SenorChuy

Some specific stats would help. Your work experience will definetaly be a plus. International status could also be a big help. You mention that your GPA was not stellar, but as long as your Master's GPA was good you should be okay.

Your GPA is a good start. Shoot for a high GRE and you should be in business. Work experience always helps, but like anything some schools weigh it more than others. It can be a great way to make up for other aspects of your application. Having finished the application season myself, if I had to do it all over again I would have done two things differently... -Take the GRE more than once. By the time I got the scores all the apps were due. Bad move on my part. -Apply to more schools. More match schools for better aid packages and more reach schools. I got in to places I didn't think I had a chance. My bad again for not researching thoroughly. For reasons I am sure are discussed on another thread a good number of top level MPA/MPP programs have generous admit rates as compared to other fields.

Thanks for the thoughts mothernorth. You are right in that given the relative similarity in costs USC should trump the others in name alone. I am still searching for some concrete outcomes for graduates just to put my mind at ease over the costs, though. I do like the joint degree at Claremont, for pretty much the same reasons you outlined. It feels like my options would be a little more open. I do have one more application out there, for George Mason. If they give me any type of funding that could muddy up the picture, as it is cheaper already and I am confident I would be classified as an in state student the second year due to lots of family ties to the area. Still no SC though...

Hey folks. All of the application decisions are in, sans one, but so far these are my choices. Some of costs are scary but I figure I will be working for 40 more years and this is an investment in my career. Pepperdine MPP -Full time program, so I have to quit my job (which I would be looking forward to) but that just means more loans. -Best FA package so far, ~45% tuition scholarship (still working on sweetening the deal) -Not ranked too highly in usnews, but at least its in the top 100 -Has a solid placement program, which is very important to me because I will be switching industries entirely -Out the door cost (ie books, rent, food, tuition, etc) as of now is a tad under $80000 in loans. Again that could improve if they reconsider the aid but no guarantees Claremont MA in Politics, Economics, and Business -Would keep job for at least a year, then go full time student. This would keep the program cost down. -Gave a small fellowship, asked for more, gave a slight increase -This is a specialized program and right up my alley. I met some profs and students and came away impressed. -Job prospects would be pretty good in the region, but this school isn't well known outside of socal -Out the door cost is around $70000 of loans USC MPA -Could probably swing this as a strict part timer in 2 and half years due to most of the classes are at night or late afternoon. -Zero FA, still waiting on loans. Still seeing if I could be considered for the following years. -Top ten program in the field, well known nationally, which would help in the job hunting -Great placement program, outstanding alumni connections. -Don't know exactly what the costs are yet but assuming no future funding and if I am able to keep my job then I would owe an estimated ~$70000 of loans. That could be off. The only reason it is cheaper than the others is that still working full time will help offest any costs after Stafford Loans. Any thoughts?

I am seeking some assistance from the collective wisdom of this board. I have a situation that is all too familiar around here. School A) Local public university. Cut and dry education. Very cheap. I can keep my job as all the classes are at night. Easy to finish in 2 years. The degree would help me with my current job by slightly increasing my pay and making me more competitive for better positions, and possibly help me break into my target field. School Private, research oriented, Top 50 school. Very expensive, limited funding. I could swing keeping my job for a year or two but I would most likely have to quit eventually to finish off the courses not offered at night. Estimated ~3 years to finish part time. The degree would help me in my current position in the same way as School A, but the difference is it would make me very marketable to my target field. Bottom line....School B is a dream school, but is the dream worth an extra ~$60,000 worth of loans?

I too have been lurking around this forum. The personal stories that you and so many other posters have bravely shared has helped everyone get through this stressful season. Congrats on the acceptance and best of luck!

I got my first letter on a Saturday. It was a surprise for sure, but at least a pleasant one. So to answer your question, no more taking a break from checking email on weekends. That email does not check itself!