MUPindiana

Sorry, I didn't see this. I wasn't able to attend the event, but I have interacted heavily with admissions and financial aid staff and they helped make my decision easier. Here's another useful resource where you can interact with student ambassadors.

You can also ship things via Amtrak if that is an option based on your location.

I just accepted USCs MUP admission offer with a Half Tuition Dean's Merit Scholarship. I am wary to take on that remaining $45k in debt as I'm coming out of undergrad with about $20k in debt as it is, but I am still waiting to hear back from some more scholarships that may help. I turned down NYU Wagner's offer of a $20k Public Service scholarship as it just wasn't enough to offset the tuition and high living expenses. They also hinted that I might receive an hourly job, but what is 20 hours a week (probably at no more than $15 an hour) going to do for NY rent? I also turned down University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, who was offering a $10k merit. Despite the relatively lower cost of living, their tuition would still be too high. They had an attractive GA/RA position that you can apply to that would begin your second semester, but that is a huge limb to go out on for positions that the financial aid department told me were both limited and extremely competitive. Hopefully I was able to advance someone deserving on the waitlist at either school. I also hope the USC career office is as good as they promise and I can secure a concurrent internship or two with my program so I can afford to actually live during my program. Good luck to everyone deciding or still waiting to hear back!

I was overly optimistic. I called and was told they had already sent out all acceptances and waitlists for MURPs and I was receiving neither.

I wonder if they are doing this alphabetical or in a rolling fashion of some sort...

Coming from: Indiana (B.A. in Poli Sci from Purdue) Deciding between: USC (Price School), MPL - 50% tuition University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Taubman School), MURP - $5k remission a year. NYU (Wagner School), MUP - $10k remission per year. Other factors: Haven't heard back from UCLA (Luskin School), MURP but others have. I find it likely that I will either get a rejection or a no funding offer next week. No employer backing but I'm just supporting myself during this. These were the only schools I applied to. How I'm leaning: Mainly towards USC, but it's difficult. I almost want to wait and widen my search. USC's offer is very generous, but I also have to take the high cost of living into account. I am hoping to negotiate with them in early April for a full Merit Scholarship instead of just a half. UofM's cost of living is much lower and their GA positions are well paid, which is attractive, but they aren't guaranteed so that is hard. NYC's financial aid office has been a bit curt to me during this process and while that shouldn't turn me off, it still has a bit.