K.Ash

I'm struggling with a similar issue - I'm working full-time while in school full-time, coming out to 40 hrs/wk working, 8 hrs/wk in class, 20 hrs/wk or so on hmwk, and am a) struggling and unsatisfied. I actually think B is making A an issue and that if I was happier at work, I'd be more okay with the situation. Really lost on what to do, as I don't want to cut my work hours and lose the income but don't want to cut a course because I have a scholarship that requires I study full-time.

Don't take out private loans unless you decide you truly 'need' one for moving expenses. Private loans are generally a very bad idea when it comes to education. You can take out grad plus loans to cover the entire estimated cost of living provided by your university. I'd suggest you do more research on this.

Out of three roommate situations I've had, only one of them was a pleasant experience. I'm not exactly pumped to return to this way of living after 3.5 yrs on my own. That said, I'm moving from a small city to a major metro area. It'd be a miracle to pay what I currently do for a 1 bdrm, for my portion of the rent in a 3 bdrm. I'm not taking on additional debt for cost of living, so roommates are kind of essential. I am fairly optimistic since it was the last roommate out of the three experiences that was best. We're actually meeting in the coming weeks to check out potential apartments, and of course to make sure none of the others are absolutely insane Also, to the OP - I know when I say roommates, I'm talking about sharing an apartment but having my own bedroom. No way in heck am I sharing a bedroom with someone I don't really know. Particularly given scary crap like the link posted above, I will be checking for locks on the doors until I trust these chicks lol. In terms of finding them, my grad program has a listserv and google group... so many people have been connecting that way.

I'm moving about 400 miles... I'm only 23 but have been living on my own for about 2.5 yrs so I have a good amount of furniture. Granted, almost all of it is second hand. However, last year I bought this AWESOME red couch that I am just not willing to part with so it is a big reason I'll need a U-Haul. Although the reality of the cost is certainly setting in, a U-Haul will cost me only slightly more than what the couch did... sigh. I've got a certain attachment to it as it is my first piece of 'adult' furniture. My parents also recently relocated from my hometown (currently 2 hrs away from me) down South (where, conveniently, they will be 2 hrs away from my new home) so I don't have any storage options here. I don't plan on moving back up here so it would have to get down there eventually anyway.

I'm really happy to see this thread b/c I'm probably currently in just about the best shape of my life, extra motivated by a cruise in July, and have been kind of concerned about fitting in fitness once I start grad school since I will be studying FT and working close to FT. then again, I'm selling my car so the several miles a day I'll be walking to metro stops should count for something

I'm staying til mid July - gave department director notice earlier this week. Was not a good day for her, as my immediate supervisor also gave notice and is leaving for a new job soon (... we're a department of 3).

This is a very comforting thread to have come across. I'll be relocating more than 6 hours away for my Masters in August, and after talking through the options my SO is going to stay here for now. I think this will really be a huge test for us... if we can do this, I know we're in it for the long haul. but I don't know if it will. He grew up in the city we currently live in, and pretty much his whole (very large) family lives here. He would be okay staying here forever. I don't have ties here, I actually will very soon no longer have family in the state, and can't have the career I desire here. Its a tough time, so for now we're just enjoying as much time together as we can

It is obviously a shared feeling, haha. I don't hate my job, but I've had some transitions in the leadership of my small team in the last year and lets just say it hasn't been smooth sailing so I'm really quite excited to get out of here. That said, I want to save every penny I can before I start school so I'll be working until about July 18th, then have a few days to pack up, going on a cruise with my SO , and then my lease ends July 31 so I'm looking to move in August 1. Then I'll have August to adjust to my new city and hopefully start a FT or PT job there. A break is great, but I get bored easily and I really don't want to take out loans to support my cost of living expenses so I will be looking to work. How have others handled giving notice? I'm really torn. The timing of my departure won't be very convenient for some events we have going on, so I'd like to give ample notice... but not so much notice that they decide I should leave sooner rather than later. Really torn over this currently.

The debt felt really scary to me, too. Up until a week or two ago, I just wasn't comfortable taking out this much money in loans. While PSLF and IBR are great, I'm not relying on those for my piece of mind. My piece of mind comes from knowing I do not make a whole lotta money right now and still manage to do SO MUCH with it. If reading about how someone else makes it work won't ease your mind, then ignore the below. Right now, I bring home about $35,000/yr. I only put away $50/month in savings. yeah, its crap, but its something and I transfer in additional money whenever it looks like I've got some extra floating around. I pay $250/month on my undergrad loans. In the last 14 months or so, I've made trips to Boston, Pittsburgh, D.C., wine country in Canada, and Denver. I have a gym membership, I go out, I don't always have self-control when I'm shopping, and for awhile I had cable (cut that crap out, useless!). Occasionally, I have large expenses like car repairs. There is a lot of stuff I spend money on that I do NOT need to, I just figure I'm young and should be enjoying myself to some extent. So if I have all of this disposable income now, then when I'm making at least $15,000 more a year I'm sure I can easily handle doubling my student loan payments. Thats only $3,000 more, so then I can put the other $12,000 into savings (because honestly, I'm pretty happy with the way I live and will continue in a similar manner). Without grad school, stepping up the ladder is going to be really difficult. So this is 100% the right decision for me. Hopefully this helps you?

