cunninlynguist

I don't think anything is directed at you, rather the people who create an account to post "I have a 3.5, a 1200 GRE. Recommend me schools and tell me if I'll get in." I went back and re-read your post and it's significantly different, with many useful and relevant details, and a tone that's actually receptive to input. You didn't expect others to do all the work for you, and magically assess if you'll get accepted.

In regards to the posts that Strangefox is referring to: there's no contribution from the topic-starters afterward, there's no sign of prior research into programs and POIs - there's generally no appreciation, either.

We're all nervous about our chances - my first post was about my GRE score. But if you keep your concerns and questions focused and legitimate, there's no reason this community won't be happy to help. Nothing is absolute. This process isn't as predictable as we'd like, and consequently nobody can provide a perfect answer. This isn't a law school admissions forum, where we could utilize a formula with reasonable accuracy. There are way too many variables, and would-be "Chances" posters would be wise to absorb Strangefox's advice.

I don't think anything is directed at you, rather the people who create an account to post "I have a 3.5, a 1200 GRE. Recommend me schools and tell me if I'll get in." I went back and re-read your post and it's significantly different, with many useful and relevant details, and a tone that's actually receptive to input. You didn't expect others to do all the work for you, and magically assess if you'll get accepted.

In regards to the posts that Strangefox is referring to: there's no contribution from the topic-starters afterward, there's no sign of prior research into programs and POIs - there's generally no appreciation, either.

We're all nervous about our chances - my first post was about my GRE score. But if you keep your concerns and questions focused and legitimate, there's no reason this community won't be happy to help. Nothing is absolute. This process isn't as predictable as we'd like, and consequently nobody can provide a perfect answer. This isn't a law school admissions forum, where we could utilize a formula with reasonable accuracy. There are way too many variables, and would-be "Chances" posters would be wise to absorb Strangefox's advice.

I'll only use tracks released within the last year or so to retain some connection to the application process.

Accepted:
Victory Laps - MF DOOM & Ghostface Killah
Eyes in the Sky - Immortal Technique
Who Da Neighbors - Juicy J
Victorious People - Zion I & The Grouch

Waiting:
4Eva and a Day - Big K.R.I.T.
The Grand Illusion - Pharoahe Monch
Check to Check - Apathy
The Only One - Blu & Exile

Rejected:
So Cold - Future
Get Ignorant - Cunninlynguists
What The Hell - Gucci Mane
Check My Resume - 2 Chainz

Every morning? I don't know what could possibly warrant that -- and it tacitly signals to your LOR writers that you don't trust them and are positioning yourself above any other priorities they may have.

The LOR process is stressful, and many of our writers are busy people. If you give them enough time and offer helpful reminders every 1-2 weeks with a clear deadline date, there's generally no cause for concern.

"Scared of getting a real job, huh?"

"Why are you applying there? Doesn't [insert name of completely random local/regional school] have a good program?"

"Scared of getting a real job, huh?"

"Why are you applying there? Doesn't [insert name of completely random local/regional school] have a good program?"

I'll bite, if the OP is expressing their actual opinion:

You don't appear to be worthy of judging the humanities and its students on any level given your writing abilities, or lack thereof. Scholars in the humanities fields are, by and large, incredibly effective and sophisticated communicators. If you really "loved" the humanities at one point, those teachings would be reflected in your writing.

Every morning? I don't know what could possibly warrant that -- and it tacitly signals to your LOR writers that you don't trust them and are positioning yourself above any other priorities they may have.

The LOR process is stressful, and many of our writers are busy people. If you give them enough time and offer helpful reminders every 1-2 weeks with a clear deadline date, there's generally no cause for concern.

I submitted one, but only because the admissions representatives specifically said it can only help and not hurt. If you're in doubt, just shoot them an e-mail.

