PrattIAFF

I applied for them both last year when I was in Tanzania. Had to return to the US for the Rangel Interview and was able to interview via Skype for Pickering

Thanks everyone for your input... It's be a tough decision, but I have decided to defer for a year, reapply for more fellowships and programs. And already, other opportunities are presenting themselves for the next year... The disappointment is still there, but I have some peace of mind. So thanks a lot!!

No the $30K is the second-highest award they offer (the other $5K was need-based aid)... Finding from GW Elliott School is pretty competitive... that's one factor that makes this decision so hard... I consider myself very fortunate to get that offer, but at the same time, I can't anticipate that I will immediately have a job that would support that kind of debt burden... y One source of consolation is that a GW rep said that if I am one of the most competitive candidates this cycle, it's likely that I will be one of the most competitive for the next... But it kind of feels like my dreams are slipping away... a bit dramatic-sounding, but pretty accurate

I applied to several top schools of International Affairs, and I accepted an offer from Elliott. Tuition is $28,000/yr, and they offered me $35000 toward the program (65% tuition reduction). I would still have to pay $22,000 for tuition, plus supplies and living expenses in D.C for two years. I have $43,000 in debt from undergrad, and I'm looking at accruing another $22,000 for tuition, and at least $10,000/yr for living expenses... so under the best circumstances, I could possibly end up with $85,000 in debt, but likely closer to $95,000... This is with working at a restaurant job initially while looking for a job more in line with my career... Lots of debt and lots of stress. There is always the possibility of getting funding in the second year, and I've located potential sources of $54,000... but again these are competitive and there is no guarantee... I had applied for the Rangel and Pickering Fellowships, either of which would have covered all, or a substantial portion of tuition for any grad school, a living stipend, two generously-paid internships, and the guarantee of a job in the Foreign Service after graduation. I'm planning a career in government, and the Foreign Service is my "dream career." I was selected as a finalist for both fellowships, meaning I had a 50% chance of getting one of them.. After the interview and testing process, I learned that I was not selected for either of them... Of course I was extremely discouraged, but glad that I was selected as a finalist for both, and that I at least received some funding for grad school. I want to reapply for the Pickering and Rangel Fellowships, defer admission to GW, and also reapply to a wider variety of schools in the hopes of getting funding. Pickering and Rangel are not guaranteed, but I think my chances would be better the second time around... meaning no additional student debt, and a gateway to my dream career. If I defer admission to GW, there is no guarantee that they will offer me the same financial package. And of course there is no guarantee that I would get a better deal from any other school. So here's my dilemma: Deferring grad school for a year means risking a financial aid package that some people would be extremely happy to get. But it also offers the possibility of getting it completely paid for with two paid internships and a direct route to my dream career. I know exactly what I want to do, but I'm not sure being saddled with that much debt is the way to do it... What to do?

I applied to several top schools of International Affairs, and I accepted an offer from George Washington University. Tuition is $28,000/yr, and they offered me $35000 toward the program (65% tuition reduction). I would still have to pay $22,000 for tuition, plus supplies and living expenses in D.C for two years. I have $43,000 in debt from undergrad, and I'm looking at accruing another $22,000 for tuition, and at least $10,000/yr for living expenses... so under the best circumstances, I could possibly end up with $85,000 in debt, but likely closer to $95,000... This is with working at a restaurant job initially while looking for a job more in line with my career... Lots of debt and lots of stress. There is always the possibility of getting funding in the second year, and I've located potential sources of $54,000... but again these are competitive and there is no guarantee... I had applied for the Rangel and Pickering Fellowships, either of which would have covered all, or a substantial portion of tuition for any grad school, a living stipend, two generously-paid internships, and the guarantee of a job in the Foreign Service after graduation. I'm planning a career in government, and the Foreign Service is my "dream career." I was selected as a finalist for both fellowships, meaning I had a 50% chance of getting one of them.. After the interview and testing process, I learned that I was not selected for either of them... Of course I was extremely discouraged, but glad that I was selected as a finalist for both, and that I at least received some funding for grad school. I want to reapply for the Pickering and Rangel Fellowships, defer admission to GW, and also reapply to a wider variety of schools in the hopes of getting funding. Pickering and Rangel are not guaranteed, but I think my chances would be better the second time around... meaning no additional student debt, and a gateway to my dream career. If I defer admission to GW, there is no guarantee that they will offer me the same financial package. And of course there is no guarantee that I would get a better deal from any other school. So here's my dilemma: Deferring grad school for a year means risking a financial aid package that some people would be extremely happy to get. But it also offers the possibility of getting it completely paid for with two paid internships and a direct route to my dream career. I know exactly what I want o do, but I'm not sure being saddled with that much debt is the way to do it... What to do?

