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legs

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Everything posted by legs

  1. I'm going to be starting the MPAff program at LBJ in the fall, and during the Open House day a few weeks ago I had an interesting conversation with a current MGPS student. She made the comment that the MGPS program has a lot of kinks to work out, and still is in somewhat of a development phase, since it's so brand new. When she saw I was MPAff, she said, "Oh, you'll be fine. That's been around forever, and that's a well oiled machine." Thought it was an interesting data point to add to your decisions.
  2. Ok, I think I've decided on LBJ. Anyone think I'm crazy for giving up the Ford School? I think I'm a little crazy for giving up USC when I've been wanting to get back to California, where I'm from, for so many years. But it seems like the best option for me right now, with its combo of great lifestyle, solid program, and practically full funding offer. Am I going to see any of you there in August (or maybe before for Camp LBJ)?
  3. Did anyone else get the email yesterday saying if we wait until after April 15 we might get more funding? Are they kidding? I never had any funding from them to begin with, and I've been analyzing my options for the past few weeks- how are we supposed to incorporate we *may* get some (?) funding after every other school's deadline?!
  4. I was at the open house, and overall I thought it was really impressive. Ford is clearly very well funded (the building is beautiful and huge). They really harped on how you spend most of the 2 years learning skills (quant and writing) rather than diving into specific policy topics (not only do they not have specialization tracks, but you don't even choose domestic/international). They have 4 full time career services people, and 3 full time writing instructors, which I thought was astounding. Career services and the alumni network seemed really strong. What else... the negatives for me were how intense the curriculum seemed (students made comments that they're in the building every day, all the time, and doing calc problem sets at 3 am), and the location. Overall, if you're looking to build up your quant skills, seemed like a great option with strong job placement.
  5. I can't speak to the prestige of the MPL program (I'm MPP), but I've been trying to get some info on how the USC brand is perceived as well, since I'm seriously considering going there. To be honest, the response I've gotten from picking students' and professors' brains at other open houses hasn't been great. One Georgetown professor I was speaking to candidly kind of dismissed USC and said I should go to my other options. I think if you want to stay in California, particularly Southern California, one should absolutely go to USC. The USC alumni network can't be beat in SoCal. However, I haven't gotten the impression that their reputation really carries to the East Coast, if that's your ultimate aim. I absolutely agree that it's a very polished, well-endowed school. If I do decide to go there, it will be largely for geography, and because I think they are so much more polished/well-endowed/alumni connected than UCLA.
  6. At the Open House yesterday, Pat Wong said that you can either fulfill the stat and econ pre-reqs by taking a course over the summer, or studying on your own and passing a test they'll give you around the start of school. He said they'll even give you the topics you'll need to know and study materials for the test. If you're the kind of person that's a good self-studier, could be a good option.
  7. If anyone attended today's Open House, and can share any impressions that would be much appreciated!
  8. legs

    Austin, TX

    You're not the first person to tell me that Austin is the perfect spot for all the things I love, well before I was applying to schools. I'm less worried about the whole "Texas" thing, actually, then about Austin being too "hippie". I grew up in Northern California, so I know that side of things all too well, and it's not really my vibe. But it sounds like there are a lot of different sides of Austin, and like most things I'm just going to have to check it out for myself. Thanks for your thoughts and suggestions!
  9. It's unbelievably inexpensive. The other private *and* public schools I'm looking at were the same price with big scholarships as LBJ full price. Now that LBJ's offered me a chunk of funding, it's practically free.
  10. My email yesterday offered me in-state tuition, which equates to about $16k a year. A pleasant surprise.
  11. Just an FYI for any of you that like myself were hoping to visit UCLA next week when we're in town for the USC Merit visitors day... UCLA is on spring break next week, so sounds like there's not much to see. The Luskin office will be open, however, if you want to go in and ask them questions.
  12. legs

    Austin, TX

    I love live music (especially country), outdoorsy stuff, being on the water, and sports (the no ocean thing is probably my biggest hang-up about Austin...). I'd love to see any spots or neighborhoods that are quintessentially Austin. Since there seem to be a lot of sides to Austin, it would be great to get exposure to as many as I can in the few days. Nogone- thank you! I will indeed be there for a Sunday, and both those ideas sound great!
  13. legs