And sometimes "diversity" can be a broad term. If you decide to do it (and, frankly, it's another chance to display your writing skills), frame it differently. Talk about unique experiences you have or unique viewpoints. Diversity doesn't necessarily connote physical characteristics or heritage. Talk about how you'd bring different perspectives to the program. Not belonging to a minority group shouldn't automatically preclude someone from writing a bit about their background.

Just a note to anyone planning on an adoption when they move to grad school: please, please give senior cats or dogs a chance. A kitten may seem like the most appealing and fun option, but kittens very rarely encounter trouble getting adopted. Seniors, on the other hand, may live out their final days (and it's a truncated period, as limited space makes them more "expendable") in a shelter despite the fact that nothing is wrong with them. You would make a huge impact by helping out a senior pet who has been forsaken. Not to mention that their dispositions can be eccentric and interesting -- a kitten will be a lot of work on top of a transition to a new school and location.

Not sure it's so simple.
 
One major element of employability will be the marketable skills and experiences you acquire in the program. If the degree ends up as a collection of classes with no substantive, real-world applicability, your employment prospects will suffer. However, if you land a good internship, participate in research, establish a strong network, connect with alumni, are involved in other professional activities, etc. you can sell yourself a lot better.
 
I agree generally, though -- the degree itself won't be a substitute for relevant experience. (Nor will experience always substitute for an advanced degree. If it's required for a position, you will be competing against other people with the necessary education).

DaniCM, just be careful to avoid the rabbit hole of trying to make this decision based on hypotheticals.  Gaming out the choice with what ifs will be paralyzing. 
 
Personally I think it would be a mistake to let this come down to institutional name prestige and where you think you'd have more fun socially/culturally.  That just feels like a recipe for regret down the road.  If you conclude that SIPA is the better program and you can make the $$ work, go there.  But choose it for the right reasons.  Otherwise, take the better $$ offer from Fletcher and make yourself the life of the party in Medford
 
Best of luck with your visit and congratulations again on these amazing options! 

Not that it needs to be said, but those markets are competitive for everyone and especially if you're looking for a paid opportunity. Keep things simple in terms of format (1 page resume, for example) and specific in terms of what you can bring to the table and why you're interested in each position. Mention the programs you've been admitted to and situate your academic goals within your career path.
 
Given that it's April, though, I don't know how many internships are still accepting applications. You may hear back from someone soon on an application you submitted previously, but if not, that sort of wraps it up.

Hi. I think I can help answer some of these questions -- though my answers won't make it any easier for prospective students who aren't getting financial aid.  The Kennedy School is very expensive; Cambridge housing costs are crazy; and reasonably-priced daycare is especially hard to find. I wish we could make things less expensive.  It's distressing to recruit students to HKS only to have us fall short on financial aid. 
 
I chair the MPA admissions committees, and I'm sure that the MPP admissions committee operates this way, too: we have a need-blind admissions policy.  Applicants whom we think have money have *no* advantage over applicants whom we suspect will need a lot of aid.  (And if anyone -- ever -- raised the question of letting someone in because they have the ability to pay... that person would be shunned in the admissions committee and then drummed out.)
 
Our ethic in favor of need-blind admissions sometimes puts us in the uncomfortable position of turning down applicants who *would* have been funded by an employer/agency/non-profit.  For example, imagine that an agency guarantees the tuition for any state employee who is admitted to one of our MPA programs.  That guarantee would not come up in our discussions about an applicant's "fit to the program."  The bar for admission cannot be moved by a pre-existing grant or scholarship. We leave scholarship money on the table, unspent.  It happened with several scholarships this year alone. Because those pots of money were given to HKS to fund students from specific countries/states/agencies (and so on), we cannot spend the money elsewhere.
 
Harvard's endowment is huge, yes. But it's useful to remember that each school has only a slice of the endowment.  HKS has had to raise its own endowment.  We (and the Divinity School, and the Ed School) would *love* to have even a slice of the Law School or Business School endowments. Since we are a young school, and since we don't spin out millionare alumni, our endowment can't support the kinds of scholarships we'd like to see.
 