The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 | Rep. Hansen Clarke Key Objectives: 1. Make student loan repayment both simple and fair o The bill would create a new “10-10 standard” for student loan forgiveness.  If you make payments equal to 10% of your discretionary income for 10 years, your remaining federal student loan debt would be forgiven.  If you have already been making payments on your student loans, your repayment period would likely be shorter than 10 years. The amount you have already paid on your student loans over the past decade would be credited toward meeting the requirement for forgiveness. o The bill would ensure low interest rates on federal student loans by capping them at 3.4%. o The bill would allow existing borrowers whose educational loan debt exceeds their income to break free from the crushing interest rates of private loans by converting their private loan debt into federal Direct Loans, then enrolling their new federal loans into the 10/10 program. o The bill would reward graduates for entering public service professions like teaching and firefighting. It would also provide incentives for medical professionals to work in underserved communities. It would reduce the Public Service Loan Forgiveness requirement to 5 years from its current 10 years. Jumpstart the economy and create jobs o The bill would increase millions of Americans’ purchasing power by forgiving debt, reducing loan repayment burdens, and cutting fees and interest rates. This would free many of these Americans to invest, buy homes, and start businesses. o The bill would create jobs by increasing consumer demand for goods and services. 2. Send a lifeline to student borrowers who have fallen on difficult times o Many Americans who have fallen behind on payments due to illness, unemployment, or divorce face continually rising interest rates and compounding fees with no hope of escape.  The bill seeks to ensure that no one will be pushed into poverty because of a stroke of bad luck.  Americans who are behind on their payments would be eligible to enroll in the new program and bring their payments down to 10% of discretionary income. 3. Promote financial responsibility in higher education o While current borrowers would be eligible for full forgiveness under the plan, future borrowers would be subject to a $45,520 cap on forgiveness (based on the average overall cost of a four-year degree at a public university). The aim is to incentivize students to be mindful of educational costs and for colleges and universities to control tuition increases. o Provisions of the bill itself would be financed by projected savings from Iraq and Afghanistan Overseas Contingency Operations; the bill would not affect funding for existing student aid programs.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

For all of those concerned with the mounting cost of higher education and the rising necessity of student loans to finance it, please sign this petition: http://signon.org/sign/support-the-student-loan Since 1980, average tuition for a 4-year college education has increased an astounding 827%. Since 1999, average student loan debt has increased by a shameful 511%. In 2010, total outstanding student loan debt exceeded total outstanding credit card debt in America for the first time ever. In 2012, total outstanding student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 Trillion. In short, student loan debt has become the latest financial crisis in America and, if we do absolutely nothing, the entire economy will eventually come crashing down again, just as it did when the housing bubble popped. Reasonable minds can disagree as to the solutions, they cannot, however, disagree on the existence of this ever-growing crisis, as well as the unsustainable course we're on towards financial oblivion. As a result of more than 30 years of treating higher education as an individual commodity, rather than a public good and an investment in our collective future, those buried under the weight of their student loan debt are not buying homes or cars, not starting businesses or families, and they're not investing, inventing, innovating or otherwise engaged in any of the economically stimulative activities that we need all Americans to be engaged in if we're ever to dig ourselves out of the giant hole created by the greed of those at the very top. Now for the good news: there's finally hope on the horizon! Representative Hansen Clarke of Michigan has just introduced H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, in the House of Representatives - legislation designed to lend a helping hand to those struggling under massive amounts of student loan debt. For a brief summary of H.R. 4170's main provisions, please copy & paste this URL into your browser: http://tinyurl.com/7akydbk To read the full version of the actual bill itself, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/6txure8 To read answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, please go here: http://tinyurl.com/8xh4csd Student loan debt has an undeniable and significant suppressive effect on economic growth. The Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012 directly addresses this enormous boot on the neck of the middle class and represents a glimmer of hope for millions of Americans who, with each passing day, find that the American Dream is more and more out of reach. Therefore, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that Congress bring H.R. 4170, the Student Loan Forgiveness Act of 2012, up for consideration and commit to holding a straight, up-or-down vote on it this year. Thereafter, we, the undersigned, respectfully request that President Obama sign this legislation into law.

