/year tuition fellowship which I was not expecting so very excited! Now just need to hear back from Ford and then will be able to make a decision. Woo woo!
  15. TalkPoliticsToMe
    I keep getting an error - ah! Happy for all admitted, hopefully I will be joining you
  16. TalkPoliticsToMe
    CONGRATULATIONS! I can't view my decision - keep getting an error message. Spoke with someone in the office and it appears their site has crashed due to traffic. Keeping my fingers crossed!
  17. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Sanford has released decisions today...I haven't opened mine yet but thought I'd share for those anxiously waiting / wondering about release dates.
  18. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Thank you for the feedback @Guesswho. I will have five years of work experience in the healthcare industry this June. I think I will try to retake the exam and see if I can bump up my score by a few points.
  19. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Hi all, Is a score of 307 too low for funding consideration and/or admission to an MPP program? I am not great at standardized tests which is why I am debating retaking it, however, I am not sure I can do that much better. This is the one portion of my application that is causing me anxiety. 5.5 Writing 153 Q 154 V My undergraduate GPA is 3.33 (3.60 in my major) and I will have five years of work experience by the time I enroll. Most of my experience is in private sector within the healthcare industry. Schools I am applying to: Michigan (Ford), Duke (Sanford), and Chicago (Harris). Thank you.
  20. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Hi all, Is a score of 307 too low for funding consideration and/or admission? I am not great at standardized tests which is why I am debating retaking it. 5.5 Writing 153 Q 154 V My undergraduate GPA is 3.33 (3.60 in my major). Schools I am applying to: Michigan (Ford), Duke (Sanford), and Chicago (Harris). Thank you.
  21. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Happy Sunday! I am preparing to submit my MPP application at the University of Michigan - Ford School. I am currently finalizing the Employment/Work Experience section of the online application. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on whether volunteer / extracurricular involvement should be included in this section? It seems Ford is primarily looking for paid employment? For additional context, I am almost five years removed from undergrad but have remained fairly active in different boards and nonprofit organizations since that time. This information is included in my resume yet we are asked to re-state work experiences, hence my question. Any advice from those applying or those admitted would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
  22. TalkPoliticsToMe
    Happy Sunday! I am preparing to submit my MPP application at the University of Michigan - Ford School. I am currently finalizing the Employment/Work Experience section of the online application. I was wondering if anyone has any advice on whether volunteer / extracurricular involvement should be included in this section? It seems Ford is primarily looking for paid employment? For additional context, I am almost five years removed from undergrad but have remained fairly active in different boards and nonprofit organizations since that time. This information is included in my resume yet we are asked to re-state work experiences, hence my question. Any advice from those applying or those admitted would be greatly appreciated! Thank you.
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