bgreenster

What exactly are you looking to do in MPA/MPP? I know of a few programs, just based on my own research (I'm not looking to go mid-career, but I'm kind of obsessive at looking at everything a college has to offer). They seem to be even more focused than the non-executive degrees, so it really will depend on what you're trying to do/are currently doing. I think another important factor is whether or not location will matter for you. It would seem to me that you would need to stay wherever you're currently working, since a lot of mid-career are executive programs, so you can keep on at your job while pursuing the degree... Are you planning on going full-time or part-time and continuing employment? Depending on your current job, I would look to see if they have some kind of sponsorship program to assist in you going back to school. I know that's how my dad did his MBA at Kellogg while working Some that I remember are: Master of Public Affairs atthe LBJ School at Texas-Austin. Their website is at http://www.utexas.edu/lbj/degreeprograms/mpaff/midcareer Master of International Development Policy at Duke's Sanford School - http://sanford.duke.edu/centers/dcid/degree/pidp/ At American University: (they also have a bunch of certificate programs... AU is huge, so they have a lot of different options) Master of International Service through the School of International Service - http://www.american.edu/sis/admissions/Executive.cfm Key Executive Leadership Program - http://www.american.edu/spa/key/mpa.cfm MS in Organizational Development - http://www.american.edu/spa/msod/index.cfm

Did anyone get their funding email today? I messaged Meg at the end of the day, saying I hadn't received mine (like that email said to do). I just wanna know if I'm getting any money! haha Update: Meg replied and said they're "working on getting word out this weekend" so hopefully soon we'll know.

For GHD? Or was yours the one listed for Russian, East European And Eurasian Studies? I only ask because they seem to be posted around the same time, and I'm curious if the GHD program has already gotten to contacting the wait list...

Oh man, wish this hadn't been seen I'm guessing it's the MIDP, since as far as I can tell, the MPP is consistently 2nd week of March. And not to burst your bubble, but one acceptance will not a human make. I feel like I've gotten crazier because now I expect to know everything... although, my acceptances haven't included funding info, nor have there been any online status changes, so it doesn't really feel official.

Please do! I haven't heard a thing from them since I applied, minus the "you have applied" email. I keep almost forgetting I've even applied there

Very cool - what are y'all planning on studying in terms of concentration/professors? I really wish I could go to the admitted students visit to meet people! As I've mentioned, I went to UG at UVA, so if anyone has any questions about the university in general, or about Cville, feel free to hit me up I can't wait to hear about funding, since Batten is definitely one of my top choices!

Exactly.

I'm just curious - is this all through that standard apra sign-in? Mine doesn't even seem to have a place for a decision...

OK, so now has begun the time where others are hearing things from schools I applied to... and I'm not I think it isn't helping that I haven't gotten anything official from schools I *have* heard from, including complete silence on funding. I don't want to bother them, but the one school said I would have funding information last week, and I'm just dying to know SOMETHING. I need to be taken away for the week or something, so I can stop checking online and stop getting excited for nothing about the mail coming. I'm definitely hating Apply Yourself, with absolutely nothing changing for ANY of my schools, including one where I have received the unofficial admit. C'moooooon - CHANGE!! Yes, I'm aware I have lost it. This is the only place I can vent

I think that your message can be valid in this situation, but that the way it's being presented is taking away from its helpfulness. Yes, we all need to be realistic about our shots at success post-grad, but I also like to think hard work can pay off. I didn't get the impression that the law school issue was so much not being able to cut it, as realizing thatit wasn't the right path. I have friends who did well in undergrad, went to law school, and quit after a year rather than incur further debt for a career they realized they weren't interested in. I think that's much smarter than just pushing through and finding yourself in "massive debt" for something you don't enjoy. The reason people are finding your comments "trollish" is due to the personal attacks on the OP. Bashing the OP's intelligence and saying it's completely impossible due to the law school thing is mostly just offensive and not helpful. Personally, I would appreciate your type of advice IF it were presented in a truly helpful way, clearly stating what will be difficult in finding employment post-MPP. Also, it would be more helpful to suggest options that would be better suited for what the OP (and others) may like to do. I think we could all benefit from people with consulting experience if they were to give practical, useful afvice.

