Hilldog2016

Harm's way in the sense that fights break out in the classroom in poor areas more than wealthier areas, and also working in an impoverished community generally means there will be more crime and violence in the neighborhood. But really what I was trying to get across is that is the viewpoint of many parents of the potential TFAers, they're not thrilled to see their young adult children go to work in what they rightly or wrongly perceive as an unsafe neighborhood. And the adcoms and employers who will assess us will be more likely to see it through that lens because of their age. Great advice on the applicability to any leaving early situation, juilletmercredi, I'm sure many will appreciate hearing that.

Hey folks, last year when I was on this site all the time preparing my grad school apps I tried to see if there were candidates who had quit Teach for America and lived to tell the tale. And I didn't find any, so I crossed my fingers and hoped no one would find out what a failure I was in the application process. I got into all the MPP programs I applied for (all DC area) and ended up at Georgetown with substantial funding. So I just wanted to tell anyone out there who was wondering the same thing I was that 1. it is not the end of the world, 2. you will not be marked for life, and 3. the reality is TFA is really not as big a deal in the world as it is in your head right now. Yes, everyone you know is a 24 year old go-getter liberal arts graduate who is either in TFA or has a friend or classmate who did it and they all know it's a 2 year program and if you give up on your kids you are the worst. But the fact is the guy who sits on admissions committee/potential employer is middle aged, he maybe had a friend whose kid did TFA and he's glad his daughter didn't decide to put herself in harm's way by doing the same. He doesn't know it's a 2 year program, he won't give it a second thought if he only sees 1 year on your resume, and he will still respect the experience and perspective you gained in the classroom and in the community. This is not to say that that I don't salute my friends and colleagues who stayed in their placement schools for years and accomplished amazing things for their kids and communities. But this post isn't for them. Nor is it to argue with anyone who thinks it would be constructive to chide anyone for leaving and then being so selfish as to try to move on with one's career. Not everyone is cut out to be a great teacher, and if you don't think you are it doesn't make sense to stay in the classroom taking a job away from someone else. I have no regrets over completing my first year of teaching and and no regrets over not going back for a second. That having been said, it's best if you can hold out til the end of the year just so your kids don't feel abandoned. But I know there are things outside you "locus of control" that make it too much. The fact is, *anyone with sense will understand that.* In conclusion, TFA is filled with good people who do a lot of good. But there are also negatives involved in the process. If you quit, or are miserable and thinking about quitting, I want you to know you are not marked for life. If there are other former CMs who left and would like to share their successes I'd welcome them to do so. Also if anyone would like to private message me with questions feel free. Good luck people!

OK I will now answer my own question: https://www.facebook.com/GeorgetownPublicPolicyInstitute2015 (It's a fanpage instead of a group though so you cna't really see people unless you're already friends with them...) Also: August 20-21: GU International Student Orientation August 21: Waiver Exams August 22: GPPI International Student Orientation August 23, 26, 27: GPPI Orientation for all full-time incoming students August 24: MPM Orientation August 24 (full day), 26, 27 (evenings): MPP-EP Orientation http://gppi.georgetown.edu/newstudents/orientation/

Admissions. Good luck!

Is there a FB page? Also do we know orientation dates?

Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): Liberal arts college Previous Degrees and GPAs: BA Economics, 3.14 GRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 170/163/4.5 Previous Work Experience (Years, Type): 1 year in Teach for America, 2 years as an econ RA at a think tank Math/Econ Background: Econ major, Calc I and II, Linear Algebra, Stats Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): Intended Field of Study in Grad School: MPP Long Term Professional Goals: Professional Committee Staffer, craft labor policy Schools Applied to & Results: Ultimate Decision & Why: GPPI MPP, many professors with great labor policy connections, in DC, they gave me the most funding, and it's a name that opens doors. I had applied to a few MBA programs too but decided it wasn't worth the investment since I want to work in policy. Advice for Future Applicants: Ask people who are in similar programs to yours for advice on the personal statement, they will likely email you there's which was a huge help for me to see how to structure it. Go to open houses before you apply, identify the program's values, highlight in your personal statement how your experiences and interest area demonstrate those values. Go to admitted student day and try to make a decent impression. Ask for an increase in funding. Ask for an extension on your decision if they don't increase your funding. Ask for an increase in funding again.