You shouldn't be surprised that many of us at HKS (and especially on the Admissions Committee) look at the Wilson School with envy. Of course... we'd rather teach here... but we wish we could fund our students as they do.  The Wilson School received a remarkable gift that set up their tuition endowment.  Tufts, too, has some good financial aid packages.  We're envious.
 
David Ellwood made financial aid his top priority when he became dean, and we have more of it than we used to have.  Much of it, though, has been given for candidates from specific places or backgrounds. There is more "general aid" available than there used to be, too -- but not enough to make anyone especially happy.  I *am* sorry.  You-all can leave, for another time, discussions about whether the money "should" be spent on an MPA. We can leave conversations about Placement and Career Services to another time, too. 
 
Today, though, with many of you deciding whether to go to HKS or elsewhere, I only wish that we (and they) had more resources to help folks out.

A few months ago, I read in the NYT that approximately 2 million borrowers had applied for IBR, and 1.3 million had qualified. So, while it's never 100% certain the federal government won't pull the rug out from under us, it's been established that many Americans need IBR.
 
To me, IBR + PSLF sounds like a sweet ass deal. 10 years of government and non-profit work? Cool. Plenty of time for the private sector afterward!

This is the only appropriate response in this thread. Your goals, as stated, are quite broad. Harvard GSE is intended for students who are, or are planning to be, immersed in the education field with absolute certainty. If you want to leave the door open for international development work and a PhD, the degree at LSE is a superior option.

Not sure it's so simple.
 
One major element of employability will be the marketable skills and experiences you acquire in the program. If the degree ends up as a collection of classes with no substantive, real-world applicability, your employment prospects will suffer. However, if you land a good internship, participate in research, establish a strong network, connect with alumni, are involved in other professional activities, etc. you can sell yourself a lot better.
 
I agree generally, though -- the degree itself won't be a substitute for relevant experience. (Nor will experience always substitute for an advanced degree. If it's required for a position, you will be competing against other people with the necessary education).

This is the only appropriate response in this thread. Your goals, as stated, are quite broad. Harvard GSE is intended for students who are, or are planning to be, immersed in the education field with absolute certainty. If you want to leave the door open for international development work and a PhD, the degree at LSE is a superior option.

harvard... less time... u dont have to write a thesis, and the best school in the country

I'd go with LSE if you want to get a PhD down the road, it's a well known school for international development, and the thesis would help set you up for a research focus.

A few months ago, I read in the NYT that approximately 2 million borrowers had applied for IBR, and 1.3 million had qualified. So, while it's never 100% certain the federal government won't pull the rug out from under us, it's been established that many Americans need IBR.
 
To me, IBR + PSLF sounds like a sweet ass deal. 10 years of government and non-profit work? Cool. Plenty of time for the private sector afterward!

Not sure it's so simple.
 
One major element of employability will be the marketable skills and experiences you acquire in the program. If the degree ends up as a collection of classes with no substantive, real-world applicability, your employment prospects will suffer. However, if you land a good internship, participate in research, establish a strong network, connect with alumni, are involved in other professional activities, etc. you can sell yourself a lot better.
 
I agree generally, though -- the degree itself won't be a substitute for relevant experience. (Nor will experience always substitute for an advanced degree. If it's required for a position, you will be competing against other people with the necessary education).

Are they really giving you the same amount of money? The cost of living in NYC is much higher than it is in Durham...

Student loans are nondischargeable so if you hit hard times there is no way to escape the debt. You want to minimize your student loan debt as much as possible, not pile it on with more and more just so you can pay your car note. If I were you I'd sell the car and take the T. You'll be near Boston and a quick bus or train ride away from most places you'd need to go. Get a friend to drive you or rent a zipcar if you absolutely need to drive somewhere which should be rare since you'll be a student.

As Drake would say, "Don't do it, please don't do it."