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Hey Rugger: I'm in exactly the same situation - trying to decide between HKS and SIPA and intending to do international affairs or international security policy. Funding isn't a differentiating factor for me either. I suppose the difference between the two is that at SIPA we'd get quite a concentrated and exclusive focus on security and strategic studies. The IGA at HKS is broader than that; from what I can see there are only one or two courses that would qualify as security studies, but then there are more offerings on other aspects of what one would call 'international affairs'. So I suppose it comes down to depth (SIPA) vs. breadth (HKS) - there will be a compromise to be made with either program in my view. HKS is of course a great school, but the more I've learnt of SIPA over the last couple of months the more impressed I've been - I think it gets a really bad rap on these forums which is a bit unwarranted. This is going to be a really tough choice! Hey soaps: Thanks for your views on the ISP session at the SIPA open day - could you say a bit more of your impressions please? Did you meet any current or former students? If so, what were their backgrounds (military, think tanks, etc) and how big is the ISP group usually? Also, were you able to tell whether ISP students could take courses with the political science department? Cheers.

Hey everyone - how was calling night? Any useful info/impressions to share with fellow admits? Cheers!

This is all very sad - sorry to hear about this people Hope those admitted who participate in calling night later today will post some impressions here please. I'm travelling at the moment so won't be able to make it - nor to the open day, so will be relying on fellow forum members for some views and impressions. Thanks a lot.

Thanks TypeA - am looking forward to calling night tomorrow! :-)

Haha - at first glance I didn't think it was rude, but having re-read it, it isn't quite the thing to say when people are spending sleepless nights waiting for a responce!

Same here. I started out not knowing much about it and wondering if it would be a good match when I applied, but based on Methods responses and those of other people I've spoken to, I'm getting quite excited about it. Fingers crossed some generous funding comes our way next week. Btw, are many people able to attend the open day? I'm an international so won't be able to make it - but hope some of you can, and can report back on impressions.

Appreciate the answers Method - thanks! I'm sure there is a whole group of us here who are really keen on attending Ford and are waiting eagerly for funding decisions next week. Good luck everyone - next week is going to be a big one!

Hey Method - thanks a lot for your really helpful comments. There isn't much on these forums on the Ford School which is a pity because it sounds a like a great place! I had a few further questions which I hope you wouldn't mind helping with please: 1. Does Career Services or another administrative body provide assistance with finding internships, especially the overseas ones? Are these advertised at Ford or do students have to seek them out off their own bat? 2. Are MPP students able to take PhD level courses from other departments and faculties, particularly those on offer from the economics and political science departments and finance at the Ross School? 3. In some other schools popular classes are often over subscribed and have to be opened to a bidding process - does this happen at Ford as well? 4. How much interaction do students have with the faculty? Comments on some other comparator schools and programs suggest that because of a large student body faculty aren't able to devote much time to meeting with students outside of class or supervising independant research projects etc. 5. Do any students, should they choose to, transfer to the Ford PhD program at some point during the MPP? Even if this isn't the case, are they able to audit/attend the PhD level courses at Ford? 6. What proportion of the student body are international students? Are international students able to find work on campus as easily as domestic ones - someone on another thread mentioned that international students weren't able to work and get paid while enrolled in a graduate program - maybe I misunderstood what they meant but maybe you could clarify, thanks. Apologies for such a long list of questions. Thanks again for taking out the time to return to these forums.

Anyone think MPA2 decisions will be released today? I'm thinking that maybe today is the day for Mason and MC/MPA decisions only - lets hope not!

Am also really keen to hear from current/formar students on their experiences at Ford. Speaking of which, I really liked what the admissions letter said about a 'Calling Night' - apparently, current students will be calling or emailing to talk about 'life at Ford' among other things, which should be great...

Yep, doesn't seem like it!

I think you're right re domestic policy focus. Of the programs you've applied to, do you have a preference, assuming you got funding from all? I'm trying to get a sense of how Ford compares to some of the other schools with a domestic policy focus. On paper, its rated highly for social policy and policy analysis, and has good access to top law and business schools and other graduate departments - but then so do Duke, Chicago and Berkeley. I'm wondering where Ford falls among these in terms of quality of courses/teaching, career placements, alumni base, student community... Any current Ford attendees on here?

Hey, congrats to you too! I'm quite happy about this offer - it seems like a great program, though there isn't much discussion about it on this forums. Or maybe I've missed some threads?!? Hopefully they'll release info on funding in a few days. Impressed with the quick turnaround on decision from Michigan - feels their deadline wasn't that long ago. January 15th if I recall.

Am in at the Ford School! Just received an email... Any other Ford School applicants here?