MCneelified06

Oh, I'm not upset at all. These choices are entirely personal; I hope I didn't upset you, Zourah. I believe you said you didn't even apply to WWS, correct? That's a shame -- would have been nice to meet you! I was trying to respond to the earlier question: why would someone choose HKS over WWS (the question might have been worded differently)? I jumped on "location" as a reason because it seemed like pretty weak tea to me; obviously, if I loved Boston and/or winters, I would think being located in Cambridge would be a huge upside! That post seemed a bit bitchy as it's part of my genuine search for a reason for a generic high-quality applicant to go to HKS over WWS. Clearly, if there is a programmatic reason to go to HKS, (professor you'd like to work with, opportunities for cross-disciplinary classes, etc.), or if you'd prefer to be surrounded by other graduate students rather than younger peeps, or you can't live with yourself for "giving up Harvard," or any other number of reasons, you would want to go with HKS. They didn't offer me very much money at all (compared to full ride + stipend at WWS), so I didn't even really have the opportunity to grapple with some of these issues. I just hate seeing really smart people with huge potential spending over 100K for an education in public policy. There's got to be a better way.

I'm a little confused by this. I'm not exactly thrilled to be in suburban New Jersey (believe me, it has its drawbacks), but compared to Cambridge, MA? It's one thing to go to SIPA or something if you want an urban environment. But to go to HKS over WWS because of location? Princeton = Cambridge, except Cambridge is only close to Boston versus WWS right next-door to Philly with direct trains to NYC and DC. Also, the winter is significantly worse in MA (I grew up in NJ and did my undergrad in MA). I'm still trying to think of ANY reason to go to HKS over WWS, and I still have not come up with anything other than wanting a larger class and/or being around more graduate students instead of undergrads.

No one should give up on the HKS waitlist. They are giving MPP admits til this Monday to respond if they haven't already (even though the deadline has passed). I suspect their yield will be higher than average this year, but I bet a good chunk of people will get off the waitlist. P.S. I wouldn't have even been able to afford the HKS required deposit to enroll ($750)...

Linden -- I also hope that you make it off the WWS wait list! I probably sound like a broken record here, but I think there is something... interesting about the fact that HKS is actually profitable for the university (that is, public policy students subsidize others). I truly believe that an institution that cared about public service would correct this immediately. I think HKS could go one of two ways in the next 15 years or so. Either they get their act together and radically increase funding (which two current students and two alumni all independently told me is their #1 priority), and continue to be the premier public service school, or they continue as they are and lose a handful of the best students every year (like you, maybe!) until people finally catch on that it's wrong and actually vaguely immoral for them to be so cheap to public policy students -- eventually losing control of their brand (of course there is a "floor" on the brand because of the Harvard name). No one has a crystal ball so who knows how it will ultimately play out. But think of it this way -- if scenario #2 happens, your degree will actually degrade in value over time relative to other schools. If scenario #1 happens, you still will be in debt while HKS uses your money to help people younger than you attend the school. The thing is, no one can ever take away the fact that you were admitted to Harvard. Whether or not you actually attend is irrelevant to that accomplishment. If you feel the need to awkwardly mention that fact every time you explain where you went to school (if you choose somewhere else), and save 80K in the process, that would be my advice. Hopefully you get off the WWS waitlist and this is all moot!

Just got my HKS "award" which was a complete joke. WWS here I come!

If someone has had a dream for his or her entire life to go to Harvard, just because of the name, I'm not going to say that that is silly or irrational. A dream is a dream. However, if your goal is to get an amazing education in public policy, I would strongly dispute that HKS is in some sort of ethereal tier above all other schools. In fact, I have heard more doubts about the HKS program that many of the other top schools, including WWS and GSPP (sorry -- I didn't apply to NYC or DC schools so I don't really know too much about them). In short, even if HKS offered me a full ride plus stipend, I would still go to WWS. I think it's the best program and I think it has the best reputation. Obviously, everyone will have his or her own opinion on this. I've been trying to wrap my head around the debt question for a while now. Of course there are the practical implications of such a high debt burden -- and I will reiterate what I said on another thread that I do not believe public policy school is worth $120,000 regardless of the name. Harvard, shmarvard -- that is the cost of a house! This is a public service degree. I also think some of the monthly loan estimates I've seen floating around the Forums are very, very optimistic. More than just the sticker shock, though, is what such a high debt burden means "in theory" for the relationship between the school and the student. With WWS it was very clear: We value you. We want you in the MPA class. We think you will make an outstanding public servant, and we know that your future success in this regard might be compromised if you have to assume high levels of debt. With HKS, the tone is more one of: This is Harvard. A Harvard education is expensive. We think you have incredible potential both as a public servant *and* also as a high earner. Let's partner to get you a Harvard education. It's a different feeling, and for me, not really a good one. But I don't begrudge anyone for a dream!

I am definitely a little biased, given the fact that WWS offered me a full package while GSPP gave me the big zero. However, if you remove funding from the picture (a big "if"), then I don't see how you can turn down HKS. I've heard mixed reviews of the program from current students, and there are definitely quite a few trust funders there who aren't really committed to public policy in the way that I assume most GSPP students are. However, I do think the reputation matters. If funding is AT ALL a consideration, I would go to GSPP. I do not think the HKS debt is worth it, period. Others out there may disagree, but I don't understand how $100,000+ in debt for public policy school (!) of all things is appropriate. Just my $.02

Hey everyone -- It's probably too early to talk about this, but I was wondering what you all recommend in terms of preparing for a M.P.A./M.P.P program? I'm most likely attending the Woodrow Wilson School, and I know they have a "Math Camp" in August. But I don't want to make a fool of myself. I was a Political Science major in college and have an extremely limited background in economics and math. Are there a couple intro texts or something similar out there that I could use to brush up this summer? Any current students who wish they had done this or that before entering their program? Thanks!

I didn't even check email once yesterday -- congrats to all who got in. In response to someone who asked about the email:

Interesting. I received the EXACT same offer from the Ford school that I received from U Chicago -- $17.5 K per year. I'm sure that they're both great programs but I can't turn down full funding somewhere else.

I actually think I'm less likely to get in at HKS than I was at WWS or maybe even a couple of the other schools. I was very clear on my financial aid application that I would require funding to attend -- they claim to be need-blind but they require that you send them your FAFSA BEFORE they make admission decisions? That's a joke. Anecdotally, I have heard there are a lot of people at HKS who are writing checks to attend. If $$$ is no issue, "why not Harvard?" goes the thinking. I don't mean to disrespect any current students there and I do hope I get in with some sort of award. It's a fantastic school. But their financial aid email they sent out a month or so ago talking about loan repayment and the high cost of attendance turned me off a bit.

2:22pm Central / 3:22pm Eastern.

Confirmed. In with substantial money but less than $21K.

Jmoney, thank you for your post above. That was very helpful and informative. Unfortunately, funding IS a concern of mine, so that tends to crowd out other considerations. I do hope that I get admitted to HKS with some sort of package and can take a hard look. Since Berkeley offered me a big fat zero in scholarships, I won't really have a decision to make if Harvard does the same.

To answer your question -- yes, I do think there is a risk of losing students. I for one am getting into a "Princeton mindset" everyday that goes by without hearing back. Will this mean anything if I get into Harvard with a better offer? Probably not, but if it's a close call, who knows? There's also the whole logistical issue with visits, etc. Early notification is definitely important. I for one am about to write off U Chicago for example. They were very clear about a March 15th notification, including funding awards, if any. They let the 15th come and go without so much a courtesy email explaining the reasons behind the delay. It's pretty ridiculous for a school to break its very first promise to its prospective students.