Just wanted to leave an update for future applicants: I asked a few weeks ago through email and they said they wouldn't know for a few weeks. I went to admitted students day and got advice from current students on negotiation. Then I emailed again saying what a great fit I thought I was and how much I wanted to go, and how much I was willing to take out in loans, and how much I would be paying at my second choice (less.) They emailed me back giving me a decision extension and saying they would let me know in about 2 weeks. They ended up offering me $25k + an assistantship over the original $10k no RAship. I saw a quote the other day on women's pay that I think sums it all up well "You don't get paid what you deserve, you get what you ask for." Get it girls!

Update: I negotiated and went from $10k to $25k + assistantship. If a school is your number one but out of price range, keep at it!

Just the MPP. I feel like if I got an MBA I'd just end up in more debt and working at a consulting firm on government work anyway, so no point.

From following yours posts throughout the application season, it seems like you want to go to LBJ. Plus if you have a job offer for while you're in school, then you have the added benefit of being employed when you are doing your job search for after the program. LBJ is so well-regarded, I'm sure they provide ways for students to connect with people and organizations, right? They have to. Do you know what sorts of opportunities they provide? Semester in DC? summer internships in DC? I really just think if they're offering you a dream job for while you're already in school, you'll be able to parlay that into post-grad school opportunities. And +1 to this "First, the "important" connections of GPPI : the connections that matter are the connections related to your field of study and field you want to work afterwards. General connections in DC won't help you as much as really relevant connections from the LatAm & Environmental departments in Austin."

I think I've decided to go with Georgetown. It's where I've wanted to go all along based on fit. The thing that was holding me back was knowing about the possibility of working at GW and getting tuition remission, not to mention having income. But then I realized if I went that route it would mean losing out on about a year of post-master's salary, which I hadn't factored in before. Between that and the fact that I got some money from GPPI and none from GW, I've officially decided it's a fiscally responsible path. I've had more interactions with the GPPI people than other schools so that definitely influenced my decision as well. Like everyone says, there's no wrong call when you have a bunch of great options. Cheers to all of us and good luck next year!!!

Does this mean you're going to GW?

Chipembere is referring to the fact that I would pay $53k at GW and $60k at GT. And thanks for your feedback by the way. I def do want to go to GT. The reason price is a factor is that I believe I could get part-time employment at GW which would afford my tuition remission, and also there program is much more flexible in terms of working your way through and ratcheting your courseload down as necessary. I also just think it would be logistically easier to have an off campus job at GT because of the metro and proximity to government agencies. So when I say a question of the cost, I'm including the foregone wages, and potentially foregone tuition remission. What are you thinking Sneaky? GT def has a great reputation, and the faculty are super well-connected. But GW is also very respected and I'd imagine most of the classmates would be workign professionals which is definitely a networking advantage.

Hey folks, anyone out there still wrestling with this or am I the only one? We didn't get a good sense of GPPI's career services since the director was gone, which made me nervous. When they asked the students on the panel what their experience with career services was like, the general response seemed to be "I had them look over my resume once, but I came in with work experience so it hasn't been a big deal for me." However, talking to the current students it seems like the faculty are so well-respected and connected that the career value lies in leveraging those connections rather than in the career counseling center. I sat in on a GW class last night which was solid, good takeaways, discussion and interaction. I know I could get a respected and practical education there, no question. But I couldn't help but feel that the caliber of both admitted and current students was higher on average at Georgetown. My thinking is that a big part of the value of a grad degree is the network and it makes sense to buy into the best one possible. But of course the question is, at what price?

I've been in DC for 3 years. GW is hands down better respected than American. More importantly, coming from out of town you may not realize but GW is a prime location, both in its proximity to the WH, CBO, etc., but also because it has a metro stop that makes it easy to get around the city. It's the blue/orange line which makes it a straight shot to Capitol Hill. It would be incredibly easy to get great intern and work experiences at GW. (I nearly turned down a scholarship at Georgetown to pay sticker at GW for this reason, but I'm not leaning toward Georgetown again just because their program aligns better with my interests.) American is a bus ride away from a metro stop. It's neighborhood is beautiful but isolated, and I know I would find myself less inclined to make it to campus for special events, or work/intern a lot while attending. On a personal note, I attended American for a few ed certification classes and while my professor was good, the logistics of the school drove me mad. It's like everything having to do with their websites and administrative aspect is the biggest pain in the ass possible. I know this may sound trivial in a graduate program decision, but for me those problems were just such time wasters I wouldn't attend AU again unless I had no other options. I know this thread was started awhile ago, let us know what you've decided!

