Haber

Thanks @GradSchoolGrad for your valuable inputs. I really appreciate your analysis and feedback. I think I might give myself some time to think through.

Thanks for the insights. I myself thaught a lot about the first point you have dwelt into. It's a concern that fundings will go down considering NUS hasn't offered a single fellowship this year and even World bank isn't sponsoring policy programs any more. Personally, I come from public sector and want to come back and work in India. Public sector job isn't that well paid here and a loan of approx 60-70k will take me 15 years to repay. Both Chicago and Columbia will involve huge debt even if I put personal savings and employer support of around 50k. HKS has offered me MC MPA option and that's a one year program which I guess is suitable for me if I get some external funding and give some time to sort personal finances. Which could happen next year. It feels bad to squander such wonderful opportunities but this pandemic things has thrown the entire plan astray.

I have gone through many a posts and would also like to share my dilemma. I have got admits from Chicago(50% tuition), Columbia (50% tuition) and HKS (none). Factors I have considered are cost, learning experience, networking opportunities, debt repayment, career outcomes and alike. I am leaning towards deferring the HKS offer and trying external scholarship and managing own finances so as to attend next year. Columbia's deferral is an extremely expensive prospect and then their deferral policy is not very friendly in terms of $3K ticket with funding lapse. Chicago is a good program but it's more academic and oriented towards freshers with not much work ex. As an International student from India, I was looking for an experiential learning experience and thus HKS and Columbia have been my top choice. However, recent developments suggest that the quality of program and participation of experienced professionals is going to be affected to some degree. This does not justify the kind of tuition these programs are billing especially considering that much part might be online. Debt upwards of $50K, I find unjustified with bleak economic prospects. Therefore I would like to wait for a year or two and continue with my profession. I believe that policy sector is unlikely to see similar funding support and CSR activities are likely to shrink in coming 2 years. Freshers who have secured decent funding or people willing to continue in the education sector may like to make use of such an opportunity and hope for some green shoots coming out by the time they graduate. As for me, I have denied Chicago and in talks with Columbia regarding any concession they may make w.r.t. deposit deadlines.

I've sent an email to Harris for deferment but have not received any intimation yet. Can anyone throw some light as to how to go about it. Is there any link in the portal or any other link of that sort. Unlike HKS which provides deferment option as part of admission response form, there is no such option at Harris.

@EspressoDoble, I did not accept the offer, yet I've got an increased award, meagre increase though but it's there. So I really don't know why they have not communicated their decision to all those who applied for reconsideration. Hope you too get a favourable communication, or rather check with them.

With all due respect to the agency and it's adminstration wing, I simply cannot make out any head or tail of their published list. Let's move on guys.

Thanks @misterrpiketty, Joint Japan is the option I've pinning most of my hopes in. Let's wish it comes up soon.

I have been suspecting this possibility for so long but did not speak so as not to freak others out. Country run funds like JJ, full bright, Erasmus or commonwealth etc will get stingy for few years now, since they might channel it to fighting Covid. Moreover, economy will be hit badly, possibly an overall recession and country specific depressions. Funding education through loans don't sound good in such a dismal scenario. If this outbreak lingers on and US put stringent conditions on Visas then, on campus classes seem difficult for next 6-9 months. Many US embassies have been shut for Visa appointments. It has become increasingly difficult to keep focus and really enjoy the feeling of selection at such prestigious colleges amidst financial issues and this health crisis. Countries are under lockdowns and arranging finances will be next to impossible by the deposit deadlines. I wish universities give a positive consideration to scholarship appeals or extend the deadline or reduce the tution cost. Otherwise scenarios look bleak as far as I'm concerned. Sorry for this long post, wanted to vent it out.

Congratulations to all the accepted members, It feels even better to see few getting CPL and other fellowships. I have also got MC/MPA acceptance but no aid, so will have to decide between HKS and SIPA. All the friends who didn't get in, many seem to have other great acceptances. I think many will leave the offers at their dream school for financial considerations thus acceptances hardly matter. what matters is what we make out of opportunities as someone rightly said before. All the best guys, it has been a nice experience at gradcafe and especially this thread. let's try to make best of these opportunities and even if not, people would be doing wonders otherwise wherever they are. stay safe and stay healthy friends.

Thanks @Policy_Applicant2020, I had also checked with them and got a response on similar lines.

I always had an impression that fullbright scholarships were fully funded. It is so frustrating to give entire control to a third party and too without full funding. I believe they must be footing 80%-90% still. What about world bank ones, anyone having any idea.

Thanks @KyleR, much appreciated. I would be very thankful if others also can share the knowledge on this.

Congratulations to all those accepted. I have received some generous aid and contingent TA in second year with the offer letter for MPA program. My query is regarding this recent mail about financial aid portal and award acceptance. Will accepting the award debar one from putting a reconsideration request? Or it's a logical first step to appeal it. Does anyone know, how successful one can get during reconsideration process, any experience with anyone known to you or any of your friend's case.

Congratulation, all those who have got acceptance. I have also received the congratulatory email with some funding support. I wanted to know as to when will Harris come up with funding revision appeal form they usually provide. Please share if anyone has an idea. Also, hard luck guys for rejections, I wish for your success at other programs. All the waitlisted friends have something to cheer and should keep the spirits up.

It's a news to me. Why are these selected candidates not updating in this forum. Maybe you heard news of MAIDP candidates or those from first round. Can you confirm you heard MPP runs 2 results.