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.