City Stripes

I heard back about a month later, a few days after the decision deadline. I'd paid the deposit for another school by then and had to request a release. I believe 3-5 students got in from the waitlist in my year, but it does vary from year to year. For the statement, be enthusiastic and specific - show that you've done your homework and know why this program is the best fit for you, and what you'll add to it. Then send it in and try to forget about it (not easy, but better for your happiness these next few weeks). Good luck!

Current SPIA student here with a reminder that whether or not you got in is not reflective of your worth or your potential to make positive change in the world! The person you are, and your drive to make people's lives better in whatever way you are passionate about, is not determined by what school you end up at or if you even go to graduate school at all. Also, a word of encouragement to the wait-list folks, since I was one in 2019 - it is possible. My best advice for dealing in the meantime is to send in whatever supplemental materials they ask for (for me it was a statement about my continued interest in the program) and then start making plans you're excited about somewhere else. Great things are ahead, wherever you end up.

Have you looked at the work the Furman Center does at Wagner on housing policy? Being a research assistant there would put you in a smaller group of smart, experienced peers and would give you a chance to do more rigorous work than you might find in some of your classes. And Wagner had great connections throughout local government in NYC.

I'm in the midst of this process myself, so feel free to ignore this, but my advice would be to put your requests in ASAP. It will take them a while to get back to you, and you don't want to be in a crunch right before the deadline. I don't think whether or not you've visited yet will change their evaluation of your request, and they certainly don't know what you're telling other schools about what your top choice is.

It was the MPA program at Wagner, for fall 2017.

Schools will counter offer, I believe. A co-worker of mine requested additional funding at NYU and didn't get the full amount requested but was offered an amount between that and the initial aid offer.

Same. I think that's the right choice - no way am I taking on all those loans for a career in government/non-profits. I'm sure HKS is a great program but their high price ($85k/year!) and low aid seems like a misguided strategy for a public service school.

Same here. It feels great just to get in, though - the wait is over!

Yes, I got in but with no funding. I'll definitely appeal that, but it seems unlikely I'd get enough from NYU for it to be competitive with other offers.

I got into Evans, with some funding. Also coming from NYC area. I would likely study policy analysis and some combination of economic development/education/workforce development. I've got a less expensive offer at Heinz, though, and I'm a little concerned about whether Evans has a robust network in NYC, because I'd like to end up back here.