urbanaut
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Posts posted by urbanaut
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I agree with the post above. There are always things you can do to make your application stand out. A great example is getting real-world experience in the field. Alternatively, you could also take non-degree courses to show your potential as they would also be submitted alongside your transcript; it could show improvement and desire (which are important personal traits in a candidate).
And, keep in mind that as long as you meet the minimum requirements, it's hard to know what 'the cut' really is as its assessed year-to-year depending on the types of applicants they get. Programs always want a diverse student body, so find ways to make your application stand out and give it another shot if it's what you really want to do.
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I've been accepted to a number of graduate programs, but I've narrowed it down to two main contenders. A top domestic school for Urban Planning or the a really interesting opportunity abroad for International and Public Affairs.
All main considerations aside, my biggest issue is that, although the school abroad has responded via the program itself and department letting me know that I was chosen for their program, I am yet to get a hard copy of the letter in hand from the faculty of graduate studies.
My deadline for replying to my domestic offer (which I have managed to get extended) is going to expire in the next week, and although I followed up with the school abroad all the said was that they could only do the best they could to get the faculty to hurry with my offer.
To me, this is a question of one in the hand and two in the bush. I’d love to go abroad, but is it worth the risk of something happening (as unlikely as it is) by turning down a pretty good offer that I already have? My most recent email inquiry with the department has gone unanswered…
What would you do?
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Congrats @urbanaut. Are you in the regular 2 year stream
Yep. My background/work experience is in public policy development, so this would be something of a change of pace for me should I accept.
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Got my acceptance for the Master of Planning program today... so late... too late!
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If this is what you want to do, make it happen. Sounds like you have the ideal conditions to succeed (and not many people can say they have such a good relationship with a prospective school), so take the GRE as that last hurdle you need to surpass that's keeping you from the program and career of your dreams.
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Like you said, there is a possibility. If I've learned anything it's that you're always best to manage expectations until you get a definitive answer.
But best of luck, and I really hope it works out for you! Sounds like the POI wants to have you there!
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Hypothetically, yes I would still go. And it would open up the opportunity to go anywhere in the world, regardless of tuition and living expenses. And then subsequently, I would donate a sufficient sum to have an auditorium named after me.
I would then establish an NGO/charity and become a globe-trotting humanitarian (with a yacht).
<- those sunglasses would be designer. -
Well then that's good news! As long as it's a review of documentation and not a matter of a new set of eyes who have to make a secondary recommendation I feel a little more secure! It was all just a tad strange as I haven't had a similar experience applying domestically, so I found it somewhat disconcerting to have a 'vetting' that could take until late June...
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Don't get down! My first answer was a rejection, which made me wonder what to expect from the rest of the process (since this was a program fairly low on my list of choices)... but then my second answer was a recommendation for acceptance from the department at my top school! So you never know until it's all said and done.
I think it's normal for people to get hung up on what could be, but there's no sense in missing out on enjoying the present.
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Thanks to all for the feedback. I am a Canadian student and this was for a school abroad.
I followed up with the program coordinator to let them know that the end of June doesn't really work for me as I have other offers and need time to arrange a leave of absence at work... They said they'd process my application as quickly as possible, but that my qualifications need to be vetted prior to official letter of offer.
Wonder what they mean by qualifications being vetted... I provided them with a sealed transcript, letters of reference, statement of interest and CV...
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Hi GradCaféers,
I got an informal email last week from a Program Director of an Masters program I applied to that read:
Dear So and So,
We are completing our admission reviewing process this week. I am happy to let you know that we are recommending to the Faculty Office for your admission to the programme in 2012-13.
Which was followed be a formal email this morning from the program coordinator in the department office that read:
Dear So and So,
We are pleased to inform you that we have made a recommendation for your admission to our programme. The Faculty and the University will vet your qualifications and submitted documents. If an offer is decided, an official reply will be mailed to you by the end of June.
Thanks again for your application.
All in all, it sounds like it's in the bag... but this is the first 'recommendation' I've received (the other acceptances have been outright). Any insight from people who have been through this, or have some knowledge of it, would be appreciated. This was sent to me from my top choice school.
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Waiting on the MA in urban planning... I emailed them a week or so ago and they indicated that the review process is ongoing and that my application had yet to be reviewed (although the adcomm apparently meets regularly). I've already heard back from U of T and the University of Hong Kong (both notoriously slow), so why on earth is Ryerson taking so long?!
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^ That gets right to the heart of how I feel... haha. Wonder what the admissions office would think if they got that as the body of a status inquiry email.
(The fact that I'm even thinking about that shows how close to insanity the disquieting quiet is pushing me)
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Don't say that! There are many rounds of acceptances - a professor at my school told me that usually only 30% of the admitted students accept... Once some people turn their offers down, they'll send out more. No official rejection is good news. Good luck!
There is always hope until they actually get back to you. Don't count your chickens before they either do or do not hatch... that sounded better in my head I think.
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just got an (email) acceptance for the master of information (MI) program! =) this was a rolling admission program and i waited for 10 weeks, so i feel your pain, uofters still waiting!
fyi, i checked my status on my application and it says decision made. it still said "under review" this morning, so it seems to me that they are pretty on the ball about changing application statuses...
Congrats!
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A friend was just accepted to MPP @ UofT
It is deeply frustrating that everything rolls out so slowly. It's not so bad waiting until you start hearing that some results have started going out.
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Good luck to those applying to the MPP program. I've still got 'Under Review'.
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I saw this too! On a different forum last year someone apparently heard early in March..I think march 7th or 8th..I didn't know that the admissions decisions dragged on last year...I haven't heard a peep since my status changed to under review.
.... 
!Based on what I've read, and from some friends who completed the MPP program, SPPG tends to be pretty slow with admissions... The admissions rate of below 10% is a daunting figure though. Nevertheless, fingers crossed, as from all accounts it's a pretty great program (minus the premium tuition).
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This website really makes my neuroses seem a little less bizarre...
Hit the nail on the head right there...
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Anyone here applying to the urban planning program?
I did. Also applied at Ryerson (M.Pl.), so hopefully I will have the option to decide between a more theory-based curriculum and a more hands-on approach to planning.
On another note, according to the results survey the MPP program has issued someone an early acceptance? I had heard that last year admissions results to SPPG dragged on and on...
A bird in hand or two in the bush? Waiting on HKU...
in Decisions, Decisions
Posted
That's what concerns me most, obviously. However, in speaking with the program director he said that it was just a matter of the faculty verifying my credentials before the official letter is issued. I was recommended by the program and department. So I'm hesitant to wait, just because if anything did happen I'd have already turned down a very good offer here in Canada.