VAPHD

I was just there last week (live in the area). Overall, you will love the area...but be prepared for commuting time. If you are going to take classes at the Fairfax campus than live out there but if you are going to work or commute regularly to the city then look along the public transportation routes or major thoroughfares. Housing will be expensive depending on where you pick to live. Interstate 66 side is typically more expensive than the Interstate 95 side but a lot of range of housing options...you can check the local papers (Washington Post, or City paper?). Since you are in a program making friends and meeting new people may not be that hard. People who come to the area sometimes find it hard meeting new people because everyone seems to already be here with friends/families. Overall, you will love it here! I love it..being so close to the seat of Fed. Gov't and the array of lifestyles make the Northern Virginia community uniquely international but very "local".....good luck...

Just received GMU Public Policy PhD acceptence letter today via mail. Funding not mentioned yet. Good luck. Let me know your results...we can talk.

Have you heard from GMU Public Policy? Do you know when they are mailing out the letters?

GMU-SPP is the last school I am waiting to hear from....I feel the word will probably be coming out very soon....last year (as you probably know) most people heard within the first six days of April. I am just ready for this process to be over....after three rejections....I am just praying that SPP will be my "school" in shining armour! Has anyone else heard anything?

I thought this year was my year but turns out it wasn't. Now I am left trying to decide if I should reapply. Do I pick new schools? Look at my original choices and nail down what they are really looking for (got some really nice constructive feedback). How would a committee feel about seeing my application again? Can I reasonable show growth within a year's time? What are others doing?

For my program, it was the kiss of death but frankly I got the best constructive feedback. Makes me appreciate the program even more.....and the program direction suggested I reapply for the Spring admission....not sure if I should... I've been rejected by all so far..and waiting to hear on one more....the feedback makes me think I could fix the overall package and go again for the ones that didn't accept me...

I've noticed the same thing. I think it would make sense that MAs are notified before PhDs. PhDs are getting the money, the greater research privileges and essentially become the people professors are going to pour their knowledge and training onto. In my (humble) opinion, MAs are not necessarily getting the same level of critical analysis.

Found out that I was not offered an interview. Does this mean that my hopes with this program are over? Was I just such a great applicant that they are skipping the interview portion for me? Thoughts or feedback anyone?

I like to live by the Suze Orman financial philosophies...she would probably say NO unless the Masters will get you a lot more money!. I wish I would have known about that when I racked up 70K in loans after receiving two Masters degrees (long story). Nevertheless, I have found that this debt takes forever to pay down! Sallie Mae, the company which services my loan, is a *itch. The more I pay against my loans the less they seem to go down...I am scheduled to make my final payment in 2036!!!!! If at all possible find another route...either with funding or another school. Far be it for me to tell you to reconsider your dreams, but unless your starting pay will allow you to easily pay this loan off within ten years....please think about it. After graduating, I love my job but really I don't get paid enough to put a significant dent into this debt. Now with a family, buying a home, vacations, etc.....I am always having to make sure that Sallie Mae gets her money. Yet another "woman" gets the best of me.... (only kidding)...but seriously....think, think , think...

You know what I hate about that whole "you will get in" crap! Is the whole "Secret" mindset that you have to put out the positive energy and vision it happening and it will happen....My brother is so on this so anytime I say...if, or I think, he corrects me and says I am not putting out good energy. I always remind him--that if getting into my top choice PhD program required putting out good energy then I wouldn't worry but the reality is the program only accepts 5 to 10 of its applicants and over 200 may apply; my analytical mind tells me that statistically speaking...I better REALLY envision harder.... So since I have gotten rejected from my number one choice...does that mean that I just didn't "want it enough" to envision the reality of it happening. PEOPLE ANNOY ME!

I am in the same situation....just 15 minutes ago....I was rejected from my number one choice. Honestly it sucks but you know what....we will all get through it. The one thing this website has done for me is shown me that I am not alone. As I posted just before I found out about my rejection, there are over 38,000 people supporting me....regardless of my admission status. My best advice to you is feel it for a while...and then move on. Remember: We determine how we respond to a situation. Let us not be judged by the rejections but by the willingness to put ourselves out there (softly the music of America the Beautiful begins to play). Obstacles are only those things we see when we take our eye off the goals. (music increasing, crowds begin to swell with energy). Remember, when one doors closes...another opens (a mother craddles her new born child; a vetern stands to salutes; the music intensifies). We live with no regrets because we tried...we are the little engines that could....keep trying...never give up.....(a tear runs down the cheek of soldier; Glenn Beck sobs--no surprise!). And never....ever....forget.......in the immortal words of the late Anne Nicole Smith...."Do you like my body".....opps..I mean....in the vien of a Mastercard commercial....Submitting supporting detail transcripts: $4.44; Non-refundable PhD Application Fee: $65, Smiling because you realize how great your are: PRICELESS! (the crowds cheer, applause fills the air, and you are still smiling) I know that just helped me..... we will all be fine! Right?