Hi all, Is anyone else on the NYU waitlist? I am curious because I am, and I elected to stay on the waitlist until May 1. Tonight, I missed a call from a 212 number and came home to google what it might be. Welp, it is the phone of Vanessa Hutchinson... Asst Director of Admissions at NYU Wagner. However, she did not leave a voicemail. Currently speculating what this means and options include: 1 - obviously, I got in! 2 - they were gonna let me in, but since I didn't pick up they called someone else (does it work like that?) 3 - she didn't mean to call me in the first place OR 4 - she will just call me again in the morning The missed call was well after 5 PM, which is particularly interesting. Anyone got thoughts? Experience in this area? Wanna join me in speculation-ville?

I'm not sure if my experience will be helpful, but here it is. This morning, I finally made my decision and submitted my deposit to American-- I'll be getting my MPA with a focus in international management. I've been agonizing over this for a few weeks because I couldn't shake the idea in my head that George Washington, my other top choice, has a better reputation (even though they are ranked the same). When I really looked at the courses that both programs offer, though, American has more classes that tie into my interests. And in the end we are in fact paying for an education (and credentials, but that part doesn't help us make a decision). I don't know anything about Security Studies, except I hear its very hard to get a job in -- so I guess that could work two ways: 1) a more generalized course of study is better because you can cast a wider net for future job opps or 2) a more specific focus may make you the stellar job applicant they are looking for. I'd lean towards A, personally. Despite our best intentions, remember a lot of people go into school thinking they want to do ABC and come out with a slightly different plan. I'd suggest you take a hard look at the coursework and see if that helps you decide. I've known in my gut for a week or so that American was the right choice... I just had to take the leap. Good luck to you!

I'm waiting to hear from the school I'm 99% sure I'll be attending about a particular scholarship I applied for, which I hope to hear about tomorrow or Tuesday. I'm also kind of holding out because I have this horrible idea in my head that School B has a better reputation then School A. Alas, School A is a better fit with my interests academically and just feels right so I know unless something earth shattering happens I'll be picking School A lol. According to one of my good friends who was in our place this time last year, it feels so much better once you accept an offer. I'm REALLLLLYYYY ready for that haha.

If I can remember correctly, I spoke to someone on a Thursday or Friday and got the letter on a Tuesday I think. Good luck!

Don't assume its a rejection. Back in February, I was really sweating my University of Maryland admission. They said they'd notify us around like 2/7 or something like that. I called the department 2x and they said that they were behind schedule. Second time, though, they added that they had made decisions and were mailing out letters in 2-3 days. They said almost the exact thing you wrote to me, and gave no indication if I got in or not. I got the letter in the mail before my online info was updated. Some schools just do things a bit odd.

Something that I've heard is that many schools focus on your GPA for your last 60 credits, because they like to see how you were doing as your studies got more focused, you had adjusted to college, etc. If I recall correctly, Duke actually makes you figure that out for them. I didn't have any Fs, but I had a rough semester in which I only had a 2.5. Despite being on our Dean's List every subsequent semester, my overall never passed a 3.3. The worst grade happened to be in a foreign language class, and that obviously didn't stop me from getting some pretty good admits to MPA/MPP programs with an International Development focus. I also had a withdraw on my transcript, but in an unrelated class. I'm not sure how to tackle the question of addressing it in your application, but my advice would be to keep it simple and honest. Don't try and BS them. They have seen it all a dozen times over. Good luck!

American is definitely the best known program of those listed. The other three aren't even in the same playing field as SIS. Given that it is pretty good financial support as well, it is easily the best option here -- as long as the curriculum meets your interests, of course.

I just did the American & GWU events last weekend (MPA) and didn't see anyone there with any type of +1s. Personally, it would have made me feel uncomfortable and a bit awkward when I wanted to chat with current students, professors, etc.

