Haha, exactly. There becomes almost this obsessive quality about just wanting to know. It was like that with Berkeley, where it wasn't my first choice and I pretty much knew I didn't get in, but you just want to get the process over with.
Does anyone know or has anyone heard of speaking to schools about being able to work outside of their TA/RA? The stipend offers I have received seem to be standard rate, but it's a fraction of my current salary. I would be fine with working as well, but I am not sure how to approach this with the graduate programs. Any feedback is welcomed.
Yes, it is an interesting program. I am sure I will have a similar fate as you some time today. Sorry to hear that you were rejected, but I am confident you will be accepted at some of the pending schools on your list.
Standing offer. If anyone wants to reach out Michigan, Berkeley, or MIT that did not apply there, I would be willing to call admissions for a school that I didn't apply to. We are getting trolled hard, so I would be game to stop the insanity.
If you are interested in Public Policy/Public Administration, there is the University of Connecticut's Department of Public Policy. They used to have fully GA positions and embedded GAs with local and state government organizations. The deadline appears to be February 15th, but you are likely competitive for their programs.
Are the Berkeley reports real? I am having a hard time understanding why anyone would even bother trolling about something like this, but apparently this is a thing.