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Is anyone weighing deferring/re-applying next year for any of these programs due to the uncertainty of in-person instruction this fall? Or, is everyone thinking they'll attend regardless? I know the decision varies so much individual to individual but I'm curious to hear folks' thoughts either way.
 
I can't help but think that if I am shelling out lots of $$$ for an only partially-funded degree, taking out loans etc., that I'd like to "purchase" the best possible experience for myself. For me, that experience includes in-person classes, close interaction with classmates for networking/socializing, and the ability to do field-oriented courses and travel. For that reason I'm leaning deferring or reapplying, but, I run the risk of never getting my spot again or losing some of the need-based scholarship I received. I am currently employed and would hope that to remain constant as well, but who knows. Is anyone else freaking out about this?!
 
 

Hey. I'm in a similar position in that i'm also deciding between the Nic school and FES. I'm interested in coastal management so i'd choose the water resources track and the environmental policy analysis track at FES and the CEM track at Duke. I've talked to numerous professors/alumni/students at both schools and I think i'm becoming more and more set on FES. Yale def has a freshwater focus but through my conversations, you can really do whatever you want at Yale as long as you know what you want to get out of a graduate program. Duke always seemed like the perfect fit program for me, but I've been really giving consideration into short-term vs long-term thinking.
Short-term- Flexibility of FES course load, opportunities to learn from a more diverse cohort, take courses in the law school/management school, broaden my perspectives on environmental management issues on topics i'm not as familiar in (business/law/etc), able to take quant heavy courses at FES/through the greater yale network and the environmental policy analysis track (I think Duke has an edge on quant courses, though i'm not sure).
Duke is undoubtedly better for hard sciences in coastal processes, but since I have an interdisciplinary background and am not looking to go into science-y research, Yale has enough courses where I could get a good foundation. 
Long-term- Leaning toward a phd and will def apply to Duke. 2 years is incredibly short and since i'd be splitting time between Durham and the marine lab, I don't think i'd have as much opportunities to take advantage of all the amazing resources at Duke/fully connect with my cohort (CEM track is pretty small, ~20/25 people I think?). Having access to the nic institute/duke's resources seems more fruitful over a 5 year span. 
TLDR; I'm leaning toward gaining a greater knowledge base as a management practitioner. Duke is perfect for specializing in what I've been currently doing but because management is so transdisciplinary, it might not be as wise to specialize in the same path I've been on--esp if I'm interested in bringing new perspectives on ways I can apply my existing skill set. The Nic school is HANDS DOWN amazing and this choice has been really tough (like tearing me apart tough, roaming around my apartment saying "I don't know, I don't know" tough). I'm still not 100% on my decision primarily because coastal research at Duke is just...better.. but it seems like the value of intangible opportunities and resources at FES and the greater Yale network (which is so hard to compare) might be the better move for a masters. (I also got more money to go to Duke so that's been hard to weigh too).
Love any insights on my dilemma, this forum is a blessing.
P.S. if anyone else is in a similar position (coastal peeps), feel free to reach out to me. I've talked to ALOT of people and can relay what I've learned about both programs!

Well, the deed is done! I've submitted my deposit to Columbia SIPA, will be moving back home to NY in the fall (assuming that's allowed). Very excited. 
If Columbia is still running virtually, I'll be disappointed but not terribly surprised. I figure getting a bunch of the core econ/stats classes out of the way via Zoom is fine, and then I can get into the real meat of grad school come spring. 

I attended an online chat for prospective SEAS international students and the admissions assistant said they are now extending the deadline and will not revoke anyone’s offer.

Congrats on your decision!! ? I am still deciding between UMich SEAS and UCSB Bren - current events are definitely impacting my decision, so I'm still not sure at this point. I wish we had a bit longer to decide!

Hi! Did anyone else just now get a fellowship from UM SEAS? I just got an email notification saying I got one, even though they had told me I didn't receive any aid at the time of acceptance.
I guess they might be preparing for a smaller cohort considering the current circumstances and are realizing there's extra money to give. This makes my decision a bit harder, but I'm happy regardless!

