Hilldog2016

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!

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?

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

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!

Hey MPPGal !
 
We both now we're pretty much in the same boat here. So I will be happy to hear from others as well, and I will share a few thoughts:
 
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. The question is more, do the actual expertise of Austin in those areas translate in some useful concrete connections. From the discussions I have with the faculty there, it appears they do.
 
Location : definitely DC is THE international affairs hub. That's one of my main concern with Austin. And while Princeton is also lost in the countryside, it has the name that draw world class praticioners & speakers anyway. But LBJ faculty seems really involved in many national & international research projects and there is a lot going on there. Plus, they look really dedicated to teaching. So I guess it could balance some star guest speakers !
 
I have a phone call with Kate Weaver tonight, so maybe I will be able to share more on the subject after.
 

 

Off the top of my head, I think you would find that a masters in Political Science with an IR concetration would be much more academic in nature than getting an MA in IR from somewhere like SAIS and SIPA.  SAIS, SIPA, and the like are professonial programs.  I would think that in terms of job prospects, getting an MA in Political Science with a concentration in IR would be ok for think-tank type jobs or if you are considering a PhD, but less practical for other positions.  What appeals to me about SAIS, SIPA, etc. is that their programs are designed for professionals rather than academics.  

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!

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!