MPPNYC

I wonder how much they follow this forum on the day of release, just to see how frazzled we've all gotten. If I were them, I probably would! Must be amusing!

Hahahahahaahaha, God, what a damn year!

He really hasn't been utilizing the blog at all this cycle, though. If they were going to release next week (or even the week after), shouldn't he already be releasing posts? There's no way to know that today is the day, but I'm not sure we can rely on the posts this year to say today isn't the day, either.

I imagine they're also financial aid advisors to current students, too, as Izzy suggests.

Having supply and getting vaccines into arms are 2 different ideas. They're expecting to have the supply by May and they're being conservative in their expectations, I think. Also, really depends on how many people are willing to get the vaccine.

As a domestic student, it sounds like the other programs I am considering at expecting in-person classes, perhaps with some changes and alternatives for those with health considerations. But several programs have advised we should expect to be on campus.

Same, I will be grateful to have all the cards on the table and to make some decisions.

Great to know, thanks!

Interesting -- I just checked. I can access the MPP counselor that is related to my name and the international MPA/etc. one. Eeek! Edit: I'm not an international student

I admired this preparedness!!

Matt is a real character for this one. Cheers to you, if you're reading this!

Virtually (and social distance compliant-ly) holding all your hands, oy vey

Hah, don't hold me to this, I don't know!

Yes, and links to make appointments. Doesn't seem too serious, really, and likely added for everyone. But it could mean that results are en route?

Do you mean with the alphabetical ranges per counselor? This is interesting because I logged in earlier today and I don't recall seeing it. Maybe it was there and I'm not that observant, but huh! Does everyone have that?

I agree, I don't think it necessitates lowering the standards. I think they're acknowledging that their process may be a bit too skewed in one direction, perhaps simply as a matter of being more attracted to certain topics discussed in essays, job experiences as community or union organizers, etc. My understanding is that the faculty was concerned by a lack of center-left students, as well, so, I don't think it's that they're looking for Far Right extremists to round out the class discussion. I also think that if you stormed the Capitol, you're unlikely to be seeking higher education at an institution like Harvard, but I suppose anything is possible. Again, I don't know any of this from my own personal knowledge; just something a friend shared with me and he could be completely wrong. That said, it is backed up by the fact that the ideological spectrum question *was* added to the application this year.

Uhhh, this definitely wasn't my point. Regardless, that's what people at the school are saying, rather than a message board of prospective students guessing outcomes.

I agree with this. Additionally, a friend of mine is a 2nd year in the MPP class and says that there has been much discussion amongst the administration and faculty that they are not doing a good enough job admitting people from across the political spectrum and that it has been heavily favoring very progressive candidates. This is why they added the political spectrum question to the application this year. Disclosing your place on the spectrum may very well help you greatly.

Sorry, I apologize for mentioning it! They must be releasing them on a rolling basis. But considering I was waitlisted, perhaps a good sign for all of you!

I just refreshed the portal. No email yet

So I just checked and have a result! I was waitlisted -- which is honestly hilarious! What a weird year.

I am also hoping this, perhaps naively! Also, that international students might have thought they will have (and may actually have) a hard time getting a student visa to enter. I have an Argentinian friend who was hoping to get an NYU LLM and the US embassy kept canceling his visa interview so he had to defer to next year. No offense to our international friends on this chain; I hope you do not have a hard time with immigration issues if admitted!

Oof, I am SO sorry you're having such a tough time with the experience. I went to law school right after the '08 financial crisis and it was a compete shit show at my law school, so I completely understand your disappointment in spending time and money on something that just does not pan out as planned. I am really so appreciative of your thorough description. The money, the 1 year program, the GA offer, and that the program is in NY -- it seemed like a good fit given that I have already attended law school (although I have notice that my fellow admitted students are YOUNG). But not looking to check a box here - I care a lot about the quantitative aspects and was feeling maybe Maxwell didn't quite have what I was looking for, even if they say they do. I actually just signed up to sit in on Prof. Rothbart's budgeting class on 3/31; will probably still attend to just check it out! I just got into Ford yesterday -- I have a bit of sticker shock w/o any funding but maybe it's worth it to throw more debt on the pile . Thank you so much again for your thorough assessment!

