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hey, kendlaal, congrats on the admission. a question about ut austin, did they mentioned funding with your admission?

I saw several acceptances to this program today. Any of the accepted applicants cares to share their stats? I applied there to, but I haven't been informed of the results yet. Also, did any of you get any funding or is funding to come later?

I think that despite your career change, you are a very strong candidate for all of the schools -maybe I'm just not sure about WWS because there everyone is a great applicant! While your experience so-so, it's good enough to had gotten you through great masters, so you'd have nothing to prove on that regard. Best of luck!

Despite your nationality, I would be very wary about getting loans to fund another masters. Studying in the US may open some doors but remember that as an non-US citizen most of the time you're not eligible for government/contracting positions in security issues. If you're not dead set into getting your security education in the US, check out Sciences Po International Security Master's. It's very well regarded in Europe and considerably less expensive for Europeans.

I'll attend SU starting next July and I'm looking for a room in a shared apartment. I'm an international student, so it's been hard trying to secure something from abroad. Any tips on that?

Have you looked into FLAS fellowships? I am not very familiar with them, but they are given out by the Dept of Education for US students pursuing degrees in international studies. They provide some (all?) tuition and give an stipend. However, I believe they are for modern languages, so if you're interested in learning yet another language, with your background you'd probably be a very good candiate.

So I deleted my previous post because in an unexpected turn of events in the end I was offered a better aid package at Maxwell, so the decision became obvious: I'll be joining Maxwell. Hope to see you there.

I had the same question when applying and after some reading, I think the main difference between them is that the MPAff, despite its name, is a policy-analysis degree with a quant focus while the MGPS seems to be a very broad international affairs program. Also, if you're looking into pursuing a dual degree, some are only availiable for MPAff and not MGPS students (like Business and Planning). Depending on your specialization, the MPAff can be tailored at least at a general level to your international interests, however, the MGPS has specific concentrations on international issues. On funding, as you can see on this years thread, several applicants to both degrees received generous fellowships.

I'll attend UT next year. See you there, guys!

Indeed. It was an assistantship, so there's probably one spot open for those who will seek funding when arriving to Maxwell. Best of luck.

I'll attend UT Austin. It was a really difficult decision, but I believe Austin was the best balance between academics and outside opportunities. I hope I'm right.

Program Applied To: MPA/MPAff and MSc Information Security Policy and Management Schools Applied To: Erasmus Mundus MAPP, Hertie School of Governance (Berlin), Syracuse U, UT Austin, NYU, CMU (infosec) Schools Admitted To: Erasmus Mundus (waitlisted for scholarship), Hertie (50% scholarship), Syracuse (65% all expense scholarship), UT (100% scholarship), NYU (1/3 scholarship), CMU (60% scholarship). Schools Rejected From:None Undergraduate institution: University in my home country (small but well known amongst scholars) Undergraduate GPA: 92/100 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (ifapplicable): 95/100 Undergraduate Major: Politics and Public Administration GRE Quantitative Score: 600 GRE Verbal Score: 690 GRE AW Score: 4 TOEFL Score: 113 (English is not my native language). Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 2.5 at time of application Years of Work Experience: 2.5 full time. 6 years of volunteer service as an EMT with various leadership positions. Describe Relevant Work Experience: Research and information systems management. Strength of SOP (be honest, describethe process, etc): I started it really early (around August) to apply for an external scholarship. It had typos and grammar mistakes. But I think it was overall strong because it clearly showed what I wanted to do, why attend each university and was related to my work and volunteer experience. Strength of LOR (be honest, describethe process, etc): Three writers: one for a former professor/thesis director/employer (I didn't see it, but I hope it was strong); one from another professor, alumni from one of the unis I applied to (I saw it, it was pretty strong); and the last one from the Medical director of the ambulance service I volunteer with (i didn't see it either, but I am sure it was great). Other: I was worried about my GRE scores -while they were right average for most of the schools, my Q was really low, while my V was higher. I speak four languages, lived abroad for a while and wrote an undegrad thesis. I am sure that these factors + good SOP and LoRs made up for my scores. In retrospect, I am really happy with my acceptances. I only applied to schools I could see myself in, so deciding where to attend was really hard, I want to go to all. I wish I had applied to less programs and to include one program I didn't applied to, but since I needed financial aid, I wanted to broaden my chances. If you're applying to NYU and need financial aid, DO send your GRE scores even though they're optional (I didn't and I assume it negatively impacted my funding chances).

I am in a similar position, albeit deciding between LBJ and Maxwell. I feel that LBJ is a better fit because of its location and opportunities. Everyone I've talked to speaks highly of UT and thinks that the trade-off between living in Austin and attending a higher ranked program is totally worth it.

I was looking for the past courses to have an idea of what it's offered every semester. Thanks for the link, Nimesis.

Hey guys, do you know if there is a course list somewhere? I've seen the core courses listed on the website, but what about the electives and specialization courses?

Well, WWS has a lower admission rate than all the other schools you got into -I believe it's the harder program to get in of all of them. Still, you could potentially send and email asking about any weaknesses in your application. In your shoes, I woudn't sweat it. Your decision is really difficult as it is. You got into awesome programs!

I appreciate your input, zerolife. I've sent you a PM.

Awesome! I am still deciding, but if I end up at LBJ, I'll drop you a line. Congrats on your decision

I am admitted to the MPA and I asked specifically about the dual degree in Economics and it seems to be the same process amj6c described.

Where are you from abaabel?? I am an international student from Mexico and I know that because of the large Mexican population in Austin and its proximity to Mexico, there are several employers looking for Mexicans or at least bilingual graduates, so in my case, it is an advantage no other school has (maybe NYU). I don't know LBJ's placement in internatinoal organizations, but if you're looking to return to your country, you'd be better served with a school that has some recognition there. It'd be great if someone could answer your question about consoultancies and multinationals. Anyone?

This exactly: Go to AU, you'd be getting two degrees that compliment each other for free!

I didn't know that, but I agree, it is definitely an advantage.

Hey, nogone, thanks for your input! Why do you say they are quant heavy? Any other impressions from your visit?

I am not familiar with the PhD you mention, so I can't say anything about it, except that while CMU is an expensive university even after the funding you received, cost-opportunity-wise it will be completed faster than a PhD, thus you could potentially start earning money earlier. And from what I've been told, the MSISPM degree is in great demand by employers. However, I've been reseaerching CMUs program and it's my impression that the MSISPM is not research-oriented. At most, you have the final thesis option on the fourth semester, but that's about it. While I believe there is some faculty doing research on social networks, the nature of the program is more security policy oriented -you have several electives, though, that you could fill with classes on that specific topic.