RCtheSS

I'm totally like this. In my first semester of undergrad, I created a table in Word outlining every course I'd take in every semester of college. It was helpful for me to keep track of my degree audit since I was double majoring, minoring, and "certificate-ing". I've already started a similar table for my master's program but I definitely need to sit down with an adviser or two to work out the dual degree requirements. UChicago offers Lynda to all of its students, and I've already flagged the Python courses to teach myself some programming this summer.

I was close to accepting a two-year Americorps VISTA position when I heard back from my current employer (anti-poverty advocacy and research non-profit). I work with a couple colleagues who have done a VISTA program, and they regard it as a positive experience overall. I think service learning opportunities like VISTA can provide good prospective if you are interested in connecting direct social work to broader social policy and programming. Also, if you do defer, ask if there is a possibility that they would re-evaluate your application for available funding next year; by then, you'll have a good chunk of your VISTA program completed, and could ask your supervisors to write letters of rec on your behalf. This possibility varies by department and program, but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Have you spoken to the admissions office of the program about any deferment possibilities? Potentially, you would defer enrollment for one year to complete the Americorps VISTA program. Assuming you are coming straight from undergrad, I would personally recommend taking a gap year to get some work-related experience.

My dad, who is a lifetime Prince fan, called me at work and I started crying. He found Prince's music in a really dark time of his life when he was younger, and he passed his love for Prince onto me. It's like we lost a family member, as silly as that sounds. Music can really affect you emotionally in ways you can't describe.

Thanks! LOL, the metro definitely will smell today. Whenever I walk around outside Union Station I get a good whiff.

Thanks @hippyscientist! I can only imagine how Seattle and Denver are faring right now, hahaha. I only partake in the comfort of my own home and always try to be mindful of my neighbors.

Happy hump day, indeed! And happy 4/20, if you're also into that. Yesterday was my birthday so I celebrated by consuming too many sugary baked goods and shots of alcohol. My stomach isn't happy with me at the moment, but in all it was a great day.

Have you come across Kayak.com or Skyscanner.com in your search? Those are two popular airline flight search engines.

University Of Chicago Economics, PhD (F16) Wait listed via E-mail on 15 Apr 2016 O 15 Apr 2016 report spam Please decline Chicago, its my dream school. You will fail the first year exams and dropout, (read EJMR if you dont belive me) go to other programs!. Well, that's a convincing way to get off the waitlist.

I know, right? UofC is on the quarter system so classes don't even start until late September! I have plenty of time to figure out housing options, moving costs, and to replace some furniture. Until then, I have to try to stay focused on my full-time job for another 3 months

Yes, I remember you!! You are my favorite person for saying that on the tour, lol.

Hahaha, I think that's the first time I've been considered inimitable. Especially considering that I just noticed a typo in my original post Congratulations on your decision to attend Michigan, @sparks1! I love the Ford School (that's where I did my PPIA fellowship); the faculty and staff are outstanding there, and you're going to have a strong cohort around you for sure.

Absolutely. The last 6-8 months of non-stop stress has all led up to this moment...paying $600 in deposit fees! lol Nah, I'm really excited about the coming academic year. I can't wait to move out to DC and into Chicago!

I definitely will! I put down August 1 - September 1 as my move-in range, so we'll just wait and see. I'll still be searching for comparable off-campus options as well, but I do like that there are a cluster of apartment buildings near both of the professional schools I'll be attending.

Ahh, deposits are paid! This is really happening! I also went ahead and applied for grad housing as well, just in case. How long ago did y'all apply? Do they follow up with you about your specific building preferences?

welp, I've put down my deposits for the University of Chicago. I've spent all week working up the confidence to say that I'm going there out loud when people ask me. Congratulations to everyone else making their decisions down to the wire!

