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jbr00ks9

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  1. I honestly don't know anything about Brown's MPP program. I suggested you aim to do research because you mentioned interest in a PhD. You don't necessarily have to do a research degree and probably don't even have to do a master's thesis (as opposed to a "project") to get into a PhD program.. but it will make you much more competitive. I know you can do research at Duke, even if in the MEM, especially if you have an assistantship. However, the science degree is more research-intensive since you do a thesis and not a project. I applied to a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering and Science at UNC. My UG degrees were BA in Environmental Studies and International Studies. A note on the MS at UNC - I think it's great for someone coming out of a liberal arts degree because it's a step before a full-out engineering degree. UNC also have Master of Environmental Engineering.. etc. Anyway, it depends on what you're interested in. The EVRN engineering degrees at UNC are actually within the public health school because they focus on water pollution and access and air pollution. My recommendation is to look for the research your interested in first and then the degree. This may not work out for everyone, but if you know you are interested in one particular area of research (so, for me, water availability), look for it.
  2. I believe Scarfo is the person to contact, but you may also try to talk to Suzanne Smith. @cunninlynguist - I'm not sure how much you received, but it it makes you feel any better, my friend at Duke said many of the students take out 75% of the cost in loans. Also, there may be more financial opportunities for the second year, especially if you pursue research. @Shumin - definitely pursue research in the masters program you go into. You can still do research in the MEM, but consider switching to the MS (or MES? or whatever it is called at Duke). You may find they are quite similar, with the main exception being you would do research instead of an internship. I know the case at Yale is that the MESc is even more flexible. The only required courses are for the research component. Thus, I'll take some professional development courses for the MESc that I would have taken for the MEM (e.g. Environmental Studies Practicum, a course on sustainable development projects applied to Haiti, the environmental conferences course). Long story short - you may be able to get the same coursework out of either one, but also gain the necessary research experience by switching to the science degree.
  3. Wonderful - thanks! I was afraid to start that process because I wasn't sure if I would be accepting the organization as well.
  4. I've just declined my offers from Indiana and Duke. I'm waiting on NSF paperwork to go through so I can switch the funding to Yale. Assuming it goes through (and I don't see a reason for it not to), I will accept my offer at Yale. So, with that, I want to offer a bit of advice for those intending to go to Duke, especially someone who didn't receive any/enough funding: make a request for more. A friend of mine at Duke asked for more and she got a few thousand. One of the admissions officers actually told me to do so. They make offers to X number of students at admission. In the end, only some of them will accept and come to Duke, leaving money in the pot. It's not unreasonable to ask for more, but do try to make a compelling case about why you need more consideration. Best of luck to everyone!
  5. Does anyone know how to change the GRFP institution? My application was for UNC, but I've decided to go to Yale. I know it isn't a problem to switch, as I'll be in the same discipline (Environmental Sciences), but I cannot find it on the website. Also, my contact person is at UNC, so it's a bit awkward to just call them.
  6. I heard from SPEA this Tuesday. Their process seems rather slow. I called last week to ask when they would be releasing the financial package information and was informed they had made some decisions and were currently in the process of making more. So, don't fret if you haven't heard. I would actually recommend calling. They were very willing to inform me over the phone about SPEA money and even looked up a letter for me from another department for the Foreign Language and Area Studies award. If something has been decided for you, they should tell you. The only reason I hadn't received the official information yet (as of last week) - even though SPEA knew - was because they were waiting on approval from another department.
  7. Nope. I suspect many won't make their decision until after this Friday, the visit. I'm waiting to hear back from the FLAS award at Yale and Duke to also study Kiswahili before I make my final decision. I likely won't be able to decide until the 6th, possibly a bit later. 15th is the deadline.
  8. Any thoughts on the actual costs of Duke and Yale? If you look at the "cost of attendance" estimates that they both provide, Duke estimates more for books and health insurance, while also considering transportation costs (and perhaps other). I am wondering if Yale is underestimating and/or Duke is overestimating. I'm sure Yale doesn't want to go much over $50k. For those visiting next week - can you add this to your list of questions to ask to current students?
