MPA2021

Hi there! Curious if this interaction was via email or phone? I am working on crafting an email to negotiate additional aid right now and feeling very awkward!

I got my aid offer just now via email. It is ... kind of shockingly low! I'm disappointed, I was excited about GW but have better financial offers from what I would consider to be better programs.

From the Student Result tab in this Google Sheet shared on this forum, it seems like SIPA often gives additional aid: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1NQ73cGtG8IrL0eBCUdCydKUd3hF0MbbTNRDt-X1H06A/edit#gid=1416956162 I'm in the same boat as you, with aid but cost of living factored in makes it even more outrageous. It seems they send out an aid negotiation form to do it in a streamlined manner? Does anyone know?

I'm deciding between MPA programs at American SPA ($$$), GWU Trachtenberg (no word on funding yet), and Columbia SIPA ($$). I've been in DC for the past four years and feel I have already built a strong network, so a huge part of my decision will be do I want to stay in DC and continue working while in school or move to NYC? I want to work in the federal government, so I know the SIPA "brand" doesn't really matter for my career goals by the Ivy League allure is strong. Pre-pandemic, I probably would have opted to stay in DC. But now, after a year working from inside my tiny apartment and generally struggling with the isolation of it all, moving to NYC as the world opens back up is really enticing to me. I do see myself moving back to DC and staying for the long-term. Cost is certainly also a factor and the price tag on American is looking really nice! I think I can make SIPA work with a combination of savings, loans, and at least a part-time gig while I am there. Curious to see what my aid from GWU looks like. I'm planning to start setting up informational interviews with current students/alumni of these programs and attending the various admitted student events. Congrats to everyone for making it to this part of the process! Curious to hear what other folks are thinking about right now.

Long time lurker, finally heard back from all of my schools and I am happy to contribute for future generations! Program Applied To (MPA, MPP, IR, etc.): American SPA (MPA), George Washington Trachtenberg (MPA), Harvard Kennedy (MPP), Princeton SPIA (MPA), University of Denver Korbel (MPP), Columbia SIPA (MPA) Schools Admitted To: American ($$$), GWU ($$), Columbia ($$), University of Denver ($$) Schools Rejected From: HKS and Princeton Still Waiting: N/A Undergraduate Institution: Top 20 U.S. university Undergraduate GPA: 3.75 Undergraduate Major: International development studies and gender studies GRE Quantitative/Verbal/AW Scores: 155/163/5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 4 Years of Work Experience: 4 by start of program Describe Relevant Work Experience: 4 years of progressive experience at an international development organization in Washington, DC. I have been able to touch all components of program management (budget, communications, stakeholder engagement, etc.) on major U.S. government funded development projects. I manage multiple employees, involved myself in numerous organization wide initiatives, and traveled to the field multiple times. I think my work experience was the strongest part of my application. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): I spent many months working on my essays and had them reviewed by numerous friends and colleagues. In the end, I think they were very strong and effectively conveyed where I have been and where I want to go, and how the degree will help get me there. I think they really represented me and I was overall very happy with them. Strength of LOR's (be honest, describe the process, etc): I had a letter of rec from my supervisor of three years, which I am sure was very strong. My second was from a professor from undergrad who I took three classes with. I didn't keep in touch with him, but did have two calls to go over why I was applying. I'm less confident in his letter. My third was from my Project Director, who knows my professional work well. Other: I was pleasantly surprised to get admitted into SIPA with funding and suspect my low GRE quant made me less competitive for HKS (and SPIA, though I had little to no hope there). I found studying for and taking the GRE during the pandemic extremely difficult, and simply could not make myself to take it again. Overall, I'm excited about all of the schools I was admitted to and looking forward to starting in the fall! I found GradCafe to be helpful, though sometimes a bit toxic

Please let us know what the response is!

So how long do you think they will make us wait for aid offers? That's a huge part of my decision making.

I'm in as well! Portal updated. MPA applicant.

My last name is Be...so pretty early!

Nice! Congrats!! Still nothing for me. MPA applicant.

Y'all I'm going insane.

On the bottom of the letter update it says: The following letters are available for this account: March 16, 2021 (displayed) Scholarship Award Letter

My funding just updated!!

In to MPA!! What a RUSH! No word on funding but trying to enjoy this moment

I am probably refreshing every 5 minutes at this point....