Hi Sneaky, It definitely seems like GWU's career services were strong. I'm attracted to the fact that they have great PMF placement. We'll probably get a better sense of career placement at GPPI's open house, but I feel like because Georgetown has a great name, and GW's students have access to such great opportunities, there's probably no bad decision. Can't wait to hear everyone's thought's on the GPPI open houses! Until then, here are analogous posts from previous years:

Thanks for letting us know, Flyers1, you officially going with GWU now that you've been to the admitted students day? Has anyone else tried negotiating? I sent an email and have yet to hear back.... *Fingers crossed*

Hi Folks, After having completed the admitted student's day at George Washington this weekend I get the feeling I am one of many people asking myself GW or Georgetown. Here are some factors I've been thinking about: 1) Name: Georgetown is unquestionably the most respected name both in DC and especially beyond, but GW is highly respected in the city. Furthermore, if one is wanting to work in policy elsewhere in the U.S., say at state level, perhaps it is less necessary to have a policy degree from a top school. 2) Network: it seems like they are both strong. GW's might be larger, and Georgetown's might be more awesome. Not sure which wins. 3) Cost: Back of the envelope calculation of credits for an MPP times cost per credit shows that GW's MPP is $53,600 and Georgetown's is $80,640. (I have $10k at GPPI, which I guess brings that down to $60,640.) 4) Experience: GW's is much more workable for a working professional who wants to have the flexibility to keep their current job, or have the flexibility to take on a new one at any time without having to worry about a full-time or part time designation GW's location will also make it a lot more logistically easy to intern or work around town and make it to class, not to mention making it for random lunchtime speakers and networking opportunities. Before the GW event I was heavily leaning toward GPPI, but now I'm thinking about how valuable the flexibility and location of GW's program are. Any current students go to GPPI and wish they had gone to GW? Vice versa? How are other admitted students feeling about the decision?

Thanks Reasonablyterrified! What do you mean keep it limited to your top choice? Like only try to negotiate with your top 1 or 2? Or only reference the offer of your top 1 or 2 other choices? Also, I don't know whether you guys discussed whether it's better to call or email. The financial aid letter said email X if you have any questions, so would it be pushy or otherwise bad to call the person? Thanks again!

Thanks you guys rock! Good luck with your decisions between fabulous and more fabulous

I imagine this means programs emphasize quantitative analysis methods such as statistics and econometrics, and using data analysis programs like STATA. For example, Georgetown is big about touting their required 3 course quant. methods sequence. I think it's Stats, Econometric Theory, and Econometric Application, but don't quote me on it. This probably entails things like reviewing descriptive statistics in Excel (standard deviation, r-squared, etc.), then learning how to design econometric formulas in Stata or another program like SPSS or SAS, and practicing application with real policy-related data sets in projects. But again, I'm just an applicant, not currently in a program. I would also say I am heavily leaning toward Georgetown because of their quantitative rigor. I think quant skills make policy students the most employable. There was someone on the forum that was asking for "qualitative" programs, and I doubt those really give you marketable skills. I strongly suspect that if you want to have a job and make an impact in policy you either have to get good at quant. analysis or just get a law degree. Either way we sort of have to nut up, naw'mean? I think a lot of incoming policy students are intimidated by the quant aspect of programs but almost all the policy and business programs I've looked at offer math camp, so they definitely understand that most students coming in don't feel like they rock at math.

I got $10k at GPPI, was just curious whether people who had received money at GPPI would not be going elsewhere thereby freeing up more money for the rest of us... Blatantly self-interested post

So did anyone who got funding at GPPI now going to WWS or HKS instead? Holler at us. #justcurious P.S. Please turn down GPPI's offer as soon as you are able, thanks!

Hi folks, just wondering if people have advice on negotiating to get aid offers increased. Questions for discussion: 1) Should you do it once you have a competing offer or once you have all your offers? 2) Is it better to get a word in early or wait until it's closer to April 15 and they know whether people are coming or not? 3) Does one call or email? 4) Assuming no specific POI, does one contact the admissions coordinator who emailed the decision or the dean who signed the admit letter? Best of luck to all!

Samesies