Hi! Did you end up at Maxwell? What are your thoughts about the program at this point and what sort of work are you doing with your graduate assistantship?

Okay, adding this pretty late in the game, because I could use some thoughts from the hive-mind: Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): MPP/MPA Schools Applied To: Harvard Kennedy, UChicago Harris, UMichigan Ford, Georgetown McCourt, GW Trachtenberg, American SPA, Syracuse Maxwell, UVA Batten Schools Admitted To: UMichigan Ford (Nuthin’), Syracuse Maxwell ($$$), Georgetown McCourt ($), American SPA (No word on funding yet) Schools Rejected From: N/A, so far Schools Waitlisted From: UChicago Harris, UVA Batten Still Waiting: Harvard Kennedy, GWU Trachtenberg Undergraduate Institution: DC-area university Undergraduate GPA: 3.3 Undergraduate Major: Political Science & Economics Double Major GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: 156 Q/164 V/5.5 AW Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 12 Years of Work Experience: 8 Describe Relevant Work Experience: Previously earned a JD and have been working for the last 6 years working in the financial services industry in NYC; ~2 years in private practice at small firms prior to that. Some quant experience from my work experience, but not necessarily significant. Significant non-profit volunteer experience over the past 8 years, mostly in fundraising/development as well as some state lobbying. Currently a commissioner of a small county commission (on a volunteer basis )(sadly, was appointed after the HKS app went out) Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I think I did a great job of addressing why I want to go back to school after so many years out of academia and having already obtained a JD, as well as highlighting a specific policy area that I am interested in, why, and why they should care about it too. But who knows. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): Good, but I did not read them before they were submitted, so who knows! -- Would love some insight from the group on what’s going on in my head right now! For starters, doing my darndest to get off the waitlist at Harris; I will probably drop everything and just go if I do. HKS probably takes priority over Harris, even, but I am not especially expecting to be admitted there, especially given the competitive year. I will be shocked! So, putting Harris & Kennedy aside, I am probably between UM’s MPP and Syracuse’s MPA. According to USNews (FWIW), Syracuse is #1 in Public Affairs Schools, #8 in Public Policy Analysis, and #7 in Local Government and #2 in Public Finance. Michigan is #1 in Public Policy Analysis, #8 in Public Affairs Schools, #28 in Public Financing, and not ranked for local government. I did not get any funding at UM and received ~75% of funding of the 1 year MPA program at Syracuse (+a graduate fellowship and stipend). UM appears to have the more serious national reputation, particularly as it comes to their quantitative program (which is my reason for going back to school). Syracuse appears to offer plenty of quantitative coursework, but I may have to go out of my way a bit to get the same sort of quantitative focus given the structure of their MPA program and the limitations of 1 year. I am hoping to get into policy research/implementation related to rural economies, probably with smaller policy research groups or state government agencies. Michigan does have some scholars who work on that, just perusing their website, but it is heavily tailored to Michigan. Syracuse appears to be a little broader, but as a NYer, their NY focus does not necessarily bother me. Plus, I already have the graduate assistant position which which I can hopefully get involved in their research. If I went to UM, I would also have to resign from a local government position I am currently volunteering for, which isn’t a huge deal, other than it affects the community that I eventually want to be working with, so maybe isn’t the best look (small town life, ya know?). I can probably make it work with Syracuse, since it is a much shorter drive. I feel like the stronger national prestige factor of UM and the closer focus on quantitative coursework might be worth pursuing for beefing up my resume and math chops, but Syracuse has plenty of benefits too (and ranked highly too, for whatever that’s worth). Thoughts? What would you choose? Anything additional that I am not considering?