lilijane

ahahah this is a classical pre-admissions syndrome...also, you should have begun building a finger muscle as u use it a lot for pushing the refresh button )

No, definitely it is not pathetic or anything negative. I totally understand you. Application process changes the mood of people (at least it changes mine:) or at least make a muscle in your finger u use for refresh button..I am a lawyer and I do not have enough information to compare and calculate all those statistics but there is no way we can accurately figure out what is going on during admission processes..I know many people who are relatively more successful than the ones who manage to get in top schools but they have been rejected..every year you can hear such stories of people around you..but there is one thing for sure that the applicants who are granted financial aid are the ones who have solid record of academic accomplishments as well as other success stories or the ones who have made significant contribution to the public service in their home countries or abroad. This is what I have experienced at least. Apply to HKS and wait for the results, you have a chance there but if you do not have a solid record of accomplishment I do not think you have a chance for financial aid. Good luck with the results

I heard those rumors last year too during my LL.M applications that it is harder to get in if you are also applying to financial aid..I was admitted by most of the schools which I also filled financial aid form. Harvard wasn't one of those schools but they were top schools. I really do not think they would reject a strong candidate just because he/she applies to financial aid...

I have already applied to MC/MPA with a 7 years of work experience. I think it may fit you better than a MPP program because there will be younger and less experienced people than you and I agree with the below comment that this is a really good sign. There are many high-ranking officials from various backgrounds in MC/MPA program and I believe it may be a better networking opportunity for you than the other program. Besides giving 50k less will hurt less