I'm going to use the template from previous years' Wrap Up Threads: Previous Schools (Name, type, or tier): University of FloridaPrevious Degrees and GPAs: B.A. Economics, B.A. Sociology; 3.60 Cumulative GPAGRE Scores (Verbal/Quantitative/Analytical Writing): 158 V/158 V/4.5 AWPrevious Work Experience (Years, Type): At time of applying, 15-16 months of full-time social policy research/advocacy experience. Some student employment in an economics research bureau; undergrad TA roles; peer tutor.Math/Econ Background: Economics major and took multiple statistics and research courses in undergrad. PPIA Fellowship.Foreign Language Background (if applicable to your program): N/AIntended Field of Study in Grad School: Public Policy and Social Work (joint degree applicant)Long Term Professional Goals: Applied social research and program evaluation to impact policy change; open to federal, state or local level work. May go on to earn a Ph.D. Schools Applied to & Results: Went 12/12 on program acceptances. I will share the MPP/MPA funding results: UCLA (accepted w/ $10K for first year only); UT-Austin ($24K fellowship and out-of-state tuition waiver over 3 semesters); UMichigan ($22K fellowship for 2 years) UMinnesota (full tuition and out-of-state tuition waiver for 2 years) UChicago ($12,500 fellowship for 2 years); UWashington ($6,750 stipend and out-of-state tuition waiver for first year only) Ultimate Decision & Why: University of Chicago. I had to weigh not only the policy programs, but also the social work programs; Chicago SSA was the only school to provide me with a fellowship. I also am in contact with a professor at SSA whom I can work with as an RA in the first year, in the hopes that I can strengthen my student profile and leverage more fellowship funding from Harris. I believe that both SSA and Harris have the best research fits and analytical frameworks to policy analysis and program evaluation that I am looking for. I've spent much too long thinking about this process, so it feels good to just go with my gut in the end! Advice for Future Applicants: Don't sell yourself short. I sure as hell didn't think I would get into every program I applied to, because I'm my worst critic. If you're passionate about your field, your career, and your research, then make that as clear as possible in your written application materials. Do well on the GRE, but don't stress out over it too much. I was going to retake the GRE because of this forum's conversations around it, and I ended up cancelling the exam because I realized that I'm a well-rounded applicant without hitting that 160V/Q benchmark. Perhaps it would have strengthened some funding offers, but I can't even confirm that. If you can narrow down your applications, do it. In hindsight, I should not have applied to two of the programs on my list, and this list was considered my "short" list after 3 years of compiling program information! Search through this forum. So many of our questions have been asked time and time again over the last 7 years.

Enrollment deposits are officially paid... guess it's time to finally change my signature!

Speaking as someone who is prepared to turn down a fully covered tuition package for less-funded program, only you can decide for yourself whether a program will be worth it to you in sum. Both CMU and Duke are great universities that should provide you the skills and resources to reach your career goals. You've done your diligence by attending both open houses, speaking with students, faculty and staff, and exploring the campus/city areas. At this point, I would go with your gut decision. I attended 4 open houses within one week, and each one was very helpful in learning more about the programs than I had known from researching their websites. Some schools had moved from my bottom choices up to the top because of how impressed I was by the curricula, campus resources and faculty. However, I kept hearing a little voice in my head during each open house session that would refer back to my top choice... and that's the decision I'll be going with! Don't discount your internal notions. If Duke (and Durham) has a better overall fit for you, then it is worth it to you.

Whoa. Did he send the email from his own address at least? That's a huge crossing of boundaries, and I would be very pissed off at any friend who would think that was a good idea to do.

That's where I am right now. I stayed in-state (Go Gators!), earned state and university merit scholarships, and was getting paid some semesters to attend. I waited to open my credit card once I moved for my first full-time job after graduation. Loans scare the hell out of me. All of my friends who are dealing with their student loan debt sound so flustered. I wish our higher educational system wasn't structured in such a way that folks are forced to rely on multiple loans to make ends meet.

Maybe I missed this, but I have to ask: what exactly did you say in the interview that you feel led to the school's decision not to offer you acceptance? Do you know with absolute certainty that the school denied you based on that comment? I don't understand why you believe that a university, public or private, doesn't have the right to deny an applicant based on an interview. Everyone else in this topic has clearly broken down the legal precedence, or lack thereof, for such an argument.

Have you visited any of the programs? Have you looked into the faculty and research centers at each program to determine research fit?

I've all but officially accepted the admission offer at UChicago! I know it's early, but I've been scouring Trulia, Domu and Craigslist for apartment offerings to get a sense of the market. I'll probably be ready to sign a lease in June/July.

I think public universities receive a fair amount of respect on here. Topics about Berkeley GSPP and Michigan Ford are just as hot, and I personally ruled out all but one private school due to program options. I think it is dependent on one's career goals: many folks here are in the IR and development camps, and it looks like private universities have stronger programs in that field. Also, Syracuse is a private university.