I am sort of in a similar position. I'm a few years younger then you (which I know changes the degree of 'pull' that the family dream has) and am in the most serious relationship I've ever had. I'm not positive that its headed that way but I'm pretty sure it could be. However, I'm moving to Washington, D.C. for my masters degree. That is where I want to be, at least for the next 5-10 years. He has known since we began dating that I didn't plan on staying in our current city (actually, at the time I was about to ship off to the Peace Corps... and DC is quite the compromise from Africa!) Sadly, he does not really like cities. We're going to try long-distance, but I'm pretty scared about what this could mean for us. All that said, I've gotta do what I've gotta do. If I stayed (I, unlike you, am not happy where I am) and things didn't work out, then I've deferred my professional goals for nothing. I'd be terribly upset with myself. He doesn't love my plan but he is supportive. He has had a long distance relationship before and it did not end well. We're going to have a fun conversation tomorrow night since I just visited schools this weekend and am close to making a final decision. Now that reality is settling in, he may not feel the same way about trying a LDR. We'll see. The fact that your BF says you should be happy with your MA.... that would be a red flag to me. He should want you to see your professional goals to fruition. Its great he can provide for you but personally I find that idea offensive. I'd like to provide for myself, thanks. Like others have said, if he doesn't stick around and support you... there are many other fish in the sea. I know it doesn't feel that way, but if my BF decided he couldn't do this then I would pick myself. Always. This is definitely a highly personal decision, so I wish you luck and encourage you to do what feels right in your gut, even if it hurts in your mind or in your heart.

I know there is an entire section of the site dedicated to making you decision, etc - but I feel like a lot of the things discussed there are specific to your field. For instance, an MA in Eng student might be okay with a flowing dress for the below question whereas MBA students are probably going to be in suits. I'm going to be at the American & GW admitted students events later this week and was curious what others thought was 'appropriate attire.' I was planning on jeans & professional tops but would prefer not to look like a fool if everyone else is going to be much more professionally dressed. Its also going to be in the upper 70s in D.C. this week so I'd like to be comfortable, haha. Anyone have experience/thoughts on this?

Personally, I'm not totally freaked out about taking on $50-60,000 of debt for tuition. It is the idea of taking on debt for cost of living that I am struggling to wrap my brain around. No matter what, I will work part-time during school but that won't fully cover living expenses. I'm seriously considering working full-time and studying part-time, but am not sure if this is the right option for me. I have to do more research into deferment of undergrad loans if I'm only part-time (I have ~$15,000) and eligibility for grad loans if you're only part-time. Then there is the part of me that is thinking about waiting a year (or more). I'm definitely ready to continue my education. I finished my undergrad a semester early because I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and was getting a pretty general degree. I've had my current career goal in mind ever since then and am confident it is the right direction for me. But if I don't go to school now, I'd like to be at my next job for another 2-3 years. I think it really takes at least that long to learn the ropes, get a significant amount out of the experience, etc. Additionally, I don't know if waiting a few years will really improve my chances at financial support. I had a rough freshman year (2.5 one semester... ouch) and my gpa was only a 3.3 overall (last 60 credits is more like a 3.6, as is gpa within my major). From my perspective, undergrad GPA is my biggest hurdle. I've been told by or heard about several schools where without a 3.5 undergrad, you will not be considered for merit aid. On the flip side, maybe a few more years experience and retaking the GRE to improve my quant (only 70%, verbal was over 90%) could help me get aid. I wasn't on the lookout for the big fellowship opportunities in the Fall due to some personal circumstances, so maybe down the road I would be able to receive more outside funding. One of my biggest concerns is asking my recommendations to do it all again, especially as I don't have frequent communication with my undergrad professors anymore. I feel poorly about asking them to do it again when I was confident I was ready for school (as were they). What do others think about this? I'm going to visit GWU & AU next weekend, since they are really my top choices right now. But I have no idea what I'm going to do at this point. On the plus side, I have a month to figure it out.

Waitlisted for the MPA - Intl Mgmt & Policy. Congrats to everyone on your acceptances!

My GW letter said that they wouldn't be able to offer me funding. Also, American said that as of this week the initial round of offers has been made & a second round won't be made until around April 15.

I'm totally doing the same, Chai77. If I applied to four other schools AFTER Wagner (submitted early Dec), and have heard from all of them, what can be the hold up? lol. I mean I know its a popular school but I can't imagine Wagner gets dozens more apps then GW/American/etc. watch us all get an email at midnight tonight. *bangs head on wall*

per SPA employee I spoke to this AM - Initial funding offers have been made, you won't hear from them if you aren't getting an offer, and they will most likely make a second round of offers after April 15th

Maybe - MYRNIST, I assume you applied for the MID? Also, just curious, would you consider a full-ride at GSPIA over Elliot?