RCtheSS

I thought I've been a terrible grad student for falling behind on assigned readings so early (even though I'm still engaged in lectures). Apparently, that could also mean that I'm mastering the art of half-assery.

Thanks, @MarineBluePsy! Most of my clocks automatically adjusted for DST and I wake up at 5:45AM every day now, so I wasn't too thrown off. What I don't like is sunsets before 5PM, ugh.

Awesome to see this thread still kicking. How's everyone doing? The quarter system is no joke at UChicago, but I'm really enjoying my program so far. I'm bonding well with my cohort, learning from caring and knowledgeable faculty, and gaining solid experience through my field placement! Balancing all that with two part-time jobs hasn't killed me yet.

I sure hope it'd be higher than that... that was my salary range in a policy non-profit fresh out of undergrad!

I'm packing all weekend long in preparation for the Wednesday move! Wednesday is also the day my job is hosting my go-away party/happy hour. It still hasn't fully sunk in that I'm closing another chapter of my life and starting another.

I've always gone with PC/Windows, mainly because I'm a video gamer. My parents have since converted to Apple products, but we grew up with every iteration of Windows OS so it's what I'm most comfortable with.

Thanks @hippyscientist! I've been counting down the weeks until I can 1) move out of DC, 2) get settled in Chicago and 3) really start preparing for my program. I was so excited when I got the call yesterday and learned more about the work I could be doing. How are things on your end? When are you moving stateside?

Long time no talk, y'all! I hope everyone's having a great summer as we gear up to start school in the fall. Yesterday I got a call from the field education director at the social work school, and it sounds like I've already been placed with an organization! They had to confirm that I would be available for early orientation in August. The organization sounds right up my alley in terms of its mission statements and services. I'm not on campus yet, but I love walking around the city trying to guess if other people on their phone are also trying to catch Pokemon near me. I haven't checked out one of those "official" meet-ups yet.

I've been trying (and failing) to wind down tasks at my job. My two-year work anniversary is this Friday, which also means two weeks until I move to Chicago! Once I'm up there, I'll have another 5-6 weeks before orientation to unpack, explore the neighborhoods and get accustomed to my new home. I just need to get past that dreaded moving weekend.

One of my friends (also a GradCafe user) was admitted to the UCLA PhD program this application cycle. They offered my friend no guaranteed first-year funding. That was pretty troubling information to hear from a department.

You've been provided an abundance of substantive feedback from the users above, so I'll just add a congratulations for your acceptances! At this point, don't feel pressured about making a "wrong" decision; both MSW programs are very strong in research, faculty and networks. Follow the advice described in the previous posts, and I'm sure you'll make the best choice for your academic and career goals.

Don't feel stupid for going with your decision. You did your research, compared program fit, faculty and resources. You have made a decision that you feel is the best thing for your and your future studies/career. I turned out a full ride at one program for another that offered barely 25% tuition coverage. No regrets!

I don't think it would be worth the effort. It isn't a requirement, and a number of MSW programs don't even require the general GRE exam on their application. I would focus on writing strong application essays instead.

I don't know if your MPP program has a joint degree option with a law school, but it would seem like an easier plan, logistically speaking, than completing both degrees separately. I would look into your program and see if there are courses, certificates, and faculty that tailor to your legal interests; maybe you can flesh those out without having to earn another degree. I can't speak to earning a JD, so I can only advise some introspection into the career paths you'd really like to be in down the line. From your post, I'm not really sure how serious you are about going into the legal profession, or why you'd prioritize getting an MPP first if you really want to go into legal work.

I've just submitted a request to withdraw my grad housing application, so I hope that somehow helps one of y'all in need! I managed to find an apartment listed on the Marketplace that's right across the street from the professional school buildings. Has anyone looking into the university's credit union, Maroon Financial? I currently bank with BoA, but I may open a credit card with Maroon. https://www.maroonfinancial.org/home.htm

Hey, I think weather is a totally fair factor to consider when thinking about admissions! If you're planning to live somewhere for at least 2 years, or possibly longer, you should try your best to balance your personal happiness and lifestyle along with a program's overall fit and resources. I'm originally from the state of Florida and I don't think I'll ever be ready for Midwestern winters. I'm just going to stock up on as many layers as I can cram into my suitcase and try to persevere as best as I can!

University of Chicago has a two-year combined program with its master of arts in public policy and Committee on International Relations: http://harris.uchicago.edu/degrees/masters-degree/am-ma-cir UChicago also has a new master of science program focusing on computational analysis in public policy: https://capp.sites.uchicago.edu/ It may be possible to go into the AM/CIR program and take some relevant CAPP coursework as electives; that's what I'm tentatively planning to do as an MPP student.

Are we talking about Sims in here now?! I don't want to think about how many hours I have put into the franchise as a whole! I wish TS4 held my interest for longer... I may have to wait for more expansion packs to be released before I attempt it again. TS2 and TS3 still entertain me enough, but I'm also tempted to reinstall TS1 for nostalgia's sake.

I currently work in a national-level social policy advocacy organization, where policy directors and analysts have earned either an MPP/MPA or an MSW. After interviewing my colleagues over time, I chose to purpose the MPP/MSW dual degree option. As much as I like to engage in policy analysis, I also felt that I need to ground the top-down approach to this work with direct service-learning and clinical knowledge about the populations I wish to advocate for, and how they actually interact with safety net programs. I look forward to the opportunities to work directly with individuals, children and families in poverty to understand how interventions may help or hinder their well-being. You can end up doing policy analysis and advocacy work with an MSW, but the social work path does come with certain career paths that wouldn't be as readily obtainable with just an MPP. I agree with the main points MD guy discussed, and second his advice about talking to people in the field(s) which you'd like to work in. I'd be happy to share more information if that would be helpful!

You can use this user-built website to check GRE and GPA scores of other Gradcafe applicants for the programs you're interested in: https://grad-cafe-visualizations.herokuapp.com/ Something to keep in mind: this forum as a whole is filled with posters that lean on the side of overachievement...meaning the average applicant here may be above average compared to the overall pool. But social work also tends to bring in a diversity of prospective students!

This is the same amount of my fellowship, although I had to renegotiate for an increase before the April 15 deadline (started at $11,000). There's a chance that as other admitted applicants denied the enrollment offer, more fellowship funding was made available to offer prospective students.

Checking in with any other incoming SSA students! I have yet to submit the field placement application; I need to take some time this weekend to think about the learning objectives I would like to achieve. I have started going through potential courses I'd like to take over the program.

I've filed a complaint with the U.S. Postal Investigator because none of my first class mail has been delivered for the last month. My family sent four birthday cards (one with a check inserted) postmarked April 11-13, and not a one was ever delivered. I also ordered gift cards to send to my letter writers that same week, and they've yet to arrive... Not too sure about what the ultimate recourse could be, but I don't like people fucking with my mail!

Seconding Wayfair.com! When I moved into my current apartment, I used Wayfair to outfit so much of my space: loveseat with matching storage bench, dining table, canvas pictures, toaster and tea kettle, bookcase, bed sheets... they have affordable prices and good sales.

The main thing I'm looking for in a new apartment is some counter space in the kitchen. I currently live in a studio and the kitchen space is lacking: the fridge on the left side, the sink is front of you, and the oven/stove is on the right side. The walking space is about the size of one concrete slab of sidewalk. There's just enough space in the corners for my dish-dry rack and some small appliances.