rdr06001

Overall, they're fairly equal in terms of overall reputation, but Ford is better for policy and it's cheaper. Unless you're attached to LA for personal reasons I'd choose Michigan.

To attend total, per year or that's what you were awarded?

What's the money situation?

No worries, it kept bumping the thread to the top! Enjoy Price!

Yeah, this is what I'm afraid of. As I said before, Price definitely looks more rigorous on paper. Having said that, Fels offers a certificate in econ. dev., so I'm not worried about it being generic for my interests. Haven't committed anywhere yet, but I think it's going to be Penn. If I wanted to stay out west I'd probably opt for USC, but since I don't, I just don't see the advantage of getting a degree on the other side of the country. Thanks again everyone!

Well thanks everyone for your thoughts. I'm leaning towards Penn and I'll offer this little anecdote as justification. The other morning, my boss, an executive director of a small nonprofit, asked my how my school decision was coming. I told her I was torn between USC and Penn and was having a really tough time making a decision. "Well, it's Penn, obviously. My son is finishing his MBA at Columbia and blah blah blah..." This is my fear with accepting USC's offer. I know Price is good, but do the folks for whom I'll be interviewing in a few years know that? Yes, I'm probably insane to turn down a fully funded offer in SoCal to take on considerable debt in Philly, but I really think finding an east coast job will be easier as a Fels grad than a Trojan. I could be totally wrong, but that's my hunch. Thanks again guys, I really appreciate it!

No takers? I know it's not as interesting as the "HKS vs. WWS" dilemma, but I'd really appreciate it! I'm really struggling with this decision. Even if someone decided to attend one of these programs and can just mention why, I'd be incredibly grateful! Thanks in advance!

I'm sorry to do this, but I feel like all the advice I'm getting is based on name recognition (Penn, no contest!) or location (you're not really considering Philadelphia over LA, are you!?). I'd really appreciate some advice from people that have been researching these schools and can provide some educated nudging one way or the other. I'm a Northeast applicant interested in economic development at the city level. I think both programs are strong in this area, but I would prefer to work somewhere on the East coast after graduation, so I'm a little concerned USC wouldn't be all that helpful. Then again, I look at the curriculum at each school and USC seems much more rigorous. I worry that Fels is just trying to coast off the Penn name and there's less substance to the program. In terms of cost, USC gave me a full scholarship and Penn gave the 8k most of those admitted received. I realize this is a big difference, but I'm really trying to avoid making a decision based on money. I've noticed most people in this forum jump at monied offers, but it's just not the way I want to make a decision. There is a third option: apply again next cycle. I was shocked that I went 7-for-7 this round and I clearly misjudged my competitiveness. Another year of work experience certainly wouldn't hurt, but I don't have a dream school that I didn't apply to or anything like that. I'm not sure whether reapplying is worth it. Any thoughts?

Ahhh, I see. I will most likely be declining.

If I'm reading their site correctly, it's around 20,000 plus housing and living expenses. Can anyone confirm? I really like the class size, practical approach, proximity to DC and NYC, and the Ivy League thing certainly doesn't hurt - although it was the only Ivy I applied to, so maybe deep down I don't really care about status. I've been weighing it against my other offers and I just don't know if I can justify it.

Yes, I also received 8k. I'm pretty happy, but with full rides from USC and LBJ I have a tough decision to make. Do you know if the 8k is renewable for the 2nd year?

I received my acceptance call earlier in the week. David said they'd be sending out emails on Thursday and Friday.

It varies somewhat from institution to institution, but my undergrad GPA scale worked like this: A 4.0 A- 3.7 B+ 3.3 B 3.0 B- 2.7 C+ 2.3 C 2.0 C- 1.7 and so on. It looks like your average grade was somewhere between an A- and a B+. Hope this helps.