Rutabaga

A lot of people pay for it themselves through loans or they find jobs with tuition reimbursement. I paid for mine through a combination of both. I know a lot of people say that the name doesn't necessarily matter that much, but personally I find the name recognition of having gone to a top 10 MPP program in DC worth the debt. It's also been a big plus to have gone to a well respected school in my PhD application process.

That sounds like it might be wrong! How many people are even in the Dept? Assuming not everyone accepted (so maybe 150 people decline) that would still put the Dept around 300 new admits every year!

I can relate to that. After the initial Whoooooo feeling of my first (and so far only) acceptance I went home and it all sort of set in and I got really depressed. I think it's a few things. The main one being that this was something I had invested so much emotional energy in and that to have it actually happen just somehow did not compute. I mean what do you do with all that pent up energy and stress once you get want you wanted? Also, the whole idea of it being real is sort of stress inducing. It's one thing to say I'm going to get a PhD! It's another to actually GET one and move and leave your comfort zone. I'm feeling a lot better about it all now though. Maybe just give yourself a chance to let it sink in and try to remember that you earned this so it's ok to be happy for a little while at least!

hahaha, me too.... Is that really wrong?

aaah, someone got rejected for the PhD at GWU! Still no status on mine... I guess that's a good thing!

Yay! Um, 2nd interview tonight with a school to remain nameless (for now). waaah!

Radio Ghoul School (streaming) shhh! Don't tell anyone I'm a closet goth, lol.

PhD's at GW are definitely after the masters notifications. I'm still waiting as well, so I think we're still fine.

You totally don't need a car in DC. I've lived in the area for over a decade and never needed to drive anywhere. As long as you are near a metro or a bus you are in good shape. Getting to College Park is really pretty easy since they have a shuttle from the metro.

Yeah I'm definitely bringing my SO, however, I'll let him explore on his own when I'm attending the actual events at the school.

Try to take a break from the forums and do something that will keep your mind off things. Go to a park, read some fiction, see some friends. Obsessing over this is guaranteed to start on the way to anxiety and stress unless you have something to anchor you down to the present.

I didn't interview for UNC, although admittedly I had already met my future adviser in person at a conference.

Here, they are under public affairs for some reason instead http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandr ... lth_policy Well, I'm still waiting for JHU and GW (and Harvard, but I had a phone interview today and they are only admitting 2 people). It's really between JHU and UNC and I honestly can't decide at the moment (assuming I have a choice).

For those of you who have partners moving with you, are they just going to try to find a job once they get there? The whole job situation is really stressing me out. It's rough to ask someone to move with you and give up everything they already have going for them!

Is it bad form to use the entire amount of money offered for travel? How many days can you legitimately stay there? I've got $400 to work with and the even is on a Friday. I'd love to stay a 2nd night to check out the area though. Does anyone think that would be frowned upon?

hmn. I don't have a license at the moment (never needed one). Maybe it's worth considering then.

lol, if it makes you feel any better the health policy and management ranking is technically not in the top 10 for the PhD (which is sort of weird!)

Two years funding for UNC! Seriously, I'm sort of having a panic attack about the whole thing. I'm really, really happy, but it all feels very different when you actually start thinking about the moving and stuff!

Would you say it's possible to live in Chapel Hill without a car? Also, what is the job market like there? I'm hoping to move with my significant other and I'd love if there were actually jobs for him!

Wow, just got admitted to Chapel Hill this morning! Really excited! Recuitment day is in March.

As long as GW doesn't start with their PhD notifications I'm still worry free! But seriously, if they want to maybe start sending those out too... that would be great!

Looks like GWU is sending out a bunch of admits today!

A lot of us had Dec 1 deadlines and still haven't heard anything. Even 3 months isn't unusual unfortunately.

Actually does anyone know if UNC-CH does interview for PhD programs? I saw some for the masters level policy track mentioned on the student dr forum, but nothing about PhDs. I mean it seems odd that they would interview masters level people and not PhD applicants!

haha, well it's good to know that we dominate the student doctor people at least! I am getting so, so antsy waiting. Really, even a rejection at this point would at least be news. It's really the uncertainty that is driving me up the wall. But it's almost Feb when I'm sure the floodgates will open and then we will all be admitted with full fellowships!! (huzzah!)