This thread is for everyone who is trying to find housing in Washington, D.C. Perhaps we can arrange some apartment/room shares. Institution & Program:GWU Elliott School - MA International Affairs Desired Location: GWU is in Foggy Bottom, but I'm considering the following locations within a 30 minute commute to GW campus Northern Virginia: Crystal City, Pentagon City, Courthouse, Rosslyn NW DC: Columbia Heights, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Georgetown SE DC: Capitol Heights, Eastern Market Room Preference: Preferably a Furnished private room... I am willing to share a room with another male (dorm-style) if it is not too cramped. Whether it's an apartment or house makes no difference. Gender: I can share an apartment or house with a female, but if it's a room share, I would prefer a male roommate Monthly Budget: Rent+Utilities: No more than $1000, but of course less rent is better.

If you've already sent the tuition deposit ($500) that was due on April 20, I think an email is sufficient. And if you're deferring for a whole year, you have to sent another $500 deposit by December.

Thank you, mirandaw. Well I would certainly be more "employable" with an MA than without one, and statistically I would have a higher earning potential...but it wouldn't necessarily be the job I really want. I wouldn't want to be put in a position of having to take a higher-paying job that I don't really enjoy (I know, I'm absolutely insane)... but I'm not looking at an MA in terms of a payscale. And as far as networking, I chose a DC school because of all the opportunities, not just for networking, but for really integrating with the policy community. I also had an unpaid part-time internship already lined up. All these would be difficult to do if I am working at a restaurant or something else just to make rent payments... And on top of this, there is no financial support from my family...whatsoever... (I imagine this is the case for many grad students, but it's worth mentioning)... so I have to think of long-term stability/sustainability. Either way, debt or deferral, it's a tough predicament.

Yes this is for an MA. And you're right that funding for MA's is extremely rare (esp. GW)... I just had high hopes for Rangel and Pickering so I accepted an offer from my first choice school... So I would rather go to a lower tier school for no additional debt than my dream school for $40K-$50K on top of my undergrad debt. Some people would justify this by citing earning potential with an MA from a top school... but there are no guarantees of employment and I'm not necessarily getting an MA to increase my earning potential. I want it so I can pursue my dreams (cliche, I know, but it's true)... and loads of debt is a sure way to turn a dream into a nightmare.

Hello everyone! I was accepted to GW University, and I applied for the Pickering and Rangel Graduate Fellowships. I was not selected for either so now I have to make a tough decision: 1. I could go ahead and continue with grad school, and take out loans and possibly a job to cover tuition and living expenses. Pros: I was accepted @ GW with a $30K fellowship, and a $5K need-based grant for the first year. So that is 61% of tuition ($57,460 total). I would expect to get another $5K for the second year, but there's no guarantee. Cons: I would need to make upthe rest of the $22,500 for tuition, and then living expenses (D.C.), books, insurance, etc (GW estimates this at $45K for two years). So I'm looking at possibly taking out $60K in loans. I could take out less if I score a part-time job making good money, and that would likely be in a restaurant (I worked in a restaurant in D.C. during a 5-month unpaid internship, and I had literally no time for anything else - not to mention I averaged one day off a month and I was exhausted the whole time... So I don't want to do that again). And that would mean I'd be missing out on a lot of opportunities in D.C. (Amazing, although unpaid, internships, public events, networking ops, etc.)... So Im looking at a lot of debt despite an aid package from GW that some people would kill for. 2. I could defer/reapply for grad school for a year, and hope to find something I can work on in the meantime... Pros: I would have another shot at both the Rangel and Pickering fellowship. I would be able to improve my application (work experience/ GRE Math score, etc). I would be able to reapply for a wider range of schools in case funding becomes an issue again. Cons: None of the fellowships are guaranteed, and I could possibly forfeit the GW fellowship and end up with absolutely no funding. It would be somewhat difficult to find a relevant job for such a short period of time. (I could do an ESL job in China or something, which would look good and probably be a great experience, but teaching English is not something that truly interests me) Any advice?

