monavocado

Hey there! I've seen a couple people talk about having their financial aid/scholarship packages appealed or modified. I know some schools provide forms that you can fill out, but I don't know that my schools have something like that (Fordham and Howard, anyone?). 
Does anyone have any further recommendations? On what grounds did you appeal (need, merit, etc), and how successful were you? 
 

Hey I just wanted to throw this question out there but I am curious about how other people are going to go about it.
Do any of you plan on working while you are in grad school? Getting scholarships are not as accessible for grad students and tuition is a lot of money even for in state tuition.
I know some some loans are available but I am interested in not taking out the students loans that fafsa awarded because the loans start accruing interest immediately and they can't be absolved in a bankruptcy.
Another question is have any of you been successful in negotiating with your employer to give a stipend for grad school in addition to salary? 
I am interested in how other people are plan on dealing with tuition, work and school for the upcoming year. 

Congratulations!!!!!

Thanks for your crossed fingers-- I received good news last night!  I got into the UMD MSW/MPH dual program, very happy. Thanks for your words-- they helped more than you know! 

I just received an acceptance from University of Maryland this morning!!! I'm still in disbelief as my last LOR was approved on 3/12! It was the only program I applied to and I'm going to accept - thanks to everyone here for your support and info sharing throughout this process! Only yesterday I was feeling regretful that I applied so close to the deadline. Don't lose hope!!

I just received an acceptance from University of Maryland this morning!!! I'm still in disbelief as my last LOR was approved on 3/12! It was the only program I applied to and I'm going to accept - thanks to everyone here for your support and info sharing throughout this process! Only yesterday I was feeling regretful that I applied so close to the deadline. Don't lose hope!!

Thanks for your kind words! I'm not sure if it makes a difference, but I applied for the Rockville campus. Maybe they're reviewing Baltimore applicants separately? Fingers crossed for you.

I just received an acceptance from University of Maryland this morning!!! I'm still in disbelief as my last LOR was approved on 3/12! It was the only program I applied to and I'm going to accept - thanks to everyone here for your support and info sharing throughout this process! Only yesterday I was feeling regretful that I applied so close to the deadline. Don't lose hope!!

Thank you! The letter said 3 weeks

I just received an acceptance from University of Maryland this morning!!! I'm still in disbelief as my last LOR was approved on 3/12! It was the only program I applied to and I'm going to accept - thanks to everyone here for your support and info sharing throughout this process! Only yesterday I was feeling regretful that I applied so close to the deadline. Don't lose hope!!

Not trying to be a downer, but something to consider if anyone is thinking about Columbia:
Among your choices, you should also consider which programs have a grad worker union AND treat grad students right. I am a current 2nd year PhD student at Columbia. The majority of grad students are currently on strike for a living wage, better healthcare, and protection from harassment and discrimination. I have been watching the process of our new graduate union try to bargain for our first contract for over two years. In these sessions, I have seen admin (and their sleazy lawyer, who charges $1,500/hr) do everything possible to stall negotiations, belittle us, and play down heartfelt testimonials that make clear why our demands are reasonable and necessary. Every time we've gotten a raise in the past, our Columbia rent magically goes up by a higher percentage. Our wages are not enough to live in NYC. There is no dental or vision coverage, and they recently removed the better health insurance plan option. The school has a terrible history with harassment and discrimination cases brought by both undergrads and grads (Google it), and at the moment they are doing everything possible to avoid meeting our contract demand about changing the investigation process to give more rights to the complainant (see link below). It's also worth noting that in the School of Social Work, workers were traditionally paid less than workers in other schools--our contract is currently trying to bring all grad workers to the same MA and PhD wage level across schools.
We're entering the 3rd week of the strike, and Columbia has made very clear that they plan to not only doc our bi-weekly pay (which we receive for TA/RA work), but our academic stipends--yep, they are going to debit our student accounts, thereby jeopardizing course registration, degree progress, visas, and health insurance. We have a legal right to strike, but this later action constitutes illegal academic retaliation.
Long story short: I'm sure a lot of schools are as corrupt as Columbia, but I've just seen first hand how rotten this place is to the core. They only care about profit (their endowment grew $300 million during the pandemic alone), squeezing as much our of grad workers and adjuncts for as little pay as possible, sweeping bad press under the rug, and gentrifying Harlem with multi-million dollar campus expansions.
I encourage folks thinking about attending/applying to Columbia to express concerns to department chairs and administrators, and ask them why they insist on denying grad workers a fair contract: 
President Lee Bollinger officeofthepresident@columbia.edu, Phone: (212) 854-9970 Provost Ira Katznelson provost@columbia.edu,  +1 212 854 2404 GSAS Grad Admissions: gsas-admissions@columbia.edu  
https://gothamist.com/news/columbia-grad-students-strike-over-wages-and-harassment-policies-nyu-counterparts-vote-similar-actions

I applied November 27th and heard back from Maryland on February 8th if that helps! good luck  

Hey, I haven't heard yet and I applied in Dec, last LOR submitted Jan 13th (so I guess I applied the 13th).  

Hi! Just wanted to say I was accepted to UChicago last night (maybe around 7 or something?) via the portal! I was awarded a 20k scholarship. 
 
It feels surreal. Shoutout to all my other 'former bad students,' delinquents and first-gen college graduates out there. I had insane anxiety and imposter syndrome while waiting for a decision (literally any decision, only ended up actually applying to 3 schools even though I had initially planned on 5-6). So if that's you right now, I see you and I love you. 
GL guys! :,)

Thank you for writing this! This is exactly how I feel. Prestige doesn’t really matter in a field like ours (unless you’re going into an MSW with the intention of doing private practice with affluent clients only, which, no judgement but... judgement). Everyone should make decisions based on the strength of the program, the aid they offer, and where you geographically want to live and work! 

It shouldn't lessen your chance but I'm under the impression that most schools review the applications in the order they were submitted!