Application_Overwhelmed

I was there...

I received a financial award from Evans as well. Full tuition remission for my first year but nonrenewable for the second year. I won't be taking it, so hopefully that will free up some money for others!

I was hoping someone might be able to answer a question for me. I was given a graduate honor award to AU for full tuition remission (eek! ) and just received the official letter in the mail today. It says that I have an added requirement through a service component to partner with faculty and/or administration within SPA. My merit award requires a service component of 10 to 20 hours of service per week (as a TA, GA, etc). My question is whether this is work I will receive wages from or if it really is just a "service" I need to complete for the university in order to receive my award. In one place it refers to this as "service" and elsewhere as "employment". Anyone have any insight?

Program Applied To :MPA Schools Applied To: NYU Wagner, AU SPA, GW Trachtenberg, UW Evans School Schools Admitted To: NYU Wagner ($3,000), AU SPA ($33,000 + Graduate Assistantship), GW Trachtenberg ($5,000 plus waitlisted for "more generous funding awards") Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: UW Evans Undergraduate institution: University of Washington Undergraduate GPA: 3.86 Undergraduate Major: International Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 630 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3.5 Years of Work Experience: 3.5 Describe Relevant Work Experience: AmeriCorps VISTA in refugee resettlement, Academic Coordinator for nonprofit serving refugees and immigrants Very pleasantly surprised by the Graduate Honor Award given to me by American University. I will most likely end up there until GW gets back to me soon and has a better offer. Good luck to everyone out there! Phew, this whole process is practically over!

I heard by email last Tuesday that I will be receiving full tuition remission from American. The official letter will be coming in the mail this week. George Washington said their funding letters will arrive by the end of this week also. Good luck!

I also heard from Wagner yesterday and had applied on January 5th. They gave me a 2 credit a year tuition remission...Definitely not enough

It might be worth a call. I applied on February 1st and heard back that I was officially accepted on February 10th...

I just found out I got the same award today! So excited!!!!!!!!

What are your stats, weissenlf?

Program Applied To: MPA (nonprofit management) Schools Applied To: Wagner, Evans, American, George Washington, Arizona State Schools Admitted To: George Washington, American, Arizona State Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: Wagner, Evans Undergraduate institution: top 10 ranked public school Undergraduate GPA: 3.86 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.9 Undergraduate Major: International Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 630 GRE AW Score: 4.5 Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): 3 Years of Work Experience: 3 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I was an AmeriCorps VISTA at a refugee resettlement agency and now work for a nonprofit as the Academic Coordinator for low-income refugee and immigrant children.

I got an email from American last night to just check my online status. I thought that would be bad news, but it wasn't. I'm officially in! I'm surprised I heard back so soon because I applied on the Feb. 1st deadline. Now waiting to hear about funding...

Hey mssyAK, You know, I haven't heard anything about their generosity. I'm in the same boat, though. I definitely can't move to DC unless they give me some significant funding. Anyone out there have any idea when they are going to let us all know about funding?

Yeah, I got a call from someone also, which put me at ease. Now just waiting to see if they want to give me any money!

Hey Jean85, Quick question...has your application status changed yet? Mine still says under review although that email said the website should reflect our acceptance soon.

Congrats! That's exciting news! I wish all schools got back to me so quickly. Thanks for letting me know

Hey there, I received the same email today and took it to mean that I had been accepted. But it was still a little strange. And it said to check your online application and your admission status should be there. My admission status hasn't changed, so I'm really unsure. Hopefully it was good news! I only applied two weeks ago which seems extremely quick... Good luck and let me know if you find anything out...

Hello! I have a 750 word SoP due in a couple days for an MPA program and I was hoping someone would be up for taking a look at it. I'd be happy to read through yours! PM me to let me know...

Perfect! That's what I thought, but wasn't completely sure. Thanks for the help!

Hello! One of my applications asks me to add an addendum based on my participation in AmeriCorps. I'm just not sure how long this should be, what I should include, etc. These are the directions: AmeriCorps and Teach for America alumni are eligible to receive a $5,000 financial aid award for the MPA or MPP program. Alumni should submit an addendum with their application stating their alumni status and requesting financial aid consideration. Do they really just want "I am an AmeriCorps alum and would like to be considered for financial aid"? I feel like I should add more... Any advice would be very much appreciated!!!

Hello fellow grad applicants! I am currently working on a 500 word personal history statement for one of the MPA programs I'm applying to and having a terrible time with it. I feel like I'm coming across sounding really stupid and could use any and all advice. Please send me a message if you'd be willing to look over it! I would appreciate it immensely! If you have something you'd like me to look at, I could do that, too.

Wow, thank you both for the advice! I sent a follow up email right away and received an automated response saying they will not be in the office until late January. I had a quick panic attack and then 30 minutes later got a response from the professor. Such a relief! Now I can put on my application that I have been in contact with that professor, phew! Thanks for the help!

Hey all, So, about a month ago I contacted a few professors asking about their research and the possibility of studying under them, etc. I have yet to receive any reply. What are all of your thoughts on sending a follow-up email to professors? Would this be a bad idea? I'm just thinking that with the holidays and everything, my emails might have just gotten lost in the shuffle. Additionally, in my application that is due next week (NYU Wagner) there's a section asking which faculty members I have been in contact with. Would it be bad form to say I have contacted these professors and haven't received a reply yet? I want the admissions committee to see that I have attempted to get in contact. I would appreciate any of your thoughts. Thanks and good luck to all of you!!!! -AO

Hey there, You're right! I just looked back at the instructions and it doesn't mention it. I just assumed it was supposed to be double-spaced. And yes, it definitely would make a huge difference in my essay. What's this example you found? Would you mind sharing it? I like this essay, too. I feel like I can show a little more of my personality and, like you say, creativity. I'll keep looking to see if I can find the answer, but let me know if you find anything out. -AO

Hey all! I'm definitely feeling the stress right now. Are applications really due in just a couple weeks?! *sigh* Program Applied To: MPA Schools Applied To: Wagner, Evans, American, George Washington Schools Admitted To: Schools Rejected From: Still Waiting: All Undergraduate institution: University of Washington Undergraduate GPA: 3.86 Last 60 hours of Undergraduate GPA (if applicable): 3.9? Undergraduate Major: International Studies GRE Quantitative Score: 720 GRE Verbal Score: 630 GRE AW Score: 4 (have no idea what went wrong ) Years Out of Undergrad (if applicable): almost 3 Years of Work Experience: 2 Describe Relevant Work Experience: I was an AmeriCorps VISTA at a refugee resettlement agency and now work for a nonprofit providing academic support to low-income refugee and immigrant children. Strength of SOP (be honest, describe the process, etc): NOTHING! It's downright terrible right now Strength of LOR (be honest, describe the process, etc): I am glad I asked 2 of my professors to write my letters 3 years ago. My school has a letter of evaluation service and they just sent the letters back to my professors to update them so it was really a piece of cake and they are both still great friends of mine so they should be good letters. Also, I got a letter from my current supervisor which is ok, but she hasn't known me for too long. Other:

Hello! I've been really struggling getting my SOP going, and while a few friends (who are not familiar with the grad applications process and an MPA) have looked over it, I was hoping for some feedback from people who are also going through this. Please reply to this thread if you're willing to read and give feedback. It would be great if you have applied/are applying for an MPA. I'd be happy to look over yours as well! Let me know! Thanks :-)