gigglingone

Keep in mind when you call that whoever answers the phone probably isn't the one causing the delay -- they are just as eager to get the decisions out as the applicants are, but if the group making the decisions aren't getting things done in a timely fashion, there's nothing that person answering the phone can do..... (says someone who used to work in graduate admissions for a large university)

You should check with the department to see if it's possible to qualify for in-state tuition after your first year of studies -- that way you would only be out of state for the first year (and hopefully they can provide you fellowships or grants to cover that difference)

Did anyone apply to Loyola Chicago, and have you heard anything yet?

Probably depends on the type of funding you are receiving -- if you are nominated for a university-wide fellowship, that would be announced at a different time than a department-specific fund. Also, sometimes the admissions email comes from the department, but the funding letter comes from the university (or the reverse). Would you rather wait longer to find out you were admitted?

Both my siblings went to Lewis & Clark for their MATs, and both are now teaching in Oregon. I would suggest that since your goal is so specific, contact the programs you are looking at to find out a) what is the geographic representation of where their alumni are now, b ) how strong is the alumni network in the PNW, and c) how many of their alumni go on for higher degrees later on. As you point out, L&C has a great relationship with school districts in the area and are well regarded in the PNW, so really it's finding out what that means if you were coming from another school... Good luck!