dagger

Here's part of a correspondence I had with a current Ford MPP student: I hope you find this useful.

I am right there with you both. Duke made a very compelling case last week and I'm curious to see if Michigan will be able to match.

Anyone else traveling to Duke today who happens to have encountered the ridiculous delays in the South - particularly Atlanta. (

When I was applying to schools, I was able to find professors engaging in research focused on education policy at the five schools you listed. I really need to sit down and take a more in depth look at the courses and professors to see which school would provide the best education policy track. I'm focusing on Duke and Michigan myself so I'll let you know what I find.

Congratulations to those of you that have been admitted so far!

Me too.

I'm in the same boat. I'd really like to know one way or another. Is it so hard to say that they're not able to provide anything?

Did you receive the award notice through e-mail or postal?

There's an outside chance that I may receive full tuition + a 16k stipend and be working with a pretty big player in one of the fields I'd like to work in. I would be hard pressed to turn that down. I believe its pretty unlikely though. Besides the financial reasons, my long term career goals lead to DC so it makes sense to get out there early. I'm still waiting to hear back from some folks on this, but I do think that the GW name carries some weight in DC. I've been impressed with their efforts to help students make the decision to matriculate. They've been quick to respond to questions and the google group has been great. I know that's something little, but I think the little things speak volumes abut a program. Assuming I receive no funding from LBJ, Georgetown, and do not get into HKS. My choice probably comes down to Duke or UMich with a slight lean to UMich for financial reasons. I'd be leaving Duke with abut 65K in debt while I would be leaving Michigan with 26k (and possibly 16k). As enamored I am with Duke, its tough to take on an additional 40k in debt. I know we've had that discussion time and time again. It just comes down to whether or not Duke can provide me something that Michigan cannot that I deem to be worth 40k. I think its unlikely. I'll be visiting each in the next two weeks so we'll see. In addition, I still need to evaluate the job prospects for both schools, take a look at internship placements again, and revisit the professors in the tracks I'd like to work in. I also need to get a better feel for their reputation in DC. We'll see how things work out. I'm incredibly torn and I usually change my mind each day. PM me if you'd like to discuss it further though. Edit: The SO will also be moving with me and we're making a mutual decision on it. A couple schools were eliminated based on her job prospects when we got there.

I think GW is a fantastic school, but I would also dispute the notion that its on the same level of GT or other top schools. I had a conversation with an admissions director this past week from a top school (not in DC to very candidly discuss why I should attend that school. The AD openly listed programs they thought were of similar rigor/prestige and suggested that if I had a large financial package from them, they would understand my decision to matriculate there. During the same conversation the AD mentioned that they did not consider GW to be of similar stature. Granted, I did not ask them to elaborate the reasons why, but I thought it telling that an AD would mention something like that about the program at GW. Now, I do realize that this is only one individuals opinion but it was from someone whom I think would be very knowledgeable about other institutions. I'm sure that you can find many individuals who would speak to the strengths of GW. I'm not intending to dissuade anyone from attending. Rather, I would like for everyone on the board to be able to make an informed decision for themselves and be aware of all opinions on GW. And, for full disclosure -despite what has been said-, there is a strong likelihood that I will be matriculating to GW in the Fall.

As did I. Anyone with a good size?

Yes, appliKant earlier in this thread mentioned their admissions. Let's cross out fingers for the rest of us.

Combine this news with March Madnes - there will no longer be any productivity from me for the rest of the day.

Nothing. No idea what the hold up is. However, judging from the results page, it does appear that no new acceptance/rejections have gone out today. I was genuinely excited yesterday about the prospect of an admission and a decent financial package but today I'm rather pessimistic about my prospects. In all likelihood, more admittances will go out today, but I question the level of funding. No funding would make Chicago too unaffordable. Let me know what you hear.

I very much dispute my position on your list but am flattered. Just off the top of my head I would argue that younglions very much deserves a position. Not to mention a few other board regulars: linden and policy_applicant. I'm sure there's many more as well that will all hear positive news. While each school is different, I think my impending Chicago reject doesn't bode well for HKS.

You've been quiet lately, policy_applicant. Glad to have you back. Now, can you tell me how you were able to stay away? The SO is getting mad about me compulsively checking e-mail....

I can speak to the state of higher education in Michigan and its very ugly. The governor is asking universities to freeze tuition for the upcoming year amidst substantial cuts from capital outlays to each university. Each year, when the state budget needs to be overhauled, one of the first places legislators look towards is higher education. It doesn't make any sense. I would be particularly surprised if UMich is able to extend full tuition to some of their students. No doubt I would be incredibly excited for those of you, but flat out surprised.

Congratulations! As it would appear the funding packages seem to be diminishing throughout the course of the day I think as does the probability of my admittance/full tuition package. :wink:

I was surprised on how quiet things became on this thread.

I'll pm you.

Wow. Congratulations to you both. I am very envious!

I received an e-mail from Christine a few days ago detailing my funding package. It looks like they're starting to trickle out.

Depending on your career plans, I do believe there are loan/debt forgiveness programs from Harvard for those interested in public service. Also, some businesses have programs aimed at repaying loans, etc. I imagine someone else on the board knows more than I on the subject and I think its been discussed previously. The only reason I bring it to light is that these programs can make an unaffordable school much more affordable.

Neither did I. I was particularly disappointed because I had considered it in my top two. However, with no funding it pretty much makes it enitrely unaffordable. I just dont see how I can get decent packages from other schools and then not even get the essay here. I would've liked to go. On a positive note, congratulations to those that just were offered an admission and those that received their funding news this weekend.

I feel you so badly. I cannot wait for the day when I've made my decision and can start looking for housing and a job for the SO.