Still nothing. Mine doesn't say anything about a decision having been made, either.

I just caught myself checking my email's spam folder in case a message got sent over there. Extra ridiculous because I know I have received email correspondence from each of my wannabe schools already. Ah well, who knows? Maybe gmail's spam filter would figure "we want you" is one of those computerized dating service/mail order bride things.

Congratulations on getting into CMU! I don't personally know a lot about consulting because I plan on going the non-profit/possibly government agency route, but I DO have friends that work at Deloitte, and it's one of the few I know about, so I wouldn't scoff at it For my two cents, I think it's crap that law school stuff would matter (and obvi, adcoms are agreeing) because it really just means you needed to go down a different path. I have a number of friends that quit law school. I think a major problem with law school is that it's REALLY hard to know if it's your thing until you're in the middle of it. Other programs, it's easier to know if you'll like it or not. Again, congrats - I'm sure you'll be able to go the consulting path if you want it badly enough!

I'd go with Thoth.

Ughh... good luck dude.

Another Monday, another empty mailbox... womp womp.

My application status hasn't changed yet. They're sending the official offer and such this week. I'm not really sure when the website will change - it doesn't even show on mine that a decision has been made.

Duke's Sanford school said mid-March.

Got my acceptance phone call on Friday, now just waiting to hear about funding this week! Anyone else get some good news? Going to the accepted student info meeting in a couple weeks? I don't think I can make it because I live in another state, but I'm definitely wanting to meet professors and the possible cohort. I would love to hear who else is considering the program, and what you're thinking of studying.

My application status still hasn't changed. I had that email last week, but haven't heard anything official and none of my information online has changed. Are you going onto apra, and then hitting "application status" to get that message? That's torturous that they're putting up a thing saying "we know but won't tell you." What the heck? What is the point of doing that?

I haven't gotten any info on funding yet, but I think if my higher choices don't offer me as much money, I will definitely get in touch with someone. I'm thinking I would contact whoever has been emailing/calling me through this application process, and say something like: "I am definitely interested in your program [insert details here about it/why]. However, I am concerned with my ability to attend due to financial constraints. I have received a higher financial aid package from another university, and am having difficulty making a decision because I would prefer your program." add in a few more niceties and see what happens... I think if it's a legit concern, and you really do have a better offer elsewhere, it's a win-win. I don't see them rescinding the offer, and so worst case is that you don't get more money and have to stick with the original options.

I think it's good for couples to realize they *can* do whatever makes them happy and you can choose to do the fairytale wedding thing OR something more your style. I think there can still be a lot of pressure to go traditional, but there are SO many different ways to get married I wonder if the gradcafe demographics are more "alternative" than the general population - loving how many people did/are doing their own thing.

Yeah, it's true. I've been out of school for 6 years, but I have never wanted to go back to it. I love academia/discussions and all that, but I just don't miss not getting any sleep, constantly having something due, and not having time for personal stuff. Oh well, it'll be worth it for my career AND I'll be getting to learn a lot of cool things that I'm legit interested in... We just need to have an awesome summer!

I'm a bartender right now, so I guess I'll do that until maybe July... in July I'm heading down to Ecuador and getting married/traveling for a few weeks, then I'll move to wherever I'm going to school. I plan on lots of relaxing, and probably taking a class based on which school I go to. I need to do some language studying, but my priority will be to enjoy summer before all that coursework in the fall! It's crazy because the only thing I want is to go to grad school, yet I am not looking forward to being back in school Ain't that life...

I love where this went! I agree, it totally depends on the couple. I, for one, don't feel like stressing about it, and know that figuring out the actual plans would be ridiculous... I don't even know which state would be best to have it (we're from diff places). So, we're combining the honeymoon and wedding, getting married on a boat, and letting everyone know either right before or when we get back. I foresee some small barbecue-type parties to celebrate with families, but nothing official or expensive. And that will be very "us"