  9. For those of you waiting on financial aid from SPEA at Indiana, I called yesterday. They're in the process of notifying candidates now. I hadn't yet been notified because they were waiting on another department to approve a fellowship for me, but she told me about my package over the phone. If you're anxious, I'd recommend calling. She also knew who got the FLAS awards.
  10. I have a friend that goes to the Nic school, and she said essentially everyone gets the same funding for the 2nd year. I think the main exception is if your grades are bad the first year. Additionally, let's say you get a 5k scholarship and 5k assistantship to work. The second year it turns into a 10k scholarship and you don't have to do the assistantship work. This may not be the same for everyone, but this is what she knew from her experience (and presumably her friends).
  11. I got the notification from Duke first and then noticed Yale had it on their website, too. There's definitely some competition between the two since the MEM degrees are so similar, but they do collaborate. There have a joint career fair every year, which attracts all the big environmental businesses/orgs/etc. As to my top choice between Yale and Duke and why - still Yale, but this may change depending on funding. I'm interested in international water issues (very broadly), and Yale seems to have more international focus. For instance, there's a class called "Environmental Diplomacy Practicum," and the enrolled students complete an internship in NYC during the semester at one of the UN Missions. Amazing. If I go to Yale, I'm thinking about applying to add Public Health for a joint masters. I am strongly interested in Duke still. I'll get most of the courses I want there, and I really want to take advantage of what UNC-CH has to offer. (I was accepted there, but will likely not receive any funding. They have The Water Institute, an international water conference every year that brings in big names, and are probably top in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) research field.) Both are great. For me, it will mostly come down to funding and if my visit to Yale goes well.
  12. I'm curious about everyone's plans/hopes for funding. I received my first fellowship rejection last week for the Foreign Language and Area Studies fellowship at UNC, which has made me incredibly nervous. I know this will be different for international applicants, but for Americans, what is your personal limit for graduate school debt?And do you already have any educational debt? Additionally, do you agree that the "acceptable" amount differs when considering MS-like programs versus professional programs (MEM)? At least with research-oriented degrees, there is more opportunity (seemingly) for research grants/assistantships.
  13. I tried to multi-quote, but it didn't work, so this comment is in response to akl_cat as well. My general understanding of the internship requirement for Duke is that almost everyone does it during the summer in between the two years. I think the goal is to learn skills during the first year in coursework to become competitive for a consulting internship, apply those skills in an internship, and then consult again or additionally (?) in the Master's project. I'm not sure how closely linked the summer internship and project are... If I remember correctly, you can choose two different things (= more diverse experience) or continue to build on what you've done. The message I continually got at my Duke visit is that you can make whatever you want to out of the program to fit your goals. Also, the project can be a group project or completed alone and with faculty. An internship before going to Duke would be great, of course. It's more experience for your resume! You may also want to do an internship in between your two years, as well. I believe Duke collaborates with some organizations or you can find an internship yourself. Some of them are paid and for those that aren't, you can apply to a fund in the Nick school to get money to make it feasible.
  14. I attended UNC's open house, so I visited Duke the day before on my own. I also have a friend that currently goes there, so she showed me around. Do note that Duke will reimburse $200 for attending their open house. (I'm sure not about attending at another time.) It's kind strange to me that Duke, Indiana, and Yale have their open houses on the same day. Especially for Yale - we won't even find out about acceptance/rejection until 2 weeks before their open house. Theoretically, if I was torn between Duke and Yale and hadn't already visited Duke, I would be more tempted to go to Duke that weekend because I'd already be able to book a ticket at a lower cost. Anyway, I will wait to find out about acceptance/rejection at Yale and if they offer a travel reimbursement. I have to be in NYC on the 1st anyway, so it would be somewhat convenient. As far as concentration - international water management.
  15. Yeah, the financial assistance is 99% based on what the advisor has from what I've heard. Unfortunately, my advisor doesn't currently have anything, so I'm waiting to hear back on the NSF fellowship or hoping he gets something. It's rather unfortunate because it's my top choice, but like you, I will choose based on funding.
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