number35

Hey Ignacio- A quick hit for you: HKS had a ton of applicants this year and seem (at least in part due to this) more competitive than past admissions cycles. I'm still a bit sore about the whole process, but not too much. What I learned: I was not accepted at HKS. Poli Sci 3.71 Cum GPA / 3.97 upper division Honors Thesis Div. 1/Pro Athletics 580/780 GRE Commencement Address I thought I'd have the X factor, but I think you really need somewhere in the 1350-1400 GRE minimum and at least (and I can't stress this enough) a year of solid solid work experience. I could have put off going back to school for a year and continued working (Operations Manager @ nonprofit) but I chose anyways to head back for my MPA at Syracuse. I think you'll find that there are a handful of universities that offer as good, if not better, educations than Kennedy. Although I'm sure my relatives and friends would be impressed if I said I were going to HKS, I'm probably better off for it in the end going to Maxwell... Food for thought, and good luck!

THIS IS WHERE I'M GOING TO ATTEND: Syracuse University Maxwell dual MPA/MA Economics OTHER SCHOOLS I CONSIDERED: DUKE, CHICAGO, U MICHIGAN, GEORGETOWN GPPI WHY I CHOSE MY NEW SCHOOL: - Outstanding reputation as a first-rate public service program. - Economics MA: the technical background I was looking for through the Econ program. - Two 12-month programs, assumed concurrently. Same timeline as the traditional MPP programs I sought... - Stellar alumni network, affordable cost of living, and SNOW! (totally kidding on the last one.) - Public finance/budgeting are both strong suits for the MPA and Econ programs. Being able to study both sides of the public finance equations. - Strong record at PMF placements

On this topic, I got a very solid piece of advice from a faculty member. Play your cards with the schools that are in the mix, but only approach schools you are willing to "walk away from" if they don't offer you any more aid. They have to be "last resorts", so to speak. It would be hard to say, "I can't come unless you fund me ... " and then, upon getting no more funding, still attend, right? Hope that helps. It'll be my strategy. But, I should say, I've talked increased money availability with a director from a school at the top of my list, but only after frequent personal emails... Hope that helps.

I'll likely be at Maxwell in June, and looking forward to it. Maxwell Mafia here I come...

Rejected.

Luca, I wouldn't count yourself out yet. If georgetown keeps to their admissions track record you could certainly still be in the running. My two cents, but again, most of us heard quite a while ago, perhaps they're still making decisions on the applications that weren't "unanimous" during the adcomm meetings...

Keep it alive! Along with all of our anxiety about HKS. At this point I'm holding out, but making decisions based on the assumption that I'm not accepted. Hopefully that will curb the disappointment. Any chance that works? yah, didn't think so.

Got notified via email. I turned in my award essay in early March (the 2nd round). Hope that helps...

GOB (Sorry, I can't help but call you that, haha), Yah, I'm in the same boat. The only thing is that Gtown has a 3 year dual masters program (MA Econ/MPP), so that is helping gtown out. And, they gave me 5k today, so it seems they're still sending out award notifications if anyone else is waiting.

I've gotten decent help from a couple other schools and nothing from GPPI, I'm trying to decide if it's even on my radar anymore... GPPI doesn't have the quantitative domestic policy focus I was looking for (at least as compared to michigan/syracuse) and I'm not sure if I should even fly out for the open house. Anyone else in the same situation? I know its DC, and it'd be an amazing time to be going to school there. But I imagine I'll end up working there soon enough anyways, and the price tag is pretty steep.

Did anyone else apply for award reconsideration? And if so, how awkward was that email? haha

Looks like the 20% might hear today, I checked the apply website at 10:15am (pst) and it was up, still haven't received an email. No funding though, which makes it financially nuts! And I was MPA, for clarification.

I'm from Los Angeles, and also strongly considering Maxwell. In comparing a merit award at USC vs. Maxwell, don't forget to keep in mind that living cost will be substantially different. At USC, if you want to live in a "decent" neighborhood (i.e. somewhat safe) it will cost you a solid penny every month. I've heard the rent/living expenses at Syracuse are fairly cheap. Also, Syracuse is a 1 year program, which is making it financially enticing to me (although, like you all, I haven't received word on funding yet). My 2 cents...

Nothing here...

Is this the "calm" before the "storm"?