Ok so I know that most of you are probably not reading this forum after you've been selected/denied. But I thought I would ask your opinions. Since I was denied both the Pickering and Rangel Fellowships, I have to make a tough decision: 1. I could go ahead and continue with grad school, and take out loans to cover tuition and living expenses. Pros: I was accepted @ GW with a $30K fellowship, and a $5K need-based grant for the first year. So that is 61% of tuition. I would expect to get another $5K for the second year, but I'm not certain I will. Cons: I would need to make up $22,500 for tuition, and living expenses (D.C.), books, insurance, etc (GW estimates this at $45K for two years). So I'm looking at possibly taking out $60K in loans. I could take out less if I score a part-time job making good money, and that would likely be in a restaurant (I worked in a restaurant in D.C. during a 5-month unpaid internship, and I had literally no time for anything else - not to mention I averaged one day off a month and I was exhausted the whole time... So I don't want to do that again). And that would mean I'd be missing out on a lot of opportunities in D.C. (Amazing, although unpaid, internships, public events, networking ops, etc.)... So Im looking at a lot of debt despite an aid package from GW that some people would kill for. 2. I could defer/reapply for grad school for a year, and hope to find something I can work on in the meantime... Pros: I would have another shot at both the Rangel and Pickering fellowship. I would be able to improve my application (work experience/ GRE Math score, etc). I would be able to reapply for a wider range of schools in case funding becomes an issue again. Cons: None of the fellowships are guaranteed, and I could possibly forfeit the GW fellowship and end up with absolutely no funding. It would be somewhat difficult to find a relevant job for such a short period of time. (I could do an ESL job in China or something, which would look good and probably be a great experience, but teaching English is not something that truly interests me) Any advice?

Congrats everyone! I was not as lucky as some of you. So it looks like I'll try again next year. Now just have to find out what to do with the next year of my life :/

Whew! It's over! Now the waiting. So we should know within two weeks... so again, good luck everyone.

I think it should be fine. I think they just don't want us relying on props. All attention should be on the panel, and the panel can look at handout if they choose.

Best of luck to everyone on your interviews this week! It's been a great experience thus far and I will be glad to see how it turns out for all of us

I think we should read into this more carefully, because this could actually be a chance to redeem ourselves: "As part of your interview, you will give a 5 minute oral presentation based on the essay question you answered in your online, written exam." This does not say that we have to give a presentation based on the paper we wrote. Rather it says we must present based on the question. I'm no lawyer, but that little nugget of nuance may just be our saving grace. I'd be willing to email Pickering for clarification... do you think I should, or do we want to take this at face value?

Well, I didn't receive scores per se... I knew when I finished the essay for Rangel that it wasn't my best work. I didn't prepare that much for the writing part because I was over-confident in my writing skills (fairly strong), and I didn't anticipate the range of issues with which we would be presented. The questions were more broad than the Pickering, and I struggled to make a coherent argument. So I know that it was the writing part that brought me down. I over-prepared for the interview, and I know it went well... I felt a good chemistry with the panel and I let them know just how much I think I am a good candidate. I actually received an email on behalf of the interview panel expressing appreciation for my participation and encouraging me to reapply (the email also explained that the writing portion was what held me back)... Not everyone received a personal email so I can only guess that I made an impression (I tell you this just for the sake of facts, and not because I have a superior opinion of myself). So I have been preparing non-stop for the writing exercise for Pickering. I'm fairly up-to-date on US Foreign Policy, current events, etc, but I really took my time to dig into the issues. For future Rangel and Pickering hopefuls, I can recommend the following resources (in order of usefulness): http://www.cfr.org/issue/ (read the issue guides, backgrounders, expert analysis, etc) http://www.globalissues.org/ (left-leaning, but valid criticisms not common in mainstream discussion) http://www.economist.com/ (beyond-the-headlines analysis) http://www.foreignaffairs.com/ (most pressing issues in U.S. foreign policy) http://www.foreignpolicy.com/ (entertaining and cuts to the chase) http://www.the-american-interest.com/ (just a great bi-monthly publication with the theme "America in the world"... I recommend a subscription) http://nationalinterest.org/ (realist and hawkish, but necassary, point of view)