Congrats on your decision!! ? I am still deciding between UMich SEAS and UCSB Bren - current events are definitely impacting my decision, so I'm still not sure at this point. I wish we had a bit longer to decide!

Have people started making their final decisions? I think I've settled on the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke! I hope everyone is happy with the outcome of their applications - it's been so nice to share this process with a forum of likeminded folks!! ?

Today I found out that I was accepted off of the Yale F&ES waitlist! I'm so overjoyed I've been beaming for like 4 straight hours. It's been my top choice program ever since I went to an admissions event at my school 3 years ago, though I do have to strongly consider getting 2 degrees and $15k in funding from UM. Please feel free to give your personal opinions on F&ES vs. Ford/SEAS! 
For those still on the waitlist: don't give up hope! I was really surprised they accepted me so quickly, so I have to imagine that there will be a good amount of slots left to fill.
If you're wondering how it happened: About a day or two ago, i got an email from them asking if I'd still like to be on the waitlist, then today I got an email notifying me about a new notification on my portal. 

Congrats on funding from Duke! There are some threads in here that offer good advice in negotiating more aid - there's nothing wrong with asking! Are you comfortable sharing how much aid you received from Bren? Right now I am deciding between SEAS and Bren, but I am also considering asking for additional aid from U-M!

Got one as well! Looks like Duke will be a financially realistic option! It's strange to be feeling relief during such a stressful l time. 
Bren is still slightly more affordable since it's a public university. Does anyone know if it's appropriate to negotiate a small increase in aid? I really don't want to seem ungrateful, but grad school is such a huge investment!

Yay! Congrats!! I’m also in at Bren  
Has anyone here received any fellowships/awards from Bren? 

Thanks for the info! I really appreciate it  

I got an email the day after my acceptance with a financial aid award! They were a lot more generous than expected, so hopefully you also get good news! It's also nice because you can pay in-state tuition the second year, which really helps.

Can’t believe that my grad school application season just ended like that. Still waiting on another Canadian school but I don’t really wanna go there, so...
What I’ve been thinking this past few days is that the end of my application cycle is not an end, but actually a start. Of course I’m very excited to get into my dream school, but the responsibility to perform well in this program hit me hard. It’s amazing when a dream remains a dream, but when it turns into reality, you have this sudden responsibility to live up to your expectations and not disappoint.
As I said, this is just the beginning. I hope we never forget our enthusiasm and make ourselves proud!!

Thank you!! It was a nice surprise! It seems like everyone following this forum has gotten some good news, which is really great! Go us ?
I hope that you and everyone else waiting on Bren hears back today! The notification I got said that they were hoping to send out official emails today or early next week.

I'm still waiting on Bren as well - I hope we hear back before the weekend!
And congrats @WatercolorPainter, I'm so happy for you!  

I didn't get anything yet! fingers crossed it comes soon... congrats!!!!!!

Bren sent out their results earlier today! Good luck to anyone who applied!
There was no financial aid info on my acceptance, but maybe it comes out later?

Hey everyone! @alaqua had the idea of starting a group chat for SEAS. I know there's an admitted students Facebook group, but maybe we could use a group chat to discuss the program, get to know each other, etc. Anyone else interested?

Finally IN at U-M SEAS.
With 15k fellowship.
Still can’t believe they kept me waiting for so long that I almost lost faith. But the outcome’s worth it.
Was not invited to Admitted Students Day tho. Due to Coronavirus outbreak.
You guys have fun and please update on your experience!!
Also if you have a group chat for SEAS admits please let me in! Thanks!!
 

In at U Wisconsin-Madison for Water Resources Management! Now just waiting on Tufts and Yale. Can't wait until next week ?

In at Cal for the MDP! Way earlier than expected, great surprise.
Only waiting on Columbia now, which also happens to be my first choice. Fingers crossed. 

Just got the email from SEAS about admitted students day -- I didn't realize that they would reimburse for travel expenses. I think I may end up going now that I know that!

Awesome! I was assigned two - it seems like  my main advisor will be taking sabbatical this fall, which is why I was also assigned a temporary advisor.