    Austin, TX

    I was just admitted for the LBJ school for the fall with a really attractive financing package, so UT is currently very high on my list. However, I've never been to Texas in my life, so when I go visit in 2 weeks I'm going to have to really get a feel for the city and the school in a very short amount of time (2.5 days). Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should make sure to see to get a good feel for Austin? I'm open to renting a car, since this is a very important decision, so anything close to UT or driving distance that you think is important to see to understand the city. (I'm not sure if it helps, but I'm originally from CA, and have lived in Philly, Charlotte and currently NYC. In my head, Austin in like Charlotte, which I liked a lot, but not sure if that's true.) Thanks!
  14. Do you mean $20k for the full 2 year program? Only 2 semesters a year, right? I was under the impression that LBJ was one of the stingier schools with funds, which made sense being a state school. So I was just shocked to get my letter today with $15k a year plus in-state tuition. It makes UT unbelievably cheap... wow, I need to go visit, but I've got some serious thinking to do. ...And for that kind of money, Texas just made the Final Four in my bracket.
  15. After seeing your note, I went and logged in, and mine is only showing loans as well. Maybe I'm being wishful, but I didn't get the feeling it was updated for the merit-based grants. It all seemed need-based, judging by the "Eligibility" link, the comment: "Please note summary may not reflect your official award", and no 'messages' under that tab. At least I'm not losing hope yet... seems possible they haven't finalized the funding yet, or at least haven't updated the system.
  16. Finally just got my big envelope in the mail here in New York. It made the contrast between the $1,000 scholarship and the $50 mil all the more striking since the two were mentioned in consecutive sentences in the letter. I'm considering other schools as well -- but wanted to throw out there: Can anyone think of a reason to choose UCLA over USC if you want to be in LA? Particularly given USC's generous funding, which makes the cost pretty similar, if not less, and how not impressive UCLA's admissions office and process has been the last few months... It hurts me to say, since I'm a big UCLA fan and almost went there for undergrad... but at this point the ONLY thing I can see that Luskin has over SPPD is the neighborhood. Can anyone think of anything else? EDIT: In response to OnEdge -- someone posted in results that they got $15k from Luskin.
  17. But it was such a nicely worded rejection, wasn't it?
  18. Oh my goodness! Just got an email accepting me into the Ford School! It said funding info would come in the next week. The open house will be Friday and Saturday, April 8th and 9th, and assistance with travel expenses with that is available. I was waiting on several schools, but wasn't expecting Michigan so soon!
  19. Earlier this evening, 2 hours before I got my acceptance email, I got an email from the financial aide office with a link to the financial aide site where you can check your status. Right now mine says "Your financial aid award information is not yet available." But the email from fin-aide says " We will begin processing your application for student financial aid shortly and notify you when you are awarded." I'm not sure if its just need-based they're referring to, or it's is merit-based funding as well, but it's the only mention of money I've seen. The acceptance letter had no information! Does anyone know when LBJ's open house is going to be?
  20. Thanks for checking! I just logged in after I saw your post and I'm in as well! Such a relief!
  21. I don't think anyone's gotten their snail-mail packet yet. I got my acceptance email the week after you, and still haven't gotten anything official in the mail yet either.
  22. The email was from a gsppadm@socrates.berkeley.edu address. I'm sure they have to send things in batches given the sheer number of applicants.
  23. Just got the email that I was rejected... ah well.
  24. I didn't see anything about the assistantships either, so I'm not sure how that works. I'd love to make it to the Dean's Merit Day, but I'm on the East Coast, so I'm going to have to see if it's do-able. I'm more worried about the stat requirement -- it's been more than 3 years since I took stats it in college, and I'm not going to have the ability to take a class before school starts. Do the majority of people manage to somehow take a stat class between march and august??? Also, I was surprised how early school starts -- is it normal at other MPP programs to start in mid-August?
  25. My scholarship letter was indeed in the SPPD packet (which for me arrived at the same time as the Grad School packet). They're offering me $20k a year.
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