state_school'12

I've been looking at back posts on the relative quantitative rigorousness of programs, and I've noticed that virtually every program is described by some as "quant heavy", etc. For me, the ability to push myself quantitative and learn advanced skills of statistics, econometrics, microeconomics, and program evaluation is one of my most important criteria for evaluating programs. And I feel a little let down by this forum, which is generally quite informative and helpful. For instance, GSPP is often highly regarded as quant heavy. However, their math camp spends half of the time on pre-calculus topics. To me, that sends off a little alarm. I hope to post some of the results of my own research, which will compare syllabi, topics, and textbooks across core quant classes, but my initial impression is that at even Harris, GSPP, and Ford, it's going to take some work to get beyond advanced undergraduate classes in econ and math/stats. With that in mind, what do you know about: 1) Advanced track quant options within the program(Ford offers an "In-Depth" Micro II, Harris has something a long these lines, etc) 2) Taking classes from econ departments/attending econ math camp. How does testing work? Has anyone done this? Many students praise the ability to take courses from econ departments, but I know most professors aren't going to be happy with letting policy students into PhD level courses, which are highly theoretical and full of proofs. Most students of which survive them only by working close together with groups of other PhD students - something that I would have difficulty doing as an MPP student. For current students, did any of you come from a math/econ background and feel underwhelmed by the policy school's quant offerings? How did you get around this? I'm looking for econometrics and micro courses that use multivariate calculus (lagrangians, etc), matrix algebra, and maybe some proofs. Can anyone help me out with specific examples, courses, books, syllabi, etc? An econometrics book that references Greene, and a micro book on the level of Nicholson are some of the clues that I'm looking for. Sorry for the rambling post guys, I'm feeling overwhelmed looking for old syllabi and course descriptions. Thanks for your comments.

I guess no Ford notifications today. Drat. I just want to stop checking my gmail every 5 seconds!

Duke accepted me with $25k/year, plus assistantship. Nice! The email makes it sound like the assistantship is for the second year, but in the MPP handbook it sound like it could start spring semester. Also, congrats USMA06!

Going into the cycle, I thought Ford was the best school I had a shot at getting into. Berkeley and Chicago were my long shots - instead of the usual Princeton/Harvard. I have a pretty quant heavy background, and my SOP talked a lot about how I want to get even more quant under my belt. I think that probably resonated well at Chicago. I think Duke is more competitive than Ford, but I liked some of the folks in the econ/business department doing behavioral economics. Then there's the the obvious strength of the environmental management/natural resources courses, brand etc. At this point, I just want to see where all of my chips fall, and then plug in everything I know into a spreadsheet to compare costs and opportunities. I think I'll go to two fly outs. Which ones TBD. If Berkeley had given me some money, I'm pretty sure I would have already accepted. I may beg them for something, and I'll also explore the possibility of getting a GSI gig the first year. Sounds difficult though. How about you? Is Duke your first choice? I don't know about you, but I wouldn't worry about GW. I'd go to LBJ over GW any day. Anyway my gut says yes to Ford, maybe with some money. Duke I think is 50/50, and funding unlikely.

I think a few of us might hear from both Michigan and Duke today. Fingers crossed...

Congrats you guys. Enkayem, it sounds like you can really use that support. As for me, I'm going to be doing some serious weighing of the possibilites... I'm getting ready for a nerve wracking month or so.

UCLA w/$15k.

Looks like we can expect to get the same amount for year 2, and assistantships exist. However, so far it looks like it's impossible to get tuition/fee remission. $64k/year cost of attendance... Yikes. Chicago is amazing, and I know there's a good case to be made that it's worth the money. Edit: this is re Chicago

Admitted to Chicago w/$20k!

I assumed that it was standard fellowship language. I.e. if you drop below 3.0 or something they cut you off.

Rachel: What do you want to study? Domestic/international? Etc. I went to Uoregon as an undergraduate, and was a teaching assistant for an econ class that saw MPA students enroll. The students were nice, and bright, but didn't take my breath away. It seems many students take a fair number of classes with undergrads (like the class that I was TA-ing. Of your list of MPP/MPA schools, I think UCLA hands down has the reputation as a better school overall. That's where I'd go. Do you know about funding? I've heard Evan used to be stronger, but it's still a decent regionally strong program. So if you want to work in Seattle/WA, that could be a good choice.

Nice analysis Goldenbear. I didn't apply to KSG since I figured that even in the rare event that I got in, my chances at significant funding would be next to nothing. I've noticed that about PMF finalists as well... For a school that doesn't get a lot of props for DC connections, it sure puts a lot of students on the dc career fast track. What sort of work do you want to do after graduation?

Agreed. It seems like most MPP treat a GSI thing as something solely at the discretion of the student. It sends a nice signal that Berkeley appears to care about it's masters students. My big question will be the chances of me GSI-ing the first year. I assume you'd take WWS over GSPP, but how would you compare GSPP and KSG? How much more are you willing to pay for KSG? If you don't mind me asking.

Crap, think again: DEFINITIONS OF TYPES OF REMISSIONS Partial Fee Remission: This type of remission is equal to the amount assessed in CARS for the Tuition, the Student Services Fee, and the Health Insurance Fee if the student has not had the health insurance requirement waived by University Health Services. A partial fee remission does not include the Class Pass (AC Transit) Fee, the Berkeley Campus Fee or any other assessments such as professional degree supplemental tuition (PDST). For eligible undergraduate GSI appointees, this program only covers Tuition and Student Services fees. Full Fee Remission: This type of remission is equal to the amount assessed in CARS for the Tuition, the Student Services Fee, the Class Pass (AC Transit) Fee, the Berkeley Campus Fee, and the Health Insurance Fee if the student has not had the health insurance requirement waived by University Health Services. A full fee remission does not include any other assessments such as professional professional degree supplemental tuition (PDST). http://www.grad.berkeley.edu/policies/pdf/fee_remission_bulletin.pdf

Nice, that's good news! I must have missed the bit about the tuition. I agree that it's ambiguous, but since the "Full Fee Remission" category doesn't itemize the Professional Degree Supplemental Tuition, I think we can assume that it's covered in any fee remission scenario. So it looks like if you get a GSI Step I position >/= 10 hours/week, you'd end up paying about $600/year (campus + class pass fee), and earn about $8,600/year in stipend. Where a year = ten months, or approximately two semesters. http://registrar.berkeley.edu/current_students/registration_enrollment/feesched.html#pubpol http://hrweb.berkeley.edu/labor/contracts/BX/current-rates

True, although it looks like only the GSR (research assistant) positions give you a tuition waver. The other ones max out at stipend + fee waiver.

In at Heinz 2-year MSPPM, $12k/semester. Email notification to check status (there's a new link at the bottom of the applyyourself page).

Congrats!

Of course, I had to go and say that...

Eigenvector, I just checked my status and it hasn't changed from "Submitted".

I got into Goldman, no funding though. I'm floored that I got in, Berkeley was an extreme long shot. US Applicant, notified via email.

Holy ****, I got in. US applicant, I got an email from the dean. No $$ though.

Another day of constantly refreshing email, government affairs, and logging into all of the applyyourself.com applications. With Berkeley, they've had our applications since December, so I'm especially impatient. I wonder about that deadline. I mean, are we supposed to believe anyone does anything at all with the application during the month of December? I think for anyone that applied to Berkeley, there's no way we could make a decision without hearing back from them. For me, Berkeley's the only school I'd consider fully financing my first year.

update: I did find this, from 2009:

While we stew in anticipation for the pending results this week, I'd like to revive this thread. Did anyone else apply/get in to La Follette? What do you think about the program? Strengths, weaknesses, etc. Anyone going to the visit day later this month? I understand that it's not a terribly well known program, at a solid university known for strong departments in economics, education, and sociology. My sense is that it's a tier below Umich, CMU, and Cornell. However, I think their social/education policy and state government emphasis would put them above places like UCLA, JHU IPS, UW Evans, American (ignoring the Fed Gov pipeline), and maybe GW Elliot. It's my only admit so far, and I was lucky enough to get a tuition fellowship, so La Follette is pretty appealing so far. I'm 100% confident that it's the best funding offer that I'll get, so I'm anxious for feedback on the program. Are there any current/former students that could chime in? The school doesn't seem to get a lot of discussion